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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OARS is recruiting a mission-driven Executive Director to lead the organization in restoring the health and building the resilience of the SuAsCo watershed for all people and wildlife. Current Executive Director Alison Field-Juma is retiring after 18 years. OARS’ President Ingeborg Hegemann agrees that the timing is just right: “We have wonderful staff, a clear vision, and a collaborative and interested board.”
Please share with your contacts!
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“OARS' work protecting and improving our rivers is vital; it's a small organization with a significant local impact. I joined the board to support OARS in its efforts to help our environment.” | |
Pam has a passion for bringing the public to rivers and loves exploring rail trails on bicycle—both local and far-flung. As the Town of Hudson’s Conservation Agent and Assistant Director of Planning and Community Development, she has managed multiple projects to enhance the health of the Assabet River. The beautiful Riverwalk used extensive ecological restoration and community involvement to transform the banks of the Assabet River in downtown Hudson. Pam lives in Framingham, was a Conservation Commissioner for 12 years, and volunteers with many other environmental organizations. She holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Sustainability and Environmental Management. | | |
HEALTHY RIVERS
supporting wildlife and our communities
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Thank you, Rep. Hogan, for your strong advocacy for our water resources! | |
OARS’ Water Quality Monitoring program is secure from 2023 into 2024 thanks to Rep. Kate Hogan’s leadership in securing $30K in state funding in the FY24 budget. Sen. Mike Barrett and Jamie Eldridge did their part in the Senate—bicameral support! This crucial funding covers approximately 50% of the cost of monitoring water quality in the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers and their tributaries, providing key data for management and advocacy decisions. Over the past few years, OARS’ program added chloride and bacteria monitoring. A year of drought followed by a year of floods provides valuable insights into the expected impacts of climate change. | |
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The last four years have seen dramatic annual fluctuations in summer precipitation in the SuAsCo watershed:
2020 one of the four driest yrs since 1999
2021 was wettest year on record...
2022 third driest year since 1999
2023 just surpassed 2021 for rainfall!
Are we starting to see a pattern of alternating extremes?
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The Talbot Mills dam project MEPA Certificate on the EENF was issued on Sept. 1.
The next step is to submit an Environmental Impact Report that addresses any outstanding information needs. OARS has successfully secured $800,000 for the “construction” (removal) phase of the Talbot Mills dam in Billerica! These funds are committed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and originated in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
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CARING COMMUNITY
that appreciates and protects our rivers through OARS
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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. | |
Join us for our 36th Annual SuAsCo Rivers Cleanup! | | |
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OARS is hosting teams on Saturday, September 23, for our Cleanup Day & supporting our community throughout September to create Team-Up Cleanup groups on their own schedule in their preferred locations.
Collectively, we will wade into the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers & tributaries to continue the effort to restore our beautiful rivers. We will haul trash, tires, bottles, car parts, bicycles, invasive water chestnuts, & more—whatever we find that shouldn’t be there—to shore for more appropriate disposal.
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Join us for one of our three unique cleanup day activities; create your own cleanup event through Team-Up Cleanup, or support our community efforts through your best donation! | | |
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Paddle the Brackett Reservoir in Ashland & Framingham & the Sudbury River, cleaning up as you go!
This is a “Bring Your Own Boat” paddle! Please come dressed ready to paddle, get a little dirty, & safely haul trash; PFDs required.
Register Here
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Join us for a water chestnut pull on Ice House Pond, in collaboration with the Town of Acton. Land-based & canoe-based options are available for helping to remove these fast-growing aquatic invasives.
Bring your boat or borrow one at the pond (loaner canoes generously provided on-site by Paddle Boston). This is a family-friendly, fun event. You will get messy!
Register Here
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Gather family & friends for a walk or paddle in one of your favorite places near the river. Pick up what trash & recycling you can, photograph it showing the location (selfies welcome), & send OARS this information.
We can’t wait to see what you clear. Don’t forget to share your photos!
Register Here
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An on-foot cleanup under the bridge, along the shore, & on the walking trails of the Acton Canoe Launch.
ON-FOOT CLEANUP POSTPONED DUE TO RECORD HIGH WATER LEVELS!
Thank you to all who signed up, please check back soon at oars3rivers.org for new cleanup date.
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Support the Cleanup with your Best Donation!
Can't make one of our cleanup events or want to do more?
Join our community of supporters in helping restore the health of our 3 Rivers; donate today!
As our Annual SuAsCo River Cleanup has grown, so have our expenses, which include supplies, equipment, disposal, and staff time. Your tax-deductible contribution will help defray the cost of our Cleanup and support other OARS programs.
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Thank you to all our Cleanup Event Sponsors (so far...) | |
And Individual Donors (so far…) | |
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Katherine & Robert Beede
Michele & Alan Bembenek
Morene Bodner &
David Carlisle
Laurel & Kirk Doggett
John Gates
Karen & David Gray
Dwight Howe Jr.
Carol & Brian Parker
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Catherine Leonard & Thomas Porcher
Debbie Listernick
Hong Lee & Timothy Murphy
Judith Perkins
Susan & Frederick Seward
Jean Keskulla & George Stalker
Sonia Walters &
Stephen Angelini
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Put Your Hands in the River
"The Formation and Fate of the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord Watershed"
Thurs Oct 26 7 PM to 8PM | Maynard Public Library, Roosevelt Room
Presentation and discussion with Alison Field-Juma, OARS Executive Director.
Attend in-person or online.
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The Biggest Little Farm
Tues Sept 26, 7 PM | Fine Arts Theatre, Maynard
Come to movie night at Maynard Fine Arts Theater to see the uplifting, inspiring movie 'The Biggest Little Farm' in support of the riverfront restoration project at Assabet Co-op Market, Maynard's community owned grocery store!
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International Fly-Fishing Film Festival
Thurs Oct 12 | The District Arts Center, Taunton
Trout Unlimited is bringing together a night full of amazing fishing films, fun conversations, and connections with anglers and an opportunity to commit to the work ahead of caring for and recovering local waters and rivers across region.
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Researching Enslavement in Colonial Sudbury
Tues Sept 26, 7 PM | Wayland Public Library
Slavery was hardly limited to the plantations of the South. In 1765, at least 27 African Americans were the property of residents in Sudbury, which included the area that is now Wayland. How do researchers approach such a challenge? Sciacca, an author and former National Park Ranger, will share her methodology.
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