MAY IS WETLANDS MONTH, and JUNE IS RIVERS MONTH! This calendar, covering river-and wetland-related events in Massachusetts from Saturday, April 28 to Wednesday,
July 4, has been compiled by the Mass. Department of Fish and Game’s Division of Ecological Restoration (DER) to provide you with the opportunity to participate in events in, on, along and about the rivers and wetlands of the Commonwealth. Take this opportunity to invite your friends, family, local leaders, legislators, and/or a favorite reporter to clean up, paddle, protect, enjoy and celebrate your favorite rivers, streams, salt marshes and freshwater wetlands, or experience new ones. Get some healthful exercise in and/or along the Commonwealth’s many scenic waterways and marshes.

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

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

Event Listings by Week:

April 28th – May 4th
May 5th– May 11th
May 12th – May 18th
May 19th – May 25th
May 26th – June 1st
June 2nd – June 8th
June 9th – June 15th
June 16th – June 22nd
June 23rd– July 4th

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

April 28 – May 4

April 28 (Saturday) – MYSTIC RIVER – Mystic Community Earth Day, 10:00 AM – 12 Noon, co-sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and other community groups. Participate in a community river clean-up along the Mystic River Path, adjacent to Assembly Square Mall (177 Middlesex Avenue, Somerville MA). No need to pre-register - simply show up, and volunteers from MyRWA and the Gentle Giant Rowing Club will be there to instruct you. Click here, here or contact Beth at (781) 316-3438 or Beth@MysticRiver.org for more info on this and other MyRWA-sponsored cleanups.

April 28 (Saturday) – BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED – Atlantic White Cedar Planting at Copicut Woods, 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon in Fall River, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. Celebrate the arrival of spring by planting a tree! Our ongoing cedar swamp restoration project aims to bring back this rare forest type to the Copicut Woods. Wear boots. Click here for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – New Charles River Trail Exploration walk in Wellesley, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Wellesley Trails Committee. Be the first to explore this new Wellesley trail! Walk from Lower Falls and behind the new Waterstone at Wellesley building complex and along the Charles River. See the new footbridge over the Charles to Newton and the newly improved trail along the river to Weston. Meet at 9:00 AM at the parking lot (free on Saturdays) on River Street off Washington Street (Route 16). Click here or contact Miguel Lessing at (781) 431-2411 or Denny Nackoney at (781) 237-5174 for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Spring Migrants Bird Walk in Waltham and Newton, 10:00 AM, co-sponsored by the Newton Conservators and the Waltham Land Trust. Join expert birders from both organizations to identify early spring migrants along the Charles River between the Waltham Watch Factory and Auburndale Park. Bring your binoculars to see red-winged blackbirds, tree swallows, eastern phoebes, yellow-rumped, palm and yellow warblers. We will also observe many of our resident species of cardinals, downy woodpeckers, blue jays, chickadees and tufted titmice in full breeding mode. If we’re lucky, we may also spy carolina wrens, red bellied woodpeckers and some raptors including red tailed and coopers hawks. Remember your bird lists! Meet at the back parking lot of the Waltham Watch Factory, 183 Crescent St, Waltham. Click here for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – MYSTIC RIVER – Friends of the Mystic River Annual Spring Cleanup in Medford, 9:30 AM – 2:00 PM, sponsored by the Friends of the Mystic River. Meet at the Hormel Stadium parking lot, 90 Locust St. in Medford. The cleanup includes the Mystic Riverbend Park, MacDonald Park and Wellington Greenway, but participants may travel to any other locations they wish to work on along the Mystic in Medford. Morning and lunchtime refreshments provided. In the event of heavy rain, the cleanup will be Sunday, April 29. Call (781) 391-2604 or email Mystic02155@hotmail.com for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – STATEWIDE – Statewide Volunteer Day, 9:00 AM – 12 noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon. Connect with nature and have fun while helping one of 16 wildlife sanctuaries around the state (all of which include rivers and/or wetlands) spruce up and get ready for spring. No special skills required – just a desire to make a difference while enjoying the outdoors. Click here or here for more info on this event, and here to learn about other opportunities to volunteer on Audubon sanctuaries throughout the year.

April 28 (Saturday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Paddle to Cedar Swamp Pond, Hopkinton and Westborough, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT). Enjoy this paddle to where the Sudbury River begins - Cedar Swamp Pond. Twist and turn through the narrow stretches of the Sudbury, leading you to the breathtaking headwaters.  Participants must provide their own boat and proper paddling equipment. This program is for experienced paddlers only. Fee: free for SVT Members, $10/person for others. Call (978) 443-5588 or click here for more info and here to register.

April 28 (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. Click here or call the NSRWA office (781) 659-8168 for more info on the cleanup locations.

April 28 (Saturday) – NEMASKET RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – Annual Canoe Race, 11:00 AM start, sponsored by the Middleborough Parks Department. The race begins at Old Bridge Street in Lakeville and follows a 4.5-mile course downstream (north) to the finish line at Oliver Mill Park in Middleborough. Registration is $20/boat in advance and $30/boat the day of the race. Contact Mr. Fran Cass at (508) 946-2440 or fcass@middleborough.com for more info. Click here to read an article about last year’s race.

April 28 (Saturday) – SUDBURY- ASSABET - CONCORD WATERSHED – Musketaquid Earth Day Celebration in Concord, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 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 2012 marks the 22nd anniversary of Musketaquid Arts and Environment. Click here, call this year’s Earth Day Coordinator Mary Curtin via the Musketaquid Information Line at (978) 254-1092, or email musketaquid@emersonumbrella.org for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER and LITTLE RIVER (PARKER RIVER WATERSHED) – Newburyport Clean Sweep, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by the Newburyport Parks Commission. It’s cleanup time again! Clean Sweep starts with a kickoff breakfast and site assignments at Cashman Park, along the Merrimack River. Click here, here or contact Lisë Reid, Parks Coordinator at (978) 465-4462, to sign up or for more info. The Parker River Clean Water Association will be coordinating a cleanup of the Little River Nature Trail as part of this event; click here for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – POWOW and MERRIMACK RIVERS - Coastal Trails Coalition Annual Trail Clean-Up, sponsored by the Coastal Trails Coalition. Please participate in this network-wide trail clean-up event that includes the Riverwalk in Amesbury, the Eastern Marsh Trail in Salisbury, and the Clipper City Rail Trail in Newburyport. Click here for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – QUINEBAUG RIVER – Quickwater paddle from Southbridge to
W. Thompson, CT, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This will be a 12-mile, leisurely and scenic downstream paddle on the Quinebaug from Southbridge, MA to W. Thompson Lake in CT. Expect quick water with some Class I rapids depending upon water level. Expect 2 portages around dams. PFD's free of rips and tears, lunch or snack and water required. No first time paddlers please. Click here or contact trip leader Elaine Cibelli (508) 832-9060 (before 9PM) or elaine_cibelli@hotmail.com to sign up for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – QUINEBAUG RIVER – Earth Day Cleanup of the Quinebaug River Valley Trail, 8:00AM – 12:00 Noon in Dudley, sponsored by The Last Green Valley, the Dudley Trail and Greenway Network, the Southbridge Trail Committee and the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Join these groups for a special Earth Day Cleanup of a new section of the Quinebaug River Valley Trail in Dudley, MA. This section of trail runs along the Quinebaug River and includes canoe/kayak launches both above and below the Paper Mill Dam. We need to pitch in and help remove stuff that does not belong in this special place - trash! Work gloves and trash bags will be provided. At 11:30 all participants will gather for pizza and soda. Click here, here or contact Bill Reid at breid@tlgv.org or (860) 774-3300 for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – CANOE RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – Twenty-Fifth 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 Easton Water Works. Contact the Norton Conservation office at (508) 285-0275 for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Introduction to Vernal Pools, 1:00 PM – 2:15 PM in Turners Falls, sponsored by the Great Falls Discovery Center. As the heavy rains of spring begin, an outstanding amount of salamanders, wood frogs and other amphibians begin to migrate to vernal pools. Join Rick Roth of the Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team for a fun and informative presentation about the importance of vernal pools and what species call this unique habitat home. This presentation will include live amphibians so you will get a chance to get an up-close view of these incredible species. No reservations necessary but we suggest arriving early. Click here for more info.

