MAY IS WETLANDS MONTH, and JUNE IS RIVERS MONTH! This calendar, covering river-and wetland-related events in Massachusetts from Saturday, April 30th to Monday,
July 4th, 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 The Great Outdoors Blog which is dedicated to Massachusetts outdoor activities, events, wildlife, state parkes and local agriculture, and features a calendar of outdoor events.

Event Listings by Week:

April 30th – May 6th
May 7th– May 13th
May 14th – May 20st
May 21nd – May 27th
May 28th – June 3th
June 4th – June 10th
June 11th– June 19th
June 25th – July 3th
Last But Not Least

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 1850s 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 click here for more info or to view the slide show or video.

April 30 – May 6

April 30 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – 29th Annual Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race, sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association. New England's largest canoe and kayak race, “ROTC” features a variety of races for all skill levels, from expert to novice: 6, 9, and 19 mile races, a 24-mile, five-leg canoe relay race, and a 26-mile professional marathon. The event showcases the ongoing improvements in the Charles River, while drawing 1,500 paddlers and hundreds of spectators to enjoy a day on and along the river. Click here to register or for more info, or call (508) 698-6810 or email Run of the Charles for more info on any aspect of the race.

April 30 (Saturday) – MYSTIC RIVER – Mystic Community Earth Day, 9:30 AM – 12 Noon, co-sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Associatio (MyRWA), Groundwork Somerville and other community groups. Participate in a community river clean-up along the Mystic River Path, adjacent to the Christmas Tree Shop at Assembly Square Mall
(177 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville, MA). Participants should park/meet at the northwest corner of the Christmas Tree Shop parking lot. (Click here for a map.) Supplies, light snacks, and water will be provided, but additional tools and gloves are welcome! Click here or contact Beth at (781) 316-3438 or Beth@MysticRiver.org for more info.

April 30 (Saturday) – MYSTIC RIVER – 16th Annual Mystic River Spring Cleanup,
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM, sponsored by the Friends of the Mystic River. Meet in the parking lot at Hormel Stadium to sign in and pick up bags, gloves, pokers and instructions. Cleanups will take place in the vicinity of Mystic Riverbend Park, MacDonald Park, and the Wellington Greenway in the Mystic River Reservation. Click here, call( 781)-391-2604 or write to mystic02155@hotmail.com for more info.

April 30 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – “Ice Breaker” flatwater/quickwater paddle from Topsfield to Ipswich, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association and the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association. Meet at the Topsfield Canoe Launch on Route 97, about a mile south of the intersection with US-1. In high water spring flows, the Ipswich is always a nice trip, with plenty of deep water moving along at a pleasant rate. The trip features the section from the Route 97 canoe launch in Topsfield down to the landing just below the Asbury Rd Bridge in Ipswich. Plan to arrive at the Route 97 canoe launch in time for a 9:00 AM departure and bring a picnic lunch for the take out. Click here or contact Steve Lapey at (978) 374-1104 or stevelapey@comcast.net for more info.

April 30 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Native Plant & Rain Garden Tour & Compost Tea Workshop, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at Riverbend, 143 County Rd (Route 1A) in Ipswich (click here for directions), sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Rue Sherwood, a local landscape designer, will lead us on a tour of Riverbend (IRWA’s headquarters)’s native plant and rain gardens. Rue specializes in residential garden design and encourages the use of native plantings, rainwater management and recycling of materials. Curt Dragon, certified organic landscaper, will show you how to make compost tea for an inexpensive fertilizer that is “nature's perfect plant food”. Please RSVP to Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or (978) 412-8200.

April 30 (Saturday) – NORTH AND SOUTH RIVERS (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – 24th Annual River Clean-up Day, 10:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA). Help us to keep our rivers clean. This is a great family event. Captains will be at each clean up station to give you instructions and trash bags. Volunteers may work by foot, auto or boat. All trash should be brought back to clean up stations by noon. Then head to the Driftway Conservation Area in Scituate for the free celebratory cookout, sponsored by Whole Foods, at which the winning raffle ticket for a kayak donated by Billington Sea Kayak will be drawn. Click here or call Paula at (781) 659-8168 for more info.

April 30 (Saturday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Paddle to Cedar Swamp Pond, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees. Enjoy this up- and downstream 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 and is free for SVT members ($10 for non-members). Click here or call (978) 443-5588 to sign up or for more info.

April 30 (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 2011 marks the 21st anniversary of Musketaquid Arts and Environment. Click here, call (978) 371-0820 or email musketaquid@emersonumbrella.org for more info.

April 30 (Saturday) – BLACKSTONE WATERSHED – 22nd Annual Earth Day Cleanups, 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM (rain or shine), sponsored by the Regional Environmental Council (REC) in partnership with the City of Worcester Department of Public Works and Parks. Last year, thanks to the dedication of about 1,000 volunteers and more than 60 site-coordinators, the REC collected more than 30 tons of trash from 65 sites throughout the city. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for the cleanups, please email Koby or Benito at earthday@recworcester.org or call (508) 799-9139.

April 30 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Insect tracking field walk, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM in Turners Falls, sponsored by the Great Falls Discovery Center. The walk will be led by Charley Eiseman and Noah Charney of Northern Naturalists, co-authors of the recently published, award-winning book Tracks & Sign of Insects and other Invertebrates. Click here for more info or call (413) 863-3221 to reserve a spot on the walk.

April 30 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Invasive Plant Control: Garlic Mustard in Easthampton, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Garlic mustard competes with many native plants in floodplains and woodlands. This European native has the ability to produce a chemical that inhibits other plant growth. Like many other invasive species, it produces an abundance of seeds that can remain viable for up to five years. Join David McLain, Arcadia’s Conservation Caretaker, to help control Garlic Mustard in the Sanctuary. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

April 30 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC WATERSHED and STATEWIDE - Berkshire County Rx Round Up, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, co-sponsored by many different organizations, including the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT, who is looking for volunteers to hand out educational flyers about the effects of Prescriptions and Personal Care Products (PPCP) in our waterways) Do you have unused, unwanted or expired medications around your home?  Help protect your family, community and the environment by safely disposing of them at one of a number of secure sites throughout Berkshire County and elsewhere. This event is part of The 2nd National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. Click here for more info on the Berkshire Rx Roundup, here for the National Drug Take Back Day, and here to find collection sites near you (beyond Berkshire County).

April 30 (Saturday) – PARKER RIVER – Canoe/kayak trip on the freshwater section of the Upper Parker River, 10:00 AM – 12 noon in Newbury, sponsored by the Parker River Clean Water Association. This beautiful section of the river passes through the Crane Pond Wildlife Management Area. Participants must have their own canoes/kayaks. Life jackets are required. This trip is suitable for experienced paddlers. It is possible to see wood ducks, signs of beavers, turtles, and early migratory birds in this lovely wilderness section of the Parker River. Registration required - call trip leader, Marlene Schroeder, (978) 462-9062 to register and for further information.

April 30-May 1 (Saturday-Sunday) – BACK BAY FENS (CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED) – Grand Opening of the Emerald Necklace Visitor and Volunteer Center and other events, sponsored by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. Join the Conservancy as they celebrate the opening of the new Visitor and Volunteer Center. This ceremony will kick off a weekend of activities and special events (click here for more info).   

May 1 (Sunday) – GOWING’S SWAMP (SUBBURY-ASSABET-CONCORD WATERSHED) – Guided walk at Gowing’s Swamp/Thoreau’s Bog in Concord, 10:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees. Gowing's Swamp is one of the area's most unique and beautifully sculpted wetland landscapes. Its 8.9 acres of bogland contain plants more typical of northern Maine and Canada than Massachusetts. The Alcott sisters called Gowing's Swamp their Paradise and Thoreau's detailed studies of its flora and numerous writings about its deep inspirational qualities brought the wetland into American literary and natural history circles. As a result of that early interest, the bog and its associated vernal pool complex have been studied continuously for more than 150 years. Join Cherrie Corey for a walk along the shoreline trail of this wetland complex when new life is emerging. The walk is free for SVT members and $10 for non-members. Click here or call (978) 443-5588 to sign up or for more info.

May 1 (Sunday) – BOSTON BROOK (IPSWICH WATERSHED) – Walk at Cudhea Reservation in Middleton, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by the Essex County Greenbelt Association. Explore the wooded trails along ponds and streams of the recently protected Two Brooks Family Tree Farm with our knowledgeable walk leaders, Joan and Peter Cudhea and Pike Messenger. A longer walk to a Great Blue Heron rookery near Bald Hill Conservation Area will be available for the more adventuresome among us. Pre-registration required; please email smd@ecga.org to register. Directions: From Route 95 North, take Route 62 West for 2.3 miles. Turn Right at Liberty Street. Drive 2.1 miles. 25 North Liberty Street will be on the right just after a bridge at Prichard 's Pond and Boston Brook. Click here for more info.

May 1 (Sunday) – TOWN RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – Six-mile paddle in West Bridgewater, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). The Town River starts at Lake Nippenicket and then flows south through the Hockomock Swamp and into the confluence of the Matfield River and Taunton River. We will cross the lake and follow the Town River to the take out at the War Memorial Park, formally a site of an old grist mill complete with ruins. Enjoy the views from this narrow, meandering river of old farmland, meadows, wildlife and old stone bridges. Suitable for kayaks under 15 feet.  This 6-mile trip has narrow, twisty sections and some areas will be scratchy with bushwhacking required. We will have lunch at the end of the trip. Click here to sign up or for more info.

May 1 (Sunday) – QUINEBAUG RIVER – All American River Race in Sturbridge, sponsored by the Sturbridge Lions Club. This is an annual timed race of over six miles, starting one craft each minute. Registration begins at 9:00 AM at Turners Field, off of Route 20 in Fiskdale. The first boat is sent off at 11:01 AM and heads for the finish line at Westville Dam Recreational Area in Southbridge. Trophies are given to the first three finishers in each class. The Westville Dam Recreational Area features food and entertainment as well as strategic viewing spots to see the craft negotiate the rapids area. The Lions Club and the Hospital Auxiliary will hold their annual fundraising Duck Race after the Canoe Race. Thousands of yellow rubber ducks are dumped into the river and the first 5 ducks over the finish line provide some cash for the winners. Click here, here or contact Chairman Lion Dale Favreau at (508) 347-9636 for more info.

May 1 (Sunday) – MUDDY BROOK (CHICOPEE WATERSHED) – Birding walk at the Muddy Brook Wildlife Management Area in Hardwick, 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM, co-sponsored by the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust and the East Quabbin Land Trust. The Mixter project (1992), which became Muddy Brook Wildlife Management Area, is one of Mount Grace’s largest projects, and is a frequent site for East Quabbin Bird Club events. The walk will look at the spring songbirds of Muddy Brook and will be led by Jeff Smith. Click here to sign up for or more info on the walk and here for more info on the birds of Muddy Brook.

May 1 (Sunday) – WARE RIVER (CHICOPEE WATERSHED) – Canoe the East Branch of the Ware River, 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. We'll provide canoes, Life jackets and paddles. We'll meet at the Sanctuary and carpool to our destination. Fee: Adults $12.00/members, $18.00/nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 464-2712 to sign up or for more info.

May 2 (Monday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Trees, Paddlers and Wildlife - Ecology of Trees & Our Waterways presentation by Russ Cohen of the Mass. Division of Ecological Restoration and Mike Gildesgame of the Appalachian Mountain Club, 6:30 PM at Berkshire Community College, Room K-111, Koussevitsky Arts Center, 1350 West St, Pittsfield, MA (see map for directions) The event is co-sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the Housatonic Valley Association. What (if anything) should be done about large branches and trees lying in a river? Should they be removed, pruned, relocated, or left undisturbed—and how do you decide? What are the safety considerations? What is the appropriate balance between the competing desires of canoeists, kayakers, and other boaters, the interests of property owners concerned about flood drainage and a ‘tidy’ appearance, and the needs of fish, mammals, amphibians, insects and birds for adequate food, nesting, and cover? What is “large woody debris” in rivers, and how does it improve water quality and control flooding downstream? Join us for answers to these questions as well as to learn about native species that are suitable for planting in riparian areas. There will be ample time for questions and discussion. Click here or here for more info, including the Trees, Paddlers and Wildlife video and brochure.

May 3 – 12 – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Housatonic River Adventure: A Source-to-Sound Paddle Trip, sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association. Traveling down every navigable stretch of this 149-mile river, paddlers will maneuver the narrow channels at the source of the Housatonic at Muddy Pond in Washington, Mass. high in the Berkshire Hills; meander through the fertile flood plains of Sheffield, crossing the state line into Canaan Conn.; and continue from there all the way to Long Island Sound. Bring your family, friends, co-workers or go solo for a couple of hours, a day or the entire 10-day journey led by three U.S. Whitewater National champion canoeists. The Adventure is organized by HVA in partnership with many local groups who will provide educational, historical and cultural programs along the way. Click here to download a detailed itinerary of events and here to sign up or for more info.

May 3 (Tuesday) – SAUGUS RIVER – River Night 2011 benefit dinner and auction, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Spinelli’s in Lynnfield, sponsored by the Saugus River Watershed Council. The event’s exciting live and silent auction will include getaways, personal luxuries, tickets to sports events, original artwork, jewelry, home and garden items, dinner at fine restaurants, museum tickets, and much more. Click here to sign up or for more info.

