MAY IS WETLANDS MONTH, and JUNE IS RIVERS MONTH! This calendar, covering river-and wetland-related events in Massachusetts from Saturday, May 1 to Sunday, July 4, has been compiled by the Mass. Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) to provide you with the opportunity to participate in events in, on, along and about the rivers and wetlands of the Commonwealth. Take this opportunity to invite your friends, family, local leaders, legislators, and/or a favorite reporter to clean up, paddle, protect, enjoy and celebrate your favorite rivers, streams, salt marshes and freshwater wetlands, or experience new ones. Get some healthful exercise in and/or along the Commonwealth’s many scenic waterways and marshes.

Many activities require reservations in advance. Please call/e-mail ahead to inquire about any restrictions, fees, rain dates or cancellations that may apply. Any questions should be directed to the event organizers at the contact phone numbers and/or e-mails provided for each listing.

If you know of an event that is not listed on this Calendar but should be, send the info along to Russ Cohen at Russ.Cohen@state.ma.us, and he may be able to add it. You may also want to re-visit this Calendar from time to time to look for any newly-added events, updated info, etc. Lastly, don’t forget to check out the Mass. Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs’ The Great Outdoors blog for more info on these and other outdoor events and activities.

Event Listings by Week:

May 1st – May 7th
May 8th– May 14th
May 15th – May 21st
May 22nd – May 28th
May 29th – June 4th
June 5th – June 11th
June 12th– June 18th
June 26th – July 4th
Last But Not Least

All weekends (Saturday and Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Family-friendly, guided canoe trips at Cedariver (Formerly Baker Reservation), sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Discover the Charles and enjoy other Trustees properties linked by this meandering river. 9AM - 1PM and 2 - 3:30PM. Cost: 4-Hour Tour: Members: Adult $30; Child $20. Nonmembers: Adult $40; Child $30. 1.5-Hour Tour: Members: Adult $10; Child $5. Nonmembers: Adult $20; Child $5. Canoes and paddling gear provided. Trip size limited. Please pre-register by calling (508) 785-0339 or e-mailing charlesrivervalley@ttor.org, or click here for more info.

May weekends (Saturday and Sunday) – CONCORD RIVER – Whitewater Rafting Trips in Lowell , 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, sponsored by the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust and Zoar Outdoor. This whitewater gem plunges over three major class III -IV rapids - Twisted Sister, Three Beauties, and Middlesex Dam. Each trip includes two runs down the Lowell reach of the Concord. Adventurous rafters 14 and older are welcome. Your trip concludes with passage through an 1850's lock chamber that brings you right into downtown, seeing the city like never before. A portion of the proceeds support the Trust’s work on the Concord River. Call (800) 532-7483 for reservations, or call (888) 375-1115 or click here for more info.

May 1st - May 7th

May 1 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Paddle in Great Barrington, sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association. This trip will run a 4.5-mile section of the Housatonic from Division Street to the Searles School, which necessitates some smaller rapids to navigate through. Click here or call (413) 394-9796 to sign up or for more info.

May 1 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Land of Providence Opening Celebration/Farm and River Day, 11:00 AM, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR) in partnership with Nuestras Raices and Holyoke Rows. The public is invited to take part in a day of family, friends, fun, and volunteering. The event will take place at three neighboring properties: TTOR’s Land of Providence, Nuestras Raices’ La Finca, and the City of Holyoke ’s Jones Ferry River Access Center, which is operated by Holyoke Rows. This event will highlight the wonderful community programs and activities that are open to the public at the riverfront area. In particular, the event will celebrate the official opening of TTOR’s newest reservation, Land of Providence, a property that was donated by the Sisters of Providence. Click here or contact csommer@ttor.org for more info.

May 1 (Saturday) – BLACKSTONE WATERSHED – 21st Annual Earth Day Cleanups, 8:00 AM – 12 Noon (rain or shine), sponsored by the Regional Environmental Council (REC) in partnership with the City of Worcester Department of Public Works and Parks. This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day and the 21st year that REC has coordinated a day of cleanups at 50+ sites throughout the City of Worcester.  Click here or contact REC’s Earth Day Coordinator, Stephanie Katz at earthday@recworcester.org or (508) 799-9139 for more info.

May 1 (Saturday) – SUDBURY-ASSABET-CONCORD WATERSHED – Musketaquid Earth Day Celebration in Concord, sponsored by the Emerson Umbrella Center for the Arts. This annual event includes a morning River Ceremony, the Earth Day Parade through Concord Center , and an Arts and Environment Festival involving many local collaborating organizations. In the months leading up to Earth Day, Musketaquid sponsors many different workshops in which participants can create Earth Floats, puppets, costumes, musical instruments, and more, for the event. Earth Day 2010 marks the 20th anniversary of Musketaquid Arts and Environment. The theme for this year’s celebration, “Passion for Place”, both honors the past and looks toward the future. Click here, call (978) 371-0820 or email musketaquid@emersonumbrella.org for more info.

May 1 (Saturday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Paddle the Sudbury River, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon in Sudbury, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT). Paddle the Sudbury from Shermans Bridge Road, past Fairhaven Bay ending at Lowell Road in Concord where the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rives meet. Participants must provide their own boat and proper paddling equipment. Fee: free for SVT members, $20 for others. Click here or call (978) 443-5588 to sign up or for more info.

May 1 (Saturday) – FRENCH RIVER – Paddle the French River in Oxford and Dudley, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Nature lovers: don't miss this one! This 7-8 mile leisurely scenic paddle is packed with plenty of nature's creatures, including turtles, beavers, muskrats, ducks, and more. Participants must have a workable PFD, free from rips and/or tears. Lunch, snacks, and at least 32 ounces of water are required. Some brief portaging may be necessary. Click here or contact co-leaders Elaine Cibelli [(508) 832-9060 (before 10 PM) or elaine_cibelli@hotmail.com] or Dave Miller [(508) 853-8964 (before 9:00 PM )] to sign up or for more info.

May 1 (Saturday) – SHAWSHEEN RIVER – Flatwater paddle on the Shawsheen River, 8:30 AM – 12 Noon, co-sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council and the Shawsheen River Watershed Association. Approximately six miles of easy paddling on the serpentine Shawsheen. Woods, meadows, spring flowers and lots of birds. Section of river and specifics to be determined by conditions at time of trip. Click here or contact trip leader Bob Rauseo at (978) 851-9505 or Bob_otter@comcast.net for more details.

May 2 (Sunday) – ASSABET RIVER – Bird walk at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge, 7:00 AM, sponsored by the Eastern Massachusetts National Wildlife Refuge Complex and the Brookline Bird Club. Walk the trails at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge. Join the Friends of ARNWR for a birding and interpretive walk on this refuge. Be prepared to walk. Meeting place: 680 Hudson Road entrance in Sudbury, about 2.7 miles west of Route 27 and just east of the Stow line. 7 A.M. Leader: David Lange. Click here or call (978) 443-4661 x34 for more info.

May 2 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER/PLUM ISLAND SOUND – Birding Field Trip for Beginners, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary. This program is designed for beginning birders who want to learn and practice the many aids to field identification, including physical characteristics, behavior, coloration, and habitat preference. During our field trip, we will visit the most productive birding areas in the Newburyport/Plum Island area. The large number of migrant and resident birds in the ocean, salt marshes, rivers, and uplands of this area makes it an excellent outdoor classroom for beginners. Fee: Adults $24.00 members, $30.00 non-members. Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

May 2 (Sunday) – WARE RIVER (CHICOPEE WATERSHED) – Canoe the East Branch of the Ware River in Princeton, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. Discover this spectacular canoeing and hiking area located on the west side of Princeton. Much of the land along the river has been acquired for drinking water protection since the Ware River flows into the Quabbin Reservoir system to the west. Wildlife sightings abound in this area, and May is a wonderful time to be out on the water. If time permits, we will explore some of the walking trails along the river as well. Canoes, life jackets, and paddles are provided. Fee: Adults $12.00 members, $18.00 non-members. Click here or call (978) 464-2712 to sign up or for more info.

May 2 (Sunday) – FORT RIVER (CONNECTICUT WATERSHED) – Fort River Festival in Amherst, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, sponsored by the Rushing Rivers Institute in partnership with many other entities. This annual event features: a guided kayak/canoe trip down the Fort River; a family picnic at Groff Park, Amherst (fruit and water provided); live musical entertainment; a “Buck a Duck” Rubber Ducky Race and more. Local environmental groups will be taking part with wildlife displays, informational booths, and exciting activities. Call (413) 256-6006 or click here, here or here for more info or to view last year’s festivities.

May 4 (Tuesday) – STATEWIDE – Free EPA Watershed Academy Webcast on "Tools for Protecting Coastal Wetlands" 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Take part in a special American Wetlands Month webcast highlighting three valuable tools available for improving decision-making related to coastal wetland protection and restoration. A recent report shows that despite a national trend of net gain of wetlands in the conterminous United States, the coastal watersheds lost 354,000 acres, or about 59,000 acres per year during the period from 1998-2004. This Webcast will provide information on several tools that can help address impacts on coastal wetland ecosystems from immediate impacts (development) to long-term (sea level rise) in order to help improve decision-making and provide readily accessible information to practitioners. Click here for more info and here to register for the webcast, or contact Amber Marriott at amber.marriott@tetratech.com if you have any further questions.

May 4 (Tuesday) – SAUGUS RIVER – River Night 2010 Benefit Dinner and Auction at Spinelli’s in Lynnfield, sponsored by the Saugus River Watershed Council. Individual tickets are $35, which includes admission to the auction and dinner at Spinelli’s. Click here or contact the SRWC at srw@shore.net or (781) 233-5046 to purchase tickets or for more info.

May 5 (Wednesday) – BASS RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Paddle the tidal Bass River in Yarmouth, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Put-in directions: Route 6, exit 9 from Route 134S. Right on Upper County Road; left on Main Street; right on Cove Road to Town Landing. Life vest required, and spray skirts may also be required. Click here or contact trip leaders Paul Corriveau or Jean Orser at (508) 362-0451 or jeanorser@aol.com for more info.

May 5 (Wednesday) – CODDING AND WASHINGTON MOUNTAIN BROOKS (HOUSATONIC WATERSHED) – Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring, 10:00 AM – 12 Noon in Lee, sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). Join us for a morning of turning over river rocks and collecting river bugs on these tributaries to the Housatonic River. The types of bug found will help determine the water quality of these tributaries. HVA will supply the necessary gear and identification info for this collection. Click here or call (413) 394-9796 to sign up or for more info.

May 6 (Thursday) – BLACKSTONE WATERSHED – Three Easy Steps to Cut Your Water Bill and Improve Our Waterways at the Same Time, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM in Worcester, co-sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and the Blackstone River Coalition. Come learn how to put rainwater to good use and lower your water and sewer bill. We’ll learn how watersheds work, the impacts of stormwater and climate change on our waterways, and how to harvest rainfall. Three easy lessons include rain barrels, rain gardens, and downspout diversions. We have demonstrations of all of them – come see! Fee: $5 Mass. Audubon members, $7 nonmembers. This program is part of the Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015. Click here or call (508) 755-8899 to sign up or for more info.

May 7 (Friday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Bird Walks at Canoe Meadows, 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Berkshire Sanctuaries. The meadows, forests, and wetlands of Mass. Audubon’s Canoe Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary provide a variety of habitats that attract many birds. We will walk through these habitats in order to observe the changing birdlife. Because Canoe Meadows lies along a migration corridor adjacent to the Housatonic River and has a variety of habitat types, it’s one of the area’s most productive birding locations year-round. Bring binoculars. Members free. Beginners welcome. Click here or call (413) 637-0320 for more info. [Event is repeated on 5/14, 5/21 and 5/28.]

May 8th - May 14th

May 8 (Saturday) – WEWEANTIC RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Restoring The Earth – One Stream At A Time, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon at the Wareham Middle School Auditorium (4 Viking Drive, behind the Town Hall on Rt. 6), sponsored by the Wareham Land Trust. This program highlights the importance of small streams and rivers to the overall health of the Earth. The focus will be on what you can do at the local level to preserve and restore our streams. Presenters include environmental educator Mack Phinney, fisheries biologist Steve Hurley, Tim Purinton, Acting Director, Mass. Division of Ecological Restoration, Warren Winders of Trout Unlimited, Tim Watts, a local stream protection activist, and Brendan Annett of The Coalition For Buzzards Bay. A guided tour of the Red Brook restoration project, at the TTOR Lyman Reserve will be provided in the afternoon for those interested. Click here or contact Mack at (508) 295-4225 or mbp43mack@gmail.com for more info.

May 8 (Saturday) – CANOE RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – Twenty-Third Annual Canoe River Awareness Day, 10:00AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by the Canoe River Aquifer Awareness Committee (CRAAC). This year’s event will be held at Mansfield Fish and Game, 510 East St., and will include remarks by Wayne P. Southworth, CRAAC Chairman, Maps and Wildlife Photo displays and Canoeing and Geo-caching demonstrations. Click here or contact Mr. Southworth at wsouthworth@easton.ma.us or (508) 230-0810 for more info.

May 8 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Flatwater paddle in the upper Charles from the Millis/Medfield Line to the South Natick Dam, sponsored by the Wampanoag Paddlers. This beautiful section of the Charles winds through protected marshes and forests. The put-in is off Bridge Street on the Millis/Medfield line. Click here or contact Joe Packard at (508) 478-8500 for more info.

May 8 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Canoeing for Beginners, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us for an afternoon session to learn or brush up on basic paddling strokes such as the forward and back paddle, sweep, draw, and j-stroke. Learning these strokes correctly will enable you to control your canoe with far less effort. We'll practice on land and in the backwaters, and then canoe the river to enjoy the sights and sounds of a spring afternoon. Canoes, paddles and life vests provided. Fee: Adults $15.00 members, $18.00 non-members. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

May 8 (Saturday) – POWOW RIVER ( MERRIMACK RIVER WATERSHED) –Up- and downstream paddle up the Powow from/to Tuxbury Pond, 11:00 AM, sponsored by NE Seacoast Paddlers. Paddle up the river for 3-4 miles, then return to the put in. Trip suitable for canoes or kayaks. Click here for more info.

May 8 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT WATERSHED – Birding walk in the Bear Hole watershed , 9:00 AM , sponsored by the West Springfield Environmental Committee. Meet at the “ Four Corners ” (the intersection of Prospect Ave and Morgan Road ) near the Mass Pike underpass. Click here or contact Todd Steglinski at wsgsd@comcast.net for more info.

May 8 (Saturday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Sandwich Harbor and Mill Creek Paddle, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Osprey will be nesting and the Great Blue Heron feeding. We can have a bite to eat or a drink at Capt. Scott's after our paddle. Bring lunch, snack, water, sunscreen, and PFD. Click here or contact trip leader Paul Shields at (508) 832-5973 (before 9:00 PM) to sign up or for more info.

