July Reflections:
Making Summer Memories
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What a memorable summer it has been! We'd like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, and supported the WRWA Annual Summer Concert. It was an unforgettable evening of music, community, and connection with the watershed. As we reflect on this special evening, we're also excited to look ahead to our 50th Anniversary Summer Gala!
A special thank you to our incredible performers, Lucy Kaplansky and Rachel Sumner & Traveling Light, whose beautiful music made it an unforgettable evening. We are also deeply grateful to our generous sponsors for making this event possible, Studio DSK, Buzzards Bay Brewery, and Westport Vineyards.
Missed the concert? There's still time to celebrate with us! Join us for WRWA's 50th Anniversary Summer Gala & Silent Auction on Saturday, August 8!
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Summer Gala & Silent Auction
Saturday, Aug. 8.
5pm - 8pm
Quansett Farm
1194 Horseneck Rd
Dartmouth, MA
Join us for an elegant evening in celebration of the Westport River and our vibrant community. Browse and bid on an array of unique items in our Silent Auction, which you can preview some of our items below. Buy tickets below or feel free to call us directly at 508-636-3016 ext. 1002.
Member Tickets: $150
Non-member: $175
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Striped Bass On The Decline
By: WRWA Fisheries Advisory Committee
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Striped Bass, one of the East Coast's most iconic fish, are in serious decline after seven consecutive years of historically poor reproduction. While the cause remains uncertain, protecting breeding-age fish has never been more important.
In response, the Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA) has formed a Fisheries Advisory Committee to help conserve Striped Bass in the Westport River through research, education, responsible angling, and acoustic tagging program.
As the largest tidal estuary between Long Island and Cape Cod, the Westport River plays an important role in supporting these migratory fish. By combining science and community stewardship, WRWA hopes to protect local Striped Bass and create a conservation model for estuaries across the Northeast.
Read more to learn about the challenges facing Striped Bass, why the Westport River matters, and how you can help protect this remarkable species.
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WRWA Volunteer Spotlight:
From Canvas to Community - Barbara Healy
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This month, we are delighted to recognize Barbara Healy, whose creativity, generosity, and dedication have enriched our organization and community for many years. Barbara is an award-winning contemporary artist working in oils and acrylics. Her paintings are held in numerous private and public collections, including Tobey Hospital.
Originally from Connecticut, Barbara came to the South Coast to earn her BFA at UMass Dartmouth, where she also met her husband, Shaun. Inspired by the beauty of the region, they chose to make the South Coast their home. Her Dartmouth studio has been a featured stop on the South Coast Artists Open Studio Tour for the past 17 years. Barbara is also a Juried Artist Member of the National Association of Women Artists and the Cape Cod Art Center, and she enjoys sharing her passion through teaching painting.
Barbara's impact on WRWA extends far beyond her remarkable artwork. She has generously supported our mission in countless ways, from helping at our Annual River Day Festival, creating the beautiful community mural that so many families have contributed to over the years. Visitors at our River Center are often captivated by the hand-painted, to-scale map of the Westport watershed that Barbara created on our floor, a unique and lasting educational feature admired by children and adults alike. Barbara has also been a longtime supporter of our Summer Gala, generously donating her artwork year after year to our Silent Auction.
Barbara's artistic talent, generous spirit, and unwavering commitment to WRWA has helped inspire and connect our community. We are incredibly grateful for all she does and are honored to celebrate her as this month's Volunteer Spotlight. To support and see more Barbara's incredible work visit her website at barbarahealypainter.com or her Facebook here.
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Family Seining
Wednesday,
August 12, 1:30 - 2:30 pm
$8/person for all ages
Adults and children ages 3.5 and up can now take part in our most popular beach activity - seining for river critters! If you are old enough, you can try the net yourself or wait for it to be brought up on the beach. We will collect critters, add them to bins and then investigate our findings at the end of the program before releasing them back into the river.
Location: Baby Beach, across from Cherry & Webb Beach parking
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Forest Bathing: Sensory Immersion in Nature
Saturdays, August 15 or 22, 10:30 a.m. - 12 pm
$5/person
Enjoy the Japanese practice of Forest Bathing with Lynne Samson, a certified nature therapy guide. This is a sensory immersion experience in nature to promote healing, connection, wellbeing, and inner calmness. Learn about the history of the land then experience it, one sense at a time. Appropriate for ages 12 and up. Participants should be able to sit quietly.
Location: Mill Pond, 62 Reed Rd, Westport MA
Bring: Hat, water, bug spray, an open heart and senses.
| | Register Now for One Hour River Tours | | Over 40 trips now available online! | | |
These trips are meant for individuals or families who live in the watershed towns and don't have their own boat access to the Westport River.
- Up to 6 people allowed per trip
- Children ages 6 and up are welcome to attend
- Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket
- We have life jackets available but you are welcome to bring your own
- Departs from Cherry & Webb Lane
| | FREE River Center Open Days | | |
2026 Summer hours:
Wednesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2p.m.
New themes each week! No registration required.
Come anytime and stay as long as you would like.
Bring a picnic lunch and eat by the river too!
| | South Coast Stroll at Gooseberry Island | | |
South Coast Stroll: Gooseberry Island
Thursday, August 27 at 9 a.m.
Register with WLCT
Join WLCT and the Westport River Watershed Alliance as we explore South Coast ecosystems in search of birds, plants and other wildlife. This hike is an opportunity for naturalists of all abilities and skill levels looking to explore some of the most biodiverse habitats of our region. Wear or bring good hiking shoes, water, binoculars and/or camera, sunscreen and insect repellent. We will have some binoculars to borrow too. FREE
| | Art Displays at the Library | | |
If you've ever visited the River Center or attended a WRWA program, chances are you've met Steve Connors. For the past 10 years, Steve has been an integral part of the Westport River Watershed Alliance, sharing his knowledge, passion for conservation, and love of the Westport River with our community.
This August, we're excited to celebrate another of Steve's talents. His photography exhibit, There's No Place Like Home, will be on display at the Westport FreePublic Library.
Stop by this coming August to experience Steve's work and help celebrate a decade of his dedication to WRWA and our community. You can also reach out to Steve directly at photos@steveconnors.com.
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Savor the Taste of Westport and Support WRWA!
Treat yourself to a Flight of Four Oysters featuring four signature varieties from Westport Sea Farms: Riptide • Beach Plum • Tabor Point • Spindrift
For every flight purchased, $13 will be donated to the Westport River Watershed Alliance, thanks to the generosity of Westport Sea Farms. You can purchase vouchers below, at our River Center (493 Old County Road, Westport, MA) or by phone 508-636-3016 ext. 1002., where you can then redeem it for your oyster flight at Westport Sea Farms.
You can visit Westport Sea Farm daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at 2065 Main Road, Westport Point, and enjoy the freshest oysters harvested directly from our farms. Pair your oysters with locally selected beer and wine while taking in the charm of historic Westport Point.
| | Thank You to Our 2026 Business Sponsors | | | | |