May 5 (Thursday) – BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED – 23rd Annual Meeting of The Coalition for Buzzards Bay, 6:00 PM (member reception) and 7:00 PM (meeting). The event takes place at the Coalition’s new Buzzards Bay Center office space, 114 Front Street in New Bedford. The meeting will include a talk and discussion with Jon Mueller, Vice-President of Litigation for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, speaking about CBF’s precedent-setting work to cleanup nitrogen pollution in the Chesapeake and the legal and political implications for Buzzards Bay. The annual meeting is free and open to the public; click here for more info.

May 5 (Thursday) – CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED – StormSmart Coastal Floodplains: Mapping and Management Workshop, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM in Falmouth, co-sponsored by the Mass. Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), Cape Cod Cooperative Extension (CCCE), and Woods Hole Sea Grant. The purpose of this free workshop is to train conservation commissions, planning boards, and zoning boards on mapping and management of coastal floodplains. Current and future flood zones and resource areas will be discussed, with options to improve local efforts to reduce storm impacts. Presenters include staff from CZM, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Sea Grant, CCCE, and The Horsley Witten Group. The workshop will be held on the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution’s Quissett Campus in Room 507 of the Clark Laboratory. Click here, call (508) 375-6690 or email kalliope@barnstablecounty.org to register or for more info.

May 5 (Thursday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Trees, Paddlers and Wildlife - Ecology of Trees & Our Waterways presentation by Russ Cohen of the Mass. Division of Ecological Restoration and Mike Gildesgame of the Appalachian Mountain Club, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at the Blackstone Public Library, 86 Main Street (Route 122). The event is co-sponsored by the Blackstone River Watershed Association, the Blackstone River Watershed Council/Friends of the Blackstone, the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor and others. What (if anything) should be done about large branches and trees lying in a river? Should they be removed, pruned, relocated, or left undisturbed—and how do you decide? What are the safety considerations? What is the appropriate balance between the competing desires of canoeists, kayakers, and other boaters, the interests of property owners concerned about flood drainage and a ‘tidy’ appearance, and the needs of fish, mammals, amphibians, insects and birds for adequate food, nesting, and cover? What is “large woody debris” in rivers, and how does it improve water quality and control flooding downstream? Join us for answers to these questions as well as to learn about native species that are suitable for planting in riparian areas. There will be ample time for questions and discussion. Click here for more info, including the Trees, Paddlers and Wildlife video and brochure.

May 6 (Friday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – W.E.B. DuBois Golden River Remembrance and Volunteer Appreciation Gathering in Great Barrington, co-sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and Great Barrington Trails and Greenways. This event is part of HVA’s Source to Sound River Adventure, 2011 in celebration of HVA’s 70th Anniversary. The celebration begins at 6:00 PM at the W.E.B. DuBois River garden at the Church St. entrance to River Walk, followed by light dinner fare and beverages from 6:30 – 7:30 PM at Memorial Field on Bridge St. Thank you for sending an R.S.V.P by April 28: call Alison Dixon at HVA: (413) 394-9796 or send an email to mass@hvatoday.org to RSVP.

May 6-7 (Friday – Saturday) – SAUGUS RIVER (NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Migratory Birds on The Saugus River: Slideshow and Naturalist Hike, sponsored by the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Slideshow Presentation Fri., May 6th, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM; Naturalist Hike Saturday, May 7th, 10:00 AM – 12 Noon. Join naturalist Dave Brown for a two part program on migratory birds’ distinct sounds and patterns. Friday evening in the Visitor Center includes a question and answer segment. Saturday’s Hike will cover up to two miles at a slow pace as we visit the precious local resource used to rest and refuel for the flight. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. Click here or call (781) 233-0834 for more info.

May 7 – May 13  

May 7 (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 7 (Saturday) – IPSWICH WATERSHED – Rail Trail Birding Walk, 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Early May is such a wonderful time to be outside, exploring new places and locating colorful songbirds, along with marsh birds arriving on migration. Join us as we walk the Wenham-Danvers section of the Border to Boston Rail Trail, part of which traverses Mass Audubon's Great Wenham Swamp property. The trail in this section is unfinished as of this writing, so expect uneven footing in areas, though walking will be leisurely as we look for a variety of bird species. We will explore the new swamp walk in Danvers, an extended boardwalk providing access to birds setting up territory in this wetland habitat. We will identify birds through sight and sound, discuss behavior, and finish our morning birding at the Sanctuary. Fee: Adults $15.00/members, $18.00/non-members. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

May 7 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Volunteer Cleanup of the Charles River Parklands, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by the Charles River Conservancy. Join the CRC to help beautify the Charles River Parklands. Come get your hands dirty and spend an active morning outside enjoying the river, the parklands, and the company of your fellow volunteers. To volunteer at this event or to book a community service work day for yourself, your group or business, contact the CRC ’s Volunteer Coordinator Logan Walsh at lcw@thecharles.org or (617) 300-8173.

May 7 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – 21st 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 7 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – “The Community Contributes” public charrette about the PCB Cleanup of the “Rest of the River”, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM at Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble Street in Lenox, sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Region One/New England office. A Practical, Hands-On Workshop for the Community to Better Understand the “Rest of River” Issues, to Explore the Pros and Cons of the Proposed Alternatives, and for the EPA to Hear the Community’s Ideas. Click here or contact Jim Murphy at (617) 721-2868 (cell phone) or murphy.jim@epa.gov for more info.

May 7 (Saturday) – MYSTIC RIVER – Spring Bird Walk in Medford, 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM, sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association. MyRWA Board Member Michael Fager will lead a bird walk in Torbert MacDonald Park, paying special attention to migrating birds. All levels of birders are welcomed. Bring your own binoculars and wear comfortable shoes. Meet at the MacDonald Park parking lot on Route 16. Click here or call (781) 316-3438 for more info.

May 8 (Sunday) – IPSWICH RIVER – “The Hills of Topsfield” walk, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary. Even though it's only five minutes from Route 1 and Interstate 95, this pastoral venue will seem as if it's a world away. We'll leave the vans behind and follow a three-mile loop through the gently rolling hills of Topsfield. Our pace will be leisurely, giving us time to enjoy the beauty of the rural landscape as we look and listen for birds. We will walk along sections of the beautiful Ipswich River and past open farm fields. Plan to see and hear warblers, eastern bluebirds, raptors, and much more. Pre-registration required. Fee: Adults $20.00/members, $24.00 non-members. Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

May 8 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Hike the Deer Jump and Rafton Reservations in Andover, 1:30 PM, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Hike about 4.5 mi. through Deer Jump Reservation along the Merrimack River, follow wooded conservation commission land connector, then hike through Rafton Reservation. From I-93, take exit 43, E on Rte. 133 to 1st lights, L onto Greenwood Rd. Go about 1 mi. to L on High Plain Rd., then 1 mi. to parking area near leaf compost area. Click here or contact trip leader Dennis Crispo at (978) 858-0394 or highpt@cliffhanger.com for more info.

May 8 (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 8 (Sunday) – TAUNTON RIVER – Museum Opening and Salt Marsh: Past & Present, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at Dighton Rock State Park in Berkley, sponsored by the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The Dighton Rock Museum will be open and staffed by the Friends of Dighton Rock Museum. Nancy Durfee will be presenting a special program beginning at 1:30 PM about the history of the salt marsh, past and present. Click here for more info.

May 8 (Sunday) – BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED – “South Coast Randonnée” bike ride, from Bourne, MA to Warren, RI, sponsored by the East Coast Greenway Alliance. This will be the first-ever tour of the South Coast Regional Bikeway, connecting communities from Bourne, MA to Warren, RI and crossing many coastal waterways and wetlands; the ride will continue to Providence for a small celebration. A bus will bring riders (and their bikes) from Providence to Bourne at 7:30 AM. Click here to register for the event, or click here or here for more info.

May 9 (Monday) – MYSTIC RIVER – Screening of “Waters of Missi-tuk” and “The Work of 1000” documentaries, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, co-sponsored by State Representative Denise Provost, the Mystic River Watershed Association and Somerville Climate Action. Waters of Missi-tuk- is a 27-minute documentary that takes a 400-year historical review of development of the Mystic River Watershed. THE WORK OF 1000 is about environmental visionary and citizen-activist Marion Stoddart, who helped turn the Nashua River from one
of the most polluted rivers in America into a clean, healthy environment for wildlife and people. We will be joined by the filmmakers of Missi-Tuk, Bob Nesson and Chris Summerfield, and by Beth Meserve of Mystic River Watershed Association. The screenings will take place at Sprout (near Davis Square), 339 Summer St in Somerville. Click here for more info.

May 11 (Wednesday) – WEWEANTIC RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Coastal River Paddle, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club Click here for more info.

May 14 – May 20

May 14 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – River cleanup in Pittsfield, co-sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). Meet at Wahconah Park, Wahconah Street, Pittsfield at 8:30 AM. Cleanup will be conducted from the bank (no work in the river due to high water levels). Likely locations to clean: the new Linden Street canoe launch, alongside Belaire Pond (upper Wahconah Street across from Ronnies Cycle), near the Wahconah Street bridge by Wahconah Park and Pittsfield Cemetery. Click here or call Jane Winn at (413) 230-7321 for more info.

May 14 (Saturday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – Canoe/Kayak Demo Day, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at Hampton Ponds State Park in Westfield, sponsored by (and benefitting) the Westfield River Watershed Association (WRWA). Wilderness Experiences Unlimited & Westfield Water Sports, located in Southwick, Mass., is partnering with WRWA, providing an opportunity to “test drive” more than sixty different styles of canoes and kayaks, along with paddles and personal flotation devices to make it a safe, informative and fun experience, on and off the water. Instructors will be on hand and demonstrations of skills will take place throughout the day. There will even be a raffle for a Kayak and gear. Hungry? Snacks, drinks and hot dogs will be plentiful. Admission is $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family. Current WRWA members are admitted for free. Those who join WRWA at the event may have their admission fee credited toward their WRWA dues. (Rain date is 5/15.) Click here or call (413) 569-1287 for more info.

May 14 (Saturday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – Wild & Scenic Saturday Work Party at Chesterfield Gorge, 10:00 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.

May 14 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Stewarding the Steps: Garlic Mustard Pull, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM in Holyoke, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR). Even though it's small, TTOR’s Dinosaur Footprints property is one of the most unusual places under its stewardship. Along with the fossilized dinosaur tracks left by Eubrontes, the site also contains False Pennyroyal, a rare species of plant that needs our protection. Come out for an afternoon of work as we dig in to help protect both of these unique features. Click here, call (413) 532-1631 ext.14 or write to westregion@ttor.org for more info.

May 14 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Spring Wildflower Walk at Arcadia, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. The first wildflowers are such a treat to see after a long winter. Spring ephemerals are the treasured beauties that come up before the trees have leafed out, and will be the focus of our walk. At this time of year, we hope to see wildflowers such as trout lily, blue cohosh, trillium, bloodroot, toothwort, and more. Instructors: Connie Parks - Botanist; Janet Bissell - Plant Conservationist and Former Connecticut River Valley Sanctuary Committee Chair. Fee: Adults $5.00/members, $8.00/non-members. Registration is required. Click here or call (413) 529-584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

May 14 (Saturday) – MILLERS RIVER – “Millers River Blue Trail” trail survey in Athol and Orange, 10:00 AM start, sponsored by the Millers River Watershed Council. Volunteers welcome! The MRBT team will mark GPS locations of key points along the Athol-Orange route, photo-document notable features, and inventory special natural features/fauna/plant communities. Click here or contact Outreach Coordinator Keith Davies at (978) 248-9491 or Watershed_americorps@mountgrace.org for more info.

May 14 (Saturday) – FRENCH RIVER (FRENCH AND QUINEBAUG WATERSHED) – French River Paddle from Oxford to Dudley, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Nature lovers, don't miss this one! 7-8 mile leisurely scenic paddle 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 required. Some brief portaging may be necessary. All participants must register. Contact trip leader Elaine Cibelli [(508) 832-9060] or co-leader Dave Miller [(508) 853-8964] (before 9:00 PM) to sign up or for more info.

May 14 (Saturday) – CANOE RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – Twenty-Fourth 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 the Mansfield DPW Water Operations Division, 500 East Street, and will include remarks by Wayne P. Southworth, CRAAC Chairman, a Mansfield Water Facility Tour, 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 14 (Saturday) – TAUNTON RIVER – Guided Edible Wild Plant walk, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM at the Great River Reserve and the Taunton River Wildlife Management Area in Bridgewater, sponsored by the Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts. Join expert forager Russ Cohen to learn about the comestible virtues of at least two dozen wild plant species over the course of a gentle, three-hour ramble through riverine fields and woodlands. Click here or contact Sarah Kugel at (781) 934-9018 ext.153 to sign up or for more info.

