Westport River Watershed Alliance

February, 2023

Dear Members and Friends:

There has been a whirlwind of activity around our River Center lately, with the preparations for our Winter Art Show, and welcoming our new Education Director Kim Bothelo. You can read more about it in this newsletter.


Winter has been passing without too much cold and snow, and before we know it we will be hearing the redwing blackbirds and spring peepers. We look forward to a busy year, with many interesting and meaningful programs coming up!


Thank you for taking the time to read our monthly newsletters. We hope to see you soon-- Don't forget that our annual Winter Art Show opens up this Friday at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery, and runs daily from noon to 4 p.m. until the finale on Saturday, February 25.


Thanks again for your confidence in WRWA and for helping us continue our important work.


Sincerely,

 

Deborah

Winter Art Show at Dedee Shattuck Gallery Opens Friday

Our 10th annual art show will be open at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery starting on February 17, and running daily through the 25th, 2023. This year's theme is "Reflections" - perspectives on the Westport River. Over 40 artists have contributed.


The auction is taking place online at 32auctions.com/WINTERART2023. The show will run daily from 12 noon to 4 pm, with a reception on the final day at 4 pm. You can preview all the items on the 32 auctions page listed above.


We appreciate the extraordinary talents of our regional artists and enjoy the opportunity to share great art with the general public each winter.

WRWA Welcomes New Education Director


The Watershed Alliance welcomes Kim Botelho as our new Education Director. Ms. Botelho joins the organization with a wealth of knowledge and over 25 years of experience in environmental and science education. 


Most recently, Kim served as Director of Education for the Nantucket Maria Mitchell Association where she built an award-winning, year-round education program. Her career includes leadership roles at the Norman Bird Sanctuary and the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve where she was instrumental in the establishment of the Narragansett Bay Watershed Coastal Training Program. Kim has also served on multiple state environmental education boards, as a state representative for the North American Association of Environmental Education, and is a current board member of the New England Environmental Education Alliance.


“Having ties to both RI and MA, I’m really excited to expand the reach of WRWA’s efforts throughout the watershed” declared Ms. Botelho. “I believe you can get people excited about nature through a wide variety of lenses and I hope to bring some creative programming to the organization.” In her free time, Kim enjoys hiking, photography, drumming, and is an avid boogie boarder during the summer. 


Quote from Executive Director Deborah Weaver, “We are thrilled to bring Kim into the Alliance as our new Education Director. Her colleagues have been very enthusiastic about her dedication, creativity and ability to complete new initiatives and outreach efforts. We anticipate many new and meaningful programs and collaborations that Kim will spearhead!”

WRWA Annual Meeting to be Held March 26 at Acoaxet Club


WRWA will hold its annual meeting Sunday March 26 from 11a.m.-12:30 p.m.

at the Acoaxet Club, on Howland Road Westport, MA.



Light refreshments will be served, and the event is free and open to the public.

Guest Speakers will be Tanja Ryden and Phil Weinberg of the Westport Board of Health, with the topic, "Current and Future Action to Address Nitrogen Pollution in Westport."


Following the presentation there will be a short meeting of the members of WRWA, including recognition of exiting board members and voting on new board members.


Those interested in attending RSVP by March 20 to outreach@wrwa.com.

Remembering Dr. Brian Howes

Roberta Carvalho, Science Director


Dr. Brian Howes will be greatly missed by so many at WRWA. Brian has worked with WRWA on multiple programs and projects to assess the health and water quality conditions in the Westport River.


He developed the original nutrient testing program for the Westport River in the 1990s. Brian’s laboratory, the Coastal Systems Program, at School for Marine Science at UMASS Dartmouth collaborated with WRWA on many projects to assess the health of the River. The basis of the entire nutrient management effort in Massachusetts if based on the foundational work Brian and his team led in the Massachusetts Estuaries Project. He was a mentor to the WRWA Science program and provided a wealth of knowledge to our efforts to protect and improve the Westport River.


