Nature, in general, and rivers specifically, hold much potential in supporting our physical, mental & spiritual health. Join us on Zoom to welcome our speaker, Melissa Ceren, a Mental Health Counselor (LPCC) and Fly Fishing Guide based in Colorado. Through her presentation, followed by a Q & A , Melissa, also known as “The Fly Flinging Therapist” will highlight how individuals and communities can promote greater wellbeing through a connection to nature, rivers, and each other through the practice of fly fishing. 

Free on Zoom! Click HERE!

Join us at Portland Yacht Club Wed., 4/3 @ 6-7:30 pm as Michael Shaughnessy, FOPR Board President and Co-Founder, speaks about the Friends efforts ~ past, current & future ~ to restore the health & public access to the Presumpscot River, as part of the Sebago Lake to Casco Bay Waterway Series. Free & open to the public; no registration necessary.

Did you know that stormwater runoff accounts for the majority of pollution to our lakes, rivers, streams, springs and bays?  As development continues and storms intensify, our waters are at great risk.

Join us here for a panel discussion to learn more about non-source point pollution (‘runoff’) and what actions can be taken to prevent and mitigate it. Panelists will include Heather Huntt, Cumberland County Soil & Water Conservation District’s Senior Project Manager; Toby Jacobs, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust’s Program Manager & Doug Roncarati, City of Portland’s Stormwater Program Coordinator/FOPR Board Member.

Following talks will touch upon river restoration and the health & regenerative effects of free-flowing rivers on individuals and communities. Check back soon for more info!

We thank our guests and featured speaker Marsha O’Mahony for such a compelling RiverTalk, held on 1/21, featuring her book River Voices: Extraordinary Stories from the Wye (available here).

For event reminders, recorded RiverTalks or to sponsor our free events, please contact Whitney: foproutreachanded@gmail.com or

Sponsor Us Here!

Join us for FOPR’s major celebration of the river, the year’s events, and all those that are a part of this voyage, this year taking place at Westbrook on Tap! It is a time to gather and feast while connecting and sharing in the spirit of the Abenaki who lived along this river for a millennium. Food will be seasonally based; primarily consisting of beans, corn, squash, and berries. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options will be served along with beer, wine and soft drinks available for purchase. Enjoy live music and the Presentation of the Annual Chief Polin Awards for River Advocacy. Register here!

Though advance registration is not required, for planning purposes we’d appreciate knowing to expect you. As such, please email foproutreachanded@gmail.com with your name & number of attending guests if you are not pre-registering via the Eventbrite link above. You may pay by cash, check or credit card at the event check-in. We hope to celebrate in your company on Sunday, Nov 5!

This is a paddle at the height of Fall foliage. The Presumpscot, with its ample foliage and relatively narrow channel, creates an experience where one can find great solitude while enveloped in autumnal color. Watercraft and PFD’s generously provided by Portland Paddle (or bring your own)! Free! No registration required. Meet @ Gambo Boat Launch, Gambo Fields, Windham.

Events are open & free to the public unless otherwise noted. At times, space may be limited. FMI or to reserve a spot, please reach Whitney @ foproutreachanded@gmail.com

Join us for this; one of our most powerful and beautiful events. Meet us at the Polin Memorial for a brief gathering talk. This memorial honors Chief Polin of the Abenaki Nation, who, in the mid-1700's, led the first documented dam protest in New England, advocating for fish passage to protect a vital food source for his people of the “Dawn-Land”. Tragically, he was shot and killed for having done so. We will then take a 10 min walk to the river to touch the waters.

This is free and open to the public. No registration required. Sturdy footwear for traversing wet and uneven surfaces is suggested.

When dams were put in place, much of the Presumpscot River was submerged below man-made impoundments. Beneath some of those can be found the remnants of human activities. These include parts of the old canal system, buildings, walls, cribbings and general remains. North Gorham Pond is one such location. This is a first time exploration so come prepared to discover aspects of the Presumpscot River rarely, if ever, seen. 

PFD’s, snorkels and masks generously provided in part by Dicks Sporting Goods (or byo).

$20pp paid by cash or cheque at the start of the event will help support the cost of equipment, an Italian sub, chips and a drink! 

