Riverfront Park Earth Day Volunteer Opportunity!

Volunteer Invasive Plant Pull

Sunday, April 21 from⋅9:00 am – Noon at Fitchburg Riverfront Park

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! Opportunity for Ages 14 and up

Join friends and neighbors as we celebrate Earth Day 2024 with a volunteer invasive plant removal at Riverfront Park in downtown Fitchburg. The event will take place from 9:00 am to Noon. Volunteers will cut, hand pull, and stack invasive plants in order to improve the riverbank ecosystem along the North Nashua River. Invasive plants can crowd out native species and negatively impact habitat for our local pollinators, birds, and other wildlife.  

Some tools and work gloves will be available for use, but if possible, volunteers are asked to bring their own loppers, pruning shears, and work gloves. Be sure to dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and sunscreen, and bring drinking water. 

This volunteer event is for ages 14 and up. Youth under age 18 need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

This event is hosted by the Nashua River Watershed Association, with support from the US Department of Agriculture, and in conjunction with the City of Fitchburg's Earth Day Celebration. 

After our invasives pull, be sure to stay and enjoy the fun at the Fitchburg Earth Day Celebration taking place at Riverfront Park from Noon to 3:00 pm.

Registration is required for planning purposes. Register online today!  Thank you!

Celebrate the Earth!  Celebrate Fitchburg!  Celebrate Community!

 Click image or use this link for map/directions to Fitchburg Riverfront Park, 51 Commercial Street in Fitchburg, MA

 

Wild & Scenic River Stories: Fisher, Beaver, and Bear

Thursday, April 4, 2024 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm
at the Ashby Free Public Library, 812 Main Street in Ashby

View a video preview of our River Stories Program.

Once one of the ten most polluted rivers in the United States, the Nashua River has once again become a thriving wildlife habitat through the restoration efforts of the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) and local communities. 

Join us for a free interpretive presentation about the behavior and physical adaptations of three of our larger mammals who depend on the landscapes and habitat of our nationally recognized Wild & Scenic Rivers, the Nashua, the Squannacook & the Nissitissit.

Using her locally filmed video and photographs, paired with footage from her network of motion sensitive cameras, NRWA Educator Gaynor Bigelbach will take participants behind the scenes of the lives of these animals. Learn about their behavior, how they are perfectly adapted to their environment, why our wild and scenic rivers create healthy habitat for these animals, and how we can live alongside them without conflict.

Questions? Please contact Heather Perry at Ashby Free Public Library, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 978-386-5377.

This free public program is presented by the NRWA in partnership with and funded by the Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit River Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council. Learn more at: wildandscenicnashuarivers.org.

 

Whitney Pond Dam Removal Information Meetings

Free and open to the public

Thursday, March 21 at 1:00 pm at Ashburnham Town Hall Auditorium-- completed

Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 pm at Ashburnham Town Hall Auditorium

Ashburnham-area residents are invited to join staff from the Nashua River Watershed Association, the MA Division of Ecological Restoration, and project engineers for a conversation about the removal of the Whitney Pond Dam. We are offering two meeting dates; the formal presentation will be the same at both.

In 2018, the Town of Ashburnham began to pursue removal of the dam due to its public safety risks and the financial burden to repair, maintain, and inspect it. Removing the Whitney Pond Dam will improve public safety, eliminate public spending on dam maintenance, and greatly benefit fish, wildlife, and public health.

We will discuss:

  • The history of the dam and its current status
  • The reasons to remove the dam and the removal process
  • The benefits to your community and local wildlife

There will be plenty of time for general questions, as well as technical questions to be answered by engineers.  Light refreshments will be served.

We want to hear your insights and questions!

For more information This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., NRWA Watershed Scientist.

 

     

Wednesday Walk at MA Audubon's Wampanoag Lake Sanctuary in Ashburnham

Wednesday, April 3 from 9:30 to 11:00 am

You're invited to join Nashua River Watershed Association educators for our upcoming walk in Ashburnham!    

NRWA Education Associate Gaynor Bigelbach will lead walkers on a leisurely one mile loop through ecologically managed grasslands, and a picturesque red spruce and balsam fir forest. This sanctuary is well loved by birders so please feel free to bring binoculars. For the safety of all, no dogs are allowed. Appropriate hiking attire is encouraged. This walk is free and open to the public

Space is limited so registration is required. Register online today. Directions will be provided upon registration.

Questions? Email registration@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.

This free nature walk is made possible by a grant from the Doyle General Endowment Fund of the Community Foundation of North Central Massachusetts.

Come explore the wonders of beautiful Central Massachusetts with us!

 

 

 

Spring Celebration & Auction 2024!

Friday, April 5, 2024 beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Devens Common Center, 31 Andrews Parkway in Devens, MA

Purchase Tickets Now! RSVP deadline has been extended to: March 26th at 8:00am

CONNECT with friends and NRWA supporters for a fun evening! The gala begins at 6:00 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar to enjoy as you bid in the Silent Auction, followed by dinner and the excitement of our Live Auction.  

BID on fabulous weekend and vacation getaways, and one of a kind experiences including a paddle with Marion Stoddart.  Items and services you need and want – from a bicycle tune up to gift certificates at local restaurants.  A preview is below!       

SUPPORT NRWA programs in your community that protect our water and land, connect people with nature, and improve climate resilience with nature-based solutions. 

Purchase Tickets Now!

PREVIEW our offerings, and please share this with family and friends.

  VACATION GETAWAYS

Plan now to bid on our great getaways—local favorites and distant destinations. Coordinate with family and friends to share the cost, and the fun!

 

  A One Week Stay in East Sandwich on Cape Cod.  

  • Only 800 feet from the beach!

  • Sleeps eight comfortably, with 3 over-sized bedrooms and one and a half baths. 

  • Wrap-around deck with awnings and natural gas fire pit for cozy evenings.

  • Available the week of September 7 - 14, 2024.

 

  Seven nights at the Alpine Retreat in Lake Tahoe. 

  • Located on the back of the Alpine Meadows, and in the Tahoe National Forest Area.

  • Comfortably sleeps eight (3 queens, 2 singles) with two and a half baths.

  • Available select weeks between April 2024 and May 2025.

  • Does not include airfare or car rental.

 

   Luxurious Tropical Villa Muluk in Akumal, Mexico! 

  • 5 nights stay at a luxury vacation home rental 62 miles south of Cancun.

  • Bookings based on availability, additional nights available at a discounted rate

  • Valid thru May 2025, not available December 15, 2024 - January 16, 2025.

  • Airfare and transportation not included.

A one of a kind South African Photo Safari package!  

  • 6 days and 6 nights of accommodation for two at the Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lodge.

  • Includes 3 meals and 2 game viewing activities each day!

  • Situated in the heart of South Africa’s Zululand conservation region.

  • Valid for 2 years after purchase, airfare and transportation not included.


  EXPERIENCES

 

  • Four tickets to a New England Patriots home game, Paddle with NRWA founder Marion Stoddart, A round of golf for four at the Nashua Country Club.

  • Guided fly fishing tour on a local river, Day sail on the Atlantic out of Newburyport MA, Freshen your culinary skills with a cooking class.

    AND MUCH MORE!

 

  • Fresh Vegetable Share from Upswing Farm, Hand-crafted pysanky eggs, Gift cards to local restaurants, Museum passes, Hand-crafted jewelry, and Apparel from Patagonia.

 

For more information, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 978-448-0299.

We hope to see you on April 5th!

 

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Image banner: Mallard image by Sherry Anders.