Last updated: January 4, 2021
Article
Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Recreation - How paddling helps protect the rivers
When we asked Ellen Fox, farmer and Westfield, VT representative to UMATR (the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers Wild and Scenic Committee) what advice she had for other rivers considering designation as a Partnership Wild and Scenic River she said get people out on the water. She talks about how we got Jacques Couture, respected Westfield resident, farmer and businessman, out on the river to paddle for the first time - someone who had lived and worked next to the river his whole life - and he was hooked. Once a skeptic, Jacques has become Chair of the UMATR committee and proud supporter of Wild and Scenic designation. When Ellen is on the river she is struck by the feeling of transition there - between water and land, water use and abuse, respectable and shady activities. This riverine highway of transition is a place that intrigues her, and that she works to protect.
In 2019, the Upper Missisquoi and Trout Rivers celebrated their five year anniversary of designation with a sojourn to honor the amazing river resources and the people, like Ellen and Jacques, that work to preserve them.
Another champion of the rivers is Keith Sampietro. Despite having to alter his traditional, week-long trips on the Missisquoi this summer, Keith is committed to getting kids out on the river because he, too, believes that those that experience them intimately from a canoe or kayak are more likely to preserve them. Keith took local kids out on day trips, called Summer Days on the River, this summer that were kept in household groups in the boats. Trips had between 4-7 participants from age 9-15 years;UMATR provided lunch, facemasks and hand sanitizer for all participants, while Keith provided boats, pfds and expertise. A total of 20 area youths enjoyed the rivers during the 7 trips.