May 8 (Saturday) – WESTFIELD WATERSHED – Dig and Digest Garlic Mustard at the William Cullen Bryant homestead in Cummington, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Make your Mothers Day lunch something wild! Learn to identify and pull invasive garlic mustard, followed by a demonstration (and tasting) of some easy garlic mustard recipes. Follow up by digging garlic mustard any day in May with The Trustees crew. Click here or call (413) 268-8219 for more information and to pre-register.

May 8 (Saturday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – Whitewater (Class II– III ) paddle on the Knightville segment, sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Contact trip leader Charles Camp at (413) 665-3750 before Thurs. 5/6 to sign up for this trip.

May 8 (Saturday) HOUSATONIC RIVER – Flatwater paddle in the East Branch Housatonic, sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association. This 6.4-mile trip, covering the section of the East Branch in Hinsdale Flats, from Bullard’s Crossing to downtown Hinsdale, is rated somewhat strenuous due to the presence of one or more beaver dams. Click here or call (413) 394-9796 to sign up or for more info.

May 8 (Saturday) – MILL RIVER (PARKER WATERSHED) – Mill River Cleanup/workday, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Nor’east Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Chris Tripler will be leading a clean-up of the Mill River in Newbury. Meet at the Mill River parking lot on Rt. 1 in Newbury. The parking lot is just south of Elm St on Rt. 1. Cookout to follow the cleanup. Please RSVP to cetripler@hotmail.com if you plan to attend.

May 8 (Saturday) – QUINEBAUG RIVER – Birding walk, 7:15 AM at the Westville Lake Dam area in Southbridge, sponsored by The Bird Store and More of Sturbridge. Click here or call (508) 347-BIRD (2473) to sign up or for more info.

May 8 (Saturday) – CENTERVILLE RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Long Beach and the Centerville River hike, 10:00 AM – 12c Noon, sponsored by the Barnstable Land Trust. Join Town of Barnstable Conservation Division's Fred Stepanis and BLT 's Chris Babcock for a 2-hour, 3.5 mile walk along Long Beach to the tip of the barrier spit and back by way of the Centerville River trail. Along the way, coastal dynamics, beach nourishment projects, dredging and Piping Plovers will be discussed. Click here or call (508) 771-2585 to sign up or for more info.

May 8 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – 20th Annual Ducky Wucky River Race, 4:30 PM at the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge paddler access area at the end of Still River Depot Road, off Route 110, Harvard, sponsored by (and benefiting) the Ayer Rotary Club. Grand prize of dinner for two anywhere in the world, including airfare and two nights’ hotel. Click here to “buy” a duck or for more info.

May 9 (Sunday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Mother's Day Canoe Trip, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries. Bring your mom and celebrate Mother's Day at Arcadia . Begin with a cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate, and a light refreshment. Then we will get in the canoes and take a gentle paddle through Arcadia 's floodplain forest while looking for spring wildflowers blooming along the shore. We'll look for returning warblers, herons, and kingfishers. Basic canoe instruction and equipment provided. Fee: Adults and children aged 10+older: $15.00 members $20.00 non-members. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

May 10 (Monday) – TAUNTON RIVER – Dams, Dam Removal and River Restoration in the Taunton Watershed, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Dunn Conference Suite, Crimson Hall, Bridgewater State College, sponsored by the Massachusetts Chapter of The Nature Conservancy. Participants will gain a better understanding of the number, nature and condition of dams in the Taunton Watershed. The format will be a panel discussion with slide presentations followed by a Q and A. Presenters include Brian Graber, Director of River Restoration at American Rivers and Beth Lambert, River Restoration Program Coordinator of MA Dept. of Fish and Game. They will provide an overview of the ecological benefits of dam removal in riverine habitats and why it matters beyond fish passage. No registration required; click here or call (508) 732-0300 ext. 21 for more info.

May 11 (Tuesday) – HERRING RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Herring River Float, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM in Wellfleet, sponsored by the Cape Cod National Seashore. Bring your own canoe or kayak and gear (including life vests, which will be required) and explore one of the Seashore’s hidden treasures. The trip will return via the same route. Water levels will determine starting point. Click here or call (508) 255-3421 to sign up or for more info.

May 12 (Wednesday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Evening Paddle for Rails, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. The freshwater marsh known as Bunker Meadows can be a magical place for viewing and listening to breeding wetland birds. Usually, the only opportunity visitors have to observe Virginia rails, sora rails, or pied-billed grebes is from a distant observation tower or boardwalk. Tonight, we'll venture into the marsh by canoe for close-up views of these amazing birds. Other birds we are likely to encounter include the marsh wren, swamp sparrow, wood duck, and many more. Basic paddling instruction will be provided, along with all equipment. Fee: Adults $15.00 members, $18.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

May 12 (Wednesday) – FRESH BROOK ( CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Birding Fresh Brook, 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM , sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. The Fresh Brook area in South Wellfleet is a little-known, but very productive spot for spring migrants. The freshwater wetlands, red maple swamp, and pine/oak woodlands attract a variety of warblers that may include southern species like prothonotary and hooded warblers. This bird-rich riparian area is also attractive to flycatchers and hawks. Walk may be up to 3 miles in length. Fee: Adults $10.00 members, $12.00 non-members. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

May 13 (Thursday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Morning Excursions in Nature: Vernal Pool Exploration, 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM , sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us for one or more of these morning walks during nature's most promising season. Migrant birds are returning daily from southern wintering grounds, spring ephemeral flowers seemingly appear overnight, frog song enlivens the marsh, and nature beckons us to witness each unfolding minute. One of the most exciting places to visit in spring is a semi-permanent wetland called a vernal pool. By mid-May, vernal pools are bubbling with new life including salamander larvae, wood frog tadpoles, numerous kinds of insects, and the many animals that visit the pool to feed. We'll take a close-up look at more than one vernal pool on the sanctuary. Fee: Adults $10.00 members, $12.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

May 14 – 15 (Friday – Saturday) – STATEWIDE – Bird-a-thon Fundraiser, sponsored by Mass. Audubon. Bird-a-thon is an annual event in which teams compete to see which can spot the most bird species and raise the most money over a 24-hour period (6 PM Fri. to 6 PM Sat). You can participate in this event by raising money for your local sanctuary or a Mass Audubon program that's important to you by creating your own fundraising webpage on the Bird-a-thon website, or you may still be able to join a Bird-a-thon Team. Click here or here for more info, where you can view a video to see some of the bird species expected to be spotted during the Bird-a-thon.

May 15th - May 21st

May 15 (Saturday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – 34th Annual Canoe/Kayak Race, 11:00 AM, sponsored by the Blackstone River Watershed Association. This year’s 12-mile race begins in Fisherville, just downstream of the Route 122A bridge over the Blackstone River in South Grafton, and ends at River Bend Farm Visitor Center, Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park, in Uxbridge. After the race there will be food, music, an award ceremony as well as other family activities. Click here or contact Rosemary at (508) 839-9548 or roseisarose@hotmail.com for more info, or click here to download a race entry form.

May 15 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED – WaterWorks, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us for a day of special activities all about water! There will be opportunities for the whole family to learn about our local watershed. You can also meet some native wildlife that depend on clean water for their habitat. Activities free with admission to the Farm. Registration not required. Click here or call (781) 259-2200 for more info.

May 15 (Saturday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Nature Walk in the Island Pond Conservation Lands, 9:30 AM, sponsored by the Harwich Conservation Trust. Join Connie Boyce for a walk through conservation land near Harwich Center. Directions: Park behind Town Hall, 732 Main St. Click here or call (508) 432-3997 for more info.

May 15 (Saturday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED - A Walk in Cotuit - Crocker Neck
10:00 AM – 12Noon, sponsored by the Barnstable Land Trust. Gil Newton, professor, ecologist and author, joins BLT to explore the 97-acre town-owned Crocker Neck Conservation Area. Learn about the interesting salt marsh ecosystem and the flora and fauna that thrive in it. Click here or call (508) 771-2585 to sign up or for more info.

May 15 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER - The Mighty Merrimack, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at the Lawrence Heritage State Park, 1 Jackson Street in Lawrence, sponsored by the Essex Heritage Explorers Program. Join Essex Heritage for a walk along Lawrence ’s North Canal with DCR interpreter, Jim Beauchesne. Discover the power potential of the Merrimack River , historic textile mills, and the formative history of the industrial revolution that lives on through thoughtfully-assembled interpretive exhibits and preserved artifacts. We begin at the restored boardinghouse, now home to the Lawrence Heritage State Park Visitor Center. Follow Jim’s lead along the esplanade of a nineteenth-century canal, past giant mills, in the footsteps of the Bread & Roses strikers, to the base of the Great Stone Dam. See this 19th-century engineering wonder from a new and not-often-visited perspective. Fee: Free for Explorers, $15 donation for others. Click here or call (978) 740-0444 to register or for more info.

May 15 (Saturday) – SCHENOB BROOK ( HOUSATONIC WATERSHED) – Spring Ephemeral Wildflowers/Invasives Nature Walk, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). The walk begins at The Nature Conservancy (TNC) office, 404 LeGeyt Rd in Sheffield and will explore portions of TNC preserves in and around Schenob Brook. There are a wide range of habitat types in this area, including nutrient-poor, calcium-rich wetlands, rich hardwood forests and rock outcrops. Bring a bag lunch, bug repellant, clothing appropriate for the season and weather and comfortable waterproof footwear suitable for hiking. Click here or contact Tim Abbott, HVA's Greenprint Director, at (860) 672-6678 or tim.abbott@hvatoday.org to sign up or for more info.

May 15 (Saturday) – STATEWIDE – Massachusetts “Hands On” Trails Workshop, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Sanderson Academy in Ashfield, co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Recreational Trail Advisory Board (MARTAB) in partnership with the Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and The Trustees of Reservations. The workshop will provide volunteers, conservation land managers and those interested in becoming trail stewards with some of the tools and techniques needed to develop and maintain sustainable and enjoyable trails. The workshop will focus on reading the trail landscape, understanding the psychology of trail users, and clarifying trail purpose in addition to providing sustainable trail design and construction training in the field. There will also be a session on stream and wetland crossing design and permitting as well as examples of trail erosion control and drainage techniques. Contact Amanda Lewis, Recreational Trails Program Coordinator (DCR) at (413) 586-8706 ext. 19 or amanda.lewis@state.ma.us to sign up or for more info.

May 15 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Crabapple Blossom Fest Hike Along the Canalside Bike Trail, Turners Falls to East Deerfield, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by the Northfield Mountain Environmental Center. Join us for a brisk walk along the Canalside bike trail. Participants will be searching for blooms in a landscape that contains clues to the fascinating industrial history of the Village that still generates hydroelectricity to power local communities. The intersection of the built environment, the natural beauty of the river, and the hardy wildflowers that grow there, will make for a delightful morning. Walkers can choose to carpool for a 3.3 mile walk or a 6.4-mile round trip. The walk is free but pre-registration is required. Click here or call (413) 659-3714 to register or for more info.

May 15 – June 20 – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Turners Falls Fishway open, Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, First Street, off Avenue A in Turners Falls, sponsored by the Northfield Mountain Environmental Center. Spring on the Connecticut River offers an unrivaled opportunity to witness the migration of shad, sea lamprey and other anadromous fish. These fish migrate from the ocean and head upriver to spawn in the rivers of their birth. A visit to the Turners Falls Fishway provides an opportunity to learn about these amazing journeys. Admission is free. Click here or call (800) 859-2960 for more info.

May 15 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC WATERSHED – Garlic Mustard Grapple at the Steven's Glen Recreational Area in West Stockbridge, 9:30 AM – 12 Noon or 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM, sponsored by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council. Join us for the morning or afternoon for some easy weeding! Garlic mustard is a non-native species that competes against our native wildflowers and sapling trees. By volunteering a few hours of your time, you can help restore the natural habitat at Stevens Glen. Learn how to identify and eradicate an invasive plant that may exist on your property! Morning refreshments, delicious garlic mustard snacks, goodie bags, and raffle prizes will be awarded. An afternoon hike will occur during the lunch hour, and will involve a 1.2 mile walk to a beautiful gorge cut by cascading falls. Click here or contact Emily at (413) 499-0596 or ricefellows@bnrc.net for more info.

May 15 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Family Workshop: What’s the Scoop? Aquatic “Critters” of the Nashua River , 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM at the Petapawag Boat Launch, Nod Road, in Groton, sponsored by the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA). Ever wondered who lives below the surface of our river? Now you can meet these cool critters up close! Our naturalists will help you to find, scoop, and study some of the Nashua River's residents. Find out what these little animals have to tell us about the health of our river. Learn how to scoop at home to see what lives in waterways near you. This program is free to the public, made possible in part by a grant from the Groton Trust Funds’ Lecture Fund. All ages welcome! Pre-registration required. To register or for more info, contact Lauren Parente, NRWA Eco-Adventures Coordinator, at (978) 448-0299, or LaurenP@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.

May 15-16 and 22-23 (Saturday – Sunday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER –Shad Derby, sponsored by Holyoke Gas and Electric, (413) 536-9474 . Click here for more info on the derby, here for more info about the fish lift at the Holyoke Dam, and here for info on the viewing windows associated with the fishways at the Holyoke and Turners Falls Dams.

May 15 (Saturday) – MILLERS RIVER – One Fly Contest fishing competition, sponsored by the Millers River Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Registration begins at 7:00 AM at the Orange Rod & Gun Club, 357 West River St. Entry fee is $30/person. Rules: you MUST have: a cell phone or camera for picture evidence; ruler in picture showing size of the fish; a registered partner. You can fish anywhere on the Millers River. Report back at reg. area by 5PM for food and prizes. Contact Bill Manser at (978) 249-7858 or bmanser@msn.com for more info.

May 16 (Sunday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Whitewater paddle on the Fife Brook segment (Class II), sponsored by the New Hampshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This trip is open to all experienced and beginner/novice whitewater paddlers. The Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River is a great Class II river for the beginner/novice whitewater paddler. It is wide and forgiving, with plenty of places to practice ferrying and eddy hopping. Click here or contact leader Karen Keating at kakeating@msn.com to sign up or for more info.

May 16 (Sunday) – QUABOAG RIVER ( CHICOPEE WATERSHED) – Whitewater (Class III) paddle, sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Contact trip leader Jack Gill at (413) 238-5816 before Thurs. 5/13 to sign up for this trip.

May 16 (Sunday) – NASHUA RIVER –Clinton Greenway's Eighth Annual River Walk, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by the Clinton Greenway Conservation Trust. Join us for a self-guided walk on local conservation land with the beautiful Nashua River winding through it. Choose from a shorter loop or a longer loop, both starting at Water Street Bridge in Clinton. Follow the arrows to locally-known spots such as Long Swamp, Steep Banks, High Bridge, Stump Hill, and Sandy Banks. The paths have been used by fishermen, animals, and kids for many years. Last year, walkers enjoyed watching wildlife including beaver, birds, garter snakes, and other small wildlife. Followed by light refreshments provided by the Clinton Greenway Conservation Trust. Click here, call (978) 365-9377 or e-mail info@clintongreenway.org for more info.

