River News - April 2026

Nature Talks: Eco-Art and Ocean Plastic - Tonight!

Date & Time: Thurs April 30, 5pm - 6 pm.

Location: River Center, 493 Old County Rd.

Join this FREE event! Artist Katy Rodden Walker will discuss her process of artmaking with the community. Through art, she raises awareness about plastic pollution in our oceans and other environmental issues, while exploring the interconnectedness of humans and nonhumans in the natural world.

One Time Only Opportunity!

We are excited to share that upcycled jellyfish made with Katy during the Trash to Treasure event last week will be on display at this event!

📱 Don’t Ghost Your Old Gadgets 📱

This Nature Month, WRWA has been in full swing! Thank you to everyone who showed support on Earth Day and took part in last week’s Electronics Recycling Event with Indie Cycle! From safely recycling electronics to bringing along furry friends, your kindness and energy helped us brave the cold weather and made the day a success. 💚

Since our first drop-off event with Indie Cycle on May 27, 2015, we’ve helped divert an estimated over 280,000 pounds of e-waste from landfills, an incredible impact made possible by this community!

We can’t wait to see you again on October 7, 2026, from 9am - 11am for the next event. Let’s keep the momentum going! 💻🔊📺 ♻️

Start your day on the trail with WRWA and WLCT

Don't miss the last South Coast Stroll of the season on May 14, the height of spring migration. Mid-May is when the forests of Massachusetts come alive with fresh arrivals. In addition to seeing and hearing birds along the walk, the forest itself is at its spring peak with wildflowers in bloom, frog choruses, and shades of green wherever you look. It’s a time of energy, color, and sound, and there’s no better way to experience it than together on the trail. Join Kim and Aaron to celebrate the season’s grand finale at Old Harbor Refuge.

Join us at the May Open Day: Bloom & Buzz

Discover - Teach - Inspire: This Summer at WRWA

We are seeking an energetic Environmental Educator for summer 2026, who is passionate about teaching and the environment! This hands-on role includes assisting with school field trips, developing educational materials, and leading outdoor programs for ages 5–12 starting June 22 through our Watershed Discovery Program. Activities include marine animal collection, hiking, photography, arts and crafts, games, and citizen science.

The position runs June 1–August 14 (30–35 hours/week; 365 hours total), reports to the Education Director, and may qualify for college internship credit.

Apply NOW, Open Until Filled:
Please email a cover letter, resume and 3 academic or professional references to: Kim Botelho, Education Director, at k.botelho@westportwatershed.org

Job Description Here

Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Shows Positive Trends in Massachusetts

By: Roberta Carvalho, WRWA Science Director

Earlier this spring, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) convened a Horseshoe Crab Science Meeting to share new data on population trends, monitoring efforts, and ecological connections across the region. The discussion provided an encouraging, data-driven look at how horseshoe crabs are doing in Massachusetts waters—and why continued monitoring matters.

The DMF trawl survey, conducted since 1978 and used in coast-wide stock assessments through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, shows strong gains south of Cape Cod. Spring surveys have documented a sustained increase in abundance for more than a decade, with 2025 recording the highest density of female crabs on record. Fall trends in this region remain stable. North of Cape Cod, trends are more variable but generally increasing over the past 15 years. Notably, all 2025 survey results exceeded long-term median values.

WRWA Volunteer Spotlight:

From Classroom to River

Dan Harrington and his family enjoying a trip together.

Dan Harrington grew up in Fall River and spent most of his childhood as a “city kid" until visiting his grandparents in Portsmouth, RI. Exploring coves, forests, small hills, and beaches helped launch a lifelong passion for the marine environment. He earned a B.S. from UMass Amherst and completing his education at UMass Boston with degrees in Biology and Education, along with a Master of Secondary Education.

While receiving a Graduate Assistantship teaching aboard the Envirolab III through Harbor Explorations, he spent summers with Thompson Island Outward Bound teaching coastal ecology in partnership with the New England Aquarium. Dan brought this experience into the classroom, teaching Biology and Environmental Science at Watertown High School before moving to Westport High School. There, he not only taught science but also developed an innovative Boatbuilding course in partnership with Dharma Voyage, connecting students to local maritime heritage and hands-on learning. He also shared his love of the water through summers teaching sailing with New Bedford’s Sea Lab program.

Now retired, Dan continues to be a valued member of the WRWA community. We are deeply grateful for his ongoing volunteer work supporting field studies and watershed education programs. He often reflects on how WRWA’s “Adopt a Watershed” program supported his teaching career and helped shape his approach to environmental education.

Today, he gives back by helping to lead river tours through WRWA’s newest programming.

