Saturday broke sunny and warm, and there were smiles and excitement as we got organized at Trapper's near Lac du Bonnet to start the trip. Ten boats set out from the bridge on Tanco Mine Road, with vibrant fall colours reflecting in the sparkling waters of the Bird River. Experienced boaters and complete rookies wound their way downstream, enjoying visits from otters and snapping turtles, kingfishers and eagles, and a blue heron that seemingly did not want to leave our presence.

After this we drifted off to our take-out spot a few kilometres further on, with ducks and geese lifting off the river in front of us and soaring fast overhead. As boats were pulling out of the river, one canoe was lucky enough to see a black bear wander down to the river's edge for a drink before scampering back into the bush at the sight of paddlers.

When a storm woke me up at 7 a.m. on Sunday, I had concerns about how our paddle would proceed. When I arrived at Trapper's though, a crowd of paddlers waited under the awning in front of a bevy of boats, and there were eager smiles everywhere. We set off along the river in very different conditions than Saturday, but there were hearty souls in these sixteen boats and the cool rain didn't phase them.

Don and Sue had lunch set up under tarps when we arrived at our first portage. Hot coffee, hot chocolate and tea were much more popular this day. Again, there were smiles as people shot their boats through the rapids, after a lunch and talk.

At the Staircase, Trevor demonstrated smooth whitewater skill as he flowed his kayak over the bony Staircase waterfall, with an enthusiastic crowd looking on from the shore. As our journey along the Bird drew to a close, the rain had subsided, the sun was trying to come out and a tail wind pushed us downriver to the take-out.

Our World Rivers Day trips proved some important points. First, the lower Bird River is still wild – a healthy and functioning river ecosystem that is enthralling to experience. Second, this river is accessible, and it is easy for people to come out and get a day's dose of wilderness. Paddlers left the river knowing that the Bird is worth protecting, and all of us will be putting effort into ensuring it gets protection.

If you haven't done so yet, please write your own letter to the Manitoba government, asking them to protect the lower Bird River. You can do so through the letter-writing tool on our website here.

At the Wilderness Committee, we know we can get this river permanently protected. Enough Manitobans and stakeholders understand that this river should be preserved for future generations. We've already started planning another lower Bird River trip for next May, and we're ready to host another Paddle for Protection for World Rivers Day next year.

Together we will preserve another jewel in wild Manitoba!

Keep those paddles in the water,

Eric