Paddle Power!

June has been a wet, wet month here at The Audubon Center at Riverlands! We have hosted, in partnership with our U. S. Army Corps of Engineers colleagues, 5 kayaking workshops for kids in Ellis Bay. Participants ranged in age from 9-15, and all came out for a day of fun on the River from metro St. Louis.

Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary is a marvelous site for these expeditions! We begin with a safety briefing and paddling basics on land, then move to the water when everyone is comfortable. Participants gain confidence and control in the safety of the slow moving, mellow water of the bay. Then we venture out to the floating habitat barges for the Interior Least Tern (a federally endangered species on the Upper Mississippi) and study the artificial habitat there. Paddling beyond the habitat barges we come to a nice place to 'park' in a floatilla near the end of the bay and watch the big tugs and barges work their way up and down the River as they line up in the main channel of the Mississippi River to lock through the Melvin Price Locks and Dam just downstream. Our paddle back up into the the bay brings us to Ellis Island where we have the opportunity to take a break from our boats and stretch our legs on a 1 mile loop trail. It is a great place to geocache, birdwatch, look for animal sign (including beaver, fox, coyote, and bobcat), and enjoy a shady stroll. Then it's back in the kayaks for our paddle back across the bay, to the end of our expedition, tired arms and big smiles all around.

I am always heartened by the change in participant's demeanor from the beginning to the end of our trips. While some are excited from the get-go, many are nervous or even tearfully frightened to step into a kayak for the first time (and certainly would not have signed up for their various summer camps had they realized it was on the agenda). Without exception, though (knock on wood), every blessed one so far has gotten into their boats and had a good time after a few kind words and a little practice. I feel so fortunate to be able to help people connect to the River in new ways, to show them how to 'get their eyes on' to nature all around us, and to remind them that their actions are impactful.

My work with AmeriCorps and Audubon keep me connected to people and to this marvelous place...and what a blessing it is...to help build people's connections, my own and others', to the land and water.