May 14 (Saturday) – INDIAN HEAD RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Flyfishing for Trout on the Indian Head River, 9:00 AM, sponsored by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA). Join the NSRWA and Southeastern Mass Trout Unlimited for a fun morning of learning the art of flyfishing.  We will meet at Luddam’s Ford Park in Hanover to demonstrate techniques, show you the best spots for trout fishing and provide some flyfishing equipment to try.  This event is free and open to all but space is limited and pre-registration is required. Click here or call Paula at (781) 659-8168 to sign up or for more info.

May 14 (Saturday) – WEWEANTIC RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Weweantic River Paddle/Clean-up in Carver, sponsored by the Wampanoag Paddlers. The river has two sections. The first is flat-water through classic bog country and may require an occasional bushwhack. After a small portage around the Tremont Dam, the river is a quick- moving stream that will require you to have skills to execute a ferry, backpaddle, and eddy turn. There is camping available nearby at Bourne Scenic Park. Click here or contact Howie Foster at (508) 308-1753 or abigail.foster@verizon.net to sign up or for more info.

May 15 (Sunday) – MYSTIC RIVER – Fifteenth Annual Mystic River Herring Run & Paddle, sponsored by (and benefiting) the Mystic River Watershed Association. Participate in a 5K Race or Walk, a 9- or 12-mile paddle or a bike ride. 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 Run/walk starts at 9:00AM; 12-Mile Paddling Race starts at 11:00AM; 9-Mile Race and the bike ride (NEW event) begin at 11:15 AM. Click here, here, here or contact Mark at (781) 891-6575 or HerringRun@gmail.com for more info, or click here to reserve a boat (or paddleboard!) for the race.

May 15 (Sunday) – NASHUA RIVER – Free Screening of "The Marion Stoddart Story: The Work of 1000", 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM at the Fitchburg Public Library, followed by a panel discussion with Marion Stoddart and former and current Fitchburg Mayors, Bill Flynn and Lisa Wong. Marion Stoddart lived next to the Nashua River, one of America’s most polluted rivers, and unexpectedly transformed herself from a housewife and mother to an environmental leader and citizen hero honored by the United Nations. The Work of 1000 is the documentary film chronicling her life, achievements, setbacks, and unwavering resolve to save the dying river. Click here or here for more info.

May 16 (Monday) – GREAT MARSH (NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Rough Meadow Birding Walk, Great Meadow Farm, Patmos Road, Rowley, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM, co-sponsored by the Essex County Greenbelt Association and Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary. Join Joppa Flats Sanctuary Director Bill Gette and Greenbelt Director Ed Becker for a migratory songbird walk that includes some of the most beautiful wetland vistas in Essex County. We're certain to get our feet wet, so wear appropriate footwear, and be sure to bring your binoculars. Pre-registration required, please call Joppa Flats at (978) 462-9998 to register. Directions: From Route 1 North, take Route 133 East and travel through Rowley. At the intersection of Route 133 and Route 1A, take a left onto Route 1A North through downtown Rowley. Continue on Route 1A North, and take a right onto Stackyard Road. Take your first left onto Far Division Road, which turns into Patmos Road. Meet at Great Meadow Farm. Click here for more info.

May 16 (Monday) – 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 the 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 $35.00 members, $45.00 nonmembers. All paddling equipment and instruction is provided. Click here or call (508) 627-4850 to sign up or for more info.

May 17 (Tuesday) – 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 the 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 $35.00 members, $45.00 nonmembers. All paddling equipment and instruction is provided. Click here or call (508) 627-4850 to sign up or for more info.

May 17 (Tuesday) QUINSIGAMOND RIVER (BLACKSTONE WATERSHED) – Flatwater paddle in South Grafton, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. Suitable for all levels of paddlers. Launching promptly at 6:15 PM behind the Riverview Apartments, off Route 122 in Fisherville. Boat Rentals may be available from Great Canadian (508) 865-0010. Great Canadian will drop off your boat at the paddle location and bring it back to their shop after the paddle. Contact Cheryl at (401) 647-5887 or StoneFoxFarm@juno.com 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 18 (Wednesday) – WEIR RIVER (WEYMOUTH AND WEIR WATERSHEDS) – Weir River/Hingham Bay Islands coastal 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 and spray skirt are required. Click here or contact leader George Wey at (781) 789-8005 or geowey@comcast.net for more info.

May 19 (Thursday) – STATEWIDE – Free “Stormwater Seminar” program, 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM at the Doyle Conservation Center, 464 Abbot Avenue, Leominster, sponsored by the Mass. Watershed Coalition. Expert speakers will help community boards, town planners, lake associations, watershed organizations, home-builders, engineers, stormwater committees, and concerned citizens learn about low-cost, effective ways to create better development and prevent and remedy damages from stormwater runoff. Presentation topics include: “Planning and Designing Better Development Sites” to reduce impervious cover and promote conservation of natural areas; “Massachusetts Stormwater Regulations”, especially the recent changes; and “A Community Guide to Growing Greener”, a set of guidelines for developers, designers, community boards and residents that are intended to advance greener growth and cleaner water. Click here or call (978)-534-0379 to sign up or for more info.

May 19 (Thursday) – FORT RIVER (CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED) – Sea Lamprey presentation by expert Boyd Kynard, 7:00 PM at the Hitchcock Center in Amherst, co-sponsored by the Hitchcock Center for the Environment the Rushing Rivers Institute and other community partners. This event is part of Fort River Discovery, a series of free events and programs that recognizes the River’s heritage and creates greater community participation for its preservation. Come learn about one of the most fascinating, misunderstood fish of the Fort River! Sea lamprey are anadromous, meaning they spend most of their time in oceans but come to fresh water to breed. Rivaling beavers for their stream engineering, sea lamprey are a keystone fish species of great ecological importance to both aquatic and riparian life. Boyd Kynard has studied the life history of sea lamprey in the Fort and Connecticut Rivers for more than 30 years and can tell this fish story. Click here or call (413) 256-6006 for more info.

May 20 (Friday) – FORT RIVER (CONNECTICUT WATERSHED) - Bird n’ Beaver Twilight Bike Ride in Amherst, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, part of Bay State Bike Week. Ride the Norwottuck Rail Trail from Route 116 (Amherst College) to Station Road & back. Come explore this beautiful section of the Rail Trail, bordered by woodlands, fields, open water, marsh and swamps, this area is populated by many species of wildlife. As darkness falls, we should be able to observe a local colony of beavers. Nightlights Required! Bring: Insect repellant, jacket, binoculars, field guide & something to drink. Children 16 and under must wear a helmet (Note: There are no restrooms on the trail). For more information, contact Lynn Grabowski at lmg07@yahoo.com.  

May 21 – May 27

May 20-22 (Friday – Sunday) – LEACH’S SWAMP (NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – SwampWalk Build Project, 8:30 AM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by the Town of Danvers and other partnering organizations. Join us for Phase II of our SwampWalk project! We will be building an “elevated teaching & observation platform” overlooking the pond. This is the main feature of SwampWalk. Please bring your cordless drill with Phillips bit or just a smile! Park at Choate Farm to hike railbed north or park on the shoulder of Route 97 to hike railbed south. For more information contact George Saluto, or click here and here for more background info on this project.

May 21 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Floodplain Forest Restoration in Holyoke, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Help to restore two acres of crucial floodplain forest along the banks of the Connecticut River at TTOR’s Land of Providence property in Holyoke. To support this project, we will be cultivating some of the native vegetation on site that will then be transplanted to the restoration area. On this day, you can help us set up our mini-nursery. This is a great chance to learn more about setting up simple greenhouse space, cultivating a landscape of native plants, and protecting our precious water resources. This ongoing project will need the regular support of volunteers. If you can't come out for this event but are interested in the project, your help is welcomed at other times. Click here, call (413) 532-1631 ext.14 or write to westregion@ttor.org for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – MANHAN AND MILL RIVERS (CONNECTICUT WATERSHED) – Paddle the Oxbow/Manhan/Mill River Backwaters, sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Morning paddle with lunch at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Click here for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Whitewater paddle on the Fife Brook segment (Class II), sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club . Click here to sign up or for more info for this trip.

May 21 (Saturday) – HOOSIC RIVER WATERSHED – New Ashford/Mount Greylock birding walk, 7:00 AM, sponsored by the Hoffman Bird Club. We will walk about 4 miles at a birding pace along a marsh and a wooded stream, on back roads and trails, and along limestone cliffs at the base of Mt. Greylock. This is territory rarely visited. The terrain is a bit strenuous. Meet at JW Kelly’s Real Estate, Rte. 7, New Ashford. Click here or contact trip leader Matt Kelly at (413) 458-3290 or peace@vgernet.net for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – NORTH BROOK (ASSABET WATERSHED) – Spring Walk at Garfield Woods, 11:00AM – 1:00PM, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees. The SVT’s 85-acre Garfield Woods property in Berlin provides a beautiful setting for a walk. North Brook, a cold water trout stream, provides audible accompaniment as you follow the trail along its banks, which lead to the Assabet River. Dramatic rock outcroppings and boulders dropped by passing glaciers punctuate the woods. Evergreen ferns grace the rock ledges and boulders. In mid-May, expect to see blooms of wood anemone, marsh marigold, and bellwort. Discussion will touch on these natural characteristics as well as stewardship activities in the woods, including deer management and youth conservation steward projects. Click here or call (978) 443-5588 to sign up or for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Greenways Paddle and Conservation Walk, 10:00AM – 1:00 PM in Wayland, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees. SVT ’s Greenways Conservation Area has a canoe landing only accessible by the river. We’ll start traveling upstream at Route 27 in Sudbury. At Greenways, we’ll dock and take a walk around the 87 acres of woods, fields, and wetlands. The combination of historic sites, woods, open fields, and wetlands, including almost one-half mile of shoreline on the Sudbury River, make Greenways a remarkable place. Visitors can explore nearly two miles of trails, many of them old cart paths. After walking Greenways, we’ll get back in our boats and paddle back to Route 27. The event is free for SVT members and $10 for non-members. Click here or call (978) 443-5588 to sign up or for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – 35th Annual Canoe/Kayak Race, 11:00 AM, sponsored by the Blackstone River Watershed Association. This year’s 12-mile race begins at 53 Main St. 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. Points for the NECKRA and the NE Downriver Championship awarded. After the race there will be food, music, an award ceremony as well as other family activities. Click here, here or contact Rosemary at roseisarose@hotmail.com for more info, or click here to download a detailed race description/rules/race entry form.

May 21 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Eighteenth 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.

May 21 (Saturday) – NEPONSET RIVER – Beginner’s Bird Walk in Fowl Meadow,
8:00 AM – 11:30 AM, sponsored by the Friends of the Blue Hills. Learn to bird by listening for and identifying late migrant and nesting species on a three-mile hike through the best birding area in the Blue Hills. Bring binoculars and bird book if you have one. Meet at Paul’s Bridge parking lot on Neponset Valley Pkwy. Click here or contact trip leader Steve Olanoff at (781) 326-6585 for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – GREAT MARSH (IPSWICH AND NORTH COASTAL WATERSHEDS) – “Essex County Salt Marshes and Estates” bike ride, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Essex County spring ride around coastal salt marshes overlooking Plum Island Sound and Ipswich Bay. Views from Great Neck and Little Neck. Stops at Crane Estate and Crane Beach, with refreshments at a local orchard for hot cider and snacks. Easy pace. Some hills. Rain cancels. Click here or contact trip leader Ed McManmon at (781) 639-4297 (before 9:00 PM) or epmcmanmon@nii.net or co-leader Dan Pratt at danpratt41@comcast.net to sign up or for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Horseshoe Crabs by Kayak, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and Plum Island Kayak. Every year, horseshoe crabs crawl up onto sandy beaches to mate and lay eggs during certain spring high tides. Horseshoe crabs live their lives on the bottom of the ocean so their annual trip to the beach is your chance to see this ancient species in action. We will kayak on the calm waters of Plum Island Sound to secluded areas where the crabs are not disturbed to view this spectacle. Fee: $50.00/members, $60.00/non-members. The fee covers single kayak rental and instruction in kayaking techniques and safety procedures (discounts for renting double kayaks or supplying your own kayak). Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – BACK RIVER (BOSTON HARBOR WATERSHED) – Canoe the Back River, 12 Noon – 2:00 PM, sponsored by the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Take a journey up the scenic Back River and enjoy the peace and tranquility of this protected and restored environment. Try your luck at catching a glimpse of Osprey, Great Blue Heron, and Snowy egrets before their migration. Reservations are required; call (781) 740-1605 ext. 202. Click here for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – FRENCH RIVER – Flatwater/Quickwater Paddle from Hodges Village in Oxford to North Village in Webster, 9:00 AM start, sponsored by the French River Connection. This leisurely paddle will begin at Agguteback Pond just below Hodges Village Dam on Howarth Road in Oxford and end at North Village in Webster, a distance of about 4 miles. Paddlers will enjoy an easy flowing river that meanders through marshlands and woodlands. There should be opportunities to see some of the wildlife that inhabit the French River, including turtles, great blue heron, geese, ducks, and beavers. This trip is suitable for paddlers with moving water experience. PFDs are absolutely required and must be worn. Contact trip leader Jay Wade at joseph.l.wade@ampf.com, (860) 928-5599 (work) or (508) 461-9813 (home) to sign up or for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – FRENCH RIVER – “Perryville Trace” Walk in Webster, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the French River Connection. Join the FRC on a walk through one of the Massachusetts Department of Travel and Tourism’s “1000 Great Places” in Massachusetts. The walk is one-mile round trip and follows the French River upstream from Perryville. There is some uneven terrain due to tree roots and the path is inappropriate for wheelchairs or those who have difficulty with balance. This slow-paced walk through the woods will take about 45 minutes. Meet at 10 AM at the entrance to the path located just over the railroad tracks on the Webster side of Perryville Road (at the bridge construction). Parking is available along Perryville Road and Brookside Avenue. Click here or call (508) 943-2698 for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – SHAWSHEEN RIVER – River Cleanup, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM in Tewksbury, sponsored by the Shawsheen River Watershed Association. Meet at the corner of Shawsheen Street and Mohawk Drive (small dirt parking lot near Bridge Street) at 9 AM. We will paddle to Lowell Junction Road, Andover (about 3 miles) collecting trash as we go. We have boats, paddles, and gear to lend. Please contact us if you wish to borrow a boat and gear. Contact Bob Rauseo at bob_otter@comcast.net or (978) 851-9505 for more info.