April 28 (Saturday) – NORTH RIVER (DEERFIELD WATERSHED) – North River Cleanup in Colrain, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. Meet at the Colrain Elementary School, which is adjacent to the river and near the center of the heaviest concentrations of refuse (e.g., trash in the trees resulting from the high river flows triggered by last summer’s Tropical Storm Irene). This event is part of the National River Cleanup. Contact deerfieldrivertu@yahoo.com for more info.

April 29 (Sunday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Canoe Trip in Cedar Swamp, 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM, sponsored by the Westborough Community Land Trust. Paddle to the headwaters of the Sudbury River. An adventurous 1-mile paddle up the winding head of the Sudbury takes you to Cedar Swamp Pond in this 4-5 hour trip. This is the only warm-weather route to this remote pond in Westborough’s back yard. The route starts adjacent to the commuter rail line, passes through conservation property, parallels the Mass Pike, crosses under I-90 and I-495, and then heads inland into the heart of Cedar Swamp. Please bring your own canoe or kayak and personal flotation devices. Fairly strenuous trip, for experienced paddlers only. Meet by the bridge on Fruit Street, about 1/8 mile southwest of Flanders Road on the Hopkinton-Southborough line. Park next to the bridge on the southwest side. Click here or contact events@westboroughlandtrust.org for more info.

April 29 (Sunday) – NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED – Vernal Pool exploration walk in the Tompson St. Reservation in Gloucester, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by the Essex County Greenbelt Association. Join Cape Ann Vernal Pond Team leader Rick Roth as we search for fairy shrimp, spotted salamanders or spring peepers. Discover the creatures that emerge in the spring to make their trek to a vernal pond to breed. Learn why vernal pools are a critical resource worthy of protection.  Capacity limited; please RSVP. Dress for the weather and wet ground conditions. Click here or call (978) 768-7241 for more info.

April 29 (Sunday) – POWOW RIVER (MERRIMACK WATERSHED) – Powow River paddle, 1:00 PM start, sponsored by the NE Seacoast Paddlers Meetup Group. This event is open to all types of kayaks as well as canoes. The put-in/take out spot, Tuxbury Pond in Amesbury, has limited parking, but you can double up behind other cars in our group. We'll paddle up the Powow for about 3-4 miles, then return to the put-in. Bring a snack/lunch as well as water or other fluids to drink while paddling. Also it may be buggy so bug repellent would be a good idea and of course sunscreen. Life vests must be worn at all times when paddling with this group. Wetsuits or drysuits are also recommended, as the water temps are still quite cold. Click here for more info.

April 29 (Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – 30th 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 contact Meg at (508) 698-6810 or rotc@crwa.org for more info on any aspect of the race and related events.

April 29 (Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Cleanup of the Upper Falls Greenway as part of NewtonSERVES Community service day, 9:30 AM – 12:00 Noon. The Newton Bicycle/Pedestrian task force is organizing this in conjunction with the Upper Falls Area Council and the Friends of the Upper Falls Greenway. We're looking for volunteers to help pick up litter and cut back brush to make the trail more attractive and accessible. Click here to sign up and then come to the project base at the Depot Coffee Shop (corner of Chestnut and Oak streets) at 9:30 AM. Work gloves are needed, loppers and a wheelbarrow would be useful but not required.

April 29 (Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Garlic Mustard Pull at Blue Heron Bridge in Newton and Watertown, 10:00 AM, sponsored by Newton Conservators. This is the fourth year working along the Charles River Greenway at this bridge site, helping The Trustees of Reservations with their stewardship of the floodplain forest. We will again mix in some general nature study, so bring binoculars and an insect net and hand lens if you have them. Park at the Pleasant Street Super Stop-N-Shop parking lot in Watertown, at the corner furthest from the store. There is a path entrance there; turn left and follow path to the bridge. Click here or contact trip leader Eric Olson at (617) 872-9928 for more info.

April 29 (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 or contact Chairman Lion Dale Favreau at (508) 347-9636 for more info.

April 29 (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 (Wednesday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Explore the Fannie Stebbins Wildlife Refuge in Longmeadow, 7:00 A M start, sponsored by the Allen Bird Club. Expect to see water birds and arriving songbirds over the course of a 2-3 hour walk through the Refuge. Bring footwear appropriate for wet trails. Meet at sign on Bark Haul and Pondside Roads in Longmeadow. Click here or contact Al & Lois Richardson at (413) 736-0846 or ALNLOISR@AOL.COM for more info.

May 3 (Thursday) – CHARLES WATERSHED – Hike in the Wollomonpoag Conservation Area in Wrentham, 10:00 AM start, sponsored by the SE Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The hike will cover 5+ miles of trails and include eskers, a beaver dam and pond, as well as marshes, a mature forest, and a chance to observe a Great Blue Heron Rookery. Click here or contact trip leaders Ellen Correia [ellenrcorreia@gmail.com] or Muriel Guenthner [(508) 699-7461 before 9PM, murielguenthner@comcast.net] to sign up or for more info.

May 3 (Thursday) – MCKINSTRY BROOK (FRENCH AND QUINEBAUG WATERSHEDS) – Site walk to view tornado impacts at the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s McKinstry Brook Wildlife Management Area in Southbridge and Sturbridge, 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM, sponsored by the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW). The DFW regularly holds public site walks to view recent or planned habitat management work. The public is invited to join DFW staff and other natural resource professionals to see and learn about tornado impacts on wildlife habitat at this wildlife management area. Click here for more info.

May 5 – May 11  

May 5 (Saturday) – TEN MILE WATERSHED – Exploratory tour of the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk, sponsored by the Conservation Committee of the Narragansett Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The Caratunk Wildlife Refuge’s trails weave through nearly 200 acres of fields, forests, and wetlands. Families, young, old and new members are welcome on this hike. Click here or contact co-leaders Margie Parsons [(401) 247-7760, mpkayak@cox.net] or Linda Pease [(401) 351-2234, linda.pease@cox.net] to sign up or for more info.

