EASTON — Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy (MRC) announces the 2016 Tour the Shore Paddle Series, which explores local rivers, creeks, and parks. Tours will be hosted by MRC Riverkeepers, educators and scientists on paddling trips along the rivers they strive to protect. Participants will learn about local ecology, history and water quality. Trips may combine water and land exploration. Whether paddling, hiking, or both, MRC wants to help paddlers reconnect to nature while meeting new people. Tours are $30 including kayak rental, or $20 if you provide your own kayak. A limited number of binoculars and guide books are also available to use on the paddles. The event schedule follows. Preregistration is required. Space is limited so don’t wait to get on the list. Contact Suzanne@midshoreriverkeeper.org or call 443-385-0511 to sign up and get all the details. In the meantime, what are you waiting for? Grab a paddle and get out there to tour the shore! • June 4: Transquaking River, Cambridge, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join MRC and special guest Donald Pinder, president of the Harriet Tubman Museum in Cambridge. Participants will learn about the environmental history of Dorchester County and the life of Harriet Tubman, while enjoying the scenery of this Chesapeake tributary. • July 22: Bolingbroke Creek, Trappe, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Explore beautiful Bolingbroke Creek off the Choptank River and walk the wooded trails of this unspoiled Izaak Walton League facility. The Choptank River has been named a National Habitat Focus Area for its vital habitat. Learn more about this initiative and MRC’s role in protecting this Midshore treasure. • Aug. 18: Wye Island, Queenstown, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Paddle up the meandering inlets along Wye Island and hike through the old growth trails. Watch for wading birds and learn about the history of the Wye River and Wye Island. • Sept. 16: Robins Creek, Preston, 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Flowing next to the Eastern Shore Land Conservancy’s Lynch Preserve, Robins Creek is a peaceful creek lush with aquatic vegetation. After the paddle feel free to explore the Lynch Preserve walking trails. more information available at midshoreriverkeeper.org Other events: • Sept. 18: 8am-3pm ~ Ride for Clean Rivers (formerly Tour de Talbot). Start and finish at Chesapeake College, Wye Mills. Cycle on beautiful back roads. Routes include 62-mile metric century, 35-mile ride, and 20-mile ride. All rides are supported with food and drink at rest stops and SAG support. Food, drink and music at the finish line. More information: sarah@midshoreriverkeeper.org • Nov. 11: Wild & Scenic Film Festival at the Avalon Theatre, Easton. More information: sarah@midshoreriverkeeper.org • Nov. 18: Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Cambridge (venue TBD). More information: sarah@midshoreriverkeeper.org