May 21 (Saturday) – MILLERS RIVER – Spring Bird Walk in Athol, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust. Join Mount Grace, the Athol Library, and the Athol Bird and Nature Club for a two hour bird walk led by Jeff Johnstone. We will explore the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park and also along the river. There should be a great variety of species present at this time of year! Beginners to experts welcome. The walk will be an easy ramble and, while it may be a bit bumpy, patrons could bring a stroller. Please bring binoculars and/or bird books if you have them. Extreme weather cancels. Call Jason Rhoades at 978-248-2043 or email outreach_AmeriCorps@mountgrace.org with any questions and to RSVP.

May 22 (Sunday) – CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED – “New Home for Spadefoot Toads and Vernal Pool Ecology on Cape Cod” field trip, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. Join Dr. Bryan Windmiller and Ian Ives as they discuss the ecology of vernal pools on the lower Cape and their efforts to restore an extirpated population of the rarest frog in Massachusetts, the Eastern Spadefoot Toad. We'll drive to Ashumet Holly Wildlife Sanctuary to explore the site where we will construct two new vernal pool breeding sites for spadefoot toads as well as a vernal pool and rare coastal plain pond on the sanctuary. We will focus on the amphibian and insect species that use these wetland habitats. We will travel to Sandy Neck Barrier Beach in Barnstable to search for spadefoot toad tadpoles and explore the ecology of wetlands in the Sandy Neck dunes and maritime forest. Fee: Adults $45.00/members, $55.00/non-members. Click here or call (781) 259-2206 to sign up or for more info.

May 22 (Sunday) – GREAT RIVER (CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED) – Tidal Paddle into Waquoit Bay to Washburn Island and back, 9:00 AM, sponsored by the Wampanoag Paddlers. Launch at South Cape Beach in Mashpee, paddle out Great River into Waquoit Bay around Sage Pond, over to Washburn Island, then flow back up Great River with the tide. Click here or contact: Paul Stankus at (508) 385-3772 or polywaug@gmail.com to sign up or for more info.

May 22 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Horseshoe Crabs by Kayak, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and Plum Island Kayak. Every year, horseshoe crabs crawl up onto sandy beaches to mate and lay eggs during certain spring high tides. Horseshoe crabs live their lives on the bottom of the ocean so their annual trip to the beach is your chance to see this ancient species in action. We will kayak on the calm waters of Plum Island Sound to secluded areas where the crabs are not disturbed to view this spectacle. Fee: $50.00/members, $60.00/non-members.. The fee covers single kayak rental and instruction in kayaking techniques and safety procedures (discounts for renting double kayaks or supplying your own kayak). Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

May 22 (Sunday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Birding with Jim Berry, 7:00 AM at Riverbend,
143 County Rd (Route 1A) in Ipswich (click here for directions), sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Come learn about the birds that live and breed along the Ipswich River with veteran birder and neighbor, Jim Berry. Warbler migration should be in full swing, and the wood ducks are settling into a nesting cavity right near the dock! Please RSVP to Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or (978) 412-8200.

May 22 (Sunday) – IPSWICH RIVER – “Source to Sea” canoe trip, Ipswich segment, sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Spend a summer Saturday morning out on the Ipswich River for a fun river paddle led by local experts. All trips are BYOB (bring your own boat), PFD, water, snacks, and proper attire for a hot sun, a thunderstorm, and getting a bit muddy. Pre-registration is required. Please contact Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or call (978) 412-8200 for more information.

May 22 (Sunday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Canoe Dock Opening Celebration, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Riverbend, 143 County Rd (Route 1A) in Ipswich (click here for directions), sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Join us for the 1st annual opening of the Canoe Dock! There will be free ice cream, generously donated by Down River Ice Cream, and canoes will be available for paddling what many people say is the most beautiful section of the river. Please RSVP to Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or call 978-412-8200 by May 16th, Space is limited.

May 22 (Sunday) – FRENCH RIVER (FRENCH AND QUINEBAUG WATERSHED) – Canoe the French River, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. The French River flows south from Leicester to Dudley, before joining the Quinebaug River in Connecticut. The meandering from section from Leovich Landing to Hodges Village Dam offers great canoeing and wildlife, and is a great way to spend a spring afternoon. Bring binoculars if you have them; canoes, paddles, PFDs are provided. Directions will be provided to participants upon registration. Trip leaders: Cindy Dunn - Conservation Coordinator; Lisa Mattson – Naturalist. Fee: Adults $9.00/members; $14.00/non-members. Click here or call (978) 464-2712 to sign up or for more info.

May 22 (Sunday) – NASHUA WATERSHED – Leave It to Beavers! Master Builders of our Wetlands, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM in Groton, sponsored by the Nashua River Watershed Association. Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of a local beaver community and discover how nature’s architects contribute to our landscape. You will gain a better understanding of these animals and their important role in the environment. Beaver games and a woody snack will round out the events of the day. Open to ages 5 and up. Space is limited; pre-registration is required. Location of workshop is in Groton, specific directions will be provided upon registration. Participants should dress for the weather and wear footwear for walking. This workshop is free to the public, due in part to a grant from the Groton Trust Funds’ Lecture Fund. To register, please contact Lauren Noone, Eco-Adventures Coordinator, at (978) 448-0299.

May 22 (Sunday) – 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 (Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Charles River Peninsula walk in Needham, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Join Trustees volunteer Peter Oehlkers for a walk to explore the edge of the Charles River for signs of animal activity and then walk through the open field to catch a glimpse of some of the grassland birds that nest at the Peninsula. Interested individuals can also learn about our bluebird monitoring program currently active at several of our local Trustees properties. The hike will be at an easy pace and cover approximately one mile. Please bring bug spray and water if it is a hot day. This event is free and takes place here. Pre-registration is helpful, but not required; call (508) 785-0339.

May 22 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – First Birthday Celebration of the Clipper City Rail Trail in Newburyport , 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. Trailside you'll find food, music, and art, along with fun activities like bike rides and a kids cake decorating competition. Free parking at the MBTA Station and at Cushing Park. Click here, call (978) 463-3545 or write to nportparkscommission@yahoo.com for more info.

May 23 (Monday) – CONCORD, ASSABET AND SUDBURY RIVERS – Annual Meeting of OARS: For the Assabet, Sudbury , and Concord Rivers, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM in Sudbury, sponsored by OARS. The Annual Meeting will feature a presentation by videographer Dave Griffin entitled "Three Rivers, One Purpose." The presentation will explore the natural and unnatural history of the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord Rivers and reveal the shared heritage and issues that they face. The event is free and open to the public and will take place at the Grange Hall, Sudbury Foundation, 326 Concord Road in Sudbury. The presentation will be preceded by a short business meeting. Light refreshments will be served. Contact OARS at (978) 369-3956 or oar@assabetriver.org for more info.

May 23 (Monday) – CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED – An Evening Walk in the Upper Cambridge Water Supply Watershed, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by the Friends of the Fresh Pond Reservation. Chip Norton, Cambridge Watershed Manager, will give a tour of Cambridge-owned land in the upper Cambridge watershed. We will car pool from the Purification Facility parking lot, leaving promptly at 6:00 PM. Long pants and shoes or boots are recommended. Registration is required! Click here or contact Elizabeth Wylde at friendsoffreshpond@yahoo.com or (617) 349-6489 to register or for more info.

May 24 (Tuesday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – River cleanup in Pittsfield, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM, co-sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). HVA will be partnering with Jessica Willis and the Juvenile Resource Center on this cleanup, which will focus on the Wahconah Park Access area and adjacent sections of riverfront. Click here or call Alison Dixon at (413) 394-9796 for more info.

May 27 (Friday) – GREAT CEDAR SWAMP (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Turtle Celebration at the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area in Hanson/Halifax, 10:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW). This family-friendly event will provide turtle enthusiasts an opportunity to release “head-started” Red-bellied Northern Cooters (aka Plymouth Red Bellied Turtles, an endangered species), see a broad selection of other live native turtles found here in Massachusetts, learn about the threats to turtles here in Massachusetts from biologists and other turtle enthusiasts. You'll also see how turtles are tracked with telemetry and discover how you can help these ancient creatures. This is a rain or shine event. Call Marion Larson at (508) 389-6311 for more info.

May 28 – June 3

May 28 (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 coordinator: Louise Price at weezrad@yahoo.com or (508) 441-7279 (e-mail communication preferred) or click here for more info.

May 28 (Saturday) – FRENCH RIVER (FRENCH AND QUINEBAUG WATERSHED) – Paddle through the scenic section above Hodges Village, 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM in Oxford, sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps’ Hodges Village Recreation Area. Join Ranger Jean for a slow trip through the marshes and on down the French River. Paddlers may fish along the way. You may have to portage your boat around one or more beaver dams but everyone helps out. Shoes may get wet. Limited to 20 paddlers, 16 years and up. Life jackets a must. Veterans receive ranger stickers! After the paddle, if you can, please help Ranger Ken with his cleanup at the Army Corps’ Buffumville recreation area nearby. To sign up, contact Jean @ (508) 248-5697 or claudia.j.hixson@usace.army.mil.

May 28 (Saturday) – NORTH RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – An Introduction to Birding in Scituate: Driftway Conservation Park, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM, co-sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s South Shore Regional Sanctuaries and the Scituate Cultural Council. Instructor: John Galluzzo, Adult Education Coordinator, South Shore Sanctuaries. The first of four free “Introduction to Birding Scituate” walks this year. This walk is at the Driftway Conservation Park, where we'll look for waterfowl and waders, late migrant warblers, and other birds beginning their breeding season. This introduction to the beauty of the town of Scituate, is designed for all levels of birding knowledge and interest. Click here or call (781) 837-9400 to sign up or for more info.

May 28 (Saturday) – MASHPEE RIVER (CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED) – Mashpee River Kayak Trip, 10:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Join us for a paddle down one of the region's most pristine tidal streams through TTOR’s Mashpee River Reservation. Learn about the conservation efforts and the history of the Mashpee River that make it one of Massachusetts' finest sources of sea-run brook trout. Cost: $20/members, $30/non-members. Click here, call (508) 636-4693 ext.13 or write to kheard@ttor.org to sign up or for more info.

May 28 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Flatwater Paddle, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Paddle eleven miles on a beautiful, rural section of the Charles River. We'll hike up to King Philip's Lookout in Rocky Narrows Reservation for lunch. Contact trip leader Pat Rheaume at (508) 868-5949 (before 9 PM) to sign up or for more info.

May 28 (Saturday) – BELLE ISLE MARSH (BOSTON HARBOR WATERSHED) – Canoe Exploration at Belle Isle Marsh, 8:30AM – 10:30AM, sponsored by the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). Explore Belle Isle by canoe. You could get wet, so dress appropriately. Participants must be able to swim and be at least 10 years old. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required; call (781) 485-2803, ext. 109. Meet at: Belle Isle parking lot, Bennington St, East Boston. Click here for more info.

May 28 (Saturday) – HOOSIC RIVER – 20th Annual Riverfest Celebration, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Cole Field on the Williams College Campus in Williamstown, sponsored by the Hoosic River W atershed Association. Enjoy rafting, raptor demonstrations, pony rides, river critters, kids’ crafts, river arts, food, raffle prizes, and more. The festival will be followed by a picnic concert performance by T-Bone Daddy from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM. Click here or call (413) 458-2742 for more info.

May 29 (Sunday) – NEMASKET RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – Paddle the Nemasket River in Lakeville, 10:00 AM, sponsored by theRhode 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 coordinator Lee Parham at leeparham@myway.com or (508) 286-5999, or click here for more info.

May 29 (Sunday) – NASHUA RIVER – Flatwater paddle in Groton and Pepperell, 9:30 AM start, sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council. Enjoy a leisurely paddle on the Nashua River, beginning on the forested main channel and ending with an exploration of the Pepperell Pond section of the river. Meet at the Pepperell Conservation Commission Property off River Road. Follow River Rd. (Rte 111) south from town-center rotary (the intersection of Rte 111 and Rte 113) 1.6 miles to the common dirt driveway for the Kemp horse track at 120 River Rd., just across the street and north of the Town Forest and Picnic Area. As the driveway arcs around to the other side of the oval track, take the second left. That leads to the river. Park near the launch, but not blocking it. Trip Leaders/Guest Speakers: Diane and Peter Carson of Nashoba Paddler. Click here or call (978) 448-8699 to sign up or for more info.