May 5 (Saturday) – SCORTON CREEK (CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED) – Kayak Scorton Creek in Sandwich, 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Scorton Creek, a tidal creek, offers great opportunity to view salt marsh species of birds and other beach inhabitants within a quiet and calm environment. This is a good trip for those less confident in open water paddling. There will be opportunity for boaters to pull ashore for a beach combing leg. Total paddling time is about 1 hr 20 minutes. While this trip is intended for those with previous kayaking experience, all experience levels are welcome. Participants will be required to wear a life vest. Kayaks, paddles and life vests provided. Fee: $40/members, $45/non-members. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

May 5 (Saturday) – CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED – Managing River Herring and Eels, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. River herring and American eel once supported important fisheries on Cape Cod and until recently were highly valued for bait, subsistence, and forage. These sea-run fish species have declined in recent decades and are now both under federal Endangered Species Act review and subject to growing public interest in their restoration. Marine Fisheries Biologist Brad Chase will discuss the MA Division of Marine Fisheries projects on habitat, passage and population restoration which are integrated with local and federal efforts in a 30-minute indoor presentation at the sanctuary, and then lead a field trip to a local restored herring run, where we hope to see eels as well. Fee: $5/members, $7/nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

May 5 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – River cleanup at Wahconah Park in Pittsfield, 9:00 AM start, co-sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA). This event will also be part of 350.org’s Connect The Dots Day, which will call attention to the issue of climate change. Come volunteer to pick up trash along the river or to jump right in and help us pull out the big stuff. There will be snacks and coffee to start us off, and lunch will be waiting when we finish. Click here or contact Kristen at (413) 230-7321 for more info.

May 5 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT WATERSHED – Explore Cedar Swamp in Wilbraham, 7:00 AM start, sponsored by the Allen Bird Club. Expect to see arriving migrants and hawks on this 2-3 hour birding outing. Meet at the Wilbraham Middle School on Stony Hill Road in Wilbraham; bring water and a snack. Click here or contact Kate Leary (413) 596-9643 or Bobby Olsen (413) 596-6990 for more info.

May 5 (Saturday) – SCANTIC RIVER (CONNECTICUT WATERSHED) – Spring Wildflowers at Laughing Brook in Hampden, 9:00 AM – 12:00 noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries. Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Hampden is home to over 400 plant species. With fields, streams, and fertile soils, a wide variety of wildflowers can be found, especially during this spring ephemeral season. We hope to see species such as Dutchman's breeches, wild leeks, fringed polygala, and red trillium. We'll walk through both field and forest. Fee: $5/members, $8/non-members. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

May 5 (Saturday) – MILL BROOK (SUDBURY WATERSHED) – Birding at the Upper Mill Brook Conservation Area in Wayland, 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sudbury River Valley provides marshes, meadows and woodlands that entice a wide variety of birds to set up housekeeping. At Heard’s Farm in Wayland, we may encounter breeding specialties such as Virginia Rail, Willow Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Wood Thrush, Eastern Bluebird, Red-tailed Hawk, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Savannah Sparrow, Baltimore and possibly Orchard Oriole, Bobolink, various Swallows and other surprises. Fee: $18/members, $22/non-members. Click here or call (781) 259-2200 to sign up or for more info.

May 5 (Saturday) – SUDBURY, ASSABET and CONCORD RIVERS – “Meeting of the Three Rivers” paddle in Concord, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT). Join SVT for a paddle beginning and ending at Lowell Road, Concord, where the Sudbury and the Assabet meet to form the Concord River. The majority of this paddle will take place on the Assabet River, however we will include portions of all three rivers connecting SVT’s defined region. Participants are required to bring their own canoe or kayak. Fee: Free/members, $10/non-members. Click here to sign up or for more info.

May 5 (Saturday) – WEWEANTIC RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – “Source to sea” paddle on a small coastal river, sponsored by the Wampanoag Paddlers. The Weweantic has two sections. The first is flat-water through classic cranberry bog country and may require 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, back paddle, and eddy turn. Click here or contact Howie Foster at (508) 308-1753 for more info.

May 5 (Saturday) – CEDAR SWAMP (SUDBURY WATERSHED) – Cedar Swamp Hike in Westborough, 9:30 AM start, sponsored by the Westborough Community Land Trust (WCLT). Westborough’s Cedar Swamp is the headwaters of the Sudbury River and covers roughly ten percent of the town, but most people have never seen it.  Did you ever want to walk into the mysterious Cedar Swamp?  Here’s your chance!  Take an easy hike of 3 miles on a dirt road into the swamp with WCLT guides. You will have a view of Cedar Swamp Pond, old dumps of Bay State Abrasives, the TransFlo facility construction, and views across the swamp.  Wear sturdy shoes and long pants, bring bug spray and water. Meet behind Steinmart in Bay State Commons near downtown Westborough off Route 30. Rain Date: Sunday, May 6, 1:30 PM. Click here or email events@westboroughlandtrust.org for more info.

May 5 (Saturday) – MILL BROOK (MYSTIC WATERSHED) – Meadowbrook Park Cleanup in Arlington, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by the Arlington Land Stewards, the Arlington Conservation Commission, and the Arlington Land Trust. Come join us this year and see what has washed into the wetland. Every spring, we are surprised at what has washed down Mill Brook including balls of every kind, plastic bottles, tires, carpet scraps, baskets of plastic flowers, shopping carts, etc. Meet on Brooks Ave in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery (enter on Sachem Ave from Mystic St.). Bring an old garbage can (for hauling), a hat, boots, gloves, and long pants, and expect to get muddy. Call Cori Beckwith at the Arlington Conservation Commission at (781) 316-3012 for more info.

May 6 (Sunday) – HOOSIC RIVER – Floodplain foraging walk in Williamstown, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by Berkshire Farm and Table. Join Russ Cohen on a walk to find and learn about edible plants growing in the Hoosic River floodplain, including native species like Ostrich Fern and Box Elder, and invasive species like Japanese Knotweed and Dame’s Rocket. Pending favorable weather conditions, edible wild mushroom species may be encountered as well. Click here to register or for more info.

May 6 (Sunday) – NEPOSET RIVER – Birding Fowl Meadow, 6:00 AM start, sponsored by the South Shore Bird Club. We will walk a few miles on flat, possibly muddy terrain. The habitat is forested floodplain/ swamp with remnant marsh. We should see many “first of the season” birds on this trip. This traditional area has produced a good number and variety of migrants and summer residents, from rails and shorebirds through thrushes and warblers. Meet at the Trailside Museum/Blue Hills Ski area parking lot, along Rte. 138 on the Canton/Milton line. Click here or contact Vin Zollo at vzollo1@yahoo.com for more info.

May 6 (Sunday) – IPSWICH RIVER – 2nd Annual Dock Opening Celebration, 2:00-5:00 PM at Riverbend, 143 County Road, Ipswich, sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association. You don’t need to go to Maine or New Hampshire to enjoy nature. From our stretch of river you can see turtles, cardinal flowers, silver maples, and perhaps even a river otter. 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. NEW this year, demo a Hovie Stand Up Paddle Board supplied by Rowing for All. Contact Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or (978) 412-8200 to RSVP or for more info.