Meet @ 103 Middle Jam Road Gorham. Parking available on site.

Please register by emailing foproutreachanded@gmail.com or calling Whitney, Outreach and Education Coordinator @207.650.3136, indicating any dietary preferences.

Due to forecasted rain, the 7-9p Saccarappa Concert Series featuring Green Heron will be relocated to Westbrook on Tap @ 1 Westbook Common, Unit 5.

These Paddles are an opportunity for the public to experience the fun of paddling, some for the first time, on the Presumpscot River in Downtown Westbrook. Come meet neighbors and enjoy a barbeque. All is free and open to the public. Kayaks, paddle boards, PFDs and instruction are generously provided by Portland Paddle. We thank our collaborative partners; Westbrook Community Policing and Discover Downtown Westbrook. No need to register! Find us here!

No registration necessary. In conjunction with the Saccarappa Concert Series, FOPR will offer a free 45 minute half mile Walk & Talk from the Polin Memorial to Saccarappa Falls. This will provide a brief introduction to the river, its history, restoration and challenges along with opportunities for the future. Any interested  participants will then return to enjoy the concert @ the Conant Homestead (a very short walk from the Polin Memorial) from 7-9 p. $10-15 suggested donation for concert only. Please BYOEverything (Food, Drink, Friends & Chairs)

This is a driving tour. We will gather at the Polin Memorial as the first site. From there we will head to the top of the river and wind our way down stopping at various sites that tell the story of the Presumpscot River. These include the Gambo Powder mills, dams, natural riverways, fishing locations, industrial areas and the restored falls and fish ladders. We will travel by carpool with maps. Registration not required. Join us for a drink to follow!

This is a driving tour. We will gather at the Polin Memorial as the first site. From there we will head to the top of the river and wind our way down stopping at various sites that tell the story of the Presumpscot River. These include the Gambo Powder mills, dams, natural riverways, fishing locations, industrial areas and the restored falls and fish ladders. We will travel by carpool with maps. Registration not required.

Join us for a paddle up river from the Riverton Trolley Park.  Along the way we will look at the River conditions and pick up trash. Canoes and PFDs will be provided by Maine Path and Paddle. From the Trolly Park we will go past the site of the recent landslide and toward Cumberland Mills.The most industrialized section of the river.  Space is limited.

* SIGN UP: All events are open to the public. In some cases space may be limited. To reserve a spot contact Taryn Walker at foproutreachanded@gmail.com for more information and to let us know what you are interested in.

WaterTalk & Celebration in partnership with Friends of Casco Bay. Join us to celebrate the recent enactment of a 4 year moratorium on new discharges into the river. At 4 pm, we’ll begin with our talk @ Riverton Trolley Park, Westbrook. Celebration will continue @ Allagash Brewing, Portland.

These Paddles are an opportunity for the public to experience the fun of paddling, some for the first time, on the Presumpscot River in Downtown Westbrook. It is also is an opportunity to meet neighbors and enjoy a barbeque. All is free and open to the public. Kayaks, paddle boards,  PFDs and instruction is provided by Portland Paddle. These are done in collaboration with Westbrook Community Policing, and Discover Downtown Westbrook.

In conjunction with the Saccarappa Concert Series FOPR will offer a few guided 45 minute half mile walk and talk from the Polin Memorial to Saccarappa Falls. This will be a brief introduction to the river, its history, restoration and the challenges and opportunities for the future. Participants will then return to enjoy the concert at the Conant Homestead.

This is the City of Westbrook’s largest public event attracting over 25,000 attendees!  Please join us in celebrating another successful weekend as Westbrook and neighboring communities come together for our annual festival!

This will be a riverside trash pick up within and near the falls at Saccarappa. The area is newly exposed after hundreds of years being submerged behind Saccarappa Dam. We will provide gloves and buckets. Pick up trash and see what treasures there are to find.

In conjunction with the Saccarappa Concert Series FOPR will offer a few guided 45 minute half mile walk and talk from the Polin Memorial to Saccarappa Falls. This will be a brief introduction to the river, its history, restoration and the challenges and opportunities for the future. Participants will then return to enjoy the concert at the Conant Homestead.

Meet at the northside of Dana Warp Mill.