May 29 (Sunday) – QUABBIN RESERVOIR (CHICOPEE WATERSHED) – Bird Watching at Quabbin/Herman Covey State Wildlife Management Area, 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries. Visit a wooded swamp and the roads of Quabbin in search of herons, woodpeckers, warblers and black birds. We will listen to bird sound and watch the behaviors as we learn about these birds. Instructor: John Green Jr. - Naturalist and Nature Photographer. Fee: Adults $10.00/members, $15.00/non-members. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

May 30 (Monday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Memorial Day Canoe Trip at Bartholomew's Cobble, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Paddle the winding Housatonic to view the beauty of this meandering river as it passes through agricultural fields and floodplain forests and view the seasons changing at Bartholomew's Cobble from the water. With your guide, learn about the river's history and what is happening to restore some of its most precious habitats and species from its upper reaches in Pittsfield through Massachusetts and into Connecticut. Paddles, life preservers, and boats are provided. Please pre-register. Fee: Members: Adult $24; Child (10-16) $10. Nonmembers: Adult $30; Child (10-16) $15. Click here of call (413) 229-8600 to sign up or for more info.

May 30 (Monday) – FORT RIVER (CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED) – Family River Romp and Clean Up, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Groff Park in Amherst, co-sponsored by the Hitchcock Center for the Environment the Rushing Rivers Institute and other community partners. This event is part of Fort River Discovery, a series of free events and programs that recognizes the River’s heritage and creates greater community participation for its preservation. Spend Memorial Day splashing around in the Fort River at Groff Park. We will spend some time cleaning up this special river habitat, followed by some “X-stream” river exploration! Join Hitchcock Center naturalist Ted Watt as we peek under rocks and logs to see who’s occupying this river in our backyard. Come prepared to get wet! Nets and trash bags will be provided, but please bring your own if you have them. Click here or call (413) 256-6006 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 13 and 20 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.]

May 31 (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. Boat rentals may be available from Great Canadian (508) 865-0010. Great Canadian will drop off your boat at the paddle location and bring it back to their shop after the paddle. Contact Cheryl at (401) 647-5887 or StoneFoxFarm@juno.com 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 2 (Thursday) – PARKER RIVER – Edible Wild Plant Walk at Old Town Hill, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Did you know that over 150 species of edible wild plants can be found in Essex County? Many are more nutritious and flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. While a few should not be harvested due to scarcity or other reasons, this walk will emphasize alien invasives and common native species that can be collected ethically. Join Russ Cohen for a walk through The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR)’s Old Town Hill Reservation in Newbury to learn about at least 24 species. Information will be provided on identification, the edible portion(s) of each plant, season(s) of availability, preparation methods, and guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging. Although neither TTOR nor Mass Audubon allow collecting on their properties, the plants discussed on the walk can be found elsewhere in Essex County. Fee: Adults $17.00/members; $20.00/non-members. Member fee applies to Mass Audubon or TTOR members. Registration is required; click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 2 (Thursday) – BLACKSTONE WATERSHED – Wet and Wild in Your Backyard: Rain Gardens and Water Gardens, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. Come learn how rain gardens and water gardens provide wildlife habitat and help improve water quality in local waterways. Rain gardens are designed to collect stormwater runoff and infiltrate it into the ground, with their wet- and dry-tolerant native plants attracting wildlife to your yard. A water garden will provide your landscaping with a unique aquatic habitat, acting as a magnet for frogs, dragonflies, birds, mammals, and more. While you're here, take a look at our demonstration rain garden and water garden. This program is part of the Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015. Fee: Adults $5.00/member, $7.00/nonmember. Click here or call (508) 753-6087 to sign up or for more info.

June 3 (Friday) – HOOSIC RIVER NORTH BRANCH – Celebration of the Removal of the Briggsville Dam and Rivers Month, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM in Clarksville, hosted by the Mass. Department of Fish and Game (DFG)’s Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) in concert with many other project partners. Speakers include: Ann Mills, USDA Deputy Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment; State Senator Benjamin Downing; State Representative Gailanne Cariddi; and DFG Commissioner Mary Griffin. The ceremony takes place at the site of the former dam at Cascade School Supplies, 191 River Road in Clarksburg [Parking available at Clarksburg Town Hall, 111 River Road.] A fly fishing demonstration will be held from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at 111 River Road, courtesy of the Hoosuc Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Please RSVP to Diane Baedeker Petit, USDA-NRCS at (413) 253-4371 or diane.petit@ma.usda.gov by May 27th, or contact Nick Wildman at (617) 626-1527 or Nick.Wildman@state.ma.us for more info.

June 3-5 (Friday-Sunday) – CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED – Cape Walk 2011, sponsored by Cape Cod Pathways, a joint project of Barnstable County and the Cape Cod Commission. Cape Walk is a weekend 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 4 – 10

June 4 (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 4 (Saturday) – MASHPEE RIVER (CAPE AND ISLAND WATERSHED) – National Trails Day at Mashpee River Reservation, 9:30 AM and 12 Noon, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Join TTOR and the Mashpee Conservation Commission to raise awareness of conservation lands and help restore connectivity throughout the Mashpee Woodlands Reserve and the Mashpee River Reservation. Together with your help we will be forming into hiking groups as well as work parties to help restore trails as well as fix erosion. Click here, call (508) 636-4693 ext.13 or write to bioreserve@ttor.org for more info.

June 4 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – National Trails Day Walks in Lowell, 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM, sponsored by the Walk 'N Mass Volkssport Club. This walk is comprised of two 5km loops, the routes of which run along and over the Merrimack River. Click here, call (781) 640-5055 or write to ivvwalkers@gmail.com for more info.

June 4 (Saturday) – TOWN BROOK (SOUTH COASTAL WARTERSHED) – National Trails Day Celebration, 10:00 A M – 4:00 PM, sponsored by the Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce. The celebration begins at Brewster Gardens and will include several events at various locations, including geocaching. Click here for more info.

June 4 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – “Birds of the Ipswich River” paddle, 9:00 AM – 12 Noon in Topsfield, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broadmoor 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 $30.00 members; $35.00 nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 4 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Family Canoe Program, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM in Topsfield, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Blue Hills Trailside Museum. Explore the scenic Ipswich River with your family! Join us for a paddle in a canoe as we learn about the river and the animals that make it their home. We will travel through a silver maple floodplain forest and freshwater marsh which are home to muskrats, great blue herons, painted turtles and much, much more. Basic instruction will be provided, along with all equipment. Pre-registration is required. Click here or call 978-887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 4 (Saturday) – PARKER AND MERRIMACK RIVERS – Biodiversity Free-For-All!, 10:00 AM – 3:00 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 4 (Saturday) – TOWN RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – Town River to Taunton River flatwater paddle, 10:00 AM in Bridgewater, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). Suitable for all. Bring a lunch. Changes and cancellations to trips will be posted on the flatwater message board. Please check the board before leaving for any trip. Contact t rip coordinator: Lee Parham at leeparham@myway.com or (508) 286-5999 or click here for more info.

June 4 (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.

June 4 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Thirty-third Annual Lou Marcel Canoe Race, 8:00 AM registration and 9:15 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 4 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Thirty-second Annual Cambridge River Festival, 12 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 4 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Third Annual Charles River One Mile Swim, 8:00 AM start at the River Dock by the Hatch Shell, co-sponsored by the Charles River Swimming Club and the Charles River Conservancy. After decades of pollution, the Charles River has benefited from the ongoing Clean Charles River Initiative, started in 1995 to restore the river's ecological health.  The river is now clean enough on most summer days to meet swimming standards. This race is celebrating the efforts that went into cleaning the river and to highlight the need for continued clean-up to enable recreational swimming in the future. 150 swimmers are expected to participate at this year's swim race. (The rain date is Sunday, June 19.) Click here to register for the event or here for more info.

June 4 (Saturday) – FORT RIVER ( CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED) – Fort River Celebration Day in Amherst, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, co-sponsored by the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, the Rushing Rivers Institute and other community partners. The Fort River Celebration Day is the culminating day for the Fort River Discovery, a series of free events and programs that recognizes the River’s heritage and creates greater community participation for its preservation. The event on 6/6 begins with a guided canoe and kayak trip from Stanley Street to Groff Park in Amherst MA, followed by an educational station and the opportunity for discussion. Those not interested in the canoe trip can join us at Groff Park around 12:00 Noon to learn about the river, lamprey eels, freshwater mussels, the river’s fish and macro-invertebrates that call the Fort home. Don’t forget to stay for the annual Rubber Ducky Race! Click here for more information.

June 4 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Moonlight paddle in Barton’s Cove, sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Meet at State boat ramp off of Route 2 in Gill at 6:30 PM. Bring small light for vessel. Pre-registration required; click here or contact Rudy Julian at (413) 283-8294 or rudy.julian@comcast.net to sign up or for more info.

June 4 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Tracks and Signs of Insects and Other Invertebrates, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Connecticut Valley Wildlife Sanctuaries and the Northfield Mountain Environmental Center. Join Charley Eiseman and Noah Charney of Northern Naturalists, co-authors of the recently published, award-winning book Tracks & Sign of Insects and other Invertebrates. In the morning they will present a slide show, sharing stories from their travels while working on the book and highlighting some of their favorite invertebrate signs. After lunch we'll head out into the field in search of galls, webs, eggs, cocoons, droppings, and other signs of invertebrates. Charley and Noah will be selling their book, which contains nearly 1000 color photos and describes signs of about 2000 species. This book is clearly a must for all naturalists and one of a kind! Fee: Adults $35.00m/ $50.00nm. Registration is required. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

June 4 (Saturday) – TAUNTON RIVER – Eighteenth 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 or call (508) 821-9347 for more info. [Rain date June 5].

June 4 (Saturday) – MYSTIC RIVER – Water Chestnut Removal in Medford, 8:00 AM – 12 Noon, sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association. Using canoes, kayaks, and small boats, volunteers will pull invasive water chestnut plants out of the water by hand and then deposit the harvested plants at a designated shore site. Some work is also available on the riverbank. Volunteers who have canoes or kayaks are encouraged to bring their own. If you need a boat, Groundwork Somerville may be able to provide you with one (thanks to the generous cooperation of the Boys and Girls Club of Middlesex County). There are only 20 canoes available for volunteers, so please register for this event as soon as possible. Canoes are available on a first come, first served basis. Meet near 75 South St., Medford, at the old DCR boat ramp. Heavy rain cancels this event. Click here to sign up or for more info.

June 4 (Saturday) – SHAWSHEEN RIVER – Canoe/Kayak trip in Andover, 8:30 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by the Shawsheen River Watershed Association. Meet at end of Dale Street, Andover at 8:30 AM. We will paddle to Central Street Andover, with side trip into Pomps Pond and marsh. This is a chance to paddle 3 different types of waterways: river, marsh, and pond. In the marsh and pond area there are at least 2 active beaver lodges and 2 active heron nests. On the river there are 2 beaver dams. One of these will be a fun challenge. Contact Bob Rauseo at bob_otter@comcast.net for more info.

June 4-5 (Saturday – Sunday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Low-Impact Canoe Camping trip, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Two days paddling on a quiet, rural segment of the Connecticut River, with an overnight on an island. Contact trip leader David Miller at (508) 853-8964 to sign up or for more info.

June 4–5 (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 (Sunday) – (BLACKSTONE WATERSHED) – Hopedale Pond and Mill River flatwater paddle, 9:30 AM, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). Hopedale was settled in 1842 as a Utopian socialist commune and evolved into the home of the Draper Corp, at one time the world's largest manufacturer of automatic cotton looms. Suitable for all. Bring a lunch. Changes and cancellations to trips will be posted on the flatwater message board. Please check the board before leaving for any trip. Contact trip coordinators Bill Brown [kayakbill222@aol.com] or Frank Cortesa [frankcortesa@charter.net, (508) 278-6753] or click here for more info.

June 5 (Sunday) – SHAWSHEEN RIVER – Flatwater paddle, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Approximately 7 mi. flatwater paddle from the Middlesex Canal Aqueduct to the Ballardvale Dam. Boat and PFD required. Meet 10 AM at end of Grace Drive in Wilmington. Heavy rain cancels. Pre-registration required. Click here to sign up or for more info.

June 5 (Sunday) – ALLOWANCE BROOK (SUDBURY WATERSHED) – Great Blue Heron Rookery birding field trip, 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. The Lyons-Cutler Reservation, located along Allowance Brook in Sudbury, contains wetlands and beautiful red maple, mixed oak and white pine uplands. The upland forest descends gently to a swamp with a Great Blue Heron rookery where we can get very close views of the domestic life of the herons and hear their growling offspring. Around the swamp we could also see Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Phoebe, Tree and Rough-winged Swallow, Red-Winged Blackbird, Kingfisher, Swamp Sparrow, Northern Flicker, and Eastern Bluebird. The hike through the woods could produce several species of warblers, Wood Thrush, Brown Creeper, Baltimore Oriole, Brown Thrasher, Blue-Headed Vireo, and migrating flycatchers of various species. Instructors: Audrey McCarthy; John Hoye. Fee: Adults $18.00/members, $24.00/non-members. Open to anyone age 16 or older. A map to meeting site will be sent to registrants. Click here or call (781) 259-2206 to sign up or for more info.

