Pamlico Paddle 2021 launched with a clean-up of the areas surrounding Havens Garden in Washington on Oct. 17. Kayakers took to Runyon Creek to pull garbage out of the water, and many volunteers scoured the banks of the Pamlico, Runyon Creek and Jack’s Creek, picking up everything from plastic bottles to twin mattresses.

The clean-up wrapped up with the Pamlico-Tar Riverkeeper Jill Howell and Environmental Projects Coordinator Clay Barber taking off on another epic kayaking adventure, this time down the Pamlico, from Washington to Swan Quarter. The trip took up where last year’s 10-day paddle, the Tour de Tar, left off. The purpose of the trips is to not only highlight the natural beauty of the river, but to promote recreational access and bring awareness to the many issues facing the river.

One of those issues is garbage dumped on the land ending up in the waterways.

We thank the many volunteers to turned out to help give Jill and Clay (and First Mate Miller, Jill’s canine navigator) at clean start on the Pamlico Paddle! Follow along on the Paddle Paddle HERE!