News, events, and updates you Otter know from OARS.

OARS 3 RIVERS

A strong, effective, and sustainable organization

Local community organizations, school groups, and members of the public are welcome to join us.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!

HEALTHY RIVERS

supporting wildlife and our communities

2024 WATER QUALITY VOLUNTEER TRAINING A BIG SUCCESS

In the News: The Acton Exchange

Water Quality Volunteers Train at the Acton Canoe Launch

On Friday evening April 26, twelve volunteers gathered at the canoe launch on the Assabet River in the southernmost corner of Acton. We were there to learn, or re-learn, how to sample and measure the quality of the water in the river...

OTTER GOES OVER THE DAM

A new issue of our Dam newsletter is out!

Click below for updates on OARS dam project and their timelines, including the Talbot Mills Dam and Wheeler Pond Dam project.

CARING COMMUNITY

that appreciates and protects our rivers through OARS

PROTECTING WILDLIFE

Wildlife is active in our watershed area. Turtles are searching for places to lay their eggs, and their hatchlings are coming out of nests and heading back to the water.

Birds are busy gathering food and caring for their young, and fledglings bravely take their inaugural flights. And more...

Amidst all this vibrant wildlife activity, it's crucial to be prepared. Do you know what to do if you come across wildlife in distress?

Matt, OARS Executive Director, faced just this dilemma when he encountered a hawk with an injured wing (pictured below). Thanks to Mass.gov's Wildlife Rehabilitation page, he had all the resources he needed to ensure this hawk got to a safe sanctuary where it could be rehabilitated and cared for.

VOLUNTEER CORNER

Looking for ways to make a difference through OARS? Explore our featured volunteer opportunities below.

Recreational Access

We are seeking volunteers to help maintain canoe and kayak put-ins and take-outs on the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers. You are invited to adopt a put-in near your home or by your favorite stretch of river.



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.

Support the vital work to restore, protect, improve, and preserve the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers and their tributaries and watersheds through OARS.

OARS EVENTS

THANKS TO ALL WHO JOINED US FOR OUR ANNUAL MEETING

Thank you to everyone who attended OARS’ 2024 Annual Meeting. OARS members and partners gathered for our first in-person Annual Meeting since 2019. We honored the contributions of the dedicated donors, volunteers, and partners who make our work possible. We had a short award ceremony for volunteers who went above and beyond for OARS. We also celebrated the upcoming launch of our soon-to-be-released OARS Rivers Report Card (see Launch and Swim event above) with an in-depth dive into the science behind our SuAsCo rivers’ grades with a talk from OARS’ Water Quality Scientist Ben Wetherill.

Thank you to all who came together for such a fun and inspirational evening.

SAVE-THE DATES for these popular OARS events

Community Water Chestnut Pulls

June 22 | Acton

June 29 | Billerica

Tabling in the Community

Maynard Community Fest | October 5

OARS' 3 River Clean-up

September

OARS' Roof Top Swap

August/September

More information on these events coming soon!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

HUDSON COMMUNITY FEST! 

Saturday, June 8, 9:00 AM–3:30 PM | South Street Hudson

The 36th Annual Hudson Community Fest is an old fashioned street fair that boasts two soundstages, dozens of free and affordable family-friendly activities, a food court, the Rotary Club Duck Races, and over 120 vendors (including OARS!). The event is rain or shine.