Ipswich River Watershed Association

06/08/2026

🌊 RiverFest is almost here! 🌿☀️

Join us on Sunday, June 14, from 11 AM to 2 PM at Ipswich River Park in North Reading for a free, family-friendly celebration of the Ipswich River.

Spend the day exploring, learning, and playing by the water with live music, hands-on nature activities, a native plant sale, fishing, great food, ice cream, and plenty of opportunities to connect with the river that flows through our communities.

Whether you’re meeting snakes and caterpillars, discovering native plants, casting a fishing line, or simply enjoying a summer afternoon by the river, RiverFest is a chance to celebrate the places, people, and wildlife that make our watershed special.

Because the river isn’t just a place we visit. It’s something we all share.

📍 Ipswich River Park, North Reading
🕚 11 AM – 2 PM
🎟️ Free and open to all

We are the watershed. Come celebrate with us and our friends .wildlife and more!

FamilyFun GetOutside CommunityScience SummerInTheWatershed

06/04/2026

We are deeply saddened to share that our Pride flag was stolen from our entry sign on Route 1A on June 3. We have filed a police report.

This act was cowardly, and it hurt—especially for the LGBTQIA+ members of our staff, volunteers, and the community we serve. We want to be honest about that.

But we also want to be clear: it changes nothing about who we are or what we stand for.

We put up that flag as a visible sign that the Ipswich River Watershed Association is a welcoming and affirming organization and space for all people. We believe everyone deserves access to nature, a sense of belonging outdoors, and the opportunity to connect with the river and each other.

That commitment is not symbolic. In 2025, our team participated in training through the Affirming Spaces Project to help ensure our programs, school partnerships, and organizational culture reflect those values in practice—not just in words.

To every LGBTQIA+ person reading this: you are welcome here. You belong here. Come paddle with us. Come explore the river. This is your space, too.

Because our first Pride Paddle reached capacity weeks ago—and because this community has made it clear they want to be on the water together—we are adding a second Pride Paddle on Thursday, June 18, at 5:30 p.m. RSVP via the link below.

A new flag went up today. 🏳️‍🌈

Celebrate Pride Month on the water! Join us for our 4rd Annual Pride Paddle—a welcoming, safe space for LGBTQIA+ community members and allies to connect, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the Ipswich River together. We’ll start with a brief, on-land safety orientation before heading out for a gentl...

05/26/2026

The Ipswich River runs through our everyday lives — but how well do we really know it?

Catch our recorded session with our Executive Director Erin Bonney Casey for a guided introduction to the river, the challenges it faces, and the solutions underway.

https://youtu.be/VVHGsNpTlDs

05/20/2026

🛶 Come meet the fleet this Juneteenth! Join us Friday, June 19 (9AM–Noon) at Riverbend for a free, drop-in dockside morning on the Ipswich River. Try out our kayaks, check out the new life vests, get your questions answered, and connect with the river community — no experience needed.

Bonus: start the morning with Yoga for Paddling at 9AM, then a guided property walk at 10:30. Snacks & drinks included! Not a member? You can sign up right on site. 🌿

National Parks aren't free today… but we are. The river's waiting. ⬇️

Friday, June 19, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMRiverbend, Ipswich River Watershed Association Headquarters143 County Rd., Ipswich, MA Free and open to all National Parks aren’t free today… but we are. Kick off your Juneteenth weekend by getting to know the Ipswich River up close. Join us at Riverbe...

05/15/2026

🌿 May is Membership Month! 🌿

To every member who paddled with us, hiked our trails, installed a rain barrel, volunteered, or simply helped protect the Ipswich River last year — thank you. Your support makes it all possible.

Renew your membership today and keep the river journey going! 🛶💙

This year, members can look forward to:
✅ New PFDs for all ages
✅ Members-Only events
✅ Dock Open House on June 19th
✅ New no-tip boats for first-time paddlers

Your membership protects and restores the Ipswich River — now and for future generations. Join or renew now: https://www.ipswichriver.org/membership/

05/11/2026

🌿 Say hi to our Inaugural River Hero: Harley Monteiro! A Wilmington native, former NPS employee, and tireless advocate for Lebanon Swamp, Harley has spent years restoring this unique wetland habitat — and inspiring a whole community to join him. We couldn’t be more honored to recognize him with this award at our annual meeting last week. Thank you, .novae.angliae , for everything you do for the river and the people who love it. 💙

IRWA

05/06/2026

It's almost time! ⏰ Our Annual Meeting is TOMORROW.

Join us for a wonderful evening with fellow members, staff, and board — connecting, reflecting, and celebrating our shared passion for the Ipswich River.

📅 Thursday, May 7th | 6–8pm
📍 The Larkin at Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical
School, 565 Maple Street, Danvers, MA

Event is at full capacity — see you tomorrow if you're registered!