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Local paddlers clean up rivers in Greater Nashua, Merrimack Valley

By Staff | Jun 4, 2013

If you notice canoes and kayaks cruising local rivers loaded down with laundry baskets and milk crates filled with assorted trash this summer, you’ve stumbled upon a New Hampshire AMC Paddlers Trash Patrol.

The program was inspired by an individual who has combined a love of paddling with a desire to have cleaner rivers in the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord river area in Massachussets (trashpaddler.com).

Denise Hurt, a regular paddler and trip leader with the NH AMC Paddlers and several other groups, submitted a proposal to the Appalachian Mountain Club Conservation Programs Committee Special Projects Fund. The project was approved, NH AMC Paddlers matched the amount, and Trash Patrols became a reality.

Trash Patrol paddles are scheduled on the first Saturday of the month through October. The first one targeted the Nashua River in Nashua on May 4 and was a huge success.

Throughout the summer, the Trash Patrol will be organizing cleanups on various sections of the Merrimack, Squanacook and Contoocook rivers. A schedule of trips and dates can be found at www.nhamcpaddlers.org.

The Merrimack River Watershed Council (www.merrimack.org), the Nashua River Watershed Association (www.nashuariverwatershed.org) and the Souhegan River Watershed (www.souheganriver.org) are partnering with the NH AMC Paddlers for these trips.

Beyond Trash Patrol paddles, Hurt is challenging all paddlers to collect at least one piece of trash every time they dip a paddle in the water. The goal of the Trash Patrol is to encourage paddlers to become advocates for the Leave-No-Trace National Program supported by the AMC, to build partnerships with other organizations and to increase appreciation for the natural resources we enjoy in New England.

Founded in 1876, the Appalachian Mountain Club is America’s oldest conservation and recreation organization. With more than 100,000 members, advocates and supporters in the Northeast and beyond, including 10,000 in the New Hampshire chapter, the nonprofit AMC promotes the protection, enjoyment and understanding of the mountains, forests, waters and trails of the Appalachian region.

The AMC supports natural resource conservation while encouraging responsible recreation, based on the philosophy that successful, long-term conservation depends on firsthand enjoyment of the natural environment.

If anyone is interested in helping to support this endeavor, email Hurt at wraparound@nhamcpaddlers.org.

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