May 16 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Hike Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Five-mile hike on carriage roads with woods, formal gardens and views of the Merrimack River. Bring water and lunch. Directions: From Route 95, exit 57 in Newburyport, take Route 113W for 0.7 miles to a right on Hoyt's/ Gypsy Lane to the lot at the end on the right. Parking fee. No dogs. Non- AMC members, $1. Click here or contact leader Charles Annesi at (781) 801-0593 or wdoilrag90@yahoo.com for more info.

May 16 (Sunday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Hike along the Blackstone River and Canal in Uxbridge, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Moderate five-mile Sunday morning hike along the towpath of this historic river, located 45 miles southwest of Boston. Click here or contact trip leader Bruce Wright to sign up or for more info.

May 16 (Sunday) – MYSTIC RIVER – Fourteenth Annual Mystic River Herring Run & Paddle, sponsored by (and benefiting) the Mystic River Watershed Association. Participate in a 5K Race, Walk, or 3-, 9- or 12-mile paddle. New This Year: Stand-up Paddleboard (SUP) and Prone paddleboard categories, and Facebook networking option. Meet at the Boys and Girls Clubs, Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, 32 Shore Drive in Somerville (park at the Somerville District Court at 175 Fellsway). 5K Race & Walk registration opens at 8:00AM; 5K Race starts at 9:00AM; Walk starts at 9:15AM; Paddling Race registration begins at 8:30AM; Paddling Race starts at 10:30AM. [An update on the Mystic River Water Quality Report Card will be presented at the Boathouse 10:45 AM.] Click here, here or contact Mark at (617) 965-5110 for more info, or click here to reserve a boat for the race.

May 16 (Sunday) – CANOE AND SNAKE RIVERS (TAUNTON WATERSHED) –Winding river paddle, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). Trip is suitable for boats 15 feet and shorter. Many, many tight turns. Bring a lunch. A wetsuit or drysuit is recommended. At the very minimum, a change of clothes in a waterproof drybag is required. A fun trip with lots of diversity. Suitable for all levels of experience. Contact trip organizer Lee Parham at leeparham@myway.com or ( 508) 286-5999 or click here for more info.

May 16 (Sunday) – EGYPT/ROWLEY RIVERS (PLUM ISLAND SOUND) – Paddle up and down with the tide, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by the Parker River Clean Water Association. Paddle upstream with the tide on this lovely wilderness section of the Egypt River, named for the reeds in the upper reach. This trip is suitable for boaters with some experience paddling in current. Must provide own canoe/kayak, paddles and PFDs. Contact Marlene Schroeder at (978) 462-9062 or marlene.schroeder2@verizon.net for more info.

May 16 (Sunday) – NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED – Ecological Restoration of Conservation Lands presentation, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM as part of the 2010 Annual Meeting of the Essex County Greenbelt Association, Cox Reservation, 82 Eastern Ave. (Route 133) in Essex. Using Examples from Essex County, DER Acting Director Tim Purinton will describe how techniques such as dam removal, stream daylighting and culvert replacement can restore degraded wetlands, rivers and adjacent land. The event is free and open to the public; call (978) 768-7241 for more info.

May 17 (Monday) – NEPONSET RIVER – Public Meeting on the Neponset River Trail Extension, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM at the Foley Senior Residences Dining Room, 249 River Street, Mattapan, hosted by the Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). At the meeting, the DCR will discuss, and solicit public input on, plans to extend the Neponset River Trail from Central Avenue in Milton to Mattapan Square in Boston. This section is a critical link to completing the Neponset Greenway vision of connecting the Blue Hills to the Harbor along the river. Click here, call (617) 626-4974 or email DCR.Updates@state.ma.us for more info.

May 18 (Tuesday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Protecting the Cape’s Water Resources: Water Reuse and Groundwater Recharge as Keys for Sustainable Water Management, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM at the Cape & Islands Association of Realtors Conference Center, 22 Mid Tech Drive in Yarmouth. This one-day conference will examine water reuse and groundwater recharge within the broader context of sustainable water management. Focus areas include new Massachusetts regulations on reclaimed water, treatment technologies, well injection, soil aquifer treatment, water quality, endocrine disruptors and pharmaceuticals, hydrologic balance, ecological issues, protection of surface water dependent ecosystems, parameters for effluent disposal, among others. National and local experts will present on how these various elements are being addressed in other areas of the country and highlight potential applications and lessons for Cape Cod. There is no charge to attend, but pre-registration is required. Click here, here or contact Tonna-Marie Rogers at (508) 457-0495 ext. 110 to register or for more info.

May 18 (Tuesday) – QUINSIGAMOND RIVER (BLACKSTONE WATERSHED) – Flatwater paddle, 6:15 PM, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club.Meet at the Riverview Apartments in S. Grafton. Rentals Available; suitable for all levels of experience. If you have a question, contact Cheryl at (401) 647-5887 or StoneFoxFarm@juno.com. In the event of a last-minute cancellation or modification to a paddle trip, please check the Message Board. Click here for more info on how to participate in Blackstone Valley Paddle Club events, and here for more info on this specific trip.

May 18 (Tuesday) – NASHUA RIVER – Birding walk, 7:30 AM at the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge, Still River Depot Road in Harvard, sponsored by Wachusett Greenways. Registration not required. Ending around 11 AM. Rain date is May 19. Contact Wendy Miller at wmiller29@verizon.net for more info.

May 18 (Tuesday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – River Continuity Presentation, 6:00PM – 7:00 PM at the New Marlborough Library, co-sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). As roads are built, culverts and bridges are constructed to allow passage of the water underneath. Originally, construction design did not consider wildlife movement through these stream and river corridors. Amphibians, fish reptiles and, sometimes, even mammals may use these passages. BEAT and HVA have teamed up to complete an assessment of the Housatonic River Watershed’s stream crossings in Berkshire County. Come find out more about this project and how you can volunteer to assist with river crossing assessments. This presentation is free and open to everyone. Contact Alison Dixon at (413) 394-9796 or adixon@hvatoday.org for more info.

May 19 (Wednesday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Oyster Reef Restoration Project Tour, May 19, 2010 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Join Wellfleet Bay 's Director Bob Prescott for a tour of the sanctuary’s Oyster Reef Restoration Project. Learn about local efforts to restore a wild oyster reef and maintain the health of our estuaries. Fee: Adults $3.00 members, $5.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

May 19 (Wednesday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Morning Excursions in Nature: Wetland Connection , 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us for one or more of these morning walks during nature's most promising season. Migrant birds are returning daily from southern wintering grounds, spring ephemeral flowers seemingly appear overnight, frog song enlivens the marsh, and nature beckons us to witness each unfolding minute. Wetlands are areas where water influences the type of soil, plants, and animals found in them. Many wildlife species depend on wetlands for habitat. We will look closer at marvelous wetland plants and explore their relationship with insects, birds, and mammals. Fee: Adults $10.00 members, $12.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

May 19 (Wednesday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Evening Paddle for Marsh Birds, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Hassocky Meadow is a beautiful beaver-enhanced wetland located in the heart of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Hassocky Meadow provides breeding and resting areas for many wetland birds including the wood duck, marsh wren, swamp sparrow, Virginia rail, sora rail, American bittern, and least bittern. Sanctuary visitors are usually limited to scanning the meadow from surrounding trails, but this evening we'll become one with this rich wetland habitat. Basic paddling instruction will be provided, along with all equipment. Fee: Adults $15.00 members, $17.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

May 20 (Thursday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Zebra Mussels and other riverine invasive species presentation and discussion, 7:00 PM at the Mason Library in Great Barrington, sponsored by Great Barrington Trails and Greenways. Learn about the recent discovery of zebra mussels in the Housatonic Watershed as well as other threats to the river ecosystem. The PowerPoint presentation and discussion will be facilitated by Dennis Regan of the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). Click here or call the HVA at (413) 394-9796 for more info.

May 20 (Thursday) – STATEWIDE – Rain Gardens in Successful Stormwater Management, 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM at The Trustees of Reservations’ Doyle Conservation Center in Leominster, co-sponsored by the Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA) and the Massachusetts Watershed Coalition (MWC). The cost is $20.00 for ELA members and $25 others. The field trip segment will tour the nearby Monoosnoc Brook corridor in Leominster , where 32 rain gardens, tree box filters and bio-retention areas are now helping to cleanse runoff from streets and parking lots. Designs for additional treatment practices, including a constructed stormwater wetland, will be installed and continue to improve Monoosnoc Brook and the North Nashua River. Click here or contact the ELA at ela.info@comcast.net or (617) 436-5838 to register or for more info.

May 21 (Friday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Spring Paddle on the Ipswich River, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Grab your binoculars and camera and join us for a leisurely canoe trip through the silver maple floodplain forest of the beautiful meandering Ipswich River . We'll stop and listen for birdsong, paddle by beaver lodges, and view the vastness of the Great Wenham Swamp. We'll put in and take out at the sanctuary canoe landing, enjoying a nature walk to and from the landing. Basic paddling instruction and all equipment will be provided. Fee: Adults $21.00 members, $25.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

May 22nd - May 28th

May 22 (Saturday) – WESTFIELD WATERSHED – Paddling Demo Day, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Hampton Ponds State Park in Westfield, sponsored by and benefiting the Westfield River Watershed Association. Test Paddle over 60 different kayaks & canoes, view demonstrations, enter the raffle to win a kayak, custom-made paddle and learn about all the best local places to kayak & canoe. Cost: $5/person or $10/family. Rain date is Sunday 5/23. Click here or call (413) 569-1287 for more info.

May 22 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Whitewater paddle on the Fife Brook segment (Class II), sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Contact trip leader Charles Camp at (413) 665-3750 before Thurs. 5/20 to sign up for this trip.

May 22 (Saturday) – MANHAN and MILL RIVERS (CONNECTICUT WATERSHED) – Paddle through the Oxbow/Manhan/Mill backwaters in Easthampton, sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Morning paddle with lunch at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Experienced paddlers only. Click here or contact leader Bernice Bowler at (413) 532-4464 (before 8:00 PM ) or treble13@comcast.net before Thurs. 5/20 to sign up for this trip.

May 22 (Saturday) – MILL RIVER (CONNECTICUT WATERSHED) – Birding the Mill River by Canoe , 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy a spring evening paddling the gentle waters of the Mill River while learning about birds. This is migration time, so we should see plenty of warbler species, swallows, and waterfowl. Fee: $12 members, $15 nonmembers. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

May 22 (Saturday) – QUINEBAUG RIVER – Paddle the Quinebaug River Canoe Trail in Brimfield, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). Suitable for all boats and levels of experience. Bring a lunch. One way trip (no shuttle) - up the river and back to put-in. In this area, the Quinebaug River winds through marshland filled with wildlife.  Stop for lunch at a rope swing on East Brimfield Lake . A wetsuit or drysuit  is recommended. At the very minimum, a change of clothes in a waterproof drybag is required.  Changes and cancellations to trips will be posted on the flatwater message board. Please check the board before leaving for any trip.  Contact trip organizer Mark Roberts at (401) 533-1883 (cell) or hrmmark@gmail.com or click here for more info.

May 22 (Saturday) – NASHUA WATERSHED – Flatwater/quickwater paddle on the North Nashua River in Leominster, sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council. This section of the Nashua River is mostly forested with few roads. It offers something for everyone, from flatwater to Class I quickwater. We’re sure everyone will find it an enjoyable and informative trip. Time and meeting place: 10:00 AM. From Rte 2 to Leominster take exit 33, to merge onto I-190 S toward Worcester, 2.8 mi. Take exit 7 toward Lancaster. Turn left (east) on New Lancaster Rd/Rte 117. Continue to follow Rte 117 0.4 mi. Turn left at N. Main St. and follow to end. Click here or contact trip leader Peter Urban at (978) 407-6551 or pturban@yahoo.com for more details.

May 22 (Saturday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Headwaters Paddle to Cedar Swamp Pond, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM in Hopkinton, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT). Enjoy this paddle to where the Sudbury River begins - Cedar Swamp Pond. Twist and turn through the narrow stretches of the Sudbury, leading you to the breathtaking headwaters. Participants must provide their own boat and proper paddling equipment. This program is for experienced paddlers only. Fee: free for SVT members, $20 for others. Click here or call (978) 443-5588 to sign up or for more info.

May 22 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Seventeenth Annual EarthFest, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the Hatch Shell, co-sponsored by 92.9 WBOS-FM and Whole Foods, in cooperation with the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation. EarthFest is a free celebration for the Earth showcasing environmentally friendly products, groups, and activities. EarthFest will also feature an all-star musical line-up, an interactive family area and more. Click here for more details; non-profit groups seeking to participate in the event should click here or contact Jason Rossi at jrossi@wbos.com or (617) 822-6750.

May 22 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Sea Kayak Paddle from Cambridge to Boston and back, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Some experience required. Sea Kayak rentals available from Charles River Canoe and Kayak. Click here or contact trip leader Dennis Blejer for more info.

May 22 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Paddle the Charles from Medway to So. Natick, 9:00 AM, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). Considered one of the prettiest stretches of the Charles River.   This is a 12.6 mile paddle and good paddling endurance is required.  Paddlers in shorter boats may find the distance too great. A wetsuit or drysuit is recommended. At the very minimum, a change of clothes in a waterproof drybag is required.  Changes and cancellations to trips will be posted on the flatwater message board. Please check the board before leaving for any trip. Contact trip organizer Louise Price at Weezrad@yahoo.com or ( 508) 441-7279, or click here for more info.

May 22 (Saturday) – TAUNTON WATERSHED – Spring Nature Hike at the Leo Yelle Conservation Area, Freeman Street in Norton, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by the Norton Open Space Committee. Bring water, snacks or a lunch, insect repellent and sturdy footwear for a hike through the Great Woods area of Norton. Click here, here or contact Jennifer Carlino at (508) 285-0275 for more info.

May 22 (Saturday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Botanical walk at Coy’s Brooks Woodlands, 9:30 AM, sponsored by the Harwich Conservation Trust. Join botanist Rich Eldred for a look at spring wildflowers in this marsh and upland area. From Harwich Center , go west on Great Western Rd. Turn left onto Lothrop Ave. Parking lot is on the right just past the water tower. Click here or call (508) 432-3997 for more info.

May 22 (Saturday) – MASHPEE RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) –Kayak the Mashpee River and Popponesset Bay, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. The Mashpee River encompasses three distinct habitats including freshwater, brackish and saltwater and is surrounded by the Mashpee Woodlands Conservation Area. Blueback Herring pass through these waters to and from their spawning grounds. Nesting marsh wrens and red winged blackbirds are plentiful along the shoreline and surrounding marsh and ospreys can be seen fishing overhead. Fee: Adults $40.00 members, $45.00 nonmembers; Children (12+ years only): $0. Click here or call (508) 362-7475 to sign up or for more info. [Same trip also runs on 6/17.]