May 6 (Sunday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Paddle the Ipswich River – Source to Sea, sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA). Get out for some fun paddles this spring/summer from the source of the Ipswich River to the sea! Each trip will explore the natural beauty of this meandering river and discover the wildlife and plants along the way. All are welcome for any or all trips! The trip on May 6 will take place in Ipswich and go from Winthrop St. to Riverbend (IRWA’s headquarters, 143 County Road). All trips are BYOB (bring your own boat), PFD, water and snacks. Rain cancels trips. Pre-registration is required; click here or contact Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or (978) 412-8200 to register or for more info.

May 6 (Sunday) – NEPONSET RIVER – Walk the Lower Mills Greenway Loop, 1:00 PM start, sponsored by the Boston Natural Areas Network. Join members of the Neponset River Greenway Council as we stroll through historic Lower Mills/Milton Village along the Greenway and a number of spur paths that have been created recently – including the newly opened Baker Pedestrian Bridge! Registration required; click here or call (617) 542-7696 to sign up or for more info.

May 10 (Thursday) – BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED – 24th Annual Meeting of The Coalition for Buzzards Bay, 6:00 PM (member reception) and 7:00 PM (meeting) at the Kittansett Club - 11 Point Road Marion, MA. The meeting will include a discussion of our accomplishments in 2011 election of Board Members, and presentation of the 2012 Buzzards Bay Guardian Awards. The meeting will also include a talk and discussion with Dr. Joe Costa, Executive Director of the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program since 1989, who will discuss how the effort to Save Buzzards Bay has changed over the past 25 years and the impact of today's expanding nitrogen pollution problem. Click here for more info.

May 10 (Thursday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – “Rowing In The Same Direction: Coming Together To Restore Cape Cod Coastal Waters In New Ways” workshop,
9:00 AM – 4:30 PM in Dennis. This daylong workshop, sponsored by the Water Alliance, Clean Water Action, and other local committees, will explore models of governance to advance sustainable and affordable solutions to wastewater problems on Cape Cod. The Keynote speaker will be Tracy Mehan, former Assistant Administrator for Water at EPA from 2001 to 2003. Mehan has been a national leader in the development of collaborative watershed governance models and innovation, and a strong advocate for multi-stakeholder engagement and local control. Other panelists from EPA, MA DEP, and Cape Cod towns and organizations, will participate in a discussion with speakers and the audience. It has now been widely recognized that Cape Cod towns need innovative, better, faster, and cheaper alternatives to conventional sewering if water quality problems are to be addressed affordably. This workshop will discuss the means by which all levels of government, civil society, and the private sector can be mobilized to help the towns in addressing the complex challenges of innovation and adaptive management. The goal will be to understand existing institutional capacity and how it can be enhanced through new partnerships built around specifically-identified needs for greater technical knowledge, streamlined regulations, funding assistance, and public participation. The workshop will take place at the Dennis Pines Golf Course, 50 Golf Course Road in East Dennis. Contact, Valerie Nelson, Water Alliance, valerie.i.nelson@gmail.com for more info.

May 10 (Thursday) – MILL RIVER (CONNECTICUT WATERSHED) – Mill River Greenway Initiative Bash, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, sponsored by the Mill River Greenway Initiative. The event takes place at Pedal to Properties on 14 Strong Avenue in Northampton. At the Bash, several of the region’s prominent landscape architects will present the results of their April charrette in which they came up with designs and plans for connecting the Mill River from top to bottom, as well as for special sites in Williamsburg and Ward 3 in Northampton. We’ll have maps and digital displays up and running.  Come join the discussion.  Have a beer, a soft drink, or a glass of wine and some snacks.  Click here for more info.

May 11 (Friday) – MANHAN AND CONNECTICUT RIVERS – Birding by Canoe, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM in Easthampton, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries. Enjoy canoeing and birding? Why not blend the two? Naturalist/Ecological Manager David McLain will lead this evening canoe/birding adventure into the Arcadia marsh. By this time great blue herons will have nested nearby so we will keep an eye out for these large wading birds. Kingfishers, yellow warblers, cedar waxwings, and eastern phoebes, along with several species of woodpeckers, are often seen flying or perched by the river. Of course we’ll look at a few vernal wildflowers along the way, and keep our eyes peeled for muskrats, beavers, and otters. This will be an easy paddle; however, prior canoe experience is required. Fee: $15/members, $20/nonmembers. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

May 12 – May 18

May 12 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – The Art of Nature: Wetlands, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM in Topsfield, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Join watercolorist Brenda Sloane for this program that combines nature and art. Come learn all about wetlands, their importance, and what can be found in them. We will walk to the sanctuary wetlands and discover what can be found living in them, such as dragonfly larvae, backswimmers, frogs, and birds. We will return to the Nature Center to paint what we have observed, using wet-on-wet and wet-on-dry watercolor techniques. Suitable for adults and children ages 6 - 12 yrs. Fee: Adults $8/members, $10/non-members; Children $7/members, $8/non-members. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for me info.

May 12 (Saturday) – BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED – Exploring the Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve walk, 9:00 AM in Fall River, sponsored by Green Futures. We'll go from Copicut Woods to the Miller Farm and then along Soggy Bottom Trail to The Trustees of Reservations’ Atlantic White Cedar restoration project at Shockley's Swamp. Click here or write to info@greenfutures.org for more info.

May 12 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – 22nd Annual Ducky Wucky River Race,
4:00 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 and here for more info on the 2012 event, and here to see a YouTube video of the 2011 event.

May 12 (Saturday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Kayak the historic Blackstone River from Uxbridge to Blackstone, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This nine-mile paddle on a winding, scenic section of the river will also include some quickwater and two spots with Class II+ rapids (depending upon the water level). No novice paddlers on this one. PFD's, helmets & skirts required, as well as food and water. Click here or contact trip leader Elaine Cibelli [(508) 832-9060 (before 9PM), elaine_cibelli@hotmail.com] to sign up of for more info.

May 12 (Saturday) – MANHAN and MILL RIVERS (CONNECTICUT WATERSHED) – Paddle the Oxbow in Easthampton, sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The Oxbow is habitat for many migratory and resident bird species. Mass. Audubon’s Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary protects a total of 776 acres of land which forms the outer shore of the Oxbow. We may see Bald Eagle, Snowy Egret, Cormorant, Great Blue Heron, Osprey, Kingfisher, Swifts, Gulls, Canadian Geese, and Ducks. While this a flatwater paddle, this trip is for experienced paddlers only. Click here or contact trip leaders Elbert & Bernice Bowler [(413) 532-4464 (before 9 PM), treble13@comcast.net] or Brent Pitcher [(413) 773-3193, brent@crocker.com] to sign up or for more info.

May 12 (Saturday) – CHARLES WATERSHED – Hike in the Wollomonpoag Conservation Area in Wrentham, sponsored by the SE Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The hike will cover 5+ miles of trails and include eskers, a beaver dam and pond, as well as marshes, a mature forest, and a chance to observe a Great Blue Heron Rookery. Click here or contact trip leader Ellen Correia [ellenrcorreia@gmail.com, (508) 954-4099 (before 9PM] to sign up or for more info.

