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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FUELING OUR MISSION
New Grants and Support for OARS Initiatives
We are excited to announce new partnerships and grant support that will help us further our shared goals of river restoration, education, community engagement, and equitable access to our rivers. These generous grants, made possible by our collaborative relationships with foundations, local organizations, and community members, will expand our Water Wise Workshops, enhance our water quality monitoring programs, and implement innovative nature-based solutions to protect our rivers and watershed. Each of these projects is a testament to what we can achieve TOGETHER for the health and future of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers.
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OARS Awarded $40K by National Parks Foundation
OARS is thrilled to announce that we are a recipient of the 2024 National Parks Foundation’s Rivers and Trails grant! This grant program promotes equitable access to our parks and, in our case, our Wild and Scenic Rivers. This funding will allow OARS to update our online and paper recreation maps, install new signage for our River Recreation Activity Team (River RATs), and help train our team to become certified paddle activity leaders. Our recreation maps and tools have long been valuable resources for our communities and anyone seeking recreational opportunities on our rivers. We are excited to enhance these materials and work with several communities across the SuAsCo watershed to encourage more people to explore our rivers and make these fantastic natural spaces accessible to all.
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$30K Earmark for Water Quality Monitoring
We are deeply grateful to have had the support of Representative Kate Hogan and Senator Jamie Eldridge at our 38th Annual River Cleanup at Ice House Landing in Maynard! During the event, Rep. Hogan presented OARS with a $30K earmark to support our vital water quality monitoring efforts along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers. This funding will strengthen our ability to monitor the health of our rivers and respond to issues affecting water quality and safety.
Thank you, Rep. Hogan and Senator Jamie Eldridge, for your unwavering support and dedication to the protection of our rivers and the communities that depend on them!
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OARS Receives $40K Grant from The Sudbury Foundation to Install a Rain and Pollinator Garden
This month, OARS was awarded a $40K grant from The Sudbury Foundation to install a rain and pollinator garden along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in Sudbury. This project will use nature-based solutions to recharge groundwater and reduce the amount of stormwater runoff entering our waterways. The garden will feature native wetland plants that help store excess nutrients, preventing them from flowing into our rivers, where they can fuel the growth of invasive aquatic species. It will also provide critical habitat for pollinators and other native wildlife. This will be the third rain and pollinator garden OARS has installed in our watershed, and we’re excited to continue promoting sustainable and innovative approaches to water quality improvement and habitat restoration.
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OARS Receives Education Expansion Grant from TJX Foundation
We are excited to announce that OARS has been awarded a $3.5K grant from the TJX Foundation to expand our Water Wise Workshops (WWW) and reach more students in more communities within our watershed! Since 2004, OARS has offered these workshops to teach children ages 6–10 about the principles of ecology and sustainability through demonstrations, hands-on activities, lively group discussions, and personal interactions with plants and wildlife. For 2025, we are adapting these workshops to run in both classroom and after-school settings, allowing us to engage with more students and broaden our impact. The support from the TJX Foundation will help us continue to foster curiosity and a sense of stewardship for the environment among the youngest members of our communities.
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Join Us in Supporting These Initiatives!
We are incredibly proud of these initiatives and grateful for the continued support from our community and grant partners. These grants allow OARS to expand our programs and deepen our impact on the health of our rivers in partnership with the communities we serve. However, our work does not stop here! We rely on community support to keep these initiatives going strong. Please consider donating today to help us continue our mission of protecting and restoring the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers for future generations!
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WELCOME TO OUR TERRACORPS SERVICE MEMBERS | |
This past spring, OARS was selected as a TerraCorps host site. This AmeriCorps program supports conservation-focused non-profits in building capacity and community engagement. In September, we were excited to welcome Shelley Zuckerman and Isabel Ryen to our team. Shelley, a recent graduate of George Washington University, has joined us as OARS’ Youth Education Coordinator, while Isabel, a Skidmore College graduate, will serve as our Community Engagement Coordinator. Both bring a passion for conservation and fresh perspectives that will be instrumental in expanding our youth education initiatives and increasing equitable access to river recreation for all members of our community. | | |
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Alison Field Juma Honored for 20 Years of Environmental Leadership
During our Ice House Landing Cleanup, we had the pleasure of honoring Alison Field-Juma for her incredible 20 years of service to the SuAsCo Rivers. Representative Kate Hogan presented Alison with a special legislative citation, recognizing her unwavering dedication to river health and advocacy. Alison’s passion and leadership have been instrumental in advancing the mission of OARS and protecting the beauty and vitality of our rivers for generations to come.
JOIN US IN CONGRATUALTING ALISON!
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HEALTHY RIVERS
supporting wildlife and our communities
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WEBSITE UPDATES YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS | | |
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We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Talbot Mills Dam Removal webpage! This page provides an in-depth look at the history, benefits, and progress of this significant project to restore natural river flow, improve fish migration, and enhance river health in the Concord River. Visit the page to learn more about how OARS is leading this effort and the positive impact it will have on our watershed and community. | | |
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Check Out Our New Bacteria Dashboard!
