NORTH PROVIDENCE -The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is leading a canoe/kayak trip through the downtown portion of the Woonasquatucket River on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 5:30 p.m.

The group will paddle from South Water Street to Atwells Avenue, giving participants a new perspective on the city, organizers said.

"We will travel past some of the old mills as well as through Waterplace Park and past downtown Providence where the Woonasquatucket River meets the Moshassuck River to form the Providence River," the group said in a press release.

"We will be joined on this trip by naturalist Eugenia Marks from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island," the release said.

"Eugenia is also on the board of the WRWC. She will talk to us about the wildlife in the lower river area and the challenges wildlife faces in this part of the river."

Marks holds a master's degree from Brown University in environmental studies, where her thesis subject was wetlands policy.

"While this is definitely an urban river, we have seen red-tailed hawks, great blue herons, Peregrine Falcons, and many other birds in this stretch of the river," said Bruce Hooke, WRWC board member and paddle leader.

The complete round trip is about 3.5 miles.

Some canoes and kayaks are available to borrow, but participants are encouraged to bring their own.

Life jackets will be provided for borrowed boats, but must be brought by the paddler if they use their own boat.

For participants who are using a WRWC boat, there is a suggested donation of $10 per person.

For participants bringing their own boat, the WRWC would welcome a donation.