May 12 – June 17 – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Turners Falls Fishway open for public viewing, sponsored by the Northfield Mountain Recreation & E nvironmental Center. The Turners Falls Fishway is located on First Street, off Avenue A, in Turners Falls, MA. The facility is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Spring on the Connecticut River offers an unrivaled opportunity to witness the migration of shad, sea lamprey and other anadromous fish. These fish migrate from the ocean and head upriver to spawn in the rivers of their birth. A visit to the Turners Falls Fishway provides an opportunity to learn about these amazing journeys. Admission is free; click here or call (toll-free) (800) 859-2960 for more info.

May 12 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Nature's Resilience: Life in Our Rivers After Irene, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM in Greenfield, sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Institute (PVI). Last August we were witness to the destructive forces of floods when Hurricane Irene passed through the Pioneer Valley. Those who live along our rivers and streams suffered the greatest losses and even months later many are still recovering. The morning’s presenter, Michael Cole, senior aquatic biologist at ABR Environmental Research, is often asked, “What about life in the rivers?” This field lecture will examine that question. We will visit one of the Valley’s rivers, examine what changes occurred during the flood and the effect these changes had on the life in the river. We will focus our attention on the aquatic insects and other “macroinvertebrates” (animals without backbones and visible to the naked eye) to learn about the resilience of life in our rivers. We will learn both about the recovery of the life in the river since Irene, as well as the ability of river life to tell us much about river and watershed conditions in relation to all kinds of disturbances, natural and anthropogenic alike. Rain date is Sunday, May 13. Meet in the parking lot at the Green River Recreational and Swimming Area (NOT at the Eunice Williams Bridge). Cost: $10 general public, $5 current PVI members, kids under 13 with an adult are free. Click here or contact Cynthia Herbert at pvi@gcc.mass.edu to sign up or for more info.

May 12 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Birding Walk in Hadley, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM, sponsored by the Kestrel Land Trust. Join biologist Dave King for a spring bird walk along the Connecticut River in Hadley to celebrate Migratory Bird Day. We will look for spring migrants and may even see the resident eagles. Click here or call (413) 549-1097 to sign up or for more info.

May 12 (Saturday) – INDIAN HEAD RIVER (NORTH AND SOUTH RIVERS WATERSHED) – Flyfishing for American Shad, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. Join the NSRWA and Trout Unlimited fly fishing expert, Warren Winders, for a morning learning the art of fly fishing and the fascinating history and life cycle of the returning American Shad - the fish that fed George Washington's troops at Valley Forge! Although shad spend most of their lives in salt water, they enter rivers in the spring and swim upstream heroic distances in order to spawn, then return to the ocean. The species in the herring family is known to scientists as Alosa sapidissima, which means “most savory”. We will meet at Luddam’s Ford Park in Hanover to demonstrate techniques, show you the best spots for shad fishing and provide some fly fishing equipment to try. While this event is free, space is limited and pre-registration is required. Click here or call the NSRWA office at (781) 659-8168 to sign up or for more info.

May 12 (Saturday) – SLOCUM'S RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Kayak tour in South Dartmouth, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by the Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies. The Slocum River is a peaceful scenic estuary, offering extraordinary views, great birding and paddling. Come explore the many coves and marshes along this classic New England landscape. Paddlers of all abilities are welcome. All tours include basic kayak equipment and instruction by certified guides. Fee: $45/members, $55/non-members. Click here to register or click here or call (508) 558-2918 for more info.

May 12-13 (Saturday-Sunday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Shad fishing Derby in Holyoke, sponsored by the Holyoke Gas and Electric Department (HG&E). The annual HG&E Shad Derby is one of the region’s largest fishing events. Held on a weekend in May, the Derby offers both adult and youth fishermen the opportunity to win prizes as they enjoy the recreational benefits of the Connecticut River. Click here for more info on the Derby and here for info on fishing licenses and related info from the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife.

May 13 (Sunday) – MUDDY RIVER (CHARLES WATERSHED) – “Olmsted Park: The Lost Jewel” walk, 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM, sponsored by the Frederic Law Olmsted National Historic Site. Everyone is welcome to come explore this sometimes-overlooked link in the middle of Olmsted's Emerald Necklace. We'll stop at ponds, pastures, and even pass by a babbling brook. Sunprinting and photography will take place, so bring your camera (or we'll provide one for you to use). If you don't know what sunprinting is, you'll have to come by to find out! Meets at Daisy Field Parking Lot, Willow Pond Road, Jamaica Plain. Click here or call (617) 566-1689 for more info.

May 13 (Sunday) – BUNGAY RIVER (TEN MILE WATERSHED) – Mother’s Day paddle in Attleboro, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe/Kayak Association (RICKA). Meet at
10:00 AM for a 10:30 AM launch. An easy paddle (up and back) on a very scenic river. You will soon forget you are in the city of Attleboro after a few of the twists and turns of the Bungay River. Trip is suitable for all levels of experience. Suitable for kayaks 15 feet and under. Bring a lunch. Length of trip approximately 5 miles. A change of clothes in a drybag is required. Late cancellations & changes to trips will be posted on the Flatwater message board. Click here or contact trip coordinators Tom McHugh [(401) 454-2752, tmc99992@yahoo.com] and Lysa Amaral [lysaca@comcast.net, (774) 930-6590] for more info.

May 13 (Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Mother’s Day Bird Walk at Nahanton Park in Newton, 8:00 AM, co-sponsored by the Newton Conservators and the Friends of Nahanton Park. Nahanton Park offers a mix of woodlands, wetlands, edge habitat and meadows along the Charles River, making it one of the best birding spots in Newton for both migratory and resident songbirds. Likely finds include brightly colored warblers, vireos, and orioles. Also expect bluebirds, scarlet tanagers, and swallows. Enter the park at the Nahanton Street entrance next to the river. Parking is available inside the park. Bring binoculars if you have them. Beginners as well as experienced birders are welcome. Boots are recommended. Walk will be cancelled in steady rain. Click here or contact trip leader Alison Leary at (617) 821-5619 for more info.

May 13 (Sunday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Blackstone Canal and Towpath Walk,
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM in Uxbridge, sponsored by the Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park. The Blackstone Canal was used from 1828-1848 to transport agricultural products and manufactured goods between emerging industrial centers in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Meet at the River Bend Farm Visitors Center for a one-hour long walk along the historic towpath, learning about the canal and the transformation of the agricultural landscape. Restored canal gates will be featured. You can visit the “Following the Plough” exhibits located in a restored barn beforehand or afterward. Click here or call (508) 278-7604 for more info.

May 14-20 (Monday-Saturday) – STATEWIDE – Bay State Bike Week, presented by MassBike, in partnership with the Mass. Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Click here or here to access the calendar of bicycling-related events (many of which involve routes along rivers) or to submit your own.

May 14 (Monday) – ASSABET, SUDBURY and CONCORD RIVERS – Annual Meeting of the Organization for the Assabet, Sudbury and Concord Rivers (OARS), 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM in Sudbury, sponsored by OARS. The featured presentation, “The Return of the Magnificent Bald Eagle to Our Rivers”, will be by Tom French, the Assistant Director of the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, where he serves as Director of the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species. The meeting takes place at the Assabet River National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, 680 Hudson Road, Sudbury. The event is free and open to the public. The presentation will be preceded by a short business meeting. Light refreshments will be served. Contact OARS at (978) 369-3956 or office@oars3rivers.org for more info.

