St. John River Summit this weekend in Oromocto, New Brunswick

It certainly doesn’t feel like summer is just around the corner, given the cool and wet spring along the St. John River.  According to Environment Canada we are likely to set a rainfall record in New Brunswick this month.  As a result of this canoeing, kayaking, boating, sailing, fishing and all other water related sports have been at a minimum so far this year. I, like many, are looking forward to warmer weather and enjoying some time on or near the water, as opposed to having it fall from the sky!
The St. John River Summit is this weekend (Friday June 21st and Saturday the 22nd) at the Hazen Park Centre in Oromocto. For more event details and to register for the event, please visit here.
St John River
This will be a great opportunity to learn, share, discuss and experience the St. John River.  We will start Friday afternoon off with presentations from the St. John River Society, the Canadian Rivers Institute and myself.  Local musician Brent Mason and Zac Crouse, with his recently release Paddle to the Ocean documentary will entertain with performances on Friday evening.
Presentations and open forum discussion begin at 9 am on Saturday.  The trade fair, with displays from a variety of groups and agencies throughout the watershed, goes all day.  There is canoeing and kayaking (free of charge!) right next door at Ecological Adventures for those that want to get out and about on the water.  This promises to be a fun and educational event.  Please be sure to spread the word with friends and family.
At the Summit, I will be sharing some preliminary results from the Social Ecological Inventory (SEI) project that we partnered with Brock University .  I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the research project identified 160 organizations and agencies throughout the watershed that are involved with a diversity of activities related to river health.  I will also be providing an update on the WWF Living Rivers Initiative and our work on the St. John River.
 
Keep your eyes open along the river for the McCumbers  as they paddle from Fort Ingall, Que. to Saint John, N.B. over the coming weeks in a tribute to this Grand Communications Route.