"I love bringing people onto the River and into the saltmarshes. Whether it’s aboard my little sailboat or with the Watershed and Captain Bill or Rick, it’s always a transcendent experience. Very few people get to see this wonderful river that we are asking people to care so much about. It only makes sense to get as many people as we can out there to experience it.”

WRWA staff greatly value Dan’s dedication, enthusiasm, kindess and generosity. It is people like him who go above and beyond what it means to be a volunteer, educator, and a member of the Westport community. Thank you Dan for everything that you do for our watershed and community! 💙

"We’re incredibly grateful to have Dan as an education volunteer. He brings energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm to everything he does, supporting field trips, River Center programs, off-site events, and stewardship projects. His dynamic teaching style and collaborative spirit have made a lasting impact on students, co-teachers, and WRWA staff." - Kim Botelho, WRWA

"I first knew Dan as a teacher, and it was clear he is someone truly special. He consistently goes above and beyond to ensure students not only learn but truly understand the material, leaving a lasting impression on me. Years later, we reconnected in college, where he introduced me to internship and TerraCorps opportunities at WRWA. Since then, he has remained an unwavering source of support, generosity, and encouragement, consistently strengthening our education programs and elevating our work." - Michaelah Vasconcello

"He exemplifies community service through his work with WRWA and as a docent on Free Boat Tours. As a biology teacher, he has inspired generations with his love of nature and learning. As a lifelong friend, I couldn’t be prouder to see him recognized for all he has done." - Jeff Fitton

Small Pools, Big Spring Energy

💧🐸🌱🌧️🦐

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers”, but here in the Westport watershed, April itself comes to life in a quieter, more hidden way...through vernal pools. These small, temporary wetlands form from melting snow and spring rains, typically drying up by early summer. Though modest in size, they play a crucial role in supporting local biodiversity.

Vernal pools provide critical breeding habitat for species that rely on fish-free waters, such as wood frogs, spotted salamanders, and fairy shrimp. A healthy canopy coverage, helps keep these types of pools cool and prevents them from drying too quickly, while undisturbed forest floors, fallen logs, and leaf litter provide essential shelter and moisture. Beyond amphibians, vernal pools support insects, birds, and mammals, contributing to the overall health of the watershed. They also help recharge groundwater and filter nutrients, improving water quality across the landscape.

Protecting vernal pools means taking a hands-off approach - avoiding soil disturbance, heavy machinery, and chemical use helps maintain water quality and natural hydrology. Even when dry, these areas are sensitive, and small changes can have lasting impacts. Managing invasive plants through manual removal, and preserving woody debris, supports the entire habitat.

As you explore local trails this spring, like Westport Woods Conservation Park, keep an eye out for shallow, leaf-lined pools teeming with life. These unique habitats are easy to miss but essential to protect, so stay on marked paths and tread lightly during this critical season. To learn more go to Westport Land Conservation Trust by clicking the links below.

Identifying Vernal Pools

Vernal Pools Stewardship

🎉 Upcoming Events in Westport🎉

StoryWalk: Paul Revere's Ride

Date: Every Saturday until May 31, 2026

Time: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Location: Handy House Heritage Trail, 202 Hix Bridge Road, Westport MA

Enjoy a FREE Revolutionary War-themed StoryWalk featuring Longfellow’s poem Paul Revere’s Ride. Discover the story of Abner Brownell, Westport’s Paul Revere!

StoryWalk® is an innovative and delightful way for children - and adults! - to enjoy reading and the outdoors at the same time. Pages from a children’s book are attached to signs, which are installed along an outdoor path. As you stroll down the trail, you’re directed to the next page in the story. The StoryWalk is open every day from dawn to dusk. You can enter at Handy House parking lot.

Learn more at: https://wpthistory.org/events/storywalk-paul-reveres-ride/

Lecture Series - Westport Talks

Date: May 7, May 28, June 11

Time: 6pm - 8pm

Location: Westport Grange, 931 Main Road, Westport, MA

Join our local partners at Westport Grange for some upcoming and exciting classes from Shiitake Mushroom Logs, Pet CPR & First Aid, and Farmers and Forestry. Click the link below to learn more about these creative and engaging workshops!

https://www.westportgrange181.com/lecture-series

Nature Talks:

Ecology in Motion - Tracking the Striped Bass

A special thank you to our guest speakers Parker Mauck and Chris Killenberg of Westport Fly, and Mike Sullivan, WRWA President, for an engaging and insightful Nature Talk: Ecology in Motion - Tracking the Striped Bass.

Their presentation highlighted the remarkable journey of striped bass - a migratory species that moves between ocean and freshwater habitats each spring to spawn and connect rivers, estuaries, and coastal ecosystems. We appreciate their expertise, shedding light on the challenges facing these iconic fish and the importance of ongoing research and local stewardship to protect their future.