Let me begin by saying "Thank-You" to all of those who have already contributed to our Annual Fund! Just this time two years ago, I learned that I was the top choice for the Director position at the Alliance. I was welcomed in that role at the annual Holiday party. Since then I have gotten to know and respect this environmental community so much! We are grateful for the continuing support from all of you.

 

These two years have been very busy. We have done a lot to expand our educational programs with the help of our Commonwealth Corps volunteers. Many people don't realize that every class in Westport has in-school experiential science and field studies under the direction of our Education Director, Shelli. On the science side we are finishing up a 2 year study of Cockeast Pond, and our partnership with UMASS Dartmouth scientists has led to a multi-year EPA grant to study oysters' ability to remove nitrogen from the pond. This was a highly competitive grant, and our Science Director Roberta is very busy with SMAST. We had a wonderful 40 th anniversary celebration with a Tom Rush concert at the Westport Rivers Vineyard in July, and we have another concert planned for July 15, 2017. If you need a thoughtful holiday gift, consider giving tickets to our Dar Williams & Chris Smither concert next July. A more beautiful setting for great music is hard to imagine!

The River Center project has made great strides in all areas, despite an arduous permitting process. After many months, the project received approval from the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of appeals and now we are working with the Board of Health to have our innovative, non-polluting plans approved. We are choosing among contractors, and hope to begin building renovations in the spring. We have helped the Town apply for a Seaport Grant for improvements to the Head Landing. Our hope is to help make the final head landing a safer, more beautiful and convenient access point to the River, and we see our River Center as an environmental showcase and learning center.

Come in and see us - we love to see old friends and make new ones. The Alliance couldn't do all that we do without our generous and committed members, volunteers and Board members. Thank you for all you do to support our work in the community that we all love.

Best wishes for the holidays and the New Year,