Brian was a leader in studying the ecology of coastal marine ecosystems in the US, and his efforts found solutions to the problems caused by the impacts of pollution to these important habitats. His dedication and extensive research working towards restoring our estuaries and bays has made a profound impact on so many and his loss is truly devastating to the scientific community and beyond.


From his obituary:



Brian Louis Howes, age 70, passed away in his home in Sandwich, MA on December 13, 2022. His final days were spent with his wife, two daughters and two dogs, whom he loved most in the world.



Brian had the biggest heart, and his presence filled a room. His passion for helping the environment was contagious. He obtained his bachelors' from Rutgers University and went on to receive his masters and PhD from Boston University.

Doctor Brian Howes had a long and distinguished career in coastal and estuarine ecology, becoming a Chancellor Professor at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology as well as the founding Director of Coastal Systems Group.

Although his work mostly focused on Massachusetts, his job took him to places across the world including North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and even eight times to Antarctica. His research had a profound impact on the health of the environment and the well-being of surrounding communities.

A well-respected and highly accomplished scientist as well as an active participant in community outreach, he was beloved by many. His lab was like a second family, and he cared for them as such. Over the course of his career, Brian was a mentor to more than 30 graduate students and 120 interns. He was fully dedicated to each and every one as he cared greatly about their success.

Brian was a loving husband and a loving father. He went out of his way to show his family how much they were loved through actions large and small, such as providing reassurance during tough times or being an active listener. Although he is no longer with us, he lives on within us as an inspiration and a wise voice in the back of our minds. Brian is survived by his wife Karen; daughters Hannah and Sarah; brother Bill; extended family; friends; and colleagues.

Speaker Series continues

March 23, April 13 and May 11

2023 Speaker Series

• Building A Sustainable Future •

Join the Westport River Watershed Alliance and Partners Village Store

for a series of talks on vitally important topics relating to our future and

how we can manage in turbulent times of climate change.

Presentations are free and can be attended in person at the WRWA

River Center or through a Zoom link. All take place on Thursdays at 4 p.m.


March 23 at 4 p.m. Tom Kearns, President of DSK architects and planners will speak on sustainable building projects, local and internationally.


Tom will be joined by Amy Latva-Kokko, Sustainability Leader of DSK (pictured at right).


April 13 at 4 p.m. Madeline Ostrander will present her book, At Home on an Unruly PlanetFinding Refuge on a Changed Earth. This timely book is a hopeful, urgent and universal message about our collective ability to face the climate changes we can no longer ignore. More details in next River News.


May 11 at 4 p.m. Nicholas Sullivan author The Blue Revolution: Hunting, Harvesting, and Farming Seafood in the Information AgeIn a fast-growing world where more people are eating more fish than ever before, Sullivan brings encouraging news for conservationists and seafood lovers about the transformation of the industry. More information here.

Contact WRWA at outreach@wrwa.com to sign up or for more information.

Richard Heinberg is a Senior Fellow at Post Carbon Institute and is the author of POWER: LIMITS AND PROSPECTS FOR HUMAN SURVIVAL. He spoke to our group on January 19. This lecture provides ideas and information to guide us thoughtfully through the coming climate crises.


Click here for video of Richard Heinberg talk

Migration Station Program at River Center


Westport, MA -- The Watershed Alliance will host an open house event at the River Center to investigate migration. Learn the science behind migration through activities and crafts for children of all ages. The event is Saturday, February 18 at 12 to 3 pm and admission is free. Email rivercenter@wrwa.com to register.


Attendees can also explore WRWA’s aquariums with native species, an interactive sand table, and a high powered microscope.



Date: February 11, 2023

Location: WRWA’s River Center,

493 County Road, Westport MA

Time: 12 pm - 3 pm

Price: free

Please save us your Lees Receipts!

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

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


Thank you!

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Thank You to Our 2023 Corporate Sponsors


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