Steve Wilson (from left) of the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, shows aquatic life to ODNR Director Sean Logan and Columbiana County Commissioners Jim Hoppel and Dan Bing Friday morning at the VIP Canoe event in Beaver Creek State Park. (Photo by David M. Grimes)

ROGERS — Some state and wildlife officials traded in their ties for waders on Friday as they canoed down Little Beaver Creek as part of the Land Foundation and the Appalachian Coal County Watershed Team event.

Both programs sponsored a VIP canoe trip down the river to help celebrate AmeriCorps Week. County Commissioners Dan Bing, Jim Hoppel and ODNR Director Sean Logan were some of the people who opted to put down the ink pens and pick up a paddle early Friday morning.

“I had a great time,” Hoppel said after he got back to the office in Lisbon.

Hoppel excitedly retold of his morning trip that took him and his fellow boaters from the Pioneer Village area to Gretchen’s Lock as the six two-person teams dodged rocks and steered the canoes down the river.

According to Esther Bardo, Watershed Program Developer, the trip was about three and half miles and it took the party under two hours to complete.