Your Membership Matters. Your Support is Essential!

By purchasing a membership, YOU:

Strengthen vital programs and advocacy efforts
Support science-based research for long-term conservation
Keep hands-on environmental education thriving in local schools
Join a community of dedicated river stewards
Enjoy member benefits, including discounts on program and events

With an exciting year ahead—full of events, activities, and opportunities to engage—we invite you to stay involved and help us restore and protect our watershed.

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WRWA Advocacy Committee: Spring 2025 Update

The WRWA Advocacy Committee has been actively engaged this spring in supporting legislative efforts and promoting environmental awareness in our community. At our most recent meeting, we focused on several key priorities:

Legislative Advocacy:

We continue to support three important bills in the Massachusetts legislature. These include:

An Act to Create a Coastal Waters Wastewater Finance Commission (HD3298/SD658)
An Act Accelerating Wetlands Restoration (HD1619/SD1066)
An Act Restricting the Use of Rodenticides in the Environment (HD1721/SD1447)

We are reaching out to Rep. Ouellette to encourage his support of the wetlands restoration bill, and collaborating with Mass Audubon to build broader regional support.

Rodenticide Awareness Campaign:

Education is central to our work on reducing harmful rodenticide use. Committee members are engaging with town officials, schools, pest control companies, and the public. Informational displays are now up at the River Center, and we’re developing outreach strategies—including public presentations and articles in local media—to raise awareness about the devastating impact of these chemicals on raptors and other wildlife.

Beach and Coastal Planning:

We’re also involved in local planning initiatives. The committee is supporting updates to the Westport Beach Management Plan and looking forward to the public presentation of the Gooseberry Causeway Study on May 28. This study addresses the causeway’s effects on the East Beach and the Westport River, an issue of major ecological concern. Through all these efforts, WRWA remains committed to advocating for healthy waterways and resilient ecosystems. Stay tuned for more updates and ways to get involved!

Saltmarsh Sparrows

We would like to thank Dr. Charles Clarkson from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island for his engaging and informative presentation on the decline of birds and challenges Saltmarsh Sparrows are facing due to sea level rise.

If you missed it, watch it here on our YouTube channel

Celebrate River Day 2025 on June 21st

Mark your calendars for River Day 2025—our beloved annual festival celebrating the Westport River and community—taking place on Saturday, June 21st, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Head of Westport Town Landing. Hosted by the Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA), River Day has been a cherished tradition since 1984, bringing together families, educators, artists, and environmental advocates for a free day of fun, learning, and cultural connection along the river. This year’s celebration will feature:

Live music and cultural performances, including the Eastern Medicine Singers and a drum circle
Join our parade with music and watershed animal puppets
Hands-on children’s activities, face painting, and classic games
Environmental education booths, including interactive exhibits by WRWA
Tiny therapy donkeys and horses for kids and animal lovers to enjoy
Local food, artisans, other environmental and community organizations
Giveaways and opportunities to adopt musical instruments and art
The River Center, open with displays on sustainability and river ecology

With multiple tents on both sides of the river, River Day creates a festive village atmosphere for all ages. We invite you to join us—and if you're interested in volunteering or sponsoring, please reach out to WRWA. Let’s come together to celebrate our beautiful river and vibrant community! Parking and shuttles available at the Westport Middle High School, 400 Old County Road

Rain Date: Sunday, June 22 - visit our website for more information.

Quinn Sullivan at WRWA's Summer Concert July 12

We're thrilled to welcome New Bedford native and guitar sensation Quinn Sullivan to the stage on Saturday, July 12 at the Westport Rivers Winery and Vineyard.

This special evening is made possible thanks to the generous support of: DSK | Dewing Schmid Kearns Architects + Planners , Westport Rivers Vineyard, and Buzzards Bay Brewing.

Get Concert Tickets

A Big Thank You to IndieCycle, LLC and Our Volunteers!

We are incredibly grateful to IndieCycle, LLC for providing electronics recycling services to the Westport community for the past 10 years! Thanks also to all the amazing volunteers who helped make our recent event a success. Local residents dropped off approximately 6,000 pounds of old computers and electronic equipment, keeping harmful materials out of landfills and supporting a cleaner environment. Mark your calendars—our next Electronics Recycling event will be held this fall!

Photo Contest for WRWA's 2026 Calendar

We are now accepting entries for our annual photo contest for the 2026 calendar! We are seeking landscape and nature photographs that showcase the unique beauty and diversity of the Westport River watershed—whether it’s the river, streams, wildlife, or plant life. Photos from all seasons are welcome, with a limit of five submissions per person.

To enter, please email your photos to Roberta - water@wrwa.com. with the subject - 26 Calendar.

Photos must be submitted as JPG files and meet the following criteria to be considered for inclusion in the calendar:

Minimum dimensions: 10 x 8 inches (3000 x 2400 pixels)
Resolution: 300 dpi or higher
File size: At least 1MB
Landscape orientation is preferred
The submission deadline is July 1, 2025.

Each image should be titled, and the image file name should match the title. Please also include the photographer’s name so proper credit can be given in the calendar. A full list of image requirements can be found on our website: https://www.westportwatershed.org/post/photo-contest-for-wrwa-calendar.

By submitting images, photographers grant WRWA permission to use them in efforts to inspire appreciation and celebration of Westport’s beautiful estuary.

WRWA greatly values the talent and generosity of local photographers who contribute each year to our popular calendar, which also includes tide charts for the entire year. WRWA members will vote for their favorite images. A slideshow of all submissions will be posted in late July, and winners will be announced in August.

Join Us for the 2025 Summer Gala

An Elegant Evening Celebrating the Westport River and Our Community

Please join us for an unforgettable summer evening in celebration of the Westport River and the vibrant community that surrounds it. Enjoy gourmet cuisine prepared by The Westporter, a full open bar, and the sophisticated jazz of the Joe Mulholland Trio. Guests will also have the opportunity to browse and bid on an array of distinctive items in our Silent Auction.

General admission tickets are available, but space is limited—we encourage early reservations to ensure your attendance. To help us prepare, we kindly request guest names in advance for nametag.

In addition to general admission, we invite you to heighten your support as Gala Sponsors—and the mission of WRWA—by participating as a: