News, events, and updates you Otter know from OARS. | |
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OARS 3 RIVERS
A strong, effective, and sustainable organization
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We are very pleased to introduce you to Matthew Brown, OARS’ new Executive Director. Matt will start on February 7 and is a great fit for OARS. He is a lifelong boater and hiker with a strong interest in nature and ecology, and he has deep leadership and non-profit experience that will serve OARS well and take us into our exciting next phase. | |
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THANK YOU
for supporting our 3 Rivers Campaign
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Thanks to your generous contributions, OARS brought in over $60,000 during our 3 Rivers Campaign. As part of this campaign we completed our 3 Days for 3 Rivers match raising $24,000 (thanks to our generous board match of $12,000) and brought in a further $36,878 during our end-of-year appeal.
We are truly humbled by YOUR support!
This funding will make a huge impact on our ability to restore the health and resiliency of the SuAsCo rivers and watershed for all people and wildlife.
Your generosity fuels our critical work!
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HEALTHY RIVERS
supporting wildlife and our communities
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Beavers, the largest rodents in North America, are known for gnawing through branches and trees, creating dams, and shaping wetlands. However, their industry can damage riverine forest, block recreational boating, and create flooding. Conservation Agent Julia Flanary is experimenting with a non-lethal method to reduce beaver damage in Maynard. Her technique involves painting trees with an exterior latex paint/mason sand mixture, establishing a “no-bite zone” for the beavers, causing them to look for building materials (and food) elsewhere. | |
Rivers and streams across MA just got an important win! | | |
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The State’s power to limit non-essential water use more broadly during a declared drought has been upheld! A Superior Court judge sided with the CRWA and MassDEP in favor of commonsense limitations on non-essential water use during droughts, even for registered (grandfathered) municipal supplies. The court agreed these limits are necessary to ensure the equitable and sustainable management of water resources, especially in the face of deepening drought cycles. Thank you, MassDEP, for your efforts in protecting and preserving our Commonwealth’s water for people and wildlife. | |
Revising Wetlands Protection | |
MassDEP proposes “Climate Resilience 1.0” revisions to the Wetlands Protection Act regulations, Water Quality Certification, and Stormwater Handbook. One significant improvement is requiring projects to use updated NOAA 14+ precipitation data instead of TP40 precipitation data from 1961. OARS advocates for revisions that facilitate ecological restoration projects—such as invasive species management and dam removal. | |
CARING COMMUNITY
that appreciates and protects our rivers through OARS
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Looking for ways you can make a difference through OARS? We have several new volunteer opportunities available. | |
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Event Marketing
Help spread the word about OARS' 2024 Film Festival by distributing posters and postcards. Whether you can cover one town or many, we need your help! Assistance is also sought to upload event information to town event websites.
For more information, email Sarah Kwan
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Watershed Outreach
Become a River Rep and help connect your communities to the SuAsCo Watershed. You will assist us in tabling and coordinating community events. Training and materials are provided as needed.
For more information, email Heather Conkerton.
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Website Assistance
Do you have experience managing the legal or ownership aspects of website domains, we have a special volunteer opportunity for you. There is an existing website with our name that we do not own that we would love to have removed. If you are interested in digging into this issue, please get in touch with Ben Wetherill.
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Do you love to photograph the scenes, plants, activities, and wildlife of the SuAsCo rivers and watershed?
We are pleased to announce that we will be launching a new OARS website this year. We are looking for fresh new photos of wildlife, scenery, and activities occurring on, by, and in the SuAsCo waterbodies!
Submit your photos today—you will receive full photo credit wherever your photo is used.
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Call for Testimonials
We would like our community members' voices to shine through on our new OARS website.
Why do you support OARS? Why is the work done through OARS so important to our watershed, community, and environment? Why do you volunteer with OARS? We would love to showcase your words to inspire others to join our community and support our work.
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Support the vital work to restore, protect, improve, and preserve the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers and their tributaries and watersheds through OARS. | |
Save the Dates for these popular OARS events | |
2024 Wild & Scenic Film Festival | April 17 | |
OARS' Annual Meeting | June | |
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Community Water Chestnut Pulls
June 22 | Acton
June 29 | Billerica
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OARS' 3 River Clean up | September | |
More information on these events and more coming soon! | | |
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STOW COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE
February 12 | Pompositticut Community Center, 509 Great Road, Stow, MA
The Town of Stow will be hosting an open house from 2–5 PM and 6:30–8:30 PM. The Open House will be in a "drop in" format, allowing you to stop by during those hours and contribute your ideas to our plans.
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