June 5 (Sunday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Paddle the Class II Fife Brook Section, sponsored by the AMC New Hampshire Chapter Paddling Committee. The trip will end just above Zoar Gap (Class III section). This is a perfect learning river. Some very nice Class II drops with calm sections below. Great for practicing. Stretch is about 5 miles long and about 3 hours to run. Contact trip leaders Joe Wild at (781) 308-1039 or Mike Hazeltine at (508) 422-9256 for more info.

June 5 (Sunday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – West Springfield Fish Ladder Open House, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by the Westfield River Watershed Association. This is a once-a-year opportunity to visit the fish ladder and eelway located on the Westfield River in West Springfield and see migratory fish returning to spawn. You may see Atlantic Salmon, American Shad, Sea Lamprey and Blueback Herring and other species through the underwater viewing window.  Registration is free.  Parking is available in the former Southworth Paper Company lot at 150 Front St. in West Springfield.  Rain or shine.  Click here or call Bill at (413) 786-0195 for more info.

June 7 (Tuesday) - QUINSIGAMOND RIVER (BLACKSTONE WATERSHED) – Flatwater paddle in Grafton, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. Suitable for all levels of paddlers. Launching promptly at 6:15 PM from Ekblaw Landing, on Routes 140/122 in Grafton. Boat Rentals may be available from Great Canadian (508) 865-0010. Great Canadian will drop off your boat at the paddle location and bring it back to their shop after the paddle. Contact Cheryl at (401) 647-5887 or StoneFoxFarm@juno.com 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 7 (Tuesday) – NEPONSET RIVER – Trees and Shrubs of the Neponset River Greenway, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM in Milton, sponsored by the Boston Natural Areas Network. Take a late day walk along the newest Neponset Greenway trail section and discover the value of trees in the riparian habitat. Russ Cohen of MA Dept. of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration will be our guide and will also point out wild edibles along the way. Pre-registration required. Click here, call (617) 542-7696 or write to info@bostonnatural.org to register or for more info.

June 8 (Wednesday) – SLOCUMS AND LITTLE RIVERS (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Slocums and Little River coastal paddle, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Click here for more info.

June 8 (Wednesday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – (Not) That Dam Race, 6:15 PM at the Littleville Lake Dam in Huntington, sponsored by the New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association (NECKRA). A 5.5 mile race course (2.5 miles for youth/recreational classes). Click here or contact Jeff DeFeo at sjsdefeo@verizon.net or (413) 354-9684 for more info.

June 9 (Thursday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Introduction to Sea Kayaking, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and Plum Island Kayak. This program is designed to teach the basics of sea kayaking. Participants will learn safety precautions and paddling techniques and will gain confidence handling these very seaworthy boats. Participants will then paddle into the Plum Island estuary and explore tidal creeks, mudflats, and salt marshes. Fee: Adults $35.00/members, $45.00/non-members. The fee covers single kayak rental. Subtract $10 per person for double kayak rental and $15 per person if you use your own kayak. Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

June 10 (Friday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Twilight Kayak in Barton Cove, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM in Gill, sponsored by the Northfield Mountain Environmental Center. Start the weekend quietly paddling on the water as the changing light shows what a beautiful place the Cove can be on a warm spring evening. Will we hear the warble of the wood thrush, see the beavers paddling around, or watch a majestic bald eagle flying overhead? We won’t know until we paddle into every nook and cranny and immerse ourselves in what this particular evening has to offer. Bring along hors d’oeuvres to share and the drink of your choice. For ages 12 and older Fee: free with own kayak; $30 with kayak rental (tandem kayaks available). Pre-register by calling (800) 859-2960.

June 10 (Friday) – NEPONSET RIVER – Moonlight paddle on the Neponset River Estuary, 6:30 PM in Dorchester, co-sponsored by the Boston Natural Areas Network and the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation. Enjoy a peaceful evening out in the Neponset Estuary by canoe. Experienced paddlers only. Pre-registration required. Click here to see a map of this event location, and click here or call (617) 542-7696 to sign up or for more info.

June 10 - 11 (Friday–Saturday) – HOOSIC RIVER WATERSHED – Berkshires Bioblitz 2011, Noon to Noon at the Mount Greylock State Reservation, organized by the Berkshire Museum , MCLA STEM Pipeline, the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). “BioBlitz” (also called a “Biodiversity Day”) is an action-packed day designed as part contest, part festival, part educational program, and part scientific endeavor. It brings together scientists and citizens in a race against time to see how many species they can count in a 24-hour biological survey of a given area. Click here or contact Scott LaGreca at slagreca@berkshiremuseum.org for more info.

June 11 – June 17

June 11-12 (Saturday – Sunday) SUDBURY , ASSABET AND CONCORD RIVERS – Riverfest,’11: A Weekend of Celebration, sponsored by The Concord, Assabet, & Sudbury Wild & Scenic River Stewardship Council. Click here for more info on the more than 30 events that are part of this celebration.

June 11 (Saturday) – SUDBURY, ASSABET AND CONCORD RIVERS – Flatwater paddle from Wayland to Concord. 9:30 AM, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). Suitable for all (bring a lunch). We will put-in on the Sudbury River at Sherman 's Bridge Road in Wayland. Just downstream at Weir Hill is the headquarters of the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge where there is a museum with a nice exhibit on local wildlife. After paddling another couple miles downstream, we will stop for lunch at a small island in Fairhaven Bay where Ospreys are often seen. We will continue downstream to Egg Rock where the Sudbury River converges with the Assabet River to form the Concord River. We will paddle up this short section of the Assabet River which Nathaniel Hawthorne described as “a more lovely stream than this, for a mile above its junction with the Concord, has never flowed on earth”. From there, we will continue down the Concord River to the take-out at the “Calf Pasture” at Lowell Road in Concord. Those who are interested can paddle another half mile down the Concord River to the Old North Bridge in the Minute Man National Historic Park. Changes and cancellations to trips will be posted on the flatwater message board. Please check the board before leaving for any trip. Click here or contact trip coordinator Erik Eckilson at (401) 765-1741 or eckilson@cox.net for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Turtle Ecology at Great Meadows: Restoring the Blanding's Turtle, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. Join Dr. Bryan Windmiller as he monitors and examines some of the turtles of Great Meadows as well as other reptiles, amphibians, insects, and plants within the refuge. We will radio track a juvenile Blanding's turtle that was raised in a local school for its first year as part of an effort to reverse a sharp decline in this important rare species population. Dr. Windmiller will also discuss and demonstrate some of the complex issues involved in conserving turtle populations in an urbanizing landscape. Fee: $20/members, $25/non-members. Open to anyone age 16 or older. Registration is required. Click here or call (781) 259-2206 to sign up or for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – CONCORD RIVER – Flatwater Paddle, 9:30 AM start, 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), then proceeds through the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at 9:30 am in Concord, MA, at Lowell Road bridge. From Rte 3 take Rte 62 to Concord Commons. Lowell Rd is on west side of Colonial Inn at north end of Commons. Click here or contact trip leader Julie Smith at (603) 891-0267 or cantdog@comcast.net for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – RiverFest 2011: Culture Flows, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM, sponsored by the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust. Free for the whole family! This year the event will be spread across two venues, Middlesex Community College and the Concord River Greenway (where it was last year). Environmental groups and cultural organizations are once again welcome to participate in the event with a booth, ideally a kid-friendly “green” activity and organizational information. This year’s event will also feature new ethnic food vendors. Once again we’re fortunate to have WXRV “The River” radio station on board! That way you can expect amazing River musicians! Click here for more info on how to participate in this event.

June 11 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Kite Festival on the Merrimack , 11:00 AM – 3:00PM 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. The event also includes lunch (courtesy of the Summer Meals Program), face-painting, music and free trolley rides. To volunteer or learn more, click here or contact Rose Gonzalez, Stewardship Program Manager, at rgonzalez@groundworklawrence.org or (978) 974-0770.

June 11 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Teacher Workshop: Salt Marsh Science, 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary. This 4-hour teacher workshop focuses on salt marsh habitats while giving you tools on how to bring the coastline into the classroom. Participants will gain new knowledge, increase their environmental awareness, and gain confidence about coastal and estuarine ecosystems. You'll walk away with many new and exciting lesson plans, classroom projects, and a greater understanding of the importance of connecting children to the natural world. This in-the-field workshop is for teachers, science curriculum specialists, administrators, and naturalists with a focus on PreK-Grade 5 curriculum. Fee: Adults $40.00/members, $55.00/nonmembers. The fee includes training handouts, activity sheets, suggested reading lists, educational tools, a list of resources, and the Mass Audubon member newsletter and program catalog. Click here or contact Teacher-Naturalist Lisa Hutchings for full program details at lhutchings@massaudubon.org.

June 11 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – “Source to Sea” canoe trip, Reading segment, sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Spend a summer Saturday morning out on the Ipswich River for a fun river paddle led by local experts. All trips are BYOB (bring your own boat), PFD, water, snacks, and proper attire for a hot sun, a thunderstorm, and getting a bit muddy. Pre-registration is required. Please contact Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or call (978) 412-8200 for more information.

June 11 (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 11 (Saturday) – MUDDY RIVER (CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED) – Guided walk through the Back Bay Fens, 10:30 AM – 12 Noon, co-sponsored by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and Friends of MetroFuture. The Emerald Necklace wraps around Boston and Brookline , encompasses 1000 acres, and includes 6 individual parks. Together, we will visit Back Bay Fens to learn about Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision in creating the parks and hear about the rich history. We will also visit the Kelleher Rose Garden and the oldest World War II Victory Gardens in America. Click here to sign up or for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – GREAT CEDAR SWAMP (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Birding the Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s South Shore Regional Office. Join Jim Sweeney of the South Shore Bird Club for a morning of birding one of his favorite places: Hanson's Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area. By the second week of June, warbler migration has been completed and the resident nesters have found their breeding grounds. We'll search for nesting ospreys, phoebes, swallows, warblers, and more. There's no need to be an expert birder! This program is designed for all skill and interest levels. Fee: Adults $10.00/members; $13.00/non-members. Registration is required. Click here or call (781) 837-9400 to sign up or for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – BASS RIVER (CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED) – Bass River South coastal paddle in Dennis, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Click here for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – FRENCH RIVER (FRENCH AND QUINEBAUG WATERSHED) – National Trails Day Horseback Ride in Oxford, 9:30 AM – 1:30 PM, sponsored by the Bay State Trail Riders Association. Pleasure ride for equestrians bringing their own horses on marked trail through the U.S. Army Corps’ Hodges Village Recreation Area. Pre-registration required for lunch following ride, but not required to participate in event. Event proceeds benefit BSTRA trail maintenance projects. Click here or contact Lynn Paretsky at (508) 476-7094 or lynnparesky@aol.com to sign up or for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – Wild & Scenic Saturday Guided Plant Walk at Chesterfield Gorge, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, co-sponsored by the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Advisory Committee and The Trustees of Reservations. Julie Richburg, The Trustees of Reservations’ Regional Ecologist, will lead a walk along the East Branch Trail identifying and discussing pesky invasives and native plant communities. Meet at Chesterfield Gorge, the start of the dynamic East Branch Trail. Click here or contact Meredyth Babcock, Stream Team Volunteer Coordinator at (413) 623-2070 orvolunteer@westfieldriverwildscenic.org for more info.

June 11 (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, “Going with the Flow,” 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. Click here or contact Polly Bartlett at dbartlet@crocker.com or (413) 625-6628 for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – “Housy Goosey River Chase” Canoe/Kayak race, 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. $15 per person. Registration begins at 8:00 AM; races starts at 9 and 10:00 AM. The event takes place at the Decker Boat Launch in Lenox. Click here or contact race organizer Patty Spector at (413) 637-2597 or patty.spector@verizon.net for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – “Zoar Gap Plunge” kayak race, 12:45 PM start. An eight-mile race through Class II-III water. Click here, inquire at the Mohawk Park Campground or contact race organizer Charley Brackett at (603) 585-7167 for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Lancaster River Festival, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Cully Field, Route 117 in Lancaster, MA, sponsored by the Lancaster Friends of the Nashua River. Get out and enjoy a day of free and fun activities on the Nashua River, one of the most beautiful natural resources in the town of Lancaster. Activities include: canoeing and kayaking on the river, boat rides for children in a small pond on site, petting zoo presented by Lancaster 4-H Club, live music, educational programs presented by Mass. Audubon and Mass. Fish & Wildlife, booths for other local environmental organizations, and refreshments. Contact co-chairs Peter Stanton, pstanton@wbjournal.com or (508) 523-5916 (cell), or Bill Flynn, 41bflynn@comcast.net or (617) 974-6682 (cell) for more info.

