Arpin Canoe Restigouche - Passionate Wild River Advocates

If you've ever been canoeing on the Restigouche River, you may already know André Arpin - one of the best tourism operators in our province. I first met André about 13 years ago at a community meeting. Since then, I've been so impressed with his passion for the river, and the enjoyment he gets from sharing his love for and lifelong knowledge of the Restigouche.

André runs his business right next to his picturesque log home along the storied Restigouche River. Whenever we start down the steep hill that leads to his place, and ultimately the river, I feel a mixture of anticipation and relaxation all at once. André is so welcoming and generous with his time. Make no mistake, he is also running a going concern of a canoeing and ecotourism business. He and his team are excellent guides and outfitters, providing superior service to many hundreds of new and returning customers from around the world.

Over the years, Arpin Canoe Restigouche and CPAWS New Brunswick (the organization for which I work) developed the Friends of Restigouche, a partnership and network to encourage increased conservation of Restigouche rivers and wilderness areas. Other community groups and individuals have joined in along the way. André's determination to protect the natural environment on and around the Restigouche and its tributaries is infectious and inspiring.

I highly recommend taking a trip down the Restigouche with André - you'll be rewarded with a spectacular adventure.

Our newest campaign together is called "Keep the Restigouche Wild". We're trying to get at least 3000 signatures in support of protecting the wildest parts of Restigouche forever, and we've already received over 2500 signatures! To add your voice: http://www.wildrestigouche.ca/ .

For more on Arpin Canoe Restigouche: http://www.canoerestigouche.ca/.

Will New Brunswick's Best Remaining Wilderness be Protected?

Time and time again, studies about Canada’s remaining wilderness areas show that we still have spectacular wilderness opportunities in New Brunswick - but they're getting smaller each year! The wild areas left in the Restigouche River watershed of northern New Brunswick are important to our heritage, our economy and our way of life. They are also still open to all forms of development, including mining, clearcut logging and road-building. Less than a half of 1% of this internationally recognized wilderness is protected.

When I started working on a conservation project in the Restigouche 10 years ago, I knew very little about the history of the area, or the hundred-year-old economy related to the salmon angling lodges. Who knew there are hundreds of jobs and over fifteen million dollars generated by providing quality experiences for the folks from away who visit Restigouche each year! (well, lots of people in Restigouche knew, but I didn't!!)

Restigouche has now become a home away from home for me. I’m so impressed by my friends who work on the river – telling our stories, guiding people on their trip of a lifetime, welcoming back those who make an annual pilgrimage to this Restigouche paradise (for angling, canoeing, hiking the International Appalachian trail...).

Every time I experience the Restigouche flowing gently over its deep, dark pools around Kedgwick River, or catch that glimpse of the misty mountain vista around the Upsalquitch Valley, I feel the privilege of my job. I get to help people protect the natural areas they love, and in the process learn to love another corner of our beloved province.

If you want to support the "Keep Restigouche Wild" campaign and have the wildest parts of Restigouche kept free of development, please visit http://www.wildrestigouche.ca/. We’re trying to get 3000 supporters to tell the New Brunswick government how important it is to protect Restigouche wilderness.

(top and middle photos: Roberta Clowater; bottom photo: Steve Reid)