May 22 (Saturday) – FRENCH RIVER – Flatwater paddle above the Hodges Village Dam in Oxford, sponsored by the Hodges Village Dam project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Join USACE Ranger Jean Hixson and be among the few who ever see the unspoiled marshes and pine barrens in the protected floodplain above the Hodges Village Dam. Limited to 20 people, 16 years old and up. Wearing lifejackets is required.  The event will be cancelled if it’s raining, and there is no rain date. For details and to sign up, call (508) 248-5697 or e-mail Park Ranger Jean Hixson at claudia.j.hixson@usace.army.mil.

May 23 (Sunday) - MERRIMACK RIVER – Grand Opening of Two New Rail Trails in Newburyport and Salisbury, 12:00 Noon to 4:00 PM, sponsored by the Coastal Trails Coalition. Free, family-oriented activities include ribbon cutting ceremonies, art, music, community group exhibit booths, and refreshments. The two trails will be linked by a water shuttle ferrying pedestrians and cyclists across the Merrimack River. Come experience how overgrown rail corridors have been transformed into safe, attractive and popular community assets providing easy walking and bike access to the MBTA commuter rail station, Merrimack River and the Great Marsh. Click here and here for more info.

May 24 (Monday) – CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED – An Evening Walk in the Upper Cambridge Water Supply Watershed , 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM, sponsored by the Friends of the Fresh Pond Reservation. Chip Norton, Cambridge Watershed Manager, will give us a tour of Cambridge-owned land that is part of the upper Cambridge Watershed. He will also present aspects of the Natural Resource Inventory which was recently completed in this area by The Bioengineering Group. We will walk through a variety of wooded environments, have the opportunity to view a lot of native wildlife, and see the Hobbs Brook Reservoir and several streams. Click here, or contact Elizabeth Wylde at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com or (617) 349-6489 to register or for more info.

May 25 (Tuesday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Great Island Hike , 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM, sponsored by the Cape Cod National Seashore. Traverse salt marshes, woodlands, dunes, and the beaches along Cape Cod Bay over the course of a 3.5-mile hike. Take in the scenic vistas of Wellfleet Harbor, and uncover the rich history associated with this early whaling outpost. Be prepared for walking in soft sand. Meet at the Great Island parking area, Wellfleet. Click here or call (508) 255-3421 to sign up or for more info.

May 25 (Tuesday) – WEST RIVER (BLACKSTONE WATERSHED) – Flatwater paddle, 6:15 PM , sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club.Suitable for all levels of experience. Join us as we are guided by naturalist Julie Riendeau on this interpretive paddle. You'll have the chance to see lots of wildlife as you paddle upstream through this stretch of clean, clear flatwater. The West River has excellent water quality and is one of our rivers that is clean enough to swim in the Blackstone Valley.  Also, no shuttling is necessary. Rental boats are available. Contact Cheryl at (401) 647-5887 or StoneFoxFarm@juno.com to sign up or for more info. In the event of a last-minute cancellation or modification to a paddle trip, please check the Message Board. Click here for more info on how to participate in Blackstone Valley Paddle Club events, and here for more info on this specific trip.

May 26 (Wednesday) – SWAN POND RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Paddle the Swan Pond River in Dennis, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Put-in directions: Route 6, exit 9 from Route 134S. Right on Upper County Road; left on Main Street; right on Cove Road to Town Landing. Life vest required, and spray skirts may also be required. Click here or contact trip leaders Paul Corriveau or Jean Orser at (508) 362-0451 or jeanorser@aol.com for more info.

May 26 (Wednesday) – CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED – Moonrise Paddle on Martha’s Vineyard, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, sponsored by Mass Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. Felix Neck is located along the shore of Sengekontacket Pond and adjoining salt marsh. See Sengekontacket Pond in a new light, moon light, as we celebrate the full moon. With a guide, you will kayak on the pond as the moon rises and sparkles on the water. Fee: Adults $32.00 members, $38.00 nonmembers. All paddling equipment and instruction is provided. Click here or call (508) 627-4850 to sign up or for more info.

May 27 (Wednesday) – NORTH RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Nelson Memorial Forest Hike, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Hike through the woods of this New England Forestry Foundation property to the North River . Wildflowers and birds should be abundant. Snack/lunch at old pier. Click here or contact trip leader Sally Delisa at (781) 834-6851 (before 9:00 PM) or delisasally@yahoo.com to sign up or for more info.

May 28 (Friday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Cruise Nauset Marsh in Orleans, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Cruise serene Nauset Marsh in a pontoon boat searching for birds and other wildlife while learning about the natural history of the salt marsh. Piping plovers nest on islands in the marsh, terns can be seen diving for fish, shorebirds are often found feeding on the flats, and ospreys can be seen atop their nesting platforms. Gray seals are commonly sighted playing in the surf. We'll haul a crab trap on board and examine its contents. Fee: Adults + Children: $40.00 members, $45.00 nonmembers; Children $35.00 members, $40.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

May 29th - June 4th

May 29 (Saturday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Kayak Nauset Marsh in Eastham, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the winding tidal rivers, quiet bays, and scenic salt marshes by kayak with staff naturalist Dennis Murley. Kayaking gives you a whole new perspective on nature and allows you to get into shallower waters where larger boats can't go! Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets provided (bring your own kayak and save $10). Fee: $35 members, $40 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

May 29 (Saturday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Osprey Tour with Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. The Westport River is home to the largest Osprey colony in New England. Come explore the river and observe these magnificent birds from our excellent vantage point. We'll paddle along the islands to view the ospreys watching over their nests, soaring above the river, and dramatically diving for food. Shelli Costa, Education Director, from the Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA), will join us to add insight into their behavior. This is a bird lover’s trip not to be missed. Costs are $40 for WRWA members, and $50 for non-members. Click here or contact Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures at (508) 636-0300 to register for this event.

May 29 (Saturday) – NEMASKET RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – Paddle the Nemasket River in Lakeville, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). Changes and cancellations to trips will be posted on the flatwater message board. Please check the board before leaving for any trip.  The AMC River guide describes this river as one of the prettiest in Eastern MA. Very clean river!  A chance to check out two herring runs. A few quickwater stretches and a couple of easy portages.  Contact trip leaders Don and Karen Heath at Heath53@cox.net or (401) 651-5827, or click here for more info.

May 29 (Saturday) – HOOSIC RIVER – Riverfest, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Cole Field in Williamstown, sponsored by the Hoosic River Watershed Association. HooRWA’s annual celebration of the river is fun for the entire family and includes rafting, canoeing, live music and other live performances, riverbank art, pony rides, live birds of prey, live river critters, crafts and activities for kids, good food, and more! Admission tickets double as raffle tickets for prizes such as bikes and kayaks. Click here or call HooRWA at (413) 458-2742 for more details on this year’s celebration.

May 29 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – The Watershed Waltz, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM at the Ramsdell Library, sponsored by Great Barrington Trails and Greenways. The Watershed Waltz for kids of all ages . . .Puppets! Performers! Live music and more! Celebrate with song, puppet fish, birds, and aquatic creatures. Produced and performed by Marmalade Productions and the Bumble Bee Players, this program is provided through the GB Cultural Council, Lake Mansfield Alliance and the Great Barrington Garden Club. Click here for more info.

May 29 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Flatwater paddle in Stockbridge, sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association. This 4.5-mile paddle is on a relatively placid segment of the River that winds through a golf course. Click here or call (413) 394-9796 to sign up or for more info.

May 30 (Sunday) – HERRING RIVER ( CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayak the Herring River in West Harwich, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. The Herring River is among the most wild and scenic rivers on Cape Cod due to protection afforded it by the town of Harwich. As its name implies, it is a corridor for migrating herring. Wildlife abounds along the peaceful banks and expansive marsh. Kayaks, paddles and life vests provided. Fee: Adults $40.00 members, $45.00 nonmembers; Children (12 + years only): $0. Click here or call (508) 362-7475 to sign up or for more info.

May 30 (Sunday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Cruise Nauset Marsh in Orleans, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Cruise serene Nauset Marsh in a pontoon boat searching for birds and other wildlife while learning about the natural history of the salt marsh. Piping plovers nest on islands in the marsh, terns can be seen diving for fish, shorebirds are often found feeding on the flats, and ospreys can be seen atop their nesting platforms. Gray seals are commonly sighted playing in the surf. We'll haul a crab trap on board and examine its contents. Fee: Adults + Children: $40.00 members, $45.00 nonmembers; Children $35.00 members, $40.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

May 31 (Monday) – MATTAPOISETT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Rochester Memorial Day Boat Race, 8:30 AM, sponsored by the Town of Rochester. The race begins at Grandma Hartley's Reservoir on Snipatuit Road. It finishes at the Herring Weir on River Road in Mattapoisett. Contestants can register at the Rochester Grange Hall, 205 Hartley Road on May 14 and 21 from 6:30 PM to 8 PM. No registrations will be accepted after the latter date. Contact Boat Race Chairman Arthur F. Benner at (508) 763-2024 for more info. [Click here for photos from previous Boat Races.]

June 2 (Wednesday) – HOUSTONIC RIVER – Breeding Birds in Hinsdale walk, 7:00 AM, sponsored by the Hoffman Bird Club. We’ll search for waterfowl, passerines, and hawks in the varied habitats bordering the Housatonic River in the Hinsdale Flats Area of Critical Environmental Concern, and Lake Ashmere. Meet at Hinsdale Town Hall, south of the traffic light on Rte. 8 in Hinsdale. Beginners welcome. Click here or contact leader Lynne Roberson at (413) 655-8815 DLRoberson22@cs.com for more info.

June 2 (Wednesday) – SIPPEWISSET MARSH (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Paddle West Falmouth to Great Sippewisset Marsh, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Directions: Route 28N (Falmouth) to west on Route 154. Left on Route 28A to right on Old Dock Road. Ramp is past bike path on right. Park at bike path parking area. Life vest and spray skirt required. Click here or contact leader Gifford Allen at (508) 563-3852 or gifallen@verizon.net for more info.

June 2 (Wednesday) – SHAWSHEEN RIVER – Annual Meeting of the Shawsheen River Watershed Association, 7:00 PM – 8:45 PM at the Andover (Memorial Hall) Public Library, sponsored by the Shawsheen River Watershed Association (SRWA). The meeting is open to the general public. After a short business meeting, there will be an open discussion of topics concerning the Shawsheen and its watershed, including: river access, invasive plant mitigation, open space protection, river cleanups, water quality monitoring, canoe/kayak trips, woody debris, shawsheen.org website, and ecorestoration. A door prize – a $25 gift certificate to Moor & Mountain in Andover - will be awarded. There will be slideshows of Shawsheen Highlights. Light refreshments will be served.

June 4 (Friday) – JONES RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Rising Tide Potluck and/or Paddle, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by the Jones River Watershed Association. Join us for our potluck on the rising tide every other Friday during the late spring and summer. Bring something for yourself, for the grill and perhaps a side dish to share. Come a little early with your canoes and kayaks to take advantage of the rising tide! Free and open to all. Click here or call the Jones River Landing Environmental Heritage Center at (781) 585-2322 for more info. Jones River Paddlers are a mainly kayaking group formed last summer in the Jones River community. They usually coordinate a paddle in conjunction with the Rising Tide Potluck. Interested participants should contact Phil and Deede Walters at (781) 585-3169, or jrpaddlers@aol.com.

June 4 (Friday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Cruise Nauset Marsh in Orleans, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Cruise serene Nauset Marsh in a pontoon boat searching for birds and other wildlife while learning about the natural history of the salt marsh. Piping plovers nest on islands in the marsh, terns can be seen diving for fish, shorebirds are often found feeding on the flats, and ospreys can be seen atop their nesting platforms. Gray seals are commonly sighted playing in the surf. We'll haul a crab trap on board and examine its contents. Our sunset cruises allow you to experience the beauty of the marsh as evening approaches. Fee: Adults + Children: $40.00 members, $45.00 nonmembers; Children $35.00 members, $40.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

June 4–5 (Friday–Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED – Forest Park Bioblitz, 5:00 PM Friday to 5:00 PM Saturday (rain or shine), at Forest Park in Springfield, sponsored by the John J. Duggan Middle School. A “Bioblitz” is a 24 hour event in which scientists, naturalists, students, and the public explore a location to find, identify, and record as many species as possible from microbe to mammal and everything in between. A bioblitz is part scientific endeavor, part contest, part festival, and part educational event. While the species counting is happening, many opportunities exist for additional activities such as informational tables, demonstrations, mini-lectures, and various themed nature walks. All levels of participation are needed and welcome- from spending an hour or two with a couple of students exploring, to camping overnight in the park to continue the search. This event depends on the participation of area scientists and naturalists. Contact Kerry Cesan at (413) 827-9844 or cesank@sps.springfield.ma.us for more info.

June 5th - June 11th

June 5 (Saturday) – NATIONWIDE – National Trails Day, sponsored by the American Hiking Society. Click here for more info and to find out about events in your area.

June 5 (Saturday) – WESTFIELD WATERSHED – Wild and Scenic Saturday Work Party at Glendale Falls, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Advisory Committee and The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR). The first Saturday of each month from June to October, volunteers will gather to build a community-sponsored, rustic staircase adjacent to Glendale Falls, a TTOR property in Middlefield. If you can’t join us, you can sponsor one of the steps for just $10, or bring a treat for the hungry crew! Click here or contact Meredyth Babcock, Stream Team Volunteer Coordinator at (413) 623-2070 or volunteer@westfieldriverwildscenic.org for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD WATERSHED – Bear Swamp Reservation Discovery Hike in Ashfield, 10:00AM – 2:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Join historian Mike Whalen to explore the rocky woodlands and extensive wetland ecosystem of little-visited Bear Swamp Reservation. This moderate 2.5-mile hike offers an amazing diversity of flora and fauna within an exceptional range of wildlife habitat and topography. An ideal late-spring outing for nature lovers seeking something “off the beaten path.” Fee: $10.00 members, $15.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Flatwater paddle in Sheffield, sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association. This 9.5-mile paddle, from the Sheffield Covered Bridge to Ranapo Road, winds through scenic farmland and woodland, with the Taconic Range as a backdrop. Click here or call (413) 394-9796 to sign up or for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center Family Fishing Day, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM in Turners Falls (Montague), at the Great Falls Discovery Center, hosted by Mass. Wildlife’s Angler Education Program in cooperation with the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center. The event takes place on 2 Avenue A in Turners Falls, just across the bridge from Rte 2. Angler Education Program volunteers will be on hand to help novices cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. If you have fishing equipment, bring it along. A limited quantity of fishing equipment and bait will be available. Contact Sarah Bevilacqua at (413) 863-3676 or sarah.bevilacqua@fws.gov for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – QUINEBAUG RIVER – Paddle the Quinebaug River Canoe Trail in Holland and Brimfield, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Paddle through a scenic area of floodplain protected by an Army Corps of Engineers easement. This is a ten-mile “there and back” paddle (no shuttle). Bring lunch, snacks, PFD, water, and sunscreen. Click here or c ontact leader Paul Shields at (508) 832-5973 (before 9:00 PM ) to sign up or for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Whip-poor-wills, Rails and other Birds of Bolton Flats; 3:30 PM - 9:30 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. The Bolton Flats Wildlife Management Area and nearby conservation land provide a wealth of habitats (and birds) that can be easily sampled in just a few hours - river, ponds, freshwater marsh, farm fields, thickets, woodland and extensive grasslands. Vesper and Chipping Sparrows, Prairie Warbler and Brown Thrasher nest in nearby grasslands. The marsh provides habitat for a number of Virginia Rails and Sora and we may find American Bittern, Wilson's Snipe and Pied-billed Grebe. An area specialty is a remnant of the increasingly hard to find sandy Pitch Pine-Scrub Oak woods favored by Whip-poor-wills. Depending on water levels, shorebirds and ducks can be found in wet areas in the fields, and many songbirds can be seen in the thickets and woodlands. Around sunset, we will have a picnic dinner in the field as we wait for the Whip-poor-wills to begin calling. Fee: Adults $40.00 members, $50.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (781) 259-2200 to sign up or for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – ”Birds of the Ipswich River” paddle, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us for a morning that combines two fun outdoor activities: birding and canoeing. The Ipswich River is a beautiful meandering river that is a nursery and feeding ground for many wetland birds. Birds we are likely to encounter include green and great blue herons, black-crowned night-herons, great egrets, and Baltimore orioles, just to name a few. Every experience on this dynamic river is different, so don't miss out on this fun adventure. Basic paddling instruction will be provided, along with all equipment. Fee: Adults $21.00 members; $25.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – TAUNTON RIVER – Seventeenth Annual Taunton River Festival, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, at scenic Weir Village Riverfront Park, East Water St. in Taunton, sponsored by The Neighborhood Corporation. This free, family-oriented community celebration is attended annually by thousands of area residents. The Taunton River Festival features live entertainment, educational exhibits, and numerous games and activities for kids. Click here for more info. [Rain date June 6].