June 11 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Charles River Walk in downtown Waltham, 9:30 AM start, sponsored by the Waltham Land Trust. Meet at Landry Park, below the Moody Street Dam, near the fish ladder. As part of the third annual Waltham Riverfest, we will celebrate the amazing Charles River with a nature and history walk co-led with our friends at the Trustees of Reservations. We'll take a roundtrip voyage on paths and boardwalks downriver from Moody Street to the Blue Heron Bridge just past the Watertown Super Stop & Shop.

June 11–12 (Saturday–Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Dragon Boat Festival in Boston and Cambridge, 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 (Sunday) – NORTH RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Paddle with the tide, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). Suitable for all (bring a lunch/snacks). Please be at launch site by 11:00 AM to unload boats and move an appropriate number of vehicles to the Take Out point. The Departure will be at 12:00 Noon SHARP in order to take advantage of the tidal flows. The route is 11.6 miles and is an easy 4 hours, unless there are significant winds from the Northeast. We will stop at the 6 mile point in a comfortable Pine Grove to consume whatever provisions you bring. Bring water - No restrooms at launch site, portapotty at take out. Changes and cancellations to trips will be posted on the flatwater message board. Please check the board before leaving for any trip. Click here or contact t rip coordinator Ron Cichowski at (508) 868-3471 or n3303j@erols.com for more info.

June 12 (Sunday) – NASHUA RIVER – Flatwater birding paddle in Ayer, 9:30 AM start, sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council. Enjoy a leisurely paddle on a forested, quiet section of the Nashua River. The birding will be guided by Diana Fruguglietti and Paul Ippolito of the Brookline Bird Club. From Rte 495, exit 30 take Rte 2A west to launch at bridge over the Nashua River. The launch site bridge is approximately 1 mile from where Rte 111 branches off Rte 2A. Click here or contact trip leaders Gwen & Doug Whitbeck at (603) 878-9046 for more info.

June 12 (Sunday) – SKUG RIVER (IPSWICH WATERSHED) – Walk through the Hammond and Skug River Reservations in Andover, 1:30 PM start, sponsored by the Andover Committee of the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Scenic, 4-mile walk through the woods and wetlands on trails and boardwalks. Meeting location: From I-93, take Exit 41. Proceed North on Route 125 for 5 miles. At the third set of lights, turn right onto Salem Street, then left onto Gray Road, and right onto Korinthian Way. Heavy rain cancels. Contact trip leader Helen Palmer at (978-657-9153 or hpalmer.fournature@verizon.net for more info.

June 13 (Monday) – SANDY NECK (CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED) – Searching Sandy Neck For Wildlife: From Ospreys And Piping Plovers To Diamondback Terrapin Turtles, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM in East Sandwich, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Join Chris Walz, Property Manager, to walk along the salt marsh, dunes and beach seeking signs of wildlife from wading shorebirds to mammal tracks to swooping swallows. Fee: Adults $6.00/members, $8.00 non-members; children $4.00 /members, $6.00/non-members. Pre-registration is not required; click here for meeting directions and other info.

June 14 (Tuesday) – WARE RIVER (CHICOPEE WATERSHED) – Rail trail walk in Oakham, 10:00 AM start, sponsored by Wachusett Greenways. Walk the newest section of the rail trail, from Rt. 122 to Coldbrook Road, in Oakham. Cross the 110-ft. bridge over the Ware River installed by Greenways in 2010. Bring a picnic lunch. Easy walking, flat terrain. About 2 miles round trip, but we can leave a car at each end for those who wish to ride back. Contact Chris at (978) 464-2328 or christinichols37@msn.com to sign up or for more info.

June 14 (Tuesday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Blackstone Canal Restoration meeting, 7:00 PM start, sponsored by the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission. Learn about and discuss the potential restoration of the Canal, which could include re-watered Canal segments and operational locks to facilitate access for paddlers and replica Canal boats. The meeting will take place at the Mass. DCR’s Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park’s River Bend Farm Visitors Center in Uxbridge. Call Chuck Arning at (401) 762-0250 ext. 37 for more info.

June 15 (Wednesday) – HARMON BROOK (HOUSATONIC WATERSHED) – Birding at Steepletop, 7:30 AM start, sponsored by the Hoffmann Bird Club. A half-day ramble through the Berkshire Natural Resource Council’s Steepletop Reserve in New Marlboro, led by the BNRC’s Stewardship Manager Doug Bruce. The property’s 900 acres includes extensive wetlands, along with clearcuts and mature forest. Waterproof boots recommended. Meet at Price Chopper in Great Barrington. Click here or contact Doug at (413) 499-0596 or DBruce@bnrc.net for more info.

June 17 (Friday) – EEL RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Eel River Restoration Completion Event and Coastal America Award Presentation, 1:00 PM in Plymouth, hosted by the Mass. Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration (DER). Contact Alex Hackman at (617) 626-1548 or Alex.Hackman@state.ma.us for more info.

June 17 (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. Rain Date: June 24. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 18 – June 24

June 18 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – River cleanup in Lenox, co-sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). Meet at 8:30 AM at the George Darey State Wildlife Management Area parking lot on New Lenox Road . Bring your own boat – we will be paddling north and south of Decker Landing, picking up floating trash that has collected behind strainers. Lunch will be provided after the cleanup. Click here or call Jane Winn at (413) 230-7321 for more info.

June 18 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Charlemont Downriver Canoe and Kayak Race, sponsored by the New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association (NECKRA). A six-mile race on Class I and II water. Registration starts at 11:00 AM; race starts at 1:45 PM. Awards at the Charlemont Inn; trophies to the top three finishers in each class. Click here or contact race organizer Charlie Brackett at (603) 585-7167 for more info.

June 18 (Saturday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – Westfield River Canoe & Kayak Cruise, sponsored by the Westfield River Watershed Association. This is a scenic, six-mile paddle from the new Great River Bridge in Westfield to Robinson State Park.  Bring your own canoe/kayak, paddles and personal safety devices.  Admission is $7.00 per person, $20.00 per family.  Refreshments will be served.  Registration is noon to 1:00 PM.  Unload boats and gear, drive your vehicle to Robinson State Park and return to the launch area by shuttle.  Launch is at 1:00 PM.  Click here or call Fran at (413) 562-4998 for more info.

June 18 (Saturday) – SWIFT RIVER ( CHICOPEE WATERSHED) – Flatwater paddle in Belchertown, sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Leisurely up/downstream paddle on pristine trout river through bird/animal sanctuary. Lunch at dam. Click here or contact trip leader Elbert Bowler at (413) 532-4464 (best time to call: before 8pm) or treble13@comcast.net to sign up or for more info.

June 18 (Saturday) – CONCORD RIVER – Spring’s Last Fling Paddle , 9:00 AM – 12 Noon, co-sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees and OARS: For the Assabet, Sudbury, and Concord Rivers. SVT is actively working on a land conservation project along the Concord River in Carlisle. OARS has expanded its service area from the Assabet to the Concord and Sudbury rivers. Learn more about both efforts on the last weekend of spring, as we paddle the Concord River through historic Concord and Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. The event is free to SVT or OARS members and $10 for others. Click here or call (978) 443-5588 to sign up or for more info.

June 18 (Saturday) – ASSABET RIVER – Flatwater Paddle in Marlborough and Hudson, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Beginner 5-6 mile paddle through varied landscape of forested banks, marshes, and meadows. Please bring snack and plenty of water. Working PFDs required (no rips or tears). Lunch following paddle if you'd like. Contact trip leader Elaine Cibelli at (508) 832-9060 to sign up or for more info.

June 18 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Fifth 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 18 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Father's Day Weekend Canoe & Breakfast, 7:00 AM – 11:30 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 here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 18 (Saturday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Eighth Annual River Run Race, sponsored by the Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA). Registration begins at 8:30AM; races start at 9:30 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 18 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center Family Fishing Day, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM in Turners Falls (Montague).  This family-friendly event will be at the Great Falls Discovery Center and the nearby park on the Connecticut River and is jointly sponsored by the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife,  Friends of Great Falls Discovery Center and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Angler Education volunteers will be on hand to help novices cast a line, learn about fish in our waters, safety, ethics, and fishing equipment. 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 19 (Sunday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Father’s Day canoe trip, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Paddle the winding Housatonic to view the beauty of this meandering river as it passes through agricultural fields and floodplain forests and watch for bald eagles flying over TTOR’s Bartholomew's Cobble Reservation. With your guide, learn about the river's history and what is happening to restore some of its most precious habitats and species from its upper reaches in Pittsfield through Massachusetts and into Connecticut. Paddles, life preservers, and boats are provided. Cost: Adult $24/member, Child (10-16) $1; Adult $30/non-member, Child (10-16) $15. Please pre-register. Click here, call (413) 229-8600 or write to bcobble@ttor.org to sign up or for more info.

June 19 (Sunday) – NASHUA RIVER – Super Scooper: Become a Stream Detective, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by the Nashua River Watershed Association. Ever wondered who lives beneath the surface of your rivers and ponds? From whirligigs to water boatmen, it’s a fascinating world! Join NRWA naturalists for a free family workshop and investigate the inhabitants of our waterways. Come along and learn the simple art of aquatic insect collection and how to identify these neat little critters. Find out what they have to tell us about the health of our water. A great Father’s Day activity for families to try together! This free program is appropriate for ages 4 through adult, funded in part to a grant from the Groton Trust Funds’ Lecture Fund. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. Directions to the workshop location will be provided upon registration. To register, or for more information, please contact Lauren Noone, NRWA Eco-Adventures Coordinator, at (978) 448-0299.

June 19 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – “Terns of Woodbridge Island” paddle, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and Plum Island Kayak. This paddle takes us around Woodbridge and nearby islands in the Merrimack River estuary. We should have great opportunities to view the colony of common terns on Woodbridge as they display their courtship and nesting behaviors and their territorial defenses. Instruction in kayaking techniques and safety procedures is provided. Fee: Adults $50.00/members, $60.00/nonmembers, which covers single kayak rental. Subtract $10 per person for double kayak rental and $20 per person if you use your own kayak. Registration is required. Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

June 19 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Harbor Seal 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.

June 19 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Deer Jump Reservation hike, 1:30 PM in Andover, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Enjoy a scenic walk along the Merrimack River . Meet at 1:30 PM at the trailhead just past No. 15 Launching Road. Take I-93, Exit 45 (River Road). Proceed west on River Road for 1.2 miles. Turn right onto Launching Road. Travel 0.25 miles to the trailhead on the right. Click here or contact trip leaders Fred Snell at fredsnell@gmail.com or Maggie Christopher for more info.

June 19 (Sunday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Flatwater paddle in Topsfield, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Meet at the Topsfield Fairgrounds parking lot entrance, Route 1, Topsfield, MA. We'll shuttle to the launch on Rowley Bridge Road, then shuttle vehicles to the take-out at Bradley Palmer State Forest. Get on the river by 10:00 AM, take-out about 3:30-4:00 PM. Pre-registration required. Click here or contact trip leaders Ken Kaiser [(978) 664-5984 (before 9 PM) or kenneth.kaiser@gmail.com] or Donna Jean Kaiser [Donna.Kaiser@GMAIL.com] to sign up or for more info.

June 19 (Sunday) – BELLE ISLE MARSH (BOSTON HARBOR WATERSHED) – Father’s Day Canoe Paddle, 2:00 PM in East Boston, co-sponsored by the Boston Natural Areas Network and the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation. Spend the afternoon with Dad on a canoe excursion through the beautiful marshes of Belle Isle inlet. Paddling experience required, must be at least 10 years of age and able to swim Click here to see a map of this event location. Pre-registration is required by calling DCR at (617) 727-1199, Ext. 410.

June 19 (Sunday) – NORTH RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Father's Day Paddle, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM, sponsored by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. T his afternoon paddle will go from the Union Street Canoe Launch in Marshfield to Couch Beach and back. Treats in honor of Father's Day will be provided on Couch Beach. Must have own equipment; PFD mandatory. Please follow this link to understand what equipment you will need to participate.  The Wild Turkey Paddlers are co-sponsoring this event. Cost: $10/member - $35/non-members (includes NSRWA membership). Kids 10 and under - free but must be registered. Click here to sign up or for more info.

June 21 (Tuesday) – CONCORD RIVER – Summer Solstice Revels at the Old Manse, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Join us at the Manse for the annual Musketaquid Summer Solstice celebration. The evening begins at 6:30PM with a picnic on the Manse grounds. You can also take landscape, canoe and special twilight tours of the Old Manse itself. Enjoy outside musical performances, and at 8:00PM, 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 21 (Tuesday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Paddle the Blackstone River and Canal in Uxbridge, 6:15 PM, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. 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. Boat Rentals may be available from Great Canadian (508) 865-0010. Great Canadian will drop off your boat at the paddle location and bring it back to their shop after the paddle. Contact Cheryl at (401) 647-5887 or StoneFoxFarm@juno.com 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 21 (Tuesday) – WAQUOIT BAY (CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED) – “Water Words That Work” workshop, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Hyannis Golf Club, hosted by the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. Make a splash with your communications! Relearn the language that everyday citizens use and you’ll become more confident and successful as you set out to enlighten the uninformed and persuade the undecided to take a stand or take action on behalf of our rivers, lakes, and oceans.
D.C.-based environmental consultant Eric Eckl’s Water Words That Work environmental message method is a six-step process for transforming professional language into action language that will help make your next fundraising, issue advocacy, and behavior change campaign a success. Click here to sign up or for more info.

