Dear Members and Friends: |
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What a busy month we have had in June!
Many families joined us on June 4 for our Family Fun Day and Open House at the River Center, when we opened our doors to showcase the attractions in our education center. Visitors enjoyed the virtual reality sand table, the aquariums with native fish and other aquatic creatures, and examining specimens with the high powered microscope. The pollinator gardens are in full bloom, and WRWA staff did some seining in the River to show what is happening below the surface.
We celebrated June, National Rivers Month, with other worthwhile outdoor activities, including Bird Watching on Gooseberry with Paul Champlin, a walk to the headwaters of the Westport River with Green Futures of Fall River, and an educational dune hike with WRWA at Cherry & Webb Conservation Area. (see photos below)
We are looking forward to presenting both our annual Summer Concert featuring Livingston Taylor on July 9th (rain date July 10) at Westport Rivers Vineyard, and our popular Summer Gala on August 13.
Proceeds from these events and activities benefit WRWA’s science and education programs. WRWA’s mission: Working together to protect and preserve the Westport River watershed now and for future generations.
Hope to see you soon at our upcoming events!
Deborah
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Welcome Summer Interns
BayCoast Bank has donated $10,000 to support the Westport River Watershed Alliance’s summer internship program. WRWA and BayCoast Bank have partnered on this program for over ten years, hiring local college students to assist with the education and water quality monitoring programs. This year two highly qualified students have been hired from the local area: Hannah Chamberlain and Kiaralis Cruz Gonzalez.
Hannah Chamberlain is going into her senior year at Indiana University, focused on environmental and sustainability studies. She found a passion for environmental education after interning with the NOAA Chesapeake Bay office last summer, where she worked with educators in the area to create engaging tools and activities to use in the classroom. Hannah grew up in Dartmouth and is excited to return to this area to learn more about the local environment while sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm with young students.
Kiaralis Cruz Gonzalez graduated from Bristol Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Life Sciences. She plans to transfer to UMass Amherst where she will continue her biology degree with an interest in animal science, and she plans on obtaining her master's degree. She grew up in Puerto Rico and then moved to Dartmouth, where she still resides. She previously did an internship at the Humane Society Animal shelter in Dartmouth where she learned and worked with the animals in the shelter. She believes that this internship at the WRWA is a great opportunity to learn more hands-on research and conservation, as well as to help the public.
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Tickets on Sale for
WRWA Summer Gala
WRWA’s annual Summer Gala will take place at the expansive and verdant Quansett Farm, overlooking tranquil Allens Pond and sparkling Buzzards Bay.
Often referred to as “the best party in Westport,” the Gala will take place on Saturday, August 13, from 5 to 8 p.m.
The event features great food from The Westporter, live music by the Joe Mulholland Trio, open bar, and a remarkable and diverse silent auction.
Tickets on sale now, $125 for members, $150 for non-members.
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WRWA Water Quality Monitoring Underway |
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WRWA has been sampling the River to test for fecal coliform bacteria since 1991; monitoring for the presence of bacteria pollution. Bacteria do not generally damage the ecosystem, but can make people sick when they eat tainted seafood, or swim in contaminated water. They are also a marker to identify the possible presence of other pathogens that come from the same fecal sources. (Bacteria in the River comes from human wastewater and domestic and wild animal waste). You can visit our website weekly to see water testing results for the Westport River. Go to: https://westportwatershed.org/river-info/river-monitoring/
We are still seeking volunteers to assist with water quality monitoring in the Westport River. Please email water@wrwa.com for more details.
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A few spots are still open for WRWA’s Summer
Coastal Ecology Program!
The Westport River Watershed Alliance is gearing up for their Coastal Ecology program (Ages 7-16). Participants explore the natural history of our dunes and ocean habitats. Your child will discover the wildlife in our coastal waters in this hands-on, science day program. We’ll use nets to catch creatures, complete scavenger hunts, play some fun games on the beach, and create nature crafts. Each week will have different activities so participants can attend more than one week without repetition.
And don't forget, WRWA members get a discount on summer programs.
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WRWA Assists With Annual Osprey Count
WRWA Executive Director Deborah volunteered in June to assist the Annual Osprey count with Mass Audubon Allens Pond. They counted the number of successfully hatched eggs.
She accompanied MA Audubon Osprey "Ranger" Katelyn for the early morning activity. Below is a photo of what a just-hatched Osprey looks like!
Westport is home to one of the more significant breeding populations of Osprey in North America. Since 2004, Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, with the essential support of volunteers and partner organizations, annually monitors the breeding activity of 80 pairs of Osprey on nearly 100 nesting platforms in Westport and Dartmouth, MA. These platforms were installed beginning around 1965 by two local residents, Gil and Jo Fernandez, and willing property owners and Osprey friends.
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Photos: Above, right, Deborah Weaver assists Mass Audubon in counting the eggs and hatchlings on Osprey platforms in the Westport River.
Right: Newly hatched Ospreys in one of the many nests in Westport.
For more information on the South Coast Osprey Project, visit the Allens Pond website.
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Livingston Taylor to perform at WRWA Summer Concert July 9
Our 6th Annual Summer Concert at Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery is coming up soon, and will be happening on Saturday, July 9, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. We are pleased to be hosting singer/songwriter Livingston Taylor to entertain us all with songs and stories. This will be a must-see concert with one of New England's premiere musicians.
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Last Call for Photo Entries
2023 WRWA Calendar Contest - Deadline is July 1
The Watershed Alliance is calling for entries for the annual photo contest for the 2023 calendar. We are accepting landscape and nature photos that show the unique beauty and diversity of the Westport River watershed . Photos from all seasons are being sought, limit 5 photos per person.
- Pictures should be submitted as JPG's.
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Image size should be no smaller than 10 x 8 inches (pixel dimensions 3000 x 2400).
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Image resolution should be 300 dpi or greater, file size 1MB or greater.
- Deadline for image submission is July 1, 2022.
Each image should be given a title by the artist and the name of the image file should match the image title. The artist should also include their name, so that they can be credited in the calendar. Image submissions can be emailed to outreach@wrwa.com.
By sending in your pictures you are allowing WRWA to use your pictures to inspire the appreciation and celebration of Westport’s beautiful estuary. WRWA is grateful for the talents of local photographers who share their wonderful photographs annually for the popular calendar, which also features charts of the tides throughout the year.
Our members will choose the winners on-line, as we did so successfully the last two years.
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Thank You to our 2022 Corporate Sponsors |
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