Now is the time to make your end of year donation to the Westport River Watershed Alliance

Dear Friends,

Together we make a difference and with your annual gift, we can:



Lead transformational education programs for all ages, where lessons become animated by hands on learning and in the field studies.

Investigate complex environmental challenges with well researched projects such as our salt marsh study.

Accomplish 32 years of water quality monitoring, one of the longest running programs in Massachusetts

Welcome visitors from all over to the River Center to learn about the diversity of the watershed, and to inspire a sense of stewardship for it.

Collaborate and Advocate with Buzzards Bay Coalition, Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust, Lloyd Center for the Environment, Mass Audubon, The Trustees, Westport Historical Society, and Westport Land Conservation Trust.

Your support has helped us offer diverse educational programming throughout the year. We continue to bring the natural world to the forefront for children in local schools. By offering dynamic opportunities, and responding to environmental concerns with thoughtful research, WRWA continues to provide multiple ways to engage in citizen science and community action for the many people who cherish our watershed and River.

Best Wishes, and Big thanks!

Deborah Weaver, Executive Director

Our mission:

Working together to protect and preserve the Westport River watershed, now and for future generations.

Next Open Saturday Event at the River Center Will Be on December 7

Green gifting is an emerging trend that focuses on lowering environmental impact. Here are some ideas for eco-friendly gifts:

1. Use leftover boxes, paper bags, and recyclable tape for wrapping.
2. Put your gift in a reusable tote bag.
3. Consider minimalist, vegan, or sustainable brand gifts2.

Mark your calendars! The next Open Day in the River Center:

Saturday, December 7 - Green Gifting: Upcycle Your Holidays

Westport Health Notes: You can't see them, but microplastics are here



Posted Wednesday, October 9, 2024 10:18 am

Welcome to Westport Health Notes, a monthly column from the Westport Board of Health (BOH). The goal is to share information with our community about local issues and projects, public health alerts, and even fun facts about the A to Z scope of responsibility that local Boards of Health manage.

Fifty-seven years ago, in the movie “The Graduate,” Dustin Hoffman received what turned out to be prophetic career advice: “I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. Plastics." Plastic production has risen from estimated two million tons in 1950 to 430 million tons in 2021, and is projected to rise to 1,100 million tons by 2030. About 40 percent of all plastic products are discarded, generating hundreds of millions of tons of waste annually. Roughly two-thirds of plastic production is designed for short-term use, yet the lifespan of plastics is incredibly long, (450 to 1000 years for some products), with the material continually degrading into tiny particles.

The ever-increasing accumulation and spread of plastic waste has long been recognized as a serious threat to marine life and a massive, global waste management problem. A Global Plastics treaty to end plastic pollution is scheduled for a final meeting in November. More recently, the ubiquitous presence of microscopic plastic in our bodies is under increasing scrutiny as significant threat to the public’s health.

READ MORE

WRWA 2025

Calendars Are Finally Here!

This year's calendar was worth the wait. WRWA has a long history of local photographers generously sending us beautiful and meaningful photos of our unique coastal area. Our members and friends chose the winners and they are displayed the in our annual calendar. We also include the "Tide Lines" showing high and low tides for every day of the year.

• Sunset Westport Point by Greg Stone

• Snowy Owl at Gooseberry by Carolyn Edwards

• Sunrise at Allens Pond by Greg Stone

• Moon over the Village by Joanne Humphrey

• Great Egret Landing by Carolyn Edwards

• Checking on the Chicks by Steve Connors

• Dawn at the Point by Amir Viskin

• Westport Gold by Mary Anne Thadeu

• Westport Point Sunset by David Cole

• Autumn Splendor by Rich Castenson

• Waiting for the Sun by Bill Kern

• Gooseberry Waves by Tom Short

Cover – Egret Rising by Amir Viskin

Calendars are available now at the River Center, on our web page, and at Partners Village Store.

Autumn South Coast Stroll

Our South Coast Strolls are a series of walks at a different coastal location in October and November, along with our friends at the Westport Land Conservation Trust. These walks identify areas around Westport and the features that support biodiversity in each habitat. Although we will endeavor to keep to the most accessible trails at each walk, we will also use coastal access trails to reach the shore and see what shorebirds, sea ducks, and other species might be stopping over in our South Coast habitats.

The next in our series of walks exploring the birds of the South Coast takes us to Old Harbor Refuge, a favorite stopping off site for migrating birds, on November 12.

We recommend bringing a comfortable pair of shoes that can handle shoreline walking, as well as optics such as a camera and/or binocular, and a water bottle. All levels of birders are welcome. We will meet at the parking area at Old Harbor, and if the lot is full you can park on the street.