Raise the River: Paddle & Sunset Campfire

Spotlight on the first of four RiverRaiser Runs...

PADDLE ON THE MAURICE RIVER

and

SUNSET CAMPFIRE AT BURCHAM FARM

Dear {First Name},

Today I am writing to highlight just one of the four paddles we plan on hosting as part of Raise the River, a Wild and Scenic Paddle on the Maurice River. You will be in good company with your two leaders, CU Maurice River Naturalist Jim Blumenstein and Executive Director Karla Rossini. These two guides will team up to interpret the nationally significant natural and cultural resources that are found along the way.

Being that Jim is a CU Maurice River Fish Hawks team member, we have a River Bird Scavenger Hunt planned. Participants will also receive a Maurice River Paddle Trail Passport that will be stamped with a Wild and Scenic seal after the trip downstream. This booklet will include other watery trails within the watershed for your future use. We will start at Sharp Street paddling down to Burcham Farm. Once there, be our guests and enjoy the sunset as well as campfire music accompanied by light refreshments.

WHAT

Paddle on the Wild and Scenic Maurice River

followed by

Sunset Campfire and Music at Burcham Farm

*River-Bird Scavenger Hunt

WHEN

Friday, July 16th

Meet at 4:30 p.m. to organize transport

Boats in the water by 5:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m. - Campfire, music, and refreshments

WHERE

Meet at Sharp Street Baseball Fields in Millville

Registration is required.

By becoming a RiverRaiser,

you put your paddle to work for stream health and education! The river thanks you for your donation of $25.00 per person, per leg. Please click the button below to register for this paddle and others!

Registration for Paddles

A TOKEN OF GRATITUDE:

Donate $50.00 - receive a Raise the River water bottle

Donate $75.00 - receive a Raise the River baseball cap

Donate $100.00 - receive a Raise the River water bottle and baseball cap

It's a Paddle-A-Thon!

Consider joining us for other Raise the River paddles...

SEE THE PADDLE SCHEDULE BELOW...

Due to recent preserve closures and the condition of certain waterways, we have made some changes to the paddling schedule.

Saturday, July 17^th
Paddle 2 - - 9:00 a.m. - Wild and Scenic Maurice River and Menantico (Burcham to Mauricetown)
12:00 p.m. - Snack and relaxation
Paddle 3 - - 2:00 p.m. -Wild and Scenic Manumuskin (Mauricetown to Manumuskin)the Manumuskin

Sunday, July 18^th
Paddle 4 - - 9:00 a.m. - Merry-Go-Round Union Lake followed by a beachside gathering with light refreshments.

Be Prepared...

CU Maurice River will organize a carpool to transport participants. Paddlers will be able to opt into the caravan option or provide their own transport. Closer to the date we will send out more details on the ins and outs of transport. For open water trails, we suggest a longer kayak (recommended -12 feet) or a canoe.

THE WORK YOUR DONATION SUPPORTS:

Since 2005, CU Maurice River volunteers

have been sharing their love for our great river

with participants at an outdoor learning day

called Elevate.

Since 2015, volunteer citizen scientists have been getting their feet wet sampling for dragonfly larvae.

This project is part of a country-wide study on mercury trends that is being conducted at National Parks.

Phragmites stand paddle volunteer tom mckee

Since 2019, CUMR volunteers and staff have been mapping the spread of the Phragmites australis. This invasive species is a threat to native wetland flora and the river's biodiversity. It also obstructs the vistas iconic to the Maurice, degrading the recreational experience.

In 2021, CU wildlife gardeners took their love for nature and stewardship skills downtown. They installed four rain gardens that will promote the infiltration of c.890,000 gallons of water back into the aquifer, protecting natural flow regimes, aquatic habitats, and the drinking water supply. They also installed four massive pollinator gardens in urban areas, bringing nature downtown for all to enjoy!