HCC Sustainability Paddle on the Swift River

Recently, members of the AIAO team had the good fortune of reconnecting with faculty from Holyoke Community College (HCC) and their current students for an annual paddle and discussion on the Swift River in Belchertown. It was a beautiful late-summer day with calm waters, laughter, and good conversation.

For the last 17 years, AIAO has taken HCC sustainability students paddling on the Swift, getting them out of the classroom and into nature to discuss topics related to the theme of sustainability. Topics this year included sustainability itself, the local suite of wildlife and the natural history of the area, the history and impacts of the Quabbin Reservoir, interdisciplinary learning, and the Leave No Trace ethic.

The students that took part in this program are studying sustainability as a part of HCC’s Sustainability Studies program, which promotes ecological literacy, knowledge, and responsibility – all things that grow in importance more and more these days. Though the majority of them had never paddled a canoe or kayak before, they were all naturals, and our travels up and down the river were relaxed and rejuvenating.

As more leaves fall, the mercury drops, and the woodstoves are lit, we’ll be thinking of our day on the Swift and looking forward to next year. Good luck, students!

https://www.hcc.edu/courses-and-programs/academic-divisions/sem/sustainability-studies