Greenfield, MA – The Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRC) joins over 1,500 organizations around the world to celebrate World Fish Migration Day on Saturday, May 21. World Fish Migration Day (WFMD) is a one-day global celebration to raise awareness about importance of migratory fish and the need for healthy rivers. You are invited to join CRC at three events they are hosting or co-hosting along the Connecticut River. For details, visit ctriver.org/news-events or www.worldfishmigrationday.com/events
In Connecticut, join CRC and many partners for a fish migration floatilla (paddle) at the mouth of the Connecticut River in Old Lyme, CT. Boat launch begins at 9am. Pack a lunch for a tailgate picnic upon return. For more information, to RSVP or get directions email Laura Wildman at lwildman@princetonhyro.com
In Massachusetts, join CRC at the Holyoke dam’s Robert E Barrett Fishway in Holyoke, MA for a free tour at 11am. The guide will teach us about fish that migrate in the Connecticut River and use the fish lift to get past the dam, as well as work that has been done at the dam recently to benefit the endangered shortnose sturgeon. US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Connecticut River Coordinator Ken Sprankle will also be on site. At the top of every hour from 10am-3pm, he will discuss status and trends of migratory fish. For more information, to RSVP or get directions email eryba@ctriver.org or call 413-772-2020.
In New Hampshire, you can join CRC’s North Country River Steward Ron Rhodes at 1pm for a tour of two old concrete dams to be removed on Clark Brook in North Haverhill, NH. Learn more about these dams and why CRC has been focusing on “deadbeat dam” removals. For more information, to RSVP or get directions email rrhodes@ctriver.org or call 802-457-6114.
“Over the years, we’ve created many obstacles for migratory fish to overcome as they return to our rivers from the ocean,” says CRC Executive Director Andrew Fisk. “But there has also been lots of great work done throughout New England to remove those obstacles and make our rivers more fish-friendly. Thanks to the support of our members and many great partners, we have been working on projects to benefit fish all along the Connecticut River basin.” Over the decades, CRC has helped to remove many small, deadbeat dams throughout the watershed as well as improve river habitat by restoring miles of riverbanks.
About World Fish Migration Day
Global celebrations will begin in New Zealand and, following the sun, finish on the west coast of North America. This international day will bring global attention to the need to ensure that natural river networks remain connected and that they are restored wherever possible, to achieve healthy fish populations and productive rivers.
“The health of our rivers and watersheds is inextricably linked to the health and well-being of our communities and citizens,” explains WFMD partner, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. “And in turn, a key indicator of stream health is its ability to support healthy populations of migratory fish and other aquatic species. By working to restore free-flowing streams, we can improve habitat for migratory fishes while providing recreational opportunities for people and reducing the dangers to communities from aging dams and other infrastructure.”
About the Connecticut River Watershed Council
The Connecticut River Watershed Council works to protect the watershed from source to sea. As stewards of this heritage, we celebrate our four-state treasure and collaborate, educate, organize, restore and intervene to preserve its health for generations to come. Our work informs our vision of economic and ecological abundance. To learn more about CRC, or to make a contribution to help protect the Connecticut River, visit ctriver.org or call 413-772-2020, ext. 201.
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