June 5 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Biodiversity Free-For-All!, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, co-sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and the Parker River Clean Water Association. It's time for a BioBlitz family style! Join us to take an outdoor inventory of every living thing from loosestrife to ladybugs! The Parker River Clean Water Association joins Joppa Flats once again to honor the incredible variety of plants and animals in our area. This full-day family event will feature an exciting mixture of indoor and outdoor activities that encourage participants to learn more about biodiversity. All activities are free. A parent or guardian must accompany each child. Rain-or-shine event; no pre-registration is necessary. Click here or call Lisa Hutchings at (978) 462-9998 for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Thirty-second Annual Lou Marcel Canoe Race, 9:15 AM start in Lawrence, benefiting Special Olympics - Massachusetts. The non-competitive meander down the Merrimack River will run approximately 7 miles downstream from the start of the race at the Essex County Correctional Center on Commonwealth Avenue in Lawrence to the finish line and post-race VIP reception at the Crescent Yacht Club in Bradford . Canoes will not be provided at the event. Canoe Rentals delivered to Lawrence and retrieved at Bradford CYC are available for $55. Click here to rent a canoe, and click here or call (978) 750-1051 to sign up or for more info on the race.

June 5 (Saturday) – WELLFLEET HARBOR ( CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayak paddle, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Directions: West on Main Street from Route 6 to a left on Commercial Street to the far end of the Public Beach parking lot. Life vest required. Spray skirt may be required. Click here or contact leader Don Palladino at (508) 349-2950 or djp1958@comcast.net for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Thirty-First Annual Cambridge River Festival, 12:00 Noon- 6:00 PM, (rain or shine), sponsored by the Cambridge Arts Council. Revolving along a one-mile stretch on the banks of the Charles River , the festival celebrates the city’s cultural diversity through music, dance, and the arts. Captivating people of all ages and backgrounds, nationally recognized musicians and visual artists will entertain at this lively outdoor celebration. This free event brings the Greater Boston community together to enjoy the talents of performers and artists. Click here or contact Julie Madden, Director of Community Arts, at (617) 349-4381 or jmadden@cambridgema.gov for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – FRENCH RIVER – National Trails Day trail repair, 9:00 AM – Noon in Oxford, sponsored by the Hodges Village Dam project of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Trails don't build themselves. They don't repair themselves and they don't even clean themselves. We know because we kept waiting and it doesn’t happen. So we are asking YOU, the trail user, to help us. No tools, no experience necessary. Ranger Ken will serve the pizza afterwards. Contact him at (508-248) 5697 or kenneth.w.hester@usace.army.mil for more info.

June 5 (Saturday) – SHAWSHEEN RIVER – Canoe and Kayak paddle, 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM, sponsored by the Shawsheen River Watershed Association (SRWA). Meet at Dale Street, Andover. We have canoes, kayaks, paddles, and flotation vests to loan at no charge. Our mission is to get people out on the river. For information on any SRWA event, contact Bob Rauseo at bob_otter@comcast.net or (978) 851-9505.

June 5–6 (Saturday – Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Family Paddle and Overnight on the Charles, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Join us for a leisurely paddle down the Charles to Rocky Narrows. Set up camp along the river and then enjoy dinner and a hike up to King Phillips overlook at sunset. Awake to the quiet calm of the river and a refreshing breakfast before paddling out. Perfect for beginners. Canoes and food provided. Some camping equipment may be available. Cost: Members: Adult $45; Child $25. Nonmembers: Adult $55; Child $35. Trip size limited; please pre-register. Click here, call (508) 785-0339 or charlesrivervalley@ttor.org to register or for more info.

June 5–6 (Saturday – Sunday) – STATEWIDE – Free Fishing Weekend, sponsored by the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Take a friend or family member fishing! No fishing license needed during these two days! Fishing license fees support fisheries research, angler education, fish stocking programs and many other services provided by MassWildlife. If you don't know how to fish, consider attending the fishing festivals or other fishing-related activities (click here for more info). All Angler Education programs and festivals are free and don't require a fishing license for fishing. Contact Jim Lagacy, Program Coordinator for more details at (508) 389-6309 or jim.lagacy@state.ma.us.

June 5 – 13 (Saturday – Sunday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Cape Walk 2010, sponsored by Cape Cod Pathways, a joint project of Barnstable County and the Cape Cod Commission. Cape Walk is a week-long series of day hikes beginning along the Buzzards Bay shoreline and ending in Provincetown. Many scenic salt marshes, bogs, wetlands and waterways will be encountered along the way. You can participate in as many of the walks as you wish. Click here or contact the Commission at pathways@capecodcommission.org or (508) 362-3828 for more info.

June 6, 13 , 20, 27 (Sundays) – PALMER RIVER (NARRAGANSETT/MT. HOPE BAY WATERSHED) – Guided Canoe/Kayak trips in Rehoboth, 10:00 AM, sponsored by Canoe Passage Outfitters. These three-hour paddles, suitable for all levels of experience, start at South Street East , and end up at the Weir Waterfront Park. You will be able to see some of the beautiful wildlife that the Taunton River has to offer up close. Cost: Adults - $50, Youth 13-17 yrs. $35.00, Child 6-12 yrs. $10.00 (in the same boat with two adults). Click here or call (508) 557-1356 to sign up or for more info.

June 6 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Family Ecology Cruise Aboard the Yankee Clipper, 8:45 AM - 10:45 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center. Join Teacher-Naturalist Lisa Hutchings and the crew of the Yankee Clipper for an exciting exploration of the lower Merrimack River ecosystem. We'll conduct hands-on science as we collect water samples, live specimens, and plankton. We'll also look for wading birds, seals, and waterfowl on every trip. Your family will have a wonderful time exploring and learning about this vital part of the area's natural history. Fee: Adults $20.00 members, $27.00 nonmembers; Children $16.00 members, $19.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info. [This same event is also offered on 6/12, 6/20 and 6/26.]

June 6 (Sunday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – Fish Ladder Open House, 10:00AM – 3:00PM , sponsored by the Westfield River Watershed Association. View salmon and other migratory fish through a special viewing window at the West Springfield fish ladder. The entrance and registering area will be at the gate near the former Southworth Paper Co. Office building at 150 Front Street. From Rte. 20, turn south onto Second St. and go a couple of blocks down the hill, then right onto Front St. After about 200 yards, turn left and cross the railroad tracks, then turn immediately right and look for parking along the cobblestone street. Guides will direct visitors from the parking area to a half-mile long path leading to the dam where the fishway is located, and will explain the workings of the fishway. Free of charge and open to the general public. Click here or call Bill Rose [(413) 786-0195] or Henry Warchol [(413) 562-3467] for updated info.

June 6 (Sunday) – COCASSET RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – National Trails Day Hike at the Cocasset River Recreation Area in Foxboro, 2:00 PM, sponsored by the Friends of Camp St. Augustine. The walk will take about 1.5 hours and will cover the geology, terrain, history, tree species, plant materials and wildlife habitats that we will encounter. The walk will be led by Bill Hocking of the Foxboro Conservation Commission and Ron Clough of the F.Gilbert Hills State Forest. Click here or call (508) 698-5207 to sign up or for more info.

June 8 (Tuesday) – CHASE GARDEN CREEK (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayaking Chase Garden Creek in Yarmouth, 10:00AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. The pristine Chase Garden Creek in Yarmouthport is a long meandering creek that is protected from the stronger winds of Barnstable Harbor . Close encounters with osprey nests and other bird life is a certainty. Kayaks, paddles and life vests provided. Fee: Adults $35.00 members, $40.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 362-7475 to pre-register or for more info.

June 8 (Tuesday) – IPSWICH WATERSHED - Silver Lake : A Lesson in Low Impact Development, 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon at Silver Lake, Burnap Street in Wilmington, sponsored by the Ecological Landscaping Association (ELA). The Silver Lake watershed is heavily used for recreational purposes, and the water quality had been seriously degraded in the past several years. A comprehensive Low Impact Development project has restored the water quality and improved access to the community resource. Project strategies included: porous pavement systems, rain gardens, vegetated swales, and other stormwater management. Fee: $20 ELA Member or $25 Non-Member. Click here to register.

June 9 (Wednesday) – SHAWSHEEN RIVER – Shawsheen River Restoration – Third Public Information Meeting, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Memorial Hall Library, 2 North Main St in Andover, hosted by the Town of Andover and the Center for Ecosystem Restoration. A partnership of local groups, non-profit organizations and government agencies is working to improve the environment of Northeastern Massachusetts by restoring the Shawsheen River, a tributary of the Merrimack River . The goals of the project are to restore native fish and wildlife and improve public safety by re-establishing a natural, free-flowing river ecosystem. This meeting will provide an update on the project, which is focusing this year on two dams in Andover: Balmoral and Marland Place (Stevens Street) Dams. The results of recently-completed studies of river flow, sediments and historic resources will be presented. As always, we’ll ask for your thoughts on the river and its restoration! The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, contact: Tom Ardito, Center for Ecosystem Restoration, at (401) 575-6109 or ecorestoration@gmail.com.

June 9 (Wednesday) – NORTH NASHUA RIVER – Mid-Week Evening Stroll at Gateway Park, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM, Gateway Park, Sheldon Street in Fitchburg, sponsored by the Nashua River Watershed Association. Join the NRWA on a mid-week evening stroll to learn about the proposed Gateway Park in Fitchburg. Gateway Park will be a “gateway” to the North Nashua River and the historic mill district and will eventually feature a variety of recreational spaces including community gardens, a picnic area, parking as well as easy access to extensive conservation lands to the north. An outdoor classroom and environmental education venue are also planned for the park. The walk proceeds along the proposed trail looping the Park. Please wear sturdy shoes. Meet at the Sheldon Street entrance. This free guided walk is made possible in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, and supported by the Fitchburg Greenway Committee. Pre-registration is requested. To register or for more information, contact Al Futterman, NRWA Land Programs and Outreach Director, at (978) 448-0299, or email AlF@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.

June 9 (Wednesday) – SLOCUMS RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Paddle the tidal Slocums River in South Dartmouth, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Directions: I-195 to exit 12, south on Faunce Corner Road, cross Route 6 to Old Westport Road to Chase Road; right on Russells Mills Road to town park on the left. Life vest required. Click here or contact leader Haven Roosevelt at (508) 997-5160 or havenesq@comcast.net for more info.

June 10 – 12 (Thursday – Saturday) – STATEWIDE – Northeast Trails Symposium in Great Barrington, co-sponsored by the Housatonic River Walk and many other organizations. This 3-day symposium is designed for landscape architects, engineers, planners, agency personnel, conservation commissioners, volunteers, landscape contractors, and trail professionals. There will be plenty of doing, seeing, and listening - for all skill levels - led by locally, regionally, and nationally known experts in the trails field. Click here or here, or send an e-mail to wnetrailbuildersinfo@gmail.com for more info.

June 11–12 (Friday – Saturday) – STATEWIDE – 2010 New England Lakes Conference at Worcester State College, co-sponsored by the New England Chapter of the North American Lake Management Society and the Massachusetts Congress of Lakes and Ponds Associations. The theme for this year’s Conference is Lake Management in Lean Times: Focusing on Practical Solutions and Achievable Results. Contact Elizabeth Herron at (401) 874-4552 or click here for more info.

June 11 (Friday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Film Screening: Rivers of a Lost Coast(part of Deerfield Riverfest), 7:30 PM at Pothole Pictures in Shelburne Falls, sponsored by the Deerfield River Watershed Association. The screening is preceded by a live music concert at 7:00 PM. Tickets: $6 at the door. Rivers of a Lost Coast tells the story of how, around the turn of the 20th Century, a handful of pioneers carried their fly rods into California’s remote north coast and gave birth to a culture that would revolutionize their sport. For a select few, steelhead fly fishing became an obsessive pursuit without compromise. But by the early 1980s, the Golden State’s coastal fisheries found themselves caught in a spiraling decline. As California searched for its disappearing salmon and steelhead, these men foraged for their souls. Click here or contact Polly Bartlett at dbartlet@crocker.com or (413) 625-6628 for more info.

June 12th - June 18th

June 12 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Deerfield RiverFest in Shelburne Falls, 10:00AM – 4:00PM, sponsored by the Deerfield River Watershed Association. RiverFest is an annual tribute to the Deerfield River, and the role it plays in people’s lives and the ecosystem of western Massachusetts. This year's theme, “The Power of Water,” will be reflected in many different ways: entertaining, educational displays and demonstrations as well as live music and dancing, a colorful “Frog & Flower Parade,” birds of prey, aquatic bug table, art, crafts, tag, book and plant sales, food vendors, trolley rides, power plant tour, quiet water rafting and more. RiverFest helps people of all ages—area residents as well as visitors—gain a greater understanding of and appreciation for a rich natural resource. Grownups and youngsters will be able to meet some of the spectacular birds of prey that soar through local skies…find out about the environmental and health benefits of eating locally grown foods…learn about sources of safe, sustainable energy…take a ride on a historic trolley car…even spend some quality time rafting on the river. Click here or contact Polly Bartlett at dbartlet@crocker.com or (413) 625-6628 for more info.

