CANADIAN RIVERS DAY celebrated on SUNDAY, JUNE 8TH
Riverkeeper will celebrate by taking to the Petitcodiac River

(Moncton, May 29th 2003) The Petitcodiac Riverkeeper will be celebrating the first ever Canadian Rivers Day by going out for a paddle on the Petitcodiac River with fellow kayak and canoe enthusiasts. The event, aimed at celebrating Canada's rivers and their heritage, is meant to be a reminder locally that the Petitcodiac River has lots to offer on a recreational basis.

June 8th has been proclaimed as Canadian Rivers Day. This is an opportunity for all Canadians to celebrate our rivers and join in a variety of events to profile and protect our waterways. Festivities are being planned across the country and events will range from stream cleanups and fish enhancement activities to community riverside celebrations.

"The Petitcodiac offers great vistas along its 80 kilometres course and its 2,000 km2," says the Petitcodiac Riverkeeper's Executive Director, Daniel LeBlanc. "As we continue to scout our watershed in the coming years, we hope to encourage fellow canoeists and kayakers to discover for themselves this part of our local heritage!"

The establishment of Canadian Rivers Day has been formally proclaimed by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, the Honourable Sheila Copps. Rivers Canada a non-government organization is coordinating activities to celebrate this new national day across the country. For an updated listing of events visit the Rivers Canada website at www.rivcan.ca <http://www.rivcan.ca>.

The acquisition of the two Riverkeeper kayaks was made possible through a donation from last November's edition of the Moncton World Wine Festival. The river excursion from the Belliveau Village (Memramcook) wharf, the last remaining public wharf on the Petitcodiac, takes place between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. on Sunday evening June 8th. Several canoe and kayak instructors from the River Runners Canoe Club and South East Paddlers will be on hand to ensure that boaters are able to enjoy the event safely.

Also to celebrate Canadian Rivers Day, elementary school children from the region were invited to participate in a drawing contest. More than 200 drawings were submitted by children from participating schools depicting what they imagine the Petitcodiac River will look like 50 years from now.

Thirty drawings will be unveiled on Thursday June 5th at the Moncton Library starting at 5 p.m.
Six winners, one from each grade, and honourable mentions will be awarded. The drawings will be on display for the month.

Those who are looking for more information on the canoe and kayak excursion organized by the Riverkeeper or the drawing exhibition can phone 388-5337 or email info@petitcodiac.org

-30-
Media contacts:
Daniel LeBlanc, Petitcodiac Riverkeeper: (506) 388-5337