June 22 (Wednesday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Westport River East Branch coastal river paddle, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Click here for more info.

June 22 (Wednesday) – CHARLES RIVER – “Esplanade Vision 2020” meeting, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM at WilmerHale, 26th Floor, 60 State Street, Boston, sponsored by Walk Boston. Join WalkBoston for an ambitious overview of a provocative series of projects that will dramatically improve the visitor experience and raise the ecological and aesthetic standards of the Esplanade, the iconic riverfront park. A presentation and panel discussion by the Esplanade 2020 & Beyond Design Teams, led by John Shields, John Stebbins, Anthony Pangaro, and Mark Favermann, will detail improvements to activities, circulation, wayfinding, and landscape elements in the park and showcase the vision for the Esplanades future. Contact WalkBoston at (617) 367-9255 or rsvp@walkboston.org to sign up or for more info.

June 23 (Thursday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Introduction to Sea Kayaking, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and Plum Island Kayak. This program is designed to teach the basics of sea kayaking. Participants will learn safety precautions and paddling techniques and will gain confidence handling these very seaworthy boats. Participants will then paddle into the Plum Island estuary and explore tidal creeks, mudflats, and salt marshes. Fee: Adults $35.00/members, $45.00/non-members. The fee covers single kayak rental. Subtract $10 per person for double kayak rental and $15 per person if you use your own kayak. Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

June 24 (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. Information, including directions to meeting location, will be emailed after registration. Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, a basic paddling overview & guides are all provided. Fee: Adults $30.00/members, $35.00/non-members. Registration is required. Click here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 25 – July 4

June 25 (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 25 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Whitewater paddle on the Fife Brook segment (Class II), sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Click here for more info.

June 25 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Nashua River Rail Trail bike ride, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. A 26 mile, 10-12 mph scenic beginning/intermediate bike ride along the Nashua River. Bike path is paved. Bikes must be in good working shape. Spare tube, repair kit, water and snacks/lunch required. Don't forget money for ice cream. Contact trip leader Elaine Cibelli at (508) 832-9060 to sign up or for more info.

June 25 (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. Fee: Adults $35.00/members; $40.00/non-members. Registration is required. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 25 (Saturday) – CONCORD RIVER – Birds of the 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. 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. Information, including directions to meeting location, will be emailed after registration. Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, a basic paddling overview & guides are all provided. Registration is required. Fee: Adults $33.00/members; $38.00/non-members. Registration is required. Click here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 25 (Saturday) – LITTLE RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Little River Kayak Trip in South Dartmouth, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Paddle through the hidden creeks and marshes along the Little River that connect to Cornell Farm, one of TTOR’s newest reservations. Cost: $20/members, $30/non-members. Click here, call (508) 636-4693 ext.13 or write to kheard@ttor.org to sign up or for more info.

June 25 (Saturday) – MUDDY RIVER (CHARLES RIVER WATERSHED) – “Back Bay Fens: Vision and Revision” walk, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, co-sponsored by Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site and Common Boston. Explore the landscape Olmsted transformed from the “foulest march and muddy flats …anywhere in Massachusetts” to an urban oasis. Learn about this landscape that has evolved over the years and is an integral part of the adjoining Fenway neighborhood. Click here or call (617) 566-1689 for more info.

June 25 (Saturday) – LAKE GARDNER (POWOW RIVER – MERRIMACK WATERSHED) – Third 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 25 – 26 (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 26 (Sunday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Jack’s NECKRA Race in Holyoke, sponsored by the New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association (NECKRA). Race takes place at and benefits Holyoke Rows. Click here or contact race organizer Jack Morse at (413) 374-9064 jackhighlander@verizon.net for more info.

June 26 (Sunday) – MILLERS RIVER – River Dragonflies Field Trip, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, sponsored by the Athol Bird and Nature Club. Meet ABNC president Dave Small and naturalist Lula Field at the Millers River Environmental Center (100 Main St., Athol) to explore local rivers for Clubtails, Snaketails, and Spiketails. Participants should bring lunch, insect net, and a sense of adventure; be prepared for wet feet. Children welcome. Severe weather cancels. Click here or contact Dave Small at (978) 413-1772 or Dave@dhsmall.net for more info.

June 26 (Saturday) – WEST RIVER (BLACKSTONE WATERSHED) – Butterfly Walk in Uxbridge, 9:30 AM, sponsored by the Metacomet Land Trust. Cathy & Tom Dodd will lead an early summer butterfly walk at the beautiful Army Corps’ West Hill Dam Recreation Area. Meet at the visitor's parking area, 518 E. Hartford Avenue in Uxbridge. Rain cancels. Click here or contact Mike Penko at (508)529-6811 or mpenko@charter.net for more info.

June 26 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Exploring the Merrimack's Mudflats by Kayak, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary and Plum Island Kayak. This kayak program concentrates on the lower Merrimack/Newburyport Harbor area. The waters that flood the flats during high tide are quieter and calmer, and paddling around Woodbridge Island and the shores of the estuary can be very pleasant. We may even see some of the shorebirds that stop here on their annual migration! Instruction in kayaking techniques and safety procedures is provided. Fee: Adults $50.00/members, $60.00/nonmembers, which covers single kayak rental. Subtract $10 per person for double kayak rental and $20 per person if you use your own kayak. Registration is required. Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

June 26 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK WATERSHED – Heron Rookery Walk, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM at the Carter Fields Reservation in North Andover/Boxford, sponsored by the Essex County Greenbelt Association. Expert birder Jim Berry will lead us on a walk to the edge of the largest Great Blue Heron rookery in Eastern Massachusetts, where you will have dramatic views of nesting herons and other birds from Greenbelt 's observation platform. Pre-registration required, please email smd@ecga.org to register. Directions: Traveling west on 133, turn right onto Bradford Street. Drive approximately 1.0 mile, and turn right onto Carter Fields Road.

June 26 (Sunday) – ESSEX RIVER (NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Tidal paddle, sponsored by the Wampanoag Paddlers. Put-in is on the north end of the Essex causeway where there is a launching ramp. Parking would be several hundred yards away as resident stickers are needed to park near the ramp. The trip goes out the Essex river with the tide, then goes past Conomo Point where we would leave the channel and head to the back side of Crane’s Beach to have lunch, swim and relax. The return trip would also go with the tide around Hog Island to the Essex side of Conomo Point and back up the Essex river. Those wishing to could go for a seafood dinner at Woodman’s or Farnham’s afterwards. Contact trip leaders Chris and Maureen Febiger at mhfebiger@gmail.com to sign up or for more info.

June 27-29 (Monday – Wednesday) – STATEWIDE – National Conference on Engineering & Ecohydrology for Fish Passage in Amherst, hosted by the University of Massachusetts in cooperation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other co-sponsors. Fish Passage 2011 will be of interest to researchers, educators, practitioners, funders, and regulators who have an interest in advancements in technical fishways, nature-like fishways, stream restoration and stabilization, dam removal, road ecology, and the myriad of funding, safety, climate change, and other social issues surrounding connectivity projects. Click here for more info.

June 28 (Tuesday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – “Ranger Night” paddle in Sutton, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. Launching promptly at 6:15 PM at Tricentennial Park, off Route 122A in Sutton. Please make every attempt to be early as this is a shuttle trip. On this trip we will be guided by National Park Service Rangers. Contact Cheryl at (401) 647-5887 or StoneFoxFarm@juno.com 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 28 (Tuesday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – “Eco-excursion” paddle in Holyoke, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR). Holyoke was a city built on a river, but these days it’s easy to forget that the Connecticut River runs right by (and some of it is diverted right through) the City. In 2010, with a grant from the Mass. Environmental Trust, The Trustees launched a major forest restoration project at the Land of Providence, in order to improve the buffer zone between the agricultural fields and the river. Join TTOR for one of its “eco-excursions”, which will take you out in a canoe or kayak with one of our experienced staff, are a fun way to get some fresh air, a little exercise, and to learn more about one of the cool conservation projects TTOR is working on in Holyoke. Click here to sign up or for more info.

June 29 (Wednesday) – NAUSET MARSH (CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED) – Nine+ mile sea kayak paddle in Eastham, sponsored by the Southeastern Mass. Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Click here for more info.

June 29 (Wednesday) – SAUGUS RIVER – 2011 Saugus River Picnic and Children’s Festival, 6:00 PM – dusk at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site, sponsored by the Saugus River Watershed Council. Join the Watershed Council and the National Park Service for this free annual festival. Enjoy live acoustic music by Kirsten and Dave, a children's art contest, face painting, games, and a variety of hands-on activities for children of all ages. Bring a picnic dinner and blanket or lawn chairs for a relaxing evening at the Iron Works. Complimentary drinks and dessert will be provided. This event is handicap accessible. In case of inclement weather, a rain date has been reserved for Thursday, June 30th. All are welcome! This free event is open to the public, no RSVP needed. Click here for more info.

July 2 (Saturday) – TAUNTON RIVER – Taunton River Estuary paddle from Weir Village to Dighton Rock, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association (RICKA). This trip is suitable for all (bring a lunch). Meet at 9:30 AM for the 10:00 AM shuttle and the 200-yard carry to the put-in. This area is rich in history. We will paddle seven miles downstream with the outgoing tide. After we pass where the 3 Mile River joins the Taunton, the river widens and you can enjoy views of the tidal marshes that border the river. By the time the river gets to Berkley Bridge the Taunton River is almost 500 feet wide. We’ll enjoy our lunch at the end of the trip and the Dighton Rock Museum (508) 644-5522) will be open for anyone wishing to check it out. There are bathrooms at the take out. Click here or contact trip coordinator Lee Parham at leeparham@myway.com or ( 508) 286-5999 for more info.

July 2 (Saturday) – NORTH RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Scenic Tour of the North River, 12 Noon – 2:00 PM, sponsored by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. Two-hour paddle featuring scenic sights along the North River. Ideal for novice paddlers. Kayaks and all equipment provided. Co-sponsored with Coastal Kayak Educators Cost: $35/member - $60 non-member (includes NSRWA membership). Click here to sign up or for more info.

July 2 (Saturday) – NORTH RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Tidal paddle in the Marshfield/Scituate area, sponsored by the Wampanoag Paddlers. Flatwater/quickwater paddle on the scenic North River from Scituate Conservation Launch, Driftway, Scituate, to either “The Spit” or to Couches Beach. Click here and here for more info on boating the North River, and contact t rip leader Walter ‘Bear’ Zaremba at (781)544-3122 or ctzaremba@gmail.com to sign up or for more info.

July 2 (Saturday) – ACUSHNET RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – 18th Annual Swim Buzzards Bay from New Bedford to Fairhaven, sponsored by the Coalition for Buzzards Bay. The event is separated into three waves, the first for more accomplished swimmers, a second wave for swimmers who prefer to have a kayak safety escort, and a third wave for swimmers who choose to use fins, snorkel or other swim aids. Check-in begins at 6:00 AM and closes at 7:00 AM. Attendance at the safety briefing is mandatory and begins at 7:00 AM . Wave 1 swimmers will begin promptly at 7:10 AM, Wave 2 will begin at 7:20 AM, and Wave 3 will begin at 7:30 AM. From the moment you register to the Finish Line awards ceremony, you will be fully supported. Click here to sign up or for more info.

July 3 (Sunday) – NASHUA RIVER – Flatwater paddle in Pepperell, sponsored by the Merrimack River Watershed Council. A short leisurely trip which allows time to watch skydivers from the Pepperell Airport. Meet 10:00 am in Pepperell, MA. From Rte 3 exit 5, take Rte 111 west. Approximately 2.2 miles after Pepperell Airport take left at blinking light onto Mill Street. Take left at stop sign onto Groton Street. After going through covered bridge take left onto Lowell Street, and immediately turn into parking area. Click here or contact trip leaders Gwen Whitbeck [(603) 878-9046 ] or Linda Gogolin [(603) 880-5447.]

July 3-4 (Sunday-Monday) – CHARLES RIVER – Independence Day Celebration at the Charles River Esplanade, featuring performances by the Boston Pops Orchestra, followed by fireworks. One of the best ways to take in this celebration is from a canoe or kayak in the river. Click here and here for additional info.

Last But Not Least –

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 (4/30 – 7/4/11), 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.]

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Mass. Division of Ecological Restoration – 2011 Massachusetts Rivers and Wetlands Months Calendar
Commonwealth of Massachusetts , Deval L. Patrick, Governor
Timothy P. Murray, Lieutenant Governor
Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Richard K. Sullivan, Jr., Secretary
Department of Fish and Game, Mary B. Griffin, Commissioner

251 Causeway St. Suite 400
Boston , MA 02114
(617) 626-1540

http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/der/index.htm

The mission of the Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) is to restore and protect the health and integrity of the Commonwealth's rivers, wetlands, and watersheds for the benefit of people, fish, and wildlife.