The Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and National Park are a happening place this summer and one of the best ways to experience the region is on the Explorer riverboat, celebrating thirty years in existence.

Nature and heritage tours are available Sundays at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00 p.m. with evening river cruises scheduled on Saturdays at 4:00, 5:00, 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.

Go to https://www.rivertourblackstone.com/site/explorer/ for all the details.

In other Corridor news:

■The Kelly and Ashton Mill Junior Ranger Booklet is a self-guided adventure around the Blackstone River State Park. Aspiring Junior Rangers of all ages are encouraged to acquire a booklet to explore the history and natural beauty of the area. Email [email protected] for a mailed copy.

■Ranger walkabouts are taking place Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. through August 31st. Visit https://blackstoneheritagecorridor.org/ranger-walkabout-series-2023/ for more specifics.

■Join a National Park Rangr for a ride along the Blackstone River Bikeway on Wednesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. starting July 5th, through September 27th. Go to https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/bike-theblackstone.htm.

■Thanks, Abigail Epplett, Patty McAlpine and Kathy Parlante for helping staff at the First Strike Festival at Old Slater Mill, and Joe Johnson for leading the Riparian Invasive Ramblefor Jane Week and those who assisted on the Family Fun Fishing Day event.

■The Blackstone Valley Tourism Council is looking for volunteers to help pull water chestnut weeds, an invasive species that spreads rapidly and is hard to control. Dates are June 24th in Uxbridge with a rain date of June 25, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and July 8th at Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. Email [email protected] for full particulars.

■Guided Hikes are being offered on the following dates: July 8, Ten Mile River Greenway, Slater Park-Pawtucket; September 9, High Rock Farm-Cumberland; September 24, Turner Reservoir-East Providence; October 14, Moshassuck River-Lincoln; November 24, Wolf Hill-Smithfield. Go to blackstoneheritagecorridor.org for more info.

■Guided Paddles are occurring Tuesdays at 6:00 p.m., through August 29th. Check out the Corridor website for more information.