WRWA will again be hosting several guided outdoor events in June for National Rivers Month. Sign up for WOW (Wonders of the Watershed) events is on our newly improved website. We hope you will get outdoors and have some fun with WRWA in June.

River Day is coming back! We will be hosting our free event at the Head of Westport on June 24. Along with the Westport Land Conservation Trust we will be hosting the Wampanoag Experience, highlighting Native history in the South Coast area and sharing the deep traditional knowledge and life ways of Wampanoag culture.

The public was welcome to view the ongoing burn and interact with the native teachers at the burning of the mishoon at Town Farm during May. Now that the burning is complete, the dugout canoe will be taken to the Westport Head Town Landing and featured at the WRWA River Day celebration on June 24.

Our artist for this year's summer concert at Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery will be Darrell Scott on Saturday, July 8 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Boston area singer/songwriter Mark Erelli will open up the show. This our 7th Annual Summer Concert that has always sold out, so don't wait to get tickets.

Thanks for your continuing support for WRWA and all our programs and initiatives. It's time to renew your yearly membership with WRWA, so if you have not yet received a letter in your mailbox, you can donate online. Thanks for your membership and for following us by reading River News each month.



Sincerely,

Deborah

Grow A Healthy Lawn without Chemical Fertilizer…

and keep pollutants out of our steams and river

Even if you live miles away from the Westport River, you play an important role in its health, because you live in its watershed. A watershed is an area of land where groundwater, rain, and melting snow flow into a body of water, such as a river, salt pond, estuary or ocean. The Westport River watershed extends as far north as Freetown, Mass. and flows southward to Buzzards Bay.

• DO leave grass clippings on the lawn. This free, natural fertilizer can provide up to one-third of your lawn’s nutrient needs
• DO use up to 1/2″ compost as a fertilizer to top dress your lawn or garden.

If you must fertilize:

• DO test your soil first. If the pH of your soil is too law, the grass can’t absorb the fertilizer, no matter how much you use.
• DO fertilize sparingly. Fall is the best time to fertilize, before October 15.
• DON’T fertilize in the summer when your lawn is naturally dormant.
• DON’T apply fertilizer immediately before or after a rainfall, which washes it off your lawn and into storm drains.
• DO choose slow-release organic fertilizer that releases nutrients over time and are less likely to run off or burn your lawn. Look for “water insoluble nitrogen” on the bag.

Now is the time to register for Watershed Summer Programs

Our summer Watershed Discovery Programs offer children the opportunity to learn science through play and exploration, have up-close encounters with local wildlife, make friendships, build self-confidence, and much more. Your enrollment also includes a free family membership to WRWA! These programs are almost full, so don't wait too long to register.

Spring Beach Clean Up & Electronics Recycling

Thank you to our volunteers

A big thank you to our volunteers who helped us collect another 5,000 pounds of electronics for recycling in April and assisted with the annual beach cleanup in May.

River Day is Back!

This June, we are bringing back our River Day festival at the Head of Westport. In collaboration with the Westport Land Conservation Trust, we will host The Wampanoag Experience, who have finished burning a mishoon, a traditional Wampanoag canoe at Westport Town Farm (see photo below).

Funding for the residency and River Day comes from major underwriters L. Knife & Son, LLC., a division of Sheehan Family Companies, and the Westport Cultural Council. Additional River Day Sponsors include Perfect Smiles, and Family Heating and Cooling. Other sponsors can be viewed on the River Day poster below.

The Wampanoag Experience members will take an active part in WRWA’s River Day festival on June 24 at the Head of Westport, with demonstrations, exhibits and native dance and cooking. The mishoon will be on display with a dedication ceremony.  More info.

Big thanks to Lees Market

Each year, Westport Community Schools fifth graders help with dune restoration at the Cherry & Webb Conservation Area by planting dune grass as part of WRWA's Watershed Education Program. Lees Market very generously provides colorful T-shirts for all the students.

The unique Beachcomber T-shirt design was created by Megan Madara several years ago when she was a summer intern at WRWA. These shirts can be purchased on our web page or at the River Center.

Call for Photo Entries

2024 WRWA Calendar Contest

Deadline is July 1

The Watershed Alliance is calling for entries for the annual photo contest for the 2024 calendar. We are accepting landscape and nature photos that show the unique beauty and diversity of the Westport River watershed (i.e. the river, streams, wildlife, plants, etc.). Photos from all seasons are being sought, limit 5 photos per person.

READ MORE

Darrell Scott to perform at WRWA Summer Concert July 8

Mark your calendars! Our 7th Annual Summer Concert at Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery will be happening on Saturday, July 8, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. We are so pleased to be hosting singer/songwriter Darrell Scott to entertain us all with songs and stories. This will be a must-see concert with one of Nashville's premiere musicians and songwriters. Local favorite Mark Erelli will open the show.

More information contact outreach@wrwa.com.

To purchase tickets, call 508-636-3016 x 1003, or visit our web page,

WRWA & WLCT Hosting Great American Rain Barrel Program

To find out more about the barrels and to participate in The Great American Rain Barrel Program, please visit: www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com/community/ and select Westport. Barrels are offered from $80-$89 and will be available for pickup on Saturday, July 22nd 10:00-12:0 noon, at the Westport Land Conservation Trust Workshop 573 Adamsville Road, Westport, MA 02790. Deadline for ordering is July 9th, 2023.

The Watershed Alliance is pleased to be a Lees Community Partner. Please save your market receipts and either drop them off at WRWA River Center

493 Old County Road, or mail to PO Box 3427, Westport, MA 02790.