June 12 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Film screening of “ Deerfield: A Working River”, 7:30 PM at Pothole Pictures in Shelburne Falls, sponsored by the Deerfield River Watershed Association. The screening is preceded by a live music concert by Rambling Pitchfork (traditional Irish tunes) at 7:00 PM. Tickets: $6 at the door. Deerfield: A Working River is a documentary film on the Deerfield River watershed’s history. Award-winning film director Joe Deflice, from Riverbank Media, will be on hand to take questions from the audience. Click here or contact Polly Bartlett at dbartlet@crocker.com or (413) 625-6628 for more info.

June 12 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Whitewater paddle on the Fife Brook segment (Class II), sponsored by the New Hampshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This trip is open to all experienced and beginner/novice whitewater paddlers. The Fife Brook section of the Deerfield River is a great Class II river for the beginner/novice whitewater paddler. It is wide and forgiving, with plenty of places to practice ferrying and eddy hopping. Click here or contact leader Karen Keating at kakeating@msn.com to sign up or for more info.

June 12 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Family paddle in Great Barrington/Sheffield, sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association. This 6.5 flatwater paddle, from the Searles School to the Sheffield Covered Bridge, is intended for families with small children only, as there’ll be a longer stop in the middle for lunch and relaxation. Click here or call (413) 394-9796 to sign up or for more info.

June 12 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – 2nd Annual River Paddle in Northfield, 9:30 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by the Greater Northfield Watershed Association. Meet at the Pauchaug State Boat Ramp Leisurely paddle downstream to the Northfield/Mount Hermon docks in Gill, where a trailer can bring you back to the start. Bring a canoe, rowboat, or kayak and your bag lunch. Rain date June 19. Call (413) 498-4364 or write gnwa@comcast.net for more info.

June 12 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER –Connecticut River Challenge Flat Water Canoe Races, 8:00-9:30 AM (Registration), 11:00 AM (race start) at the Springfield Yacht & Canoe Club in Agawam, co-sponsored by Curtis Universal and the Connecticut River Watershed Council. E-mail Rick Hartmann (rhartmann@curtisuniversal.com) or call Shirley at (413) 737-0281 ext. 220, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM weekdays, for more info. [Click here to read a press release on the 2009 race.]

June 12 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Premiere Screening of THE WORK OF 1000, a documentary film about Marion Stoddart, 6:15 PM (mingle/light hors d’oeuvres) and 7:00 PM (film screening) at Lawrence Academy's Richardson-Mees Performing Arts Center in Groton. During the 60s, the Nashua River made the top 10 list of most polluted rivers in the entire U.S. Then Marion Stoddart got involved. Marion's efforts restored the river. In the process, laws were changed and she was awarded the United Nations Global 500 Award, was profiled in National Geographic, had a widely-read children's book written about her, and is now the subject of a documentary film that will inspire others. [The work Marion began continues today through the Nashua River Watershed Association, the nonprofit she launched in 1969.] At 8:00 PM, all are invited to a celebration party held across the street at the Old Groton Inn's Carriage House. Click here or here for more info.

June 12 (Saturday) – CONCORD RIVER – Flatwater Paddle on the Concord, 9:30 AM, sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council. From history to wildlife – join us for an easy paddle which passes under the Old North Bridge replica, (part of the Minute Man National Historical Park ) and proceeds through the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at the Lowell Road bridge: From Rte 3 take Rte 62 to Concord Common; Lowell Rd is on west side of Colonial Inn at north end of Common. Click here or contact trip leader Julie Smith at (603) 891-0267 or cantdog@comcast.net for more details.

June 12 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER –Kite Festival on the Merrimack, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at Pemberton Park in downtown Lawrence, sponsored by Groundwork Lawrence. The Kite Festival is a family-friendly event that includes free kite-making and kite-flying at Pemberton Park on the banks of the Merrimack River. Youth volunteers are needed to help with kite-making (advance training required). To volunteer or learn more, click here or send an e-mail to Rose Gonzalez, Stewardship Program Manager, at rgonzalez@groundworklawrence.org or (978) 974-0770.

June 12 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK AND CONCORD RIVERS – Lowell Riverfest: Art Goes Green, 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM at the Concord River Greenway, sponsored by the City of Lowell’s Office of Special Events. This free event will feature live music, children’s entertainment, public art displays created with recycled materials, environmental activities, and boat tours of Lowell ’s canals. The event, which is co-sponsored by WXRV 92.5FM The River, features musical acts Amy Black & The Red Clay Rascals, the Evan Goodrow Band and Leo Blais. Click here or call (978) 970-4257 for more info.

June 12 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – ”Birds of the Charles River” Canoe Trip, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy a paddle down one of the most beautiful stretches of the Charles. We'll look for warblers, kingfishers, hawks, great blue herons and a variety of nesting birds. Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, a basic paddling overview & guides are all provided. Fee: Adults $30.00 members, $35.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 12 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Cutler Park Trail Work, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM in Needham, sponsored by the Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Enjoy the scenery as we brush back trails along the Charles River. Join DCR staff, members of the Student Conservation Association and other volunteers as we improve the trails in Cutler Park. Tools and gloves provided. Please wear work clothes. Meet at the Cutler Park parking lot on Kendrick St. in Needham. Call (617) 333-7404 ext. 101 for detailed directions. Please wear sturdy footgear, carry drinking water, and dress in layers. If weather conditions are questionable, please call DCR Blue Hills Headquarters at (617) 698-1802 ext. 3.

June 12 (Saturday) – NORTH AND SOUTH RIVERS – Upper Reaches Photography Paddle from the Hanover Canoe Launch, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. Enjoy the beauty of the upper reaches of the North River on the Indian Head River in Hanover and the Herring Brook in Pembroke. The focus of the paddle will be photography moments on the river, hopefully with co-operative river inhabitants. This will be a gentle paddle with the emphasis on not disturbing the wildlife and scenery and photographic tips from all! Participants must supply all their own equipment. Pre-registration and PFD’s are mandatory, as space is limited to 8 boats. To register, email paula@nsrwa.org or call Paula Christie at (781)-659-8168. Suggested donation is $5 per person.

June 12 (Saturday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Seventh Annual River Run Race, sponsored by the Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA). Registration begins at 8:30 AM; races start at 10:00 and 10:30 AM (rain or shine). The race starts at the Hix Bridge Landing and finishes (upstream, with the incoming tide) at the Head of Westport. Kayakers and canoeists will be able to participate in either a family-fun course or a competitive paddle. If you don’t have a boat, don’t let that stop you from coming out and having fun; kayak rentals are available on race day at a discounted price from Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures. Transportation of kayak to the race start is included. (You must pre-arrange for your boat.) Call Osprey Sea Kayak at (508) 636-0300 to reserve. Entry fee includes a tee shirt (while they last), water and fruit, and juice and snacks at the end of the race. Click here or contact the WRWA office at (508) 636-3016 or wep@wrwa.com to register or for more info.

June 12 (Saturday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Westport River Osprey Kayak Trip, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. The marshes and islands that dot the Westport River are home to perhaps the highest concentration of Osprey anywhere, accommodating over 85 platform nests and inhabiting pairs. Join us as we kayak the Westport River and learn about this amazing population and the conservation work Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary and its conservation partners are doing to understand it better. Kayaks, paddles and life vests provided. Fee: Adults $45.00 members, $50.00 nonmembers; Children (aged 12+ only): $0. Click here or call (508) 362-7475 to sign up or for more info.

June 12 (Saturday) – SALEM SOUND – Walk along the Waterfront and Point District of Salem, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, sponsored by WalkBoston. Meet at the MBTA Commuter Rail to Salem Station/platform. Wander an unexplored area in an ancient city where the South River was filled to build housing and industry, a severe fire burned, and a great place to live has emerged, with parks, wonderful harbor views, and a new Harborwalk. All Walks are Free and Accessible - Registration is encouraged - Space is Limited. RSVP to rsvp@walkboston.org or (617) 367-9255.

June 12 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Flatwater/quickwater paddle from Groton to Pepperell, sponsored by the New Hampshire Paddlers Committee of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Enjoy an easy paddle on an undeveloped section of the Nashua River that flows through Rich State Forest, Groton Town Forest, and Pepperell Pond. This area is a birdwatcher's paradise as well as offering a perfect flatwater to quickwater section for paddlers. Adjacent to the put-in is an outfitter that offers canoe and kayak rentals. Click here to sign up or for more info.

June 12 – 14 (Saturday – Monday) – SUDBURY , ASSABET and CONCORD RIVERS – Ninth Annual Riverfest, sponsored by the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River Stewardship Council. Riverfest has grown into a celebration including over 50 events on and along the rivers. All weekend long, from dawn to dusk, there will events suitable for the whole family. Canoe trips, bicycle rides, hikes, bird walks, treasure hunts, lectures, narrated walks, history lessons, concerts, art exhibits, storytelling are all included. Click here, here or contact Lee Steppacher at (617) 223-5225 or lee_steppacher@nps.gov for more info.

June 12 – 13 (Saturday – Sunday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Paddle/Camp on the Sudbury and Concord Rivers (part of RiverFest), sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Overnight at Fairhaven Bay on the Sudbury River. Launch at the start of wild and scenic portion of the Sudbury River in Framingham and paddle 13 miles to the campsite on Brooke’s Island in Fairhaven Bay. Shore component possible at Greenways and Weir Hill. Sanitary facilities and s’mores will be provided. Bring own camping/cooking gear and food. Cars will be shuttled to Wright Woods in Concord (a short paddle from the island). Gear that cannot be carried on your craft will be ferried over. Continue down the Sudbury and Concord Rivers to take out. Click here or contact leader Bill Fadden at faddenwn@aol.com or (508) 397-0078 (between 7-10 PM) to sign up or for more info.

June 12–13 (Saturday – Sunday) – CONCORD RIVER – Riverfest 2010: History, Art, Music & More at the Old Manse, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Activities include: guided landscape tours, which discuss connections to literature, nature, the river and urbanization; music (bring a picnic and enjoy folk, country, swing, blues, and more); talks (a lecture and discussion on the rivers’ influence and role in the lives of the famous writers, including Emerson and Hawthorne, who lived and worked here) and more. Click here or call (978) 369-3909 for more info.

June 12 – 13 (Saturday–Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Dragon Boat Festival, 9:00AM- 5:00 PM, sponsored by the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival of Boston. The Dragon Boat Festival is a centuries-old cultural and sporting event, and the Boston club has been making it local for many years. The festival features boat races, arts and crafts, Asian cuisine, and it is free and open to the public. Click here for up-to-date info and here for more info on dragon boats in Boston.

June 12 – 13 (Saturday – Sunday) – TOWN and TAUNTON RIVERS – Wild and Scenic River Run Annual Overnight Canoe/Kayak Trip, 9:00 AM (Sat.) to 4:00 PM (Sun.), sponsored by the Taunton River Watershed Alliance. This canoe and camping trip starts on the Town River, goes on to a cookout, entertainment and camping at Titicut, and then continuing down the Taunton River to the Weir Village. Click here or call (508) 828-1101 to sign up or for more info.

June 13 and 26 (Sunday and Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Water Chestnut pulling work parties, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM in Newton, sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association and Charles River Canoe and Kayak. Volunteers are invited to have a rewarding and fun day of canoeing and pulling out invasive weeds (water chestnuts) from the Charles River. We will provide you with a canoe (or you can use your own), baskets, maps, and a short training session about water chestnuts. Click here or call (781) 788-0007 for more info.

June 13 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Walk the Deer Jump Reservation in Andover, 1:30 PM, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Scenic walk along the Merrimack River. Directions: Take I-93, Exit 45 (River Road). Proceed west on River Road for 1.2 miles, then turn right onto Launching Road. Travel 0.25 miles to the trailhead on the right. Click here, hereor contact trip leader Helen Palmer at hpalmer.fournature@verizon.net for more info.

June 13 (Sunday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Sunset paddle, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM in Sudbury, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees. Join leader Tom Arnold and wrap up Riverfest weekend with a paddle along the Sudbury River as the sun sets and the moon rises. We plan to do an easy paddle and then raft together under the starlight. Feel free to bring and share a dessert, a suitable cold beverage. Cameras are recommended. Limited to 16 persons. Free, but pre-registration is required. Click here or call (978) 443-5588 to sign up or for more info.

June 13 (Sunday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Whitewater paddle on the Fife Brook segment (Class II), sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Click here or contact trip leader Connie Peterson at (413) 548-9113 or cpacpsummer@aol.com before Thurs. 6/10 to sign up for this trip.

June 15 (Tuesday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Flatwater paddle in Blackstone, MA, 6:15 PM, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. Suitable for all levels of experience. A pleasant flatwater paddle from the Blackstone Gorge upstream, to the Millville Locks and back. Rental boats are available. Contact Cheryl at (401) 647-5887 or StoneFoxFarm@juno.com to sign up or for more info. In the event of a last-minute cancellation or modification to a paddle trip, please check the Message Board. Click here for more info on how to participate in Blackstone Valley Paddle Club events, and here for more info on this specific trip.

June 17 (Thursday) – BLACKSTONE WATERSHED – Trout Stream Magic, Part 1, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM in Worcester, co-sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and the Blackstone River Coalition. Leaders: Paul Bakstran, Trout Unlimited, and Martha Gach, Conservation Coordinator. Trout streams, or cold water fisheries, contribute the highest quality of water to Blackstone River headwater tributaries and the mainstem. The cooler, more highly oxygenated water provides habitat for trout and other sensitive organisms. They need extra protection from urban influences, and you can help. Come learn more about the inner workings of trout streams from leaf litter to the mystery of macroinvertebrates to the elusive brook trout. Register for one or both parts. Part 1 is a Fly-tying demonstration, macroinvertebrate display, and a PowerPoint presentation. Anglers welcome! Click or call (508) 755-8899 to sign up or for more info. Fee: $5.00 members, $7.00 nonmembers; children $3.00 members, $4.00 nonmembers. This program is part of the Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015. Click here or call (508) 755-8899 to sign up or for more info.

June 17 (Thursday) – NEPONSET RIVER – 2010 Annual Meeting of the Neponset River Watershed Association, 6:30 PM at Meditech in Canton, sponsored by the Neponset River Watershed Association. We invite you to gather with us for thoughtful discussion, delicious food & drink, and the fun camaraderie of fellow Neponset environmental enthusiasts, all within a stunning indoor tropical garden setting! The evening will feature a thought-provoking presentation by Featured Speaker Curt Spalding, the newly appointed Regional Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England Region and former long-time Executive Director of Save The Bay - Rhode Island. Click here or call (781) 575-0354 for more info.

