ERROL, New Hampshire — Each year the Androscoggin River Watershed Council hosts the Source to Sea by paddling down the Androscoggin River from Lake Umbagog in New Hampshire to Merrymeeting Bay in Brunswick, Maine.

The kick off date is Friday, July 7, when paddlers will meet at the Umbagog Wildlife Refuge on the Magalloway River north of Errol, New Hampshire.

The guest speaker for the kick-off paddle will be Christian Kishida, loon biologist at the wildlife refuge.

Each year hundreds of paddlers join for one or multiple days to paddle the Source to Sea and celebrate the Androscoggin River. ARWC believes the best way to understand the river’s unique assets are to experience them first hand.

Participants will learn about local conservation, history, ecology and recreation through daily on-river programs. This is a prime opportunity to view eagles, osprey, loons and other wildlife along the River Trail.

Pre-registration is encouraged for logistical and safety reasons. Although there is no fee to participate, a $15 to $20 donation to ARWC is suggested at time of registering. Donations of any amount will also be accepted at the launch site on each event day. All donations support the administrative costs to coordinate the Source to Sea and other ARWC projects. 

The 22nd annual Source to Sea 2017 paddle schedule is:

Friday, July 7: Magalloway to Steamer Diamond.

Saturday, July 8: Mollidgewock to 7 Islands Bridge.

Sunday, July 9: Pontook to Boffinger

Thursday, July 13: Hike Mt. Jasper; Bofinger to Nansen Wayside; and Nansen Wayside to Berlin. 

Friday, July 14: Gilead to Bethel.

Saturday, July 15: Shelburne to Gilead.

Sunday, July 16: Bethel to Moran’s Landing.

Thursday, July 20: Hike Glassface.

Friday, July 21: Mexico to Dixfield.

Saturday, July 22: Hanover to Rumford;  and family day at Rumford.

Sunday, July 23: Canton to Riley Dam and back.

Thursday, July 27: Livermore Falls to Twin Bridges; and after hours Jay.

Friday, July 28: Twin Bridges to Center Bridge.

Saturday, July 29: Center Bridge to Cherry Pond; and family day at Cherry Pond.

Sunday, July 30: Auburn to Rancourt Preserve and back.

Thursday Aug. 3: Auburn Paddle after hours.

Friday, Aug. 4: Durham to Lisbon Falls.

Saturday, Aug. 5: Topsham to Brunswick.

Sunday, Aug. 6: Merrymeeting Bay to Brunswick.

FMI, register, schedule: www.androscogginwatershed.org, facebook.com/AndroRWC; 207-824-3813, 207-754-8158; beckys@oxfordnetworks.net, arwc@androscogginwatershed.org.