May 15 (Tuesday) – QUINSIGAMOND RIVER (BLACKSTONE WATERSHED) – Flatwater paddle in South Grafton, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. Suitable for all levels of paddlers. Lau nching promptly at 6:15 PM behind the Riverview Apartments, off Route 122 in Fisherville. 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 15 (Tuesday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Twilight Paddle on the Ipswich River, 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM in Topsfield, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us for a truly magical evening experience as we canoe the Ipswich River while the sun sets. We'll paddle upstream, keeping an eye to the sky for ducks and herons, or maybe catch sight of a nighthawk or bat skimming the water as the sun sets below the horizon. Beavers may be active in the river and tail slap close to our canoes. As the light dims, we will call for owls and experience the nocturnal river habitat. There will be an island stop to stretch our legs and enjoy some campfire snacks. Fee: $28/members, $32/nonmembers. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

May 16 (Wednesday) – WEWEANTIC RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Sea Kayak the lower Weweantic, sponsored by the SE Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Paddle down the river from the I-195 (eastbound) Visitor’s Center parking lot to Great Hill Point and Sippican Neck. PFD required. While pre-registration is not required for this trip, you may want to contact the trip leaders for more info.

May 16 (Wednesday) – SAUGUS RIVER – River Night 2012 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 and here for more info.

May 16 (Wednesday) – MUDDY RIVER (CHARLES WATERSHED) – 9th Annual Party in the Park, Back Bay Fens, sponsored by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. A Reception begins at 11:00 AM, followed by Luncheon at 12:30 PM. The event takes place at the Kelleher Rose Garden, and all proceeds benefit the Justine Mee Liff Fund for the Emerald Necklace. Click here or here for more info.

May 16 (Wednesday) – HERRING RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Paddle the Herring River in Harwich, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by the Kayak and Walk Cape Cod Meetup group. The Herring River is a scenic waterway, surrounded by over 200 acres of Harwich Conservation Lands. We always see wildlife along the peaceful banks and expansive marsh. We'll head to the end of the river and stretch our legs near the herring ladder that connects the river with the West Resevoir. There is a tiny area to get out on when the tide is up the river. This very scenic area, near the herring ladder, offers a panoramic view of the reservoir. Click here to sign up or for more info.

May 17 (Thursday) – HOOSIC RIVER – River Walk , 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM in North Adams, hosted by the Hoosic River Revival Coalition. The walk begins at the MASS MoCA parking lot. Contact the Coalition at (413) 212-2996 or HoosicRiverRevival@gmail.com for more info.

May 19 – May 25

May 19-25 (Saturday – Friday) – STATEWIDE – National Safe Boating Week, sponsored by the North American Safe Boating Campaign. Click here to order free educational and other items promoting safe boating and the wearing of life jackets (PFDs), and click here to add your safe boating-themed event to their Calendar. Contact Rachel Johnson at the National Safe Boating Council at (703) 361-4294 or outreach@safeboatingcouncil.org for more info. [See also the related Ready, Set, Wear It! Life Jacket World Record Day contest, also taking place on May 19.]

May 19 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Nineteenth Annual EarthFest, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the Hatch Shell and Charles River Esplanade in Boston, 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 19 (Saturday) – NEPOSET RIVER – Birding Fowl Meadow, 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Blue Hills Trailside Museum. The level carriage path trail through Fowl Meadow travels through forest, swamp, and shrubland habitat. Many different species of birds make this a stopover point during spring migration, and some relatively rare birds make the Meadow their home. We'll explore along the path and see what birds we can find. Meet at the museum for a short carpool ride (parking at the trailhead is very limited) and wear shoes that can protect your feet from the wet. Fee: Adults $10/members, $15/non-members. Click here or call (617) 333-0690 to sign up or for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Sea Kayak down the Westport River, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The put-in will be at the Head of Westport (boat rentals are available at the launch site from Osprey Sea Kayak Adventures) and then we’ll paddle 12 miles with the outgoing tide to Horseneck Beach. This tidal river is fairly shallow, so not a lot of motor boats, but we’ll see lots of ospreys. You must be able to paddle 12 miles in 4-5 hours, with breaks of course. The water is protected from seas, but we might encounter winds. You must have experience with wet exits and assisted rescues. Click here for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – 36th 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 a location TBA (but possibly 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 or contact Steve Cunningham at canoerace@thebrwa.org for more info.

May 19 (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, is partnering with the WRWA to provide an opportunity to “test drive” more than sixty different styles of canoes and kayaks (including stand-up paddle boats), 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. Click here or email westfieldriver1764@gmail.com for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Canoe Trip and Bird Survey, sponsored by the Essex County Ornithological Club (ECOC). Participate in the ECOC’s 106th birding trip down the Ipswich River! Arguably the oldest uninterrupted bird-count in the world, this event is timed to get the best views of birds before full leaf-out, but late enough in the season to get better weather for paddling. Click here or contact event coordinator Rob Buchsbaum at rbuchsbaum@massaudubon.org or (978) 927-1122 for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – STILL RIVER (NASHUA WATERSHED) – Birding at the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge in Harvard, 7:00 AM start, sponsored by the Friends of the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. Come look for breeding populations of migratory birds and learn about the local birds found at the Refuge. Naturalists Dick and Peggy Knowlton will lead the hike. During our walks last year, 38 different species of birds were observed! Bring your binoculars and water, and be prepared for some biting insects. Birders of all levels are welcome. Please, pre-register at (978) 779-2259. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Still River Depot Road in Harvard. Click here, contact Rona Balco at (978) 779-2259 or Ada at awoolston1@yahoo.com for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Bicycling along the Nashua River Rail Trail, sponsored by the Worcester Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Join us for this 26-mile scenic Easy/Intermediate bike ride along the Nashua River to/from Ayer to Dunstable. 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. Click here or contact trip leader Elaine Cibelli [(508) 832-9060 (before 9PM), elaine_cibelli@hotmail.com] to sign up or for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) –CONNECTICUT RIVER – Kayak with your Kiddo, 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM, sponsored by the Northfield Mountain Recreation & E nvironmental Center. Using a tandem kayak is a great way for an adult and child to give paddling a try. As the group explores the special nooks and crannies of Barton Cove, kids can paddle as they are able and parents can provide the power and direction for the boat. The group will begin learning kayaking basics, turning right, left and going straight and then set off across the Cove while singing a classic paddling song. Bring along a snack and drink to enjoy while the group takes a break from the boats and skips stones. Then paddle, explore and return to our starting place. No prior kayaking experience required. Life jackets will be worn by all participants during the program. For ages 7 and older. Fee: $20/adult-child pair. Click here or call (toll-free) (800) 859-2960 to sign up or for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Fly Fishing with Jim Lafley, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, sponsored by the Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center. Fly fishing has caused writers to wax poetic about life in A River Runs Through It and Fly Fishing Through the Midlife Crisis. Maybe you will be equally inspired during this workshop with Jim Lafley from Federation of Fly Fishers and Trout Unlimited. Jim, who has been teaching for almost 15 years, will guide you through the basics of rods, reels, lines, knots, flies, and general fly fishing etiquette. Casting practice in our front field will include the standard fly cast and roll cast. A variety of rods will be available to give participants a feel for different rod lengths and types. Fly fishing Workshops often cost $100+, so this is a very special price and financial assistance is available for those of limited means. No prior fly fishing or writing experience required. For ages 12 and older. Fee: $20 per person. Click here or call (toll-free) (800) 859-2960 to sign up or for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Paddle from the Elm Bank Reservation in Wellesley to Needham, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe/Kayak Association (RICKA). Meet at 9:30 AM for a 10:00 AM shuttle. This is a pretty stretch of the Charles River, starting at the 182-acre Elm Bank reservation, an old estate property surrounded on three sides by the Charles River. The river twists and turns to the take out at Cochrane Dam. Trip is suitable for all levels of experience and all boat lengths. Trip is 5.8 miles long. Bring a lunch. A change of clothes in a drybag is required. Late cancellations & changes to trips will be posted on the Flatwater message board. Click here or contact trip coordinator Susan Engleman [sje54@hotmail.com, (508) 655-1633 (h), (508) 353-6411 (m)] for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Armed Services Day paddle in Wayland, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT). Learn the history of the region around the Old Town Bridge, including underground storage bunkers near the put-in/ take out at Shermans Bridge Road, while enjoying the beauty of the river on a stretch encompassing land preserved by SVT throughout its history. Participants are required to supply their own canoe or kayak. Fee: Free/SVT members, $10/non-members. Click here for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – ESSEX RIVER (NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Essex River Race, 8:00 AM start, sponsored by the Cape Ann Rowing Club. The Essex River Race is a 5.5-mile open water event starting at the Essex River Bridge at Route 133 in Essex, out behind the barrier beaches of Ipswich and back. Participants row or paddle small boats through one of the most scenic tidal areas in New England. Occasionally the water can be very rough, with strong winds and currents. Click here or contact Rich Klajnscek at (978) 239-7321 or rich@seafoxconsulting.com for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – NEMASKET RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – Lower Nemasket River paddle, 9:30 AM start, sponsored by the Norumbega Chapter of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association. The smooth water portion of this river is from Oliver Mill Park in Middleborough to the Taunton River. Bill Conrad will be the leader of this trip, launching at 9:30 AM after setting up a car shuttle. The put-in is at Oliver Mill Park on Route 44, about 3.5 miles east of the big interchange with Route I-495. Click here or contact Bill at (781) 767-1903 or williamconrad1@comcast.net for the latest information and so he will know how many to expect.

