Mental Health Awareness Month:

Finding Restoration in Nature

As May comes to a close, the Westport River Watershed Alliance recognizes Mental Health Awareness Month and the reminder that caring for ourselves is closely connected to caring for the world around us.

Time spent outdoors, whether walking along the shoreline, paddling along the river, or simply listening to birds passing by, can provide moments of calm, reflection, and renewal. Access to clean water, stewarding open spaces, and healthy ecosystems supports not only the environment but also the well-being of our community.

This month and throughout the year, we encourage everyone to take a moment to enjoy the natural beauty of the Westport River watershed and experience the benefits that nature provides for both people and ecology. Thank you for being part of a community that values and cares for the Westport River watershed.

Growing Wild in Massachusetts:

Free Pollinator Garden Starter Kits

Looking to support pollinators and native wildlife right from your own backyard? The Massachusetts “Growing Wild” initiative is once again offering free Pollinator Garden Starter Kits across the state. For the sixth year in a row, residents can pick up these free starter kits at participating nursery locations and DCR events beginning May 29, 2026, while supplies last.

Each kit includes:

• Two one-gallon native perennial plants
• Native seed packets
• Educational resources on pollinator-friendly gardening
• A Growing Wild Massachusetts sticker

Native plants play an important role in supporting pollinators, birds, and healthy ecosystems while also helping create more resilient landscapes throughout our watershed. Even small actions, like planting native flowers, can make a meaningful difference for local biodiversity and water quality.

The 2026 program includes 16 partners across 21 nursery locations statewide. Learn more and find participating locations clicking the link below or through here:

https://www.mass.gov/guides/growing-wild-massachusetts

Our Coastline with a Past:

The Story Beneath Our Feet

By: Roberta Carvalho, WRWA Science Director

Recent work completed by researchers from Boston University in partnership with the Buzzards Bay Coalition examined the geologic history of the Westport River estuary, Horseneck Beach, and the surrounding Buzzards Bay coastline. The study used ground penetrating radar, sediment cores, aerial imagery, and topographic mapping to reconstruct how barrier beaches, marshes, dunes, and tidal inlets developed over thousands of years following the last Ice Age. The findings provide new information about the large-scale movement of sediment that shaped the modern coastline and offer important context for understanding the long-term natural evolution of the region’s coastal systems.

How do scientists see beneath the ground?

Researchers use a tool called ground penetrating radar (GPR) to look below the surface without digging.

• The system sends radio waves into the ground
• Different materials, such as sand or peat, reflect the waves differently
• A receiver records these reflections and creates an image of subsurface layers

In this study, GPR helped identify buried beach ridges and former tidal inlets, providing a window into how the coastline developed over thousands of years. Scientists also use sediment cores, which are narrow samples of soil taken from the ground. Each layer in a core represents a different period in time, allowing researchers to reconstruct past environments and track how landscapes have changed.

Upcoming WRWA Events

Register Now for Early Season River Tours
For a LIMITED TIME and ONLY for RIVER NEWS readers!

The deadline to register for these trips is June 5 at 12 p.m.

While school is still in session we are opening early season tours up for the WRWA Community. You can register for one of five tours:


June 6 at 12:30 or 2 p.m.

June 7 at 1:30 or 3 p.m.

June 10 at 5 p.m.

These trips are meant for individuals or families who don't have their own boat access to the Westport River. Only 6 people allowed per trip. Children ages 6 and up are welcome to attend.

More trips will be made available to our readers by the beginning of July. Details will be available in the next month's River News.

FREE River Center Open Days

Join us on June 6, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. for the last open day of the school year. All ages and abilities are welcome free-of-charge. World Environment Day is Friday, June 5, but we will be celebrating on Saturday. Hope to see you there. No registration required, walk in anytime.

All new summer hours:

Wednesday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 2p.m., beginning July 8
New themes each week!

Wonders of the Watershed
Saturdays in June

Gooseberry Island Birding

Saturday, June 6 at 7 a.m.

Join Master Bird watcher and photographer, Paul Champlin, at 7am on Gooseberry Island. This is a major stopping off point on the migration path of many birds. We will meet in the parking area. Don't forget your binoculars. If you need a pair, just let us know. $10/person

Cherry & Webb Dune Hike

Saturday, June 13 at 8 a.m.