June 17 (Thursday) – NORTH NASHUA RIVER – 2010 Fitchburg “Paint-In”, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM at the Johnsonia Art Gallery, 516 Main Street in Fitchburg, sponsored by the Fitchburg Cultural Alliance. The 2010 Fitchburg Paint-In has a theme of preserving a sense of place along the Nashua River through the eyes of artists. Twenty-five juried artists have been selected to set up easels along the Nashua River, from the Falls at Arden Mills to the Steamline Trail from May 22 through June 5. The Nashua River renderings will be displayed at the Johnsonia Art Gallery on Main Street from June 17 through June 20. The public is invited to join in celebrating Marion Stoddart and the renewal of the Nashua River at the opening Exhibition and Celebration on the evening of June 17. For more information, call Ellen DiGeronimo, Project Coordinator, at (978) 342-6944.

June 18 (Friday) – JONES RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Rising Tide Potluck and Rivers Month Proclamation, beginning at 5:30 PM, co-sponsored by the Jones River Watershed Association and the Mass. Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration (DER). Join us for the presentation of the 2010 Massachusetts Rivers Month Proclamation at 5:30 PM, then take part in a potluck supper along the Jones River. Bring something for yourself, for the grill and perhaps a side dish to share. Come a little early with your canoes and kayaks to take advantage of the rising tide! Free and open to all. Click here or call the Jones River Landing Environmental Heritage Center at (781) 585-2322 for more info.

June 18 (Friday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Family Dusk Paddles: Welcoming the Summer, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the Ipswich River at dusk. Bring your family and join us for an evening paddle in a canoe as we learn more about the river and some of its inhabitants. Celebrate the coming of summer with the solstice just around the corner as we canoe on the Ipswich River. As we paddle along, we'll look for plants and animals that are equally excited about the approaching season. Canoes, paddling gear and basic instruction are provided. Fee: Adults $13.00 members, $15.00 nonmembers; Children $11.00 members, $13.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 19th - June 25th

June 19 (Saturday) – WESTFIELD WATERSHED – Wild & Scenic Saturday Work Party at Chesterfield Gorge, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, co-sponsored by the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Advisory Committee and The Trustees of Reservations. Learn about geology of Chesterfield Gorge and help us install the information kiosk Each session includes two hours of trail monitoring and maintenance where you get to apply your newly learned skills. Meet at Chesterfield Gorge, the start of the dynamic East Branch Trail. Part of the Wild & Scenic Saturdays series sponsored by the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Advisory Committee and The Trustees of Reservations. Click here or contact Meredyth Babcock, Stream Team Volunteer Coordinator at (413) 623-2070 or volunteer@westfieldriverwildscenic.org for more info.

June 19 (Saturday) – MALDEN RIVER (MYSTIC WATERSHED) – First Annual Malden River Festival at River's Edge Park in Medford, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Join community members to celebrate our parks and the summer season. River's Edge Park is located on River’s Edge Drive / Commercial Street in Medford between the Wellington T Station and Medford Street. Free BBQ, Family Fun Activities (games, face-painting, etc.), Live Performances by Local Groups, Informational Tables, Summer Activity Demos and more. Contact Nick Cohen at (781) 322-4125 or ncohen@tri-cap.org for more info.

June 19 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Whitewater paddle on the Fife Brook segment (Class II), sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Click here or contact trip leader Tad Jackson at (413) 253-9426 before Thurs. 6/17 to sign up for this trip.

June 19 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Whitewater paddle on the Monroe Bridge segment (Class IV), sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Click here or contact trip leader Dennis Cleary at (413) 774-3510 before Thurs. 6/17 to sign up for this trip.

June 19 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – River Cleanup in Pittsfield. Many organizations are coming together to hold another river cleanup. This time we will be starting at Clapp Park off West Housatonic Street in Pittsfield and also canoeing down to Fred Garner Park on Pomeroy Avenue collecting trash as we go. There is some really big stuff in this section of the river! Contact Jane Winn of the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) at (413) 230-7321 or Jane@thebeatnews.org for more info.

June 19 (Saturday) – CHICOPEE RIVER WATERSHED – Frog Chorus Night Hike in Princeton, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. The wetlands in June are teeming with the excitement of frog chorusing. Come and learn about our native, local frog and salamander species. We will look at some live specimens, talk about conservation of these species, listen to the various calls, and take a night walk to the wetlands to get a firsthand, auditory, amphibian symphony. Fee: Adults $6.00 member, $8.00 nonmember; Children $3.00 member, $4.00 nonmember. Click here or call (978) 464-2712 to sign up or for more info.

June 19 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Fourth Annual Nashua River Flatwater Canoe and Kayak Race in Groton, sponsored by the New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association (NECKRA). Several entry classes available for 9-mile long course and 4-mile short course. Registration begins at 9:00 AM; race begins at 11:00 AM. Barbeque after the race. Click here or contact Dan Rabinkin at (781) 799-8292 or rabinkin@msn.com for more info.

June 19 (Saturday) – QUINEBAUG RIVER – Paddle Long Pond to Holland Pond and back, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Leisurely-paced, 10-12-mile round-trip flat-water paddle. Meet and launch at Long Pond in Sturbridge, then paddle East Brimfield Lake and down the Quinebaug River through marshes filled with bird life, to Holland Pond and back. PFDs and sufficient food/water required. Click here or contact leader Elaine Cibelli [(508) 832-9060 (before 10 PM) or elaine_cibelli@hotmail.com] to sign up or for more info.

June 19 (Saturday) – QUINEPOXET RIVER (NASHUA WATERSHED) – Introduction to Fly Fishing, sponsored by the Mass. Dept. of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). This program will include an introduction on the basic equipment needed to get started, basic fly casting lessons, and techniques used for fly fishing. Rods and ties will be available for use but feel free to bring your own equipment. At the conclusion participants will have a chance at using their newly learned skills on the Quinapoxet River. Bring along waders if you wish to fish above the Click here or call the Wachusett Reservoir Ranger Station at: (978) 365-3800 for directions or other info.

June 19 (Saturday) – BLACKSTONE WATERSHED – Trout Stream Magic, Part 2, 9:30 AM – 12 Noon beginning in Worcester, co-sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broad Meadow Brook Conservation Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and the Blackstone River Coalition. Leaders: Bob McMenemy, Trout Unlimited, & Martha Gach, Conservation Coordinator. Van tour of Worcester ’s beautiful coldwater trout streams: Coal Mine Brook, Poor Farm Brook and Sewell Brook. Learn about the Worcester area’s most pristine waterways and how to protect them in this two-part program. Fee: $5.00 members, $7.00 nonmembers; children $3.00 members, $4.00 nonmembers. This program is part of the Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015. Click here or call (508) 755-8899 to sign up or for more info.

June 19 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Father's Day Weekend Canoe & Breakfast, 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Celebrate Father's Day early with a relaxing canoe trip! Watch the morning mist rising off the water. Keep an eye out for great blue herons and other birds gliding over the water. Enjoy the beautiful views as we paddle through Rocky Narrows Reservation and Broadmoor to the South Natick Dam. A hearty breakfast will be served midway on the banks of the river. Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, a basic paddling overview & guides are all provided. Fee: Adults $39.00 member; $45.00 nonmember. Click hereor call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 19 (Saturday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Flatwater paddle on the Sudbury River in Lincoln and Concord, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s “Forty Plus” committee. The goal is to go as far as Great Meadows, Sudbury. Bring a PFD, water, lunch, and snacks. Potluck supper afterwards at leader’s house optional. Click here or contact leader Ken Samoylenko at (978) 369-3409 (before 9:00 PM) or costias@hotmail.com to sign up or for more info.

June 19 (Saturday) – NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED – Edible Plants of the Seashore, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon in Marblehead, co-sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary and The Trustees of Reservations. Join foraging expert Russ Cohen to learn to identify coastal wild edibles. We'll explore the Steer’s Swamp Conservation Area for edible wetland and woodland species, then hike over a sand spit at low tide to Crowninshield Island to hunt for seaweeds and other maritime edibles. In addition to finding sylvan species like Juneberry and sassafras, we will encounter Irish moss, used to thicken desserts; dulse, a tasty and healthful substitute for chewing tobacco; and laver (or nori), the seaweed used for sushi rolls. Identification tips will be provided along with information on edible portion(s), season(s) of availability, and preparation methods, along with guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging. Fee: Adults $17.00 members, $20.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 19 (Saturday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – “Saving Our Salt Marshes” Nature Walk, 10:30 AM in Sandwich, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Join Nancy Wigley for a walk to Scorton Creek Marsh accompanied by a talk about how salt marshes form, life in the marsh, salt marsh die-back and sea-level rise, and salt marsh history. Waterproof footwear is recommended as the marsh is always wet, even on a low tide. The nature walk will last 90 minutes. Directions to meeting location: Route 6 Exit 4, and go north on Chase Road (toward Route 6A). At 0.5 miles, take a left on County Road, and travel 1 mile to the parking on the left across from Grange Hall. To learn more, Nancy suggests reading “Life and Death of a Salt Marsh” by John and Mildred Teal. There are wonderful places to picnic afterward if you'd like to bring a lunch, or there is always the nearby family-style 6A Cafe Restaurant that has good food. Click here or contact Nancy at (508) 548-2362 or nrwigley@verizon.net for more info.

June 20 (Sunday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Father’s Day Canoe Trip to Barton Cove in Gill, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries. Treat the father in your life to an afternoon canoe paddle at Barton Cove. Since 1989, a pair of bald eagles has successfully nested on the island. We’ll search for both young and adult eagles as well as other birds and wildlife. Open to families with children ages 6 and up. Leader: Aimee Gelinas, Teacher-Naturalist. Fee: $18.00 members, $22.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

June 20 (Sunday) – BUNGAY RIVER (TEN MILE WATERSHED) – Father’s Day flatwater paddle in Attleboro, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). Suitable for all. Changes and cancellations to trips will be posted on the flatwater message board. Please check the board before leaving for any trip. An easy paddle up a very scenic river, and then back again. You will soon forget you are in the city of Attleboro after a few of the twists and turns of the Bungay River. Painted turtles, gray herons, mallard ducks, swans and geese nesting and multiple other species of bird live here. This river twists and turns, making for a very fun but relaxing paddle. Contact trip organizers Karen and Don Heath at Heath53@cox.net or (401) 651-5827, or click here for more info.

June 20 (Sunday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Town Farm Bird Walk, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Explore the hay fields and salt marsh along the Westport River in search of songbirds, waterfowl and osprey with Bill Gil of the Paskamansett Bird Club. Click here or call (508) 636-4693 for more info.

June 20 (Sunday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Osprey kayak trip, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM , sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. The marshes and islands that dot the Westport River are home to perhaps the highest concentration of Osprey anywhere, accommodating over 85 platform nests and inhabiting pairs. Join us as we kayak the Westport River and learn about this amazing population and the conservation work Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary and its conservation partners are doing to understand it better. This unique trip will give participants the opportunity to see an great number of these birds, their nests and young up close and personal, while accessing the river in a way only kayaks can. Participants will be required to wear a life vest. Kayaks, paddles and life vests provided. Fee: Adults $45.00 members, $50.00 nonmembers. Meets in Westport. Click here or call (508) 362-7475 to sign up or for more info.

June 20 (Sunday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – “Wild Goose Chase” Canoe/Kayak race, sponsored by the U.S. Canoe Association. A 9-mile “out and back” race on the Housatonic River. “Narrow, shallow, lots of tight turns, deep water, suck water - we have it all!!” All NECKRA categories for canoes and kayaks, including a short course. $15 per person. Registration begins at 8:00 AM ; races starts at 9 and 10:00 AM. There’s also a special Youth Race, with prizes for all children. The event takes place at the Decker Boat Launch in Lenox. Click here or contact race organizer Patty Spector at (413) 637-6913 or patty@joshbillings.com for more info.

June 20 (Sunday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Flatwater paddle from Wayland to Concord, sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council. Enjoy 7 easy miles to Egg Rock at the Minute Man National Historical Park in Concord, MA. This fine section of river is highly recommended. Meet at 9:30 AM at boat ramp on Sherman ’s Bridge Road. Take Rte. 117 to Rte. 126 South, about 1 to 2 miles, then turn right onto Sherman’s Bridge Road, go about 1 mile to boat ramp at the river. Click here or contact trip leader Bob Jeffers at (978) 663-3664 or rsfun22008@yahoo.com for more details.

June 20 (Sunday) – SQUANNACOOK RIVER (NASHUA WATERSHED) – Father’s Day Paddle in West Groton, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA). The NRWA invites you to join us for a guided paddle on a spectacular section of the Squannacook River. Your guide will be Stacey Chilcoat, NRWA River Classroom Director. On this lovely roundtrip flat water paddle, we’ll explore a section of the Squannacook River known for its rich wildlife habitat and natural beauty. Field guides and other identification materials will be provided. A great family outing! Participants are welcome to bring their own boats; paid rentals are available through Nashoba Paddler. Space is limited: pre-registration is required, whether or not you bring your own boat. Registration deadline is June 17th. To pre-register, or for more information, call NRWA at (978) 448-0299, or email ElizabethH@NashuaRiverWatershed.org.

June 21 (Monday) – CONCORD RIVER – Summer Solstice Revels at the Old Manse, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Join us this year for the  2010 Musketaquid Summer Solstice celebration. The evening begins at 6:30PM with a bring-your-own picnic on the picturesque grounds of the Manse. After dinner, take a special landscape, canoe, or twilight tours of the Old Manse house. You can also simply sit and relax as you enjoy outside musical performances and historic vignettes performed by members of Concord ’s Players. At 8 PM, launch your own canoe, rowboat, or kayak for an illuminated flotilla up the Concord River to the confluence of the Assabet and Sudbury Rivers at Egg Rock. Bring along a candle lantern that you can attach to your boat. Click here or call (978) 369-3909 for more info.

June 22 (Tuesday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – “Ranger Night” loop paddle in the Blackstone River and Canal in Uxbridge, 6:15 PM, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. Ranger Chuck Arning will be leading this trip. Paddle up the Canal to historic Goat Hill Lock, or experienced paddlers can paddle the loop, down the river and then up the canal. To paddle the river section, strong padding skills are a must. Experience in moving water is required. There is a lot of current and twisty turns with overhanging trees to avoid. Suitable for boats under 15 feet.   An alternate flatwater paddle to historic Goat Hill Lock is available for paddlers wanting an easier route.  Both trips will start and end at River Bend Farm. There will be leaders for both sections. There will be a trip suitable for all levels of experience. If you have a question contact Cheryl at StoneFoxFarm@juno.com or 401-647-5887.  In the event of a last minute cancellation or modification to a paddle trip, please check the Message Board. Click here for more info on how to participate in Blackstone Valley Paddle Club events, and here for more info on this specific trip.

June 22 (Tuesday) – CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED – Guided Kayak Tour, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM on Martha’s Vineyard, sponsored by Mass Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. Felix Neck is located along the shore of Sengekontacket Pond and adjoining salt marsh. Join a naturalist on an exciting kayak adventure. Travel by Sarson's Island to see nesting shorebirds. Watch American oystercatchers, cormorants, and shorebirds feed and frolic. Explore the salt marsh and search for great blue herons and egrets. Fee: Adults $28.00 members, $35.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 627-4850 to sign up or for more info.