May 19 (Saturday) – SANDERSON BROOK (WESTFIELD WATERSHED) – Sanderson Brook Falls Cultural History Hike, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Connecticut Valley Wildlife Sanctuaries. Join historian Mike Whalen for a fascinating rediscovery of the many natural and cultural wonders of Sanderson Brook Falls at Chester-Blandford State Forest. Located on a tributary of the “Wild and Scenic” Westfield River and cascading 75 feet down solid granite, the falls offer an idyllic forest setting for outdoor exploration. Along the rugged trail we’ll learn how the 1930s-era Civilian Conservation Corps dramatically transformed this area from a degraded industrial district into a destination for scenic recreation and wildlife restoration. This moderate-strenuous 3-mile hike will include gorgeous vistas of the Westfield River Valley from atop Observation Hill, and highlight plenty of local lore to satisfy the itinerant history buff. Fee: $10/members, $15/non-members. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – TOWN BROOK, TIDMARSH and other open spaces (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Hometown Cleanup in Plymouth, sponsored by the Plymouth Network of Open Space Friends. Trash talk: litter…you see it. It’s at the waterfront, it’s in the park, on the beach, in the grass, on the sidewalk, in the road, in the cemetery, by the pond. Let’s work together to pick it up. Let’s make Plymouth beautiful. Click here or contact Patrick Farah at (508) 747-1620 ext.204 or pfarah@townhall.plymouth.us for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – PARKER RIVER – Annual Parker River Canoe/Kayak Trip, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM in Newbury, sponsored by the Parker River Clean Water Association (PRCWA). The trip will begin off Middle Road (near Governor’s Academy) and end at the sight of the First Settlers Landing near the Lower Green in Byfield. This is a great opportunity to step back in time and view fantastic wildlife scenery as the trip meanders through the salt water marsh section of the Parker River. Participants must have their own canoe or kayak. Life jackets are required. Seats may be available by prior arrangement for a few people who do not have their own boats. This trip is suitable for families and novice paddlers. Dress weather-appropriate and we suggest you bring water, snacks, and a camera. Click here or contact the PRCWA at (978) 462-2551 or parker.river@verizon.net to sign up or for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – SHAWSHEEN RIVER – Public paddle, sponsored by the Shawsheen River Watershed Association. We plan to meet at 8:30 AM on Lowell Junction Road, just south of where the Shawsheen passes underneath Interstate Route 93 in Andover. After a short paddle upriver, we will turn around and paddle down to the Ballardvale Dam. Click here or contact Jack at ShawSheenRiver@comcast.net for more info.

May 19 (Saturday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Bay Adventure: Paddle the Westport River, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by the Buzzards Bay Coalition. Join us for a paddle down the Westport River as we kick off Richard Wheeler’s Paddle Around Buzzards Bay. You can bring a canoe or kayak or rent one from Osprey Sea Kayak. If you bring your own boat, it must be seaworthy and you must have a life jacket. Click here or contact Margot Connolly at (508) 999-6363 or connolly@savebuzzardsbay.org to sign up or for more info.

May 19-20 (Saturday-Sunday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – 2012 Deerfield River Rally and DemoFest in Charlemont, sponsored by Zoar Outdoor. Join us in rallying around the Deerfield River this spring as we kick off the summer Deerfield season with a River Cleanup, a paddling refresher and a film festival. We'll be cleaning up the Deerfield on both Saturday and Sunday. Join us for either day and you'll get half off the Reel Paddling Film Festival on Saturday evening (click here for more info). Click here or write to info@zoaroutdoor.com to sign up or for more info.

May 20 (Sunday) – BASS RIVER (NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Bass River Walk: Spring migrants, Early Immigrants and Urban History, 9:00 AM in Beverly, co-sponsored by Salem Sound Coastwatch and the Beverly Historical Society. Join local birder Dave Brewster and Beverly Historical Society member Nancy Coffey for a morning tour of the Bass River basin, the colonial gateway to Beverly. Learn the story of Ryal Side’s early settlement as we follow the River Walk and cross the Hall-Whittaker bridge through what was 19th century Beverly’s thriving coastal and industrial frontier. Next we climb Green’s Hill and meet the migrating warblers in this surprising natural urban setting. Then we complete the loop back along the River Walk. All welcome. Park and gather at the head of the River Walk adjacent to McDonalds on Elliot St. in Beverly. Bring a plastic bag--we'll collect trash along the way. Click here for more info.

May 20 (Sunday) – NEPONSET RIVER – Canoe trip, sponsored by the Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA). Click here or contact Carly at (781) 575-0354 ext. 303 or rocklen@neponset.org for more info.

