Volunteer Appreciation
Thank you for all that you do!

On October 16, we hosted our Volunteer Appreciation Day along the Westport River, welcoming our dedicated volunteers. It was a joy to celebrate the incredible impact our volunteers have made, from cleanups to events and behind the scenes support. We’re deeply grateful for the time, energy, and passion our volunteers bring to the Westport River Watershed Alliance.

With well over 150 volunteers, WRWA relies on each one to help plan and support several of our community events throughout the year, making much of our outreach programming and efforts possible. Thank you to all who joined us for food, fun, and conversation spent with fellow volunteers. We look forward to continuing this important work together within our watershed. 

If you're interested in joining as a volunteer for our future events, please reach out to Margaret at outreach@wrwa.com and visit our homepage as we have many ways for you to get involved and contribute!

Coastal Care in Action:

 Join these beach clean-ups!

Join Us for Days of Discovery & Sustainability

Join us for these festive Open Days celebrating creativity and sustainability! Discover fun, eco-friendly ways to make upcycled gifts and wrapping from reused materials. As always, we will have the digital sandbox, microscope, puzzles, books and more available to enjoy.

River Center Open Days are always free-of-charge, walk-in events. 
Questions? Email Michaelah at rivercenter@wrwa.com or call 508-636-3016

Lace Up 
Join Us for the Final Coastal Stroll of the Season!

Fall South Coast Stroll:

Herb Hadfield

Date: Thursday, Nov. 13, 10am-11am

Location: Herb Hadfield Conservation Area, 255 Cornell Road, Westport MA



Join WRWA and the Westport Land Conservation Trust as we explore south coast ecosystems in search of birds, plants, and other wildlife. Wear good walking shoes, dress for warm weather, bring binoculars if you have some but we will have some to share too. All are welcome free-of-charge.

Celebrate the Seasons with WRWA’s

2026 Tide Calendar

 Creature Feature: The Eastern Mud Snail — Custodian of the Westport River 🐌

Roberta Carvalho, Science Director

Watch our short video below to see the Eastern Mud Snail in action — a glimpse into the busy life on the River’s bottom. Many thanks to Mike Sullivan for capturing this time-lapse video.

Walk across the edges of the Westport River at low tide, and you’ll likely spot hundreds of small, dark snails moving steadily across the mud. These are Eastern Mud Snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta), one of the most abundant and ecologically important inhabitants of our estuarine river.

This medium-sized marine snail thrives in soft, muddy habitats along the River’s edge and in salt marshes. Its dark brown to black shell, often coated with mud or algae, provides excellent camouflage in the turbid intertidal environment. Reaching about an inch in length, the shell’s smooth, beaded surface and worn spire give each snail a weathered appearance that reflects life in a dynamic, shifting habitat.

The Eastern Mud Snail plays a quiet but vital role in maintaining the health of the River’s bottom. As shown in the video, these snails can often be seen gliding across the surface, feeding on organic-rich sediments, algae, and decaying plant material. Their feeding activity helps recycle nutrients, aerate the sediment, and promote microbial productivity which is a key processes that sustain the estuary’s food web.



While mud snails are efficient scavengers and detritivores, they do not harm living shellfish. They themselves serve as a food source for many fish, crabs, and shorebirds, linking the benthic community to higher levels of the food chain.

Though often overlooked, Ilyanassa obsoleta is an essential part of the Westport River ecosystem. By processing organic matter and keeping sediments oxygenated, it helps maintain the resilience and productivity of our intertidal habitats.

Next time you explore the flats and River's edge at Hix Bridge, The Let, or near Cherry & Webb, take a moment to observe these small but industrious creatures at work. A little reminder that even the humblest species contribute greatly to the vitality of our estuary.

 Get Crafty at Our Holiday Wreath Workshops!

Location: Westport River Watershed Alliance's River Center at 493 Old County Road, Westport, MA.



Cost: $75 per person (includes materials)

Join us for a night of creativity and cheer!
We will design festive wreaths with evergreens and other natural materials, then dress them up with ornaments, decorations, and a big beautiful bow to top it off.

Bring your friends and get into the holiday spirit! Feel free to bring a bite to eat. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided.

Appropriate for ages 12 and up.

Choose from Tuesday, December 2 or Wednesday, December 3 at 5:30 p.m. 

Space is limited, so register soon!

In classrooms and along our coast, WRWA education is fully underway in Westport Community Schools, sparking curiosity and connection to our watershed in the youngest learners.

Our Lead Environmental Educator, Michaelah Vasconcellos (Plover), engaged Pre‑K students at the Macomber Westport Community Schools in an interactive lesson on scallops: exploring their appearance, who eats them, and how they survive in our local waters.

Meanwhile, second‑graders at Westport Community Schools took on the challenge of building the “perfect home” for a spider crab, investigating what these creatures need to thrive along our coast and which items don’t belong in their habitat. Each classroom moment builds not only knowledge but a lifelong love for nature and our shared environment.

Exploring Our Estuaries

🍁A Tree-mendous Transformation!🍁

Green Your Halloween: Spooky Fun Without the Scary Impact

Questions about donations? Contact Kim at wep@wrwa.com

Thank You to Our 2025 Business Sponsors