Inspired by the work of Jane Jacobs communities across the country do walks that focus on the special aspects of their communities.  In Westbrook there are a number hosted by Discover Downtown Westbrook Michael Shaughnessy, president of the Friends of the Presumpscot River will be talking about Saccarappa Falls. It’s past, present and future as part of Discover Downtown Westbrook’s Janes Walk. May 6, at 4pm at the Dane Warp Mill. We will visit the Falls on both sides and talk about its history, demise, restoration and future potential for Westbrook and the region.

Registration: https://www.downtownwestbrook.com/janes-walks/?fbclid=IwAR0ne9pc4ooL4sME4_FkXr3rCdxN00oog6hF9flApuzxm8V_Jq6vjENzUc4

This will be a Zoom Meeting. CLICK HERE for the Zoom link.

We will have a presentation on the Portland School Districts interdisciplinary exploratory unit focusing on the Presumpscot River. They have been working with FOPR and are leaders in outdoor exploratory learning.

This will be followed by a meeting where we offer an overview of last years advocacy, activities, and outreach events. Including introduction of new and continuing board and advisory council members.

7:00 - 7:45 Presentation | 7:45 - 8:30 Overview of 2023

Fiona Hopper, Social Studies Teacher Leader and Wabanaki Studies Coordinator for the Portland Public Schools, and Brooke Teller, Science Teacher Leader and STEM coordinator for the Portland Public Schools, will talk about a unit they designed in collaboration with teachers and Indigenous advisors to the Wabanaki Studies curriculum being developed in the Portland Public School. The unit, titled Take Me to the River, is an interdisciplinary exploration of the Presumpscot River Watershed guided by the question, how can we be water protectors? Brooke and Fiona will give an overview of the unit and answer some questions.

For more information please call Michael Shaughnessy at 207.329.5042

The Three Sisters Dinner and Celebration is our major gathering for the year. We will be serving food around the theme of the traditional Three Sisters Dinner of Squash, Beans, and Corn. At this time there will be a presentation of the 2022 Chief Polin Award for River Advocacy. These are presented to individuals local and nationally that have raised our consciousness toward the importance of the Presumpscot as well as other rivers and directly and indirectly support a changing public consciousness and actively engage in their restoration. There will also be appreciations to those that have supported our efforts, music, and a walk. It is held at the Conant Homestead (89 Conant Street) and there is a suggested donation of 60.00 per person.

5:00 - 5:30: check-in.

6:30: Buffet dinner accompanied by live music

Please join us for a great opportunity to meet folks and try a paddle in the middle of Westbrook. It is a very beautiful and actually much over-looked section to paddle. There will be burgers, dogs and veggie burgers on the grill. All is FREE and open to the Public.

With the support of Portland Paddle, the City of Westbrook and Discover Downtown Westbrook FOPR will hold another Community Float and Grill. These offer a time for communities along the river to get together and the youth of those communities, many who have never had a chance to be on a boat or board to get out on the river with paddle in hand. This will be from the docks at Brown Street in Westbrook.

Local History Tour: Presumpscot River- Upstream to Casco Bay. The public is invited to join a group of Westbrook School Department staff in a learning experience about the Presumpscot River as it relates to Wabanaki, economic, and immigrant community history, from upstream at Eel Weir and downstream of Westbrook. Super interesting!

Attendees are encouraged to donate $20 to Friends of the Presumpscot River. To donate, click here to give via Paypal.

*If you are interested in joining this tour, please email Amanda: atkinsona@westbrookschools.org.

We will be meeting at the Polin Memorial located on the Conant trail next to Ernies Bicycles on Conant Street in Westbrook.

* The participation capacity for this clean up is now full. We will schedule another cleanup soon, so please check back for future clean up dates.* With the support of Main Path and Paddle. We will be doing a lower river clean up. We will put in at Riverton Boat Launch launch and going up river and then back. We will have a trailer and canoes on hand.

Rain date TBD!

With the support of Portland Paddle, the City of Westbrook and Discover Downtown Westbrook FOPR will hold another Community Float and Grill. These offer a time for communities along the river to get together and the youth of those communities, many who have never had a chance to be on a boat or board to get out on the river with paddle in hand. This will be from the docks at Riverbank Park in Westbrook.