June 23 (Wednesday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Kayak Nauset Marsh in Eastham, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the winding tidal rivers, quiet bays, and scenic salt marshes by kayak with staff naturalist Dennis Murley. Kayaking gives you a whole new perspective on nature and allows you to get into shallower waters where larger boats can't go! Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets provided (bring your own kayak and save $10). Fee: $35 members, $40 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

June 24 (Thursday) – CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED – Guided Kayak Tour, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM on Martha’s Vineyard, sponsored by Mass Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. Felix Neck is located along the shore of Sengekontacket Pond and adjoining salt marsh. Join a naturalist on an exciting kayak adventure. Travel by Sarson’s Island to see nesting shorebirds. Watch American oystercatchers, cormorants, and shorebirds feed and frolic. Explore the salt marsh and search for great blue herons and egrets. Fee: Adults $28.00 members, $35.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 627-4850 to sign up or for more info. [This event is also offered on 6/26 and 6/29.]

June 24 (Thursday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Seashore Ramble, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the area where the land meets the sea, searching for animals and plants of the salt marsh and tidal flats. Using nets, small fish traps, and buckets, you will discover the world of crabs, shrimp, fish, and clams. This is a family-oriented event (suitable for children ages 3 - 12 yrs.) Fee: $5.00 members, $7.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info. [This event is repeated on 6/28.]

June 24 (Thursday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Cruise Nauset Marsh in Orleans, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Cruise serene Nauset Marsh in a pontoon boat searching for birds and other wildlife while learning about the natural history of the salt marsh. Piping plovers nest on islands in the marsh, terns can be seen diving for fish, shorebirds are often found feeding on the flats, and ospreys can be seen atop their nesting platforms. Gray seals are commonly sighted playing in the surf. We'll haul a crab trap on board and examine its contents. Fee: Adults + Children: $40.00 members, $45.00 nonmembers; Children $35.00 members, $40.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info. [This event will be repeated on 6/26.]

June 25 (Friday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Sunset-Moonrise Kayak Trip, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM, sponsored by the Northfield Mountain Environmental Center. Float into the sunset and almost full moon on a leisurely 5.5-mile paddle from the Riverview Picnic Area to Barton Cove, Travel past sites rich in cultural and natural history as we enjoy quotes from past river lovers, such as adventurers and log drivers, who have had a connection to this stretch of the Connecticut. We’ll stop along the way to enjoy our own brown bag dinners. Fee: $5 with own kayak; $30 with kayak rental. Pre-registration is required. Click here or call (800) 859-2960 to register or for more info.

June 25 (Friday) – CHARLES RIVER – Evening Canoe on the Charles, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy a paddle down one of the most beautiful stretches of the Charles River, past Medfield State Hospital and up into the Medfield marshes. Watch as the sun sets over the river and listen for the evening sounds of birds, frogs and other creatures. Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, a basic paddling overview & guides are all provided. Fee: Adults $30.00 members, $35.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 25 (Friday) – CAPE and ISLANDS WATERSHED – Moonrise Paddle on Martha’s Vineyard, 7:00 PM - midnight, sponsored by Mass Audubon’s Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary. Felix Neck is located along the shore of Sengekontacket Pond and adjoining salt marsh. See Sengekontacket Pond in a new light, moon light, as we celebrate the full moon. With a guide, you will kayak on the pond as the moon rises and sparkles on the water. Fee: Adults $32.00 members, $38.00 nonmembers. All paddling equipment and instruction is provided. Click here or call (508) 627-4850 to sign up or for more info. [This event is repeated on 6/26 and 6/27 .]

June 26th - July 4th

June 26 (Saturday) – HOOSIC RIVER – Hoosic River Revival Community Conversation and Charrette, 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM, St. Elizabeth’s of Hungary Parish Center, Marshall Street in North Adams, sponsored by the Hoosic River Revival Coalition. Click here and here for more info on the charrette, and here for background info.

June 26 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Canoe Trip on the Housatonic, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM in Lenox, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Berkshire Sanctuaries. Watch for frogs, fish, herons, muskrats, and signs of beavers along the meandering Housatonic River. This leisurely paddle will take us through the George Darey

Wildlife Management Area, a part of the Upper Housatonic Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Join us to learn about the natural history of the waterway that is the heart of the Berkshires. Fee: $20 members, $25 nonmembers. Click here or call (413) 637-0320 to sign up or for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Paddle in Lee, sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). This 5-mile paddle, from downtown Lee to the HVA’s office in South Lee, involves some smaller rapids and obstacles to paddle around. Click here or call (413) 394-9796 to sign up or for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – SHAWSHEEN RIVER – Camping along the Shawsheen River, sponsored by the Andover Trails Committee. Fantastic family camping at Serio’s Grove, right along the Shawsheen River. Great fishing, canoeing and company! Plenty of split-seasoned red oak for the fire. For questions or to express interest, please contact Bob Decelle at rhdecelle@hotmail.com, or click here for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – HERRING RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Paddle the Herring River in Harwich, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Trip starts on Route 28 at Herring River Bridge in Harwich. Wearing of life jackets required. Click here or contact trip leader Ed Foster at (508) 420-7245 or erfoster@comcast.net for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Full Moon Paddle of Barnstable Harbor, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Join our experienced naturalists as we escape the crowds and discover the rich aquatic life and beauty of Cape Cod . Kayaking offers a unique and intimate connection to wildlife that is truly memorable. This trip explores Barnstable Harbor's Great Marsh and Sandy Neck barrier beach ecosystem. Kayaks, paddles and life vests provided. Fee: Adults $40.00 members, $45.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 362-7475 to sign up or for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – PLUM ISLAND SOUND – Great Marsh Boat Trip, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Batchelder’s Landing in Rowley, sponsored by the Great Marsh Coalition. Scientists and guides will be on hand to describe the natural and human history of the largest salt marsh in New England , and to discuss current research on issues such as sea level rise. Explore seldom-traveled creeks and rivers, look for birds and other wildlife and perhaps even make a stop to explore the marsh on foot. Fee: $20 adults, $10 children under 12. Space is limited so registration is required. Click here or contact Mass Audubon's Joppa Flats Education Center at (978) 462-9998 to register or for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – SKUG RIVER (IPSWICH WATERSHED) – ‘Stories of the Trails’ hike at the Skug River Reservation, 1:00 PM, sponsored by the Andover Trails Committee. Join us at the Andover Village Improvement Society (AVIS)’s Skug River Reservation as we team up with the Andover Historical Society on this first in a 3-part hike series that will showcase both the fantastic diversity of Andover's trails and conservation properties, along with the rich history and stories of Andover's past. Most of the land that now makes up the Skug River Reservation belonged to several generations of the Jenkins family, who dammed the river to power a profitable sawmill and grist mill. The dam has long since washed away, but the massive stone walls of the millrace can still be seen from the trail. In the middle of the 19th century, William Jenkins quarried and polished stone on the site, and used the mill to cut the locally abundant blue soapstone (a soft, greasy-feeling rock) into tombstones, building faces and other small items. Among the quarried and wedged outcrops of stone lies a “glacial erratic” -- an enormous boulder deposited during the last ice age. Contact David Bunting at dbunting@andovertrails.org or click here for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – NORTH RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Flatwater/ quickwater/tidewater paddle in Marshfield, sponsored by the Wampanoag Paddlers. The scenic North River winds through hundreds of acres of beautiful, tree-lined marshland.  Several historic sailing ship-building yard locations along the way.  This is an 8+ mile paddle with a stop for a picnic at Couches Beach about 3 miles upstream. Enjoy the incoming tide current assist to the take-out at Indian Head River canoe launch near Luddam's Ford Park, off Elm Street in Hanover. Assemble & unload at 9:00 AM at the Marshfield   Conservation Park at the Union Street Bridge. Shuttle to take out before launch at 10:30 AM. Click here and here for more in-depth info on this river segment.  Click here or contact trip leader  Dave Beck at maaogis@yahoo.com or (617) 365-3531 for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – LAKE GARDNER (POWOW RIVER – MERRIMACK WATERSHED) – Second Annual Lake Gardner Classic 5K Canoe and Kayak Race, sponsored by the Lake Gardner Improvement Association. A family-oriented amateur race, with trophies awarded to top finishers in each class. Click here or contact Steve Nyman at (978) 388-2507 or Bernadette Lucas at (978) 388-1592 for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Flatwater paddle in Topsfield, co-sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council and the Ipswich River Watershed Association. A leisurely 6-mile paddle on a winding river through protected lands. Bird watching is a favorite pastime on this section of the river. Meet at 9:30 AM in Topsfield: Rte 1 to Rte 97 South/East. Go 1/2 mile to bridge. Click here or contact trip leader Paul Husted at (978) 649-9618 or phusted46@comcast.net for more details.

June 26 (Saturday) – CONCORD RIVER – Concord River canoe trip, 10:00 AM - 1:30 PM in Concord, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Come explore an historic and beautiful section of the Concord River. Learn about the role of the Concord Impoundments in the Revolutionary War and watch for herons, egrets and more as we paddle through parts of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Bring a lunch for a picnic half way. Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, a basic paddling overview & guides are all provided. Fee: Adults $33.00 members, $38.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – CONCORD RIVER – Concord River canoe trip, 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM in Concord, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Come explore a historic and beautiful section of the Concord River. Learn about the role of the Concord Impoundments in the Revolutionary War and watch for herons, egrets, and other wildlife as we paddle through parts of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Canoes and all paddling equipment are provided. Fee: Adults $33.00 members, $38.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – CHELSEA CREEK/MYSTIC RIVER – Chelsea Creek and Lower Mystic River Cruise, 10:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by The Boston Harbor Association. Take a rare guided tour with TBHA to learn about Boston’s oldest continually active port and two highly developed urban rivers. Speakers from port-related organizations, community-based organizations, and governmental agencies discuss Boston Harbor’s Working Port, waterfront land use and planning, and environmental restoration efforts. Click here or call (617) 482-1722 to sign up or for more info.

June 27 (Sunday) – PALMER RIVER (NARRAGANSETT BAY WATERSHED) – Palmer River Paddle, 10:00 AM in Rehoboth, sponsored by Canoe Passage Outfitters and the RI Blueways Alliance. Take a four-hour trip on the Palmer River, a beautiful, class A river that provides drinking water to several RI towns. The Palmer River is known for great fishing with both stocked and native trout, trophy size bass, and a herring run. The trip begins on Providence Street in Rehoboth, with a paddle to Three Tree Island and a break for snacks and a swim. Take out is in Warren, RI. Special price for this trip (includes your choice of kayak or canoe, PFDs and paddles): $30 per adults and $15 per child in a canoe with at least one parent. Click here or contact Ray Brierly at (508) 557-1356 or warrenstore@canoepassage.com to sign up or for more info.

June 27 (Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Paddle Populatic Pond and the Charles River, Norfolk to Medway, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). This narrow section of river has many twists and turns, so long boats are not recommended.  Otherwise suitable for all level of experience. Changes and cancellations to trips will be posted on the flatwater message board. Please check the board before leaving for any trip. Bring a lunch. Contact trip organizer: A.J. Barbato at android2@earthlink.net (401) 678-6620, or click here for more info.

June 27 (Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Dragonfly canoe trip, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Join the adventure as we paddle the Charles River looking for dragonflies, butterflies and other creatures. Learn more about these beautiful insects and why the Charles and nearby wetlands are such a great place to see them! Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, a basic paddling overview & guides are all provided. Fee: Adults $30.00 members, $35.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 655-2296. to sign up or for more info.

June 27 (Sunday) – MUDDY RIVER (CHARLES WATERSHED) – Ponds, Pastures and Parkways: A Walk Along the Emerald Necklace, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site. Come join us on a 5-mile walk from the marshes of the Back Bay Fens to the meadows and woodlands of Franklin Park. This six-hour tour will explore the diverse landscapes of Olmsted’s masterpiece of park design. Space limited; click here or call (617) 566-1689 ext. 221 to sign up or for more info.

June 27 (Sunday) – NEPONSET RIVER – Canoe basics for beginners, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM and 12 Noon at Mother Brook Mill Pond, Knight Street in Hyde Park, sponsored by the Boston Natural Areas Network. Curious about canoeing? Mother Brook Mill Pond provides perfect conditions to learn. Bring your family to enjoy this gorgeous spot and receive basic paddling instruction. Please, beginners only for these three short trips! Registration required. Contact BNAN at 617-542-7696 or info@bostonnatural.org to reserve your spot or for more info.

June 27 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Festival Regatta, sponsored by the Merrimack River Rowing Association (MRRA). The MRRA is very proud of this fun day of 6-lane sprint racing on the scenic and historic Merrimac River in Lowell. This USRA-registered regatta features about 30 events for the full range of age and boat classes. Click here for more info.

June 27 (Sunday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – “Tale Of Two Cape Cod Tree Swamps” field trip, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM in Wellfleet and Eastham, sponsored by the New England Wild Flower Society. Explore and compare the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp at the Marconi Site in Wellfleet with the Red Maple Swamp at Fort Hill in Eastham with field trip leader Marsha C. Salett. Rare and globally-threatened, Atlantic white cedar swamps are cool, dark, acidic, saturated wetlands, their hummocks and hollows dominated by sphagnum mosses and other bog species. Red maple swamps are more abundant and diverse. At Fort Hill, we should find a wider variety of trees and shrubs as well as several species of ferns. Both trails have boardwalks through the wetlands. Click here to sign up or for more info.

June 29 (Tuesday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Kayak Nauset Marsh in Orleans, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the winding tidal rivers, quiet bays, and scenic salt marshes by kayak with staff naturalist Dennis Murley. Kayaking gives you a whole new perspective on nature and allows you to get into shallower waters where larger boats can't go! Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets provided (bring your own kayak and save $10). Fee: $35 members, $40 nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

June 30 (Wednesday) – WEIR RIVER (BOSTON HARBOR WATERSHED) - Weir River/Harbor Islands – Hingham paddle, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Directions: Route 3 to exit 14. North on Route 228 towards Hingham/Hull for approximately 6.5 miles. Take left onto Route 3A to Hingham Harbor rotary. Continue past rotary on 3A for approximately 100 yards to parking lot. Life vest required; spray skirt may be required. Click hereor contact leader George Wey at (781) 789-8005 or geowey@comcast.net for more info.

July 2 (Friday) – JONES RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Rising Tide Potluck, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by the Jones River Watershed Association. Join us for our potluck on the rising tide every other Friday during the late spring and summer. Bring something for yourself, for the grill and perhaps a side dish to share. Come a little early with your canoes and kayaks to take advantage of the rising tide! Free and open to all. Click here or call (781) 585-2322 for more info.

Last But Not Least –

Attention Event Sponsors: If you have a river- or wetland-related event that falls outside of the time period covered by the Massachusetts Rivers and Wetlands Months Calendar (5/1 – 7/4/10), it is possible that you can get it listed on the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism (aka MOTT or Massvacation.com) website – click here for more details. [See also MOTT’s science/nature and outdoor activities web pages.]