Explore the wondrous dunes and paths of the Cherry & Webb Conservation Area with WRWA Education Director Kim Botelho. This protected area by the ocean is filled with interesting plants and animals, and affords spectacular views of the southern shore. Participants will meet at 8 a.m. at the Westport Town Beach Parking Area on Cherry & Webb Lane. One day permits will be available for anyone who does not have a Town Beach permit. $10/person

River Day

Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Join us to celebrate WRWA's 50th Anniversary

Free fun for the whole family! Explore exhibits, listen to music, make nature crafts, play drums, and much more. No registration required. Visit WRWA's event page for more details.

WRWA Volunteer Spotlight:

Where Art Meets the River

Ed Rooney holding up one of his creations for WRWA

Many visitors to the River Center and River Day events often ask who created our beautiful puppets. The magical artist behind them is Ed Rooney.

A Westport resident for more than 35 years and former member of the Conservation Commission, Ed has spent the past two decades creating and performing with handcrafted puppets. His deep connection to waterways is also rooted in his Azorean heritage, shaped by generations of fishing and whaling before his grandfather and family immigrated to the United States. That lifelong relationship with the water, shines through in his art and storytelling.

Ed’s artistry is as thoughtful as it is imaginative. Every puppet is handcrafted from recycled and discarded materials ranging from foam, plastic yard signs, and other overlooked items that he carefully cleans and transforms into something extraordinary. Through his vision, everyday trash becomes treasured art, reminding us all of the beauty and endless possibilities in renewal and reuse.

We are especially thankful for the way Ed shares his talents with WRWA. His puppets have become a beloved part of our River Center and River Day celebrations, helping visitors connect more deeply with the creatures and stories of the watershed. Ed draws inspiration from species that represent the watershed ecosystem, especially those hidden beneath the surface, bringing visibility to what often goes unseen. His work invites us to see the river with wonder, imagination, and appreciation.

When he is not building puppets or giving back to the Westport community, Ed also enjoys drumming, another creative outlet that reflects his vibrant spirit and love of community. We are so fortunate to have Ed sharing his remarkable talent, passion, and joy that he brings to WRWA, and we hope you will join us in celebrating his work.

If you would like to see his creations in action, join us this River Day on June 20! Ed will also be participating in a special puppet performance at the First Unitarian Church of New Bedford this Sunday, May 31, at 11am. More information about the event is available here at: First Unitarian Church of New Bedford Events.

Dont Forget our Calendar Contest!

Submission Deadline:

July 1, 2026

There's still time to submit your photos from the Westport Watershed, for a chance to be featured in our 2027 Watershed Calendar!

How to Enter:

Please email your images to Margaret Broughton at m.broughton@westportwatershed.org or click the button below. Include the information below:

• Title your image: Give each photo a unique, descriptive title.
• Rename the file: Ensure the filename matches the title of the piece.
• Include your name: Make sure your full name is in the email so we can properly credit your work!

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Westport Shell Recycling Program



The Shell Recycling Collector is working directly with the Mass Oyster Project to support the Westport Shell Recycling Program and are looking for volunteers to help! Based in Westport, the program is partnering with local restaurants to collect and recycle oyster shells for future restoration efforts. This opportunity helps keep oyster shells out of landfills and returns them to future restoration projects that benefit coastal ecosystems and water quality.

Volunteers collect 5-gallon buckets of oyster shells from participating Westport restaurants and transport them to the Westport Transfer Station using their own vehicles. Volunteers also help track collection data and stay in communication with the Mass Oyster Project to ensure the program runs smoothly.

The role typically requires about 2–4 hours per week, usually split between Mondays and Fridays, with some scheduling flexibility. If you enjoy supporting local environmental efforts and don’t mind a little heavy lifting, we’d love to hear from you!

Volunteer Functions 

• Pick up containers from restaurants 2 mornings a week, distribute and empty buckets, transport shells, and dump at the Westport transfer station according to the weekly schedule
• Clean buckets as necessary
• Must have a reliable pickup transportation; use of own vehicle required
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs repeatedly
• Quantify and record the amount of shells collected daily
• Promote and represent the Shell Recycling program with restaurants

If interested, click the link below to contact Margaret Broughton or email at: m.broughont@westportwatershed.org.

River Day



Our annual River Day is just around the corner, and we’re looking for volunteers to help make this beloved community event a continued success!

Volunteers will help with event setup and breakdown, activity stations, greeting attendees, parking assistance, vendor support, and more. Whether you can give a few hours or spend the day with us, your support makes a huge difference.

This is a great opportunity to connect with the community, support environmental education, and spend the day outdoors celebrating our watershed. If you’re interested in volunteering for River Day, please sign up here at SignUpGenius, you can also click the button below, or email: m.broughton@westportwatershed.org. We’d love to have you join us!

Thank You to Our 2026 Business Sponsors