Explore our new Bacteria Dashboard to view up-to-date and historical E. coli levels from our monitoring sites across the watershed. The dashboard allows you to see how each location compares to the EPA’s recommended swimming thresholds (Beach Action Value-BAV) of 235 cfu/100mL for single samples and 126 cfu/100mL for seasonal averages. E. coli is used as an indicator to detect fecal contamination and potential pathogen presence, helping us better understand and protect the health of our rivers and everyone who enjoys them.
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RIVER ADVENTURES
Creating Connections and Expanding Access for All
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OARS STAFF PREPARE FOR
NEW RIVER ADVENTURES IN 2025
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In preparation for launching our new recreational programs next spring, four OARS team members—Matt Brown, Adam Nolde, Shelley Zuckerman, and Isabel Ryen—headed to Western Massachusetts for a two-day certification course with the American Canoe Association. They returned as newly minted Paddlesports Safety Facilitators, equipped with skills to guide safe and enjoyable paddling trips on our rivers. Read on for a behind-the-scenes look at their training experience and the exciting journey ahead for OARS’ River Recreation programs! | | |
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Kicking Off Our First 3 Rivers Adventure Paddle
This September, OARS launched its first paddle under our new 3 Rivers Adventures initiative in partnership with River Bend (formerly Lowell House’s Recovery Café Lowell). To celebrate National Recovery Month, our team used their new paddle leader skills by guiding River Bend’s Recovery Café crew on a group paddle, providing a safe and welcoming opportunity for all participants to connect with nature and enjoy our beautiful rivers. Check out the full story and learn how this is just the beginning of OARS’ expanded recreation offerings!
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CARING COMMUNITY
that appreciates and protects our rivers through OARS
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THE 38th ANNUAL SuAsCo RIVERS CLEANUP
A Big Cleanup Success
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Our 38th Annual SuAsCo Rivers Cleanup was a huge success thanks to our incredible volunteers and community partners! Together, we removed over 200 pounds of trash from multiple locations across the watershed and over 2,700 water chestnut plants, making a tangible impact on the health and beauty of our rivers.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us—your hard work and dedication help keep our rivers clean and vibrant for all to enjoy!
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THE CLEANUP CONTINUES YEAR-ROUND! | |
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September may be over, but our commitment to keeping our rivers clean never ends! You can create your own Team-Up Cleanup crew any time of year—gather your friends, family, or neighbors when you see an area along our rivers or their tributaries that needs some TLC. Let us know if you spot a place that could use a cleanup, and keep an eye out for more events throughout the year. With Isabel Ryen, our new Community Engagement Coordinator and TerraCorps Service Member on board, we’ll be organizing even more cleanup opportunities in the coming months!
Want to help keep our river access points safe and beautiful?
Sign up to take part in our Adopt-a-Launch volunteer program!
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BUT, WE CANNOT DO IT ALONE
We need YOUR support to keep these vital cleanups going strong. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us provide tools, resources, and guidance for our volunteers, and keeps our rivers safe, clean, and accessible.
PLEASE DONATE NOW TO SUPPORT THIS CRUCIAL WORK AND INVEST IN THE FUTURE OF OUR RIVERS!
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JOIN OARS EDUCATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE! | | |
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OARS 3 Rivers is seeking passionate volunteers to join our new Advisory Committee. The committee will work closely with our Youth Education Coordinator to transform our Water Wise Workshops from stand-alone sessions into a cohesive program of four-week series designed for after-school programs and summer camps.
Meetings will be held virtually twice a month from October through December. We welcome educators, individuals with experience working with children, and anyone with an environmental background to get involved. If interested, please fill out our inquiry form and help us inspire the next generation of environmental stewards!
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JOIN US FOR AN EVENING OF ART, NATURE, AND COMMUNITY | |
Kindly RSVP to help us ensure an accurate guest count for this special evening | |
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ASSABET RIVERWALK
Through Downtown Northborough
Sat, Oct 5 | 1 to 3 PM | Meet outside Northborough Public Library
Join us for a walking tour of the riverfront led by Heather Conkerton, OARS’ Ecological Restoration Coordinator who will discuss river health, dams, and the scenic and ecological value of our river resources.
All residents and river enthusiasts are welcome!
The walk is limited to 20 participants so RSVP now to reserve your spot!
EMAIL SUSTAINABLE NORTHBOROUGH TO RSVP & FOR MORE EVENT INFO
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MAYNARD FEST
Sat, Oct 5 | 9 AM to 3:30 PM | Downtown Maynard
The Maynard Fest is an old fashioned street fair that includes scrumptious fest food, a sound stage in Memorial Park, assorted sidewalk sales, family friendly activites, and promotions from local merchants, and 120 vendors.
Maynard Fest has been held since 1993 and can draw around 5,000 people on a good weather day. OARS will be there with an information table—come by to learn more about our work and how you can get involved!
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DO YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING RIVER OR ENVIRONMENTAL EVENT YOU WANT TO PROMOTE? | | |
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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 monlthy Otter News and reach a broader audience in our watershed community. | | | | |
