News, events, and updates you Otter know from OARS. | |
|
OARS 3 RIVERS
A strong, effective, and sustainable organization
| |
FUELING OUR MISSION
New Grants and Support for OARS Initiatives
| | |
|
We are excited to share that OARS is expanding its Water Wise Workshops to include after-school sessions throughout the watershed. Thanks to a generous grant from DCU for Kids, we can enhance these programs with essential tools and resources to engage even more young learners. Find out how this support is helping us inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. | | |
|
IN THE NEWS
Recent Media Highlights
| | |
|
OARS was featured on ActonTV for its thriving community water chestnut pull at Ice House Landing in Acton during our Annual 3 Rivers Cleanup on September 28, 2024, held in partnership with the Town of Acton. The coverage highlights interviews with our team members and partners, showcasing the power of community collaboration in protecting the SuAsCo watershed. | | |
THANK YOU TO THREE STONES GALLERY & OUR WONDERFUL COMMUNITY | |
In case you missed it, our recent 3 Rivers, Stones, Visions event at Three Stones Gallery was a memorable evening of art, community, and river advocacy. Over 50 attendees gathered to celebrate and support OARS’ mission, and we are thrilled to share the highlights! | and learn more about how you can join us in writing the next chapter for the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers. | |
|
HEALTHY RIVERS
supporting wildlife and our communities
| | |
|
This year’s bacteria monitoring season was a success, thanks to the dedication of 15 volunteers sampling 12 sites across the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers. While several sites remained consistently swimmable, some familiar areas still need attention. Dive into our findings and see how you can help spread awareness and protect our waterways. Read Ben’s study highlights and full Bacteria Monitoring summary in his blog post. | | |
|
Massachusetts is facing a Level-1 mild drought, bringing record-low rainfall and reduced river flow since late August. Discover how these dry conditions are impacting the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers, from habitat stress for fish to potential pollution risks, and learn what you can do to help protect our waterways. Read more about the current drought and its implications in our blog post. | | |
|
Discover the hidden world beneath the waters of Nashoba Brook! Our recent collaboration with MassWildlife uncovered important insights into native mussel populations and their role in ecosystem health. Read our blog to learn how these findings shape the future of river restoration and conservation efforts. | | |
|
Join Heather Conkerton, OARS’ Ecological Restoration Coordinator, in our latest blog post as she recaps her recent River Health & Dams Walk & Talk hosted in partnership with Sustainable Northborough. The walk explored the rich history and current challenges of the SuAsCo watershed, touching on river health, water quality, and the impact of dams. Catch up on the highlights and insights shared during this community event! | | |
|
This month, we celebrated 52 years of the Clean Water Act, a cornerstone of river protection that informs much of OARS’ work. Discover how this vital legislation has shaped our water quality monitoring and advocacy efforts and learn about new challenges facing Massachusetts’ water regulations. Read more in our blog post. | | |
|
We are excited to share OARS’ new Rain Gardens webpage! This resource highlights the importance of rain gardens in managing stormwater, enhancing water quality, and supporting local pollinators. Explore how these beautiful, eco-friendly gardens contribute to healthier rivers and learn more about OARS’ recent installations and community involvement. Visit the webpage to learn more about OARS’ recent rain garden projects and their positive impact on our watershed! | | |
|
On October 3rd, OARS’ Executive Director Matt Brown and Ecological Restoration Specialist Heather Conkerton joined the DER, Merrimack River Watershed Council, and Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust for an insightful field trip to River Meadow Brook in Lowell and surrounding areas of the SuAsCo watershed. As a key member of the Merrimack Restoration Partnership, OARS showcased its collaborative work in the region. | |
This partnership, part of the DER Partnerships Program, fosters peer-to-peer learning and resource sharing, advancing ecological restoration projects across Massachusetts. The program’s funding and technical support empower partners to prepare restoration efforts for grant-ready stages, bridging critical gaps in watershed restoration progress. | |
CARING COMMUNITY
that appreciates and protects our rivers through OARS
| | |
|
As fall brings beautiful colors to our region, it is important to remember that those fallen leaves can negatively impact our water quality. Leaves accumulating on roads, sidewalks, and driveways can clog storm drains and decompose, releasing natural nutrients and contributing to water pollution. This excess nutrient load can harm fish and wildlife and lead to algal blooms. Do your part to prevent flooding and protect our rivers by raking leaves away from storm drains and disposing of them properly. Let us work together to keep our waterways clean and healthy! | |
|
OARS aims to raise $30,000 to expand our education, community engagement, and river stewardship programs. Your support will enable us to:
-
Reach 10x more students annually through our Water Wise Workshops, fostering the next generation of river stewards.
-
Host hundreds of community paddles, bringing diverse participants onto our rivers to inspire advocacy and connection.
-
Increase efforts in invasive species removal and cleanups tenfold, ensuring the health of our rivers for future generations.
Imagine the impact of moving from hundreds to thousands. This is more than growth—it is a commitment to the future of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers.
| |
|
TO BE PART OF THIS JOURNEY
AND HELP CREATE LASTING CHANGE FOR THE RIVERS WE CHERISH!
| |
|
SAVE THE DATES FOR THE UPCOMING OARS EVENTS
(more info on each coming soon)
| |
|
WINTER RIVER TALK AND WALK
January 25 | Public Lands community room, Framingham
Join David Wells of Assabet River Wildlife for a talk on the wildlife of our beloved Assabet River, followed by an informational walk along the Sudbury River
OARS’ CONCORD RIVER RACE
May 4 | Bedford Boat Launch
Join us for OARS’ first-ever river race, designed for all skill and endurance levels
OARS’ 17th ANNUAL WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL
April 23
| |
|
THREE STONES GALLERY-BELLE TERRE EXHIBIT
Oct 23–Nov 4 | Three Stones Gallery, 32 Main Street, Concord, MA
Belle Terre: Beautiful Land showcases three artists whose work celebrates nature’s connection to the Earth.
Three Stones Gallery will generously donate 20% of the proceeds to OARS to support their mission to keep the SuAsCo rivers clean, cool, and connected for all.
| |
|
LEAVE IT TO BEAVERS
Wed Nov 13 | 5:30–7:00 PM | Zoom
This one-hour Zoom presentation will start with the basics of beavers and how to protect your trees and property from damage. Learn how beavers benefit our ecosystem and what you can do to coexist with them.
Q&A will follow—bring you beaver problems, and we will help you find a solution!
| |
|
SIP AROUND THE SLOPES
Sat Nov 16 | 1:00 PM | Public lands, 1 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA
Join OARS as we table at this ski-themed event with craft drinks, games, and giveaways from Burton and The North Face! A $20 VIP ticket includes a YETI Rambler, meal voucher, SWAG bag, and lift ticket for prizes. All proceeds benefit Share Winter, with Public Lands matching donations. Mocktails and non-alcoholic drinks are available.
| |
DO YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING RIVER OR ENVIRONMENTAL EVENT YOU WANT TO PROMOTE? | | |
|
We would love to help spread the word! Submit your river- or environmental-based event to be featured on OARS’ Events Calendar and in our monthly Otter News and reach a broader audience in our watershed community. | | | | |
