Westport River Watershed Alliance

11/05/2026

🎉 50 Years of Caring for the Watershed That Cares for Us! 💙

Today, November 5, the Westport River Watershed Alliance celebrates 50 years of protecting the river and watershed we all treasure!

What began with 15 concerned neighbors has grown into a community of members, volunteers, families, students, and partners working together to protect our lands, waters, and wildlife.

As we celebrate this milestone, we're also looking ahead to the next 50 years of conservation, education, science, and community stewardship.

Be part of our next chapter! Whether you give, volunteer, participate in a program, or lend your voice, there are so many ways to make a difference. Join us Wed. Dec. 9, from 4-7pm for our 50th Anniversary Open House at the River Center (493 Old County Rd, Westport).

Our 50 for 50 Challenge Begins Today! Every gift made by December 31 will be matched dollar for dollar, up to $50,000, thanks to the generosity of our Board of Directors.

Here's to 50 years of community, conservation, and caring for the Westport River and to the next 50 together!

Learn more and make a matched gift: https://www.westportwatershed.org/donate

Photograph by Timothy Brown

10/12/2026

On this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, WRWA stands in solidarity with Indigenous communities and remains committed to listening to Native voices, learning, and building meaningful relationships that support inclusive, Native-led stewardship. Indigenous peoples are the original stewards of these lands and waters, with deep and enduring relationships that span generations.

We are grateful for the relationships and learning opportunities that have grown through WRWA programs like River Day and the Mishoon Burn. These events included Robert Cox, also known as Chief Two Running Elk, and Daryl "Black Eagle" Jamieson of the Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe, and the Eastern Medicine Singers who have shared knowledge, songs, drumming, culture, and community over the years.

The 2023 Mishoon Burn, led in part by Annawon Weeden of the Mashpee Wampanoag and Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines Jr., a citizen of the Nipmuc people, brought Indigenous community members together around traditional Wampanoag and Nipmuc lifeways, and strengthened connections across the region. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3LYjGqTAB0&t=735s

One way to continue support is by attending local Indigenous-led events and supporting artists, educators, cultural programs, makers, food vendors, and Native-owned businesses. This October, there are several local opportunities to participate:

● Usher in the Sunset with Eastern Medicine Singers: Oct 16, 5pm at 468 Main St, Medfield. (https://medfieldhistoricalsociety.org/programs/calendar-events/)

● Wampanoag Experience Powwow: Oct 17, from 10 AM – 4 PM at Round the Bend Farm (WRWA will be tabling!) (https://roundthebendfarm.org/wampanoag-experience-powwow/)

● Mishoon Burn: Oct. 21–27 at the Community Boating Center in New Bedford, with Indigenous artists and educators Hartman Deetz and Annawon Weeden (https://www.communityboating.org/2026/09/24/building-a-mishoon-at-cbc/).

● New Bedford Powwow: Oct. 24 from 12–5 PM at Fort Taber Community Center

10/02/2026

Earlier this week, Monday through Wednesday, we welcomed Westport Community Schools to Gooseberry Island for a fun-filled 4th Grade Field Trip!

Students explored the coastal environment while learning about: Seaweed & Coastal Plants, Coastal Creatures, and the Rock Cycle & Sand. A wonderful time of hands-on learning, discovery, and adventure along the shore! 🐚☀️

Our River Center (493 Old County Rd, Westport, MA) will be open Sat. Oct. 3, 10am to 2pm for our Spooky Survival Theme, stop by anytime to learn about Halloween Animals!

10/01/2026

Thank you Westport Art Group for visiting the River Center today! Watching these wonderful artists slow down, observe, and capture the beauty around them was a wonderful reminder for all of us to do the same.

If you are looking for a peaceful place to linger outdoors, come on by. The wet meadow buffer zone is loaded with beautiful asters in full bloom. The River Center will also be open tomorrow and Saturday from 10am to 2pm! You can also see their beautiful work in the exhibit "In Plein Sight" at the Westport Free Public Library.

09/29/2026

You voted, and the winners are in!

We’re excited to announce the photographers whose images were selected by community vote for our 2027 WRWA Tide Calendar!

Congratulations to Kate Melody, Rich Castenson, Deb Drinker, Carolyn Edwards, Sheryl Robinson, Steve Connors, Greg Stone, and Tom Freddo! Their photographs capture the beauty, wildlife, and character of the Westport River and watershed in so many different ways.

A huge thank you to everyone who submitted a photo and to everyone who voted. We’re so lucky to have such a talented and enthusiastic community of photographers helping us celebrate the places we all love.

Calendars are available at the WRWA River Center for $20, or online with an additional $5 added for shipping. Online purchasing can be found here: https://www.westportwatershed.org/product-page/2027-wrwa-calendar

Includes tides for the Westport River and Buzzards Bay. Enjoy photos from around the Westport River throughout the different seasons. All photos were generously submitted by community members. Each calendar is $20 with an additional $5 added for shipping. Calendars are available for pick up at the R...

09/25/2026

Volunteer Spotlight: Joanne Chevrière - Sews with Love, Rooted in Community

WRWA is celebrating our volunteer Joanne Chevrière, whose kindness, creativity, and generosity have made her such a valued part of the WRWA community!

Joanne joined the WRWA volunteer team in 2022 and has since become a familiar face at our Electronics Recycling Day, River Day, our Summer Concert, and annual Gala. As a talented seamstress, she has also generously donated her beautiful handmade smocked dresses to our Gala Silent Auction each year.

Beyond WRWA, Joanne is involved with the Westport River Gardeners and a local chapter of the SAGA - Smocking Arts Guild of America . Joanne says it was WRWA’s welcoming and appreciative community that first drew her in. Thank you Joanne, for sharing your time, talent, and heart with WRWA. 💙

Joanne will be lending a hand at our upcoming Electronics Recycling Event on Oct. 7 from 9am-11am, helping us keep e-waste out of our landfill and watershed. Learn more here: https://www.westportwatershed.org/event-details/electronics-recycle-event-1

You can read more about Joanne's story on our website below:
https://www.westportwatershed.org/post/volunteer-spotlight-joanne-chevrière-sews-with-love-rooted-in-community

09/04/2026

Making Waves in Oyster Restoration Efforts

We’re excited to see the ongoing effort to restore oyster habitat in the East Branch recently featured by East Bay RI. WRWA has been working alongside the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries , The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts , and Massachusetts Oyster Project to monitor oyster recruitment and environmental conditions helping guide and measure future restoration efforts.

There’s a lot happening beneath the surface, and every bit of data helps us better understand how we can support a healthier, more resilient Westport River.

📰 Read the recent East Bay RI story:
https://www.eastbayri.com/westport/stories/westport-re-introducing-oysters-to-east-branch,142372

🔬 Learn more about WRWA’s oyster monitoring work:
https://www.westportwatershed.org/post/wrwa-massachusetts-dmf-and-the-nature-conservancy-partner-on-oyster-restoration-monitoring

09/02/2026

Last Call for River Tours! Please book your trip by Thursday 9/3 at 4pm. Spaces remaining:

Sept 12 at 10:30 am - 1
Sept 18 at 1 pm - 4
Sept 18 at 2:30 pm - 4
Sept 19 at 2 pm - 4

Note: Only being offered to families from Westport Community Schools, those attending our summer Watershed Discovery Programs, or families who live within the watershed towns of Westport, Dartmouth, Freetown, Fall River in MA and Little Compton and Tiverton in RI. *** YOU MUST SELECT THE NUMBER OF P...