May 20 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Hike Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, 1:30 PM, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The walk will be an easy 4 miles on mostly flat terrain. Many of Maudslay State Park’s trails provide scenic views of the Merrimack River. While registration is not required for this hike, you may want to contact the trip leaders [Sheila Pendleton or Ted Harney, 4hikes@gmail.com] or click here for more info.

May 20 (Sunday) – HOOSIC WATERSHED – Vernal Pool workshop on the Hoosac Range, 10:00 AM – 12:00 noon, co-sponsored by the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT) and the Berkshire Natural Resources Council. This is an opportunity to learn about the biology of vernal pools and how to provide additional legal protection to these fragile habitats and their critters. The workshop will provide volunteers with the knowledge and skills needed to certify vernal pools on their own. Click here for more info.

May 20 (Sunday) – STONY BROOK (CHARLES WATERSHED) – Wetland Wonders, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM, sponsored by (and taking place at) Mass. Audubon’s Boston Nature Center. Wetlands are an amazing place where two worlds meet: Land and Water. Join us as we explore this unique habitat that is teeming with wildlife. We will use scoops, nets and binoculars to discover the animals and plants that live in this ever changing water system. Learn why wetlands are so important to cities like Boston, the unique adaptations of wetland plants, and why birds of prey just love a good wetland! This event is for families with children aged 4-11. Fee/family: $10/members, $14/non-members. Pre-registration is not required; click here or call (617) 983-8500 for more info.

May 20 (Sunday) – MYSTIC RIVER – Sixteenth Annual Mystic River Herring Run & Paddle, sponsored by (and benefiting) the Mystic River Watershed Association. Participate in a 5K Race or Walk, a 3-, 9- or 12-mile paddle, or a Source to Sea bike tour. 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; Paddling Races start at 11:00AM; bike tour leaves shortly thereafter. Click here, here, here or contact Mark at (617) 965-5110 or click here for details and to reserve a boat for the race.

May 20 (Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Canoe/Kayak Trip at Nahanton Park in Newton, 2:00 PM, co-sponsored by Newton Conservators and the Friends of Nahanton Park. Join us for a canoe trip from Charles River Canoe & Kayak's newest rental location in Nahanton Park. Paddlers can enjoy 13 miles of calm water from upstream of Dedham Ave. in Needham to Silk Mill Dam at Newton Upper Falls. If you have your own canoe or kayak you can also put it in the water from this parking lot. Snacks, drinks, a hat, and sunscreen are recommended to bring along. Dress appropriately. Thunderstorms will cancel the trip. Members of the sponsoring organizations get a 10% discount on canoe & kayak rentals. Meet at the Nahanton Street entrance next to the river. Parking is available inside the park. Click here or contact trip leader Bill Hagar at (617) 964-2644 for more info.

May 20 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK WATERSHED – Heron Rookery Walk with Jim Berry at the Carter Fields Reservation in Boxford, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by the Essex County Greenbelt Association. Take a short hike to an observation platform to observe scores of heron pairs, who create annual nests within this extensive wetland of dead, standing trees. The event is free, but RSVPs are encouraged. Click here or call (978) 768-7241 for more info.

May 22 (Wednesday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Paddle from Plummers Landing to Riverbend Farm, Northbridge/Uxbridge, 6:15 PM sharp launch, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. This is a shuttle trip, so please arrive early to allow time for the Shuttle. This section of river has moving water winding around S curves, so paddlers should have moving water experience. 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 23 (Wednesday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Evening Paddle for Rails, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM in Topsfield, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. The freshwater marsh known as Bunker Meadows can be a magical place for viewing and listening to breeding wetland birds. Usually, the only opportunity visitors have to observe Virginia rails, sora rails, or pied-billed grebes is from a distant observation tower or boardwalk. On this night, we'll venture into the marsh by canoe for close-up views of these amazing birds. Other birds we are likely to encounter include the marsh wren, swamp sparrow, wood duck, and many more. Fee: $15/members, $18/non-members. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

May 23 (Wednesday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – Annual Meeting of the Westfield River Watershed Association at Strathmore Park in Russell, sponsored by the Westfield River Watershed Association (WRWA). The grounds will be open for recreation and visiting starting at 4:00 PM. A social hour begins at 5:00 PM, with the buffet dinner at 6:00 PM (menu includes Chicken Vermont, Roast Pork Loin, Veggie Pasta, salad/rolls, dessert and coffee. The after-dinner speaker will be Karen Leigh, Conservation Commission Coordinator for the City of Westfield, who will talk on vernal pools. WRWA members can make reservations by sending a check for $15/person (made payable to "WRWA") to George Reichert, 75 Blair Road, Blandford, MA 01008 by May 16. Click here or email westfieldriver1764@gmail.com for more info.

May 23 (Wednesday) – SLOCUM'S RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Sunset kayak tour in South Dartmouth, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by the Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies. What better way to end the day than a peaceful paddle along the Slocum River! You’ll feel your stress dissolve as you glide along this spectacular estuary, enjoying the setting sun. Watch wading and shore birds flock to feed, see fish jump and await the multitude of color changes in the sky. This is a wonderful and relaxing way to explore the delicate ecosystem of this salt marsh. Inexperienced paddlers are welcome. All tours include basic kayak equipment and instruction by certified guides. Fee: $38/members, $45/non-members. Click here to register or click here or call (508) 558-2918 for more info.

May 23 (Wednesday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Restoring the Ipswich River to Health,
7:00 PM at the Ipswich Town Hall (Room A), sponsored by the Ipswich Conservation Speakers Series. The Series is hosting Kerry Mackin, the Executive Director of the Ipswich River Watershed Association. Kerry’s presentation will focus on how the river sustains both people and the environment and the specific serious threats that the Ipswich River faces today. The event is free and open to the public. Click here for more info.

May 24 (Thursday) – NORTH HILL MARSH (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Hike North Hill Marsh in Duxbury, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the SE Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. We will hike over some of Duxbury's upland trails and hills, past a large kettle hole and along an old cart path. Leader will be stopping for wildflowers and shrubs blooming along the trails. Then, we'll drop down and hike past a cranberry bog and lastly around a large pond owned by Mass. Audubon. Following the hike, those wishing for more on their own may wish to cross the street and hike around Round Pond. The Bay Circuit Trail goes across that property and there is a bench overlooking the pond. Click here or contact trip leader Sally Delisa [(781) 834-6851 (before 9PM), delisasally@yahoo.com) to sign up or for more info.

May 25 (Friday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Searching for Holyoke’s Butterflies, 10:30 AM at the Dinosaur Footprints Reservation, co-sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations and the Mass. Butterfly Club. Think there's no interesting nature in the city? Think again! Once again we will embark on our annual Mass Butterfly Club search for the elusive Juniper Hairstreak on the banks of the CT River and up in the hills above Holyoke. Join ecologist Julie Richburg in exploring the Dinosaur Footprints and Little Tom properties in Holyoke. With a lot of tree-shaking we found 41 Juniper Hairstreaks in 2009 but, none in 2010 so this year we are headed out to try again! From the Dinosaur Footprints property we will drive about 2 miles to explore Little Mt. Tom looking for Juniper Hairstreaks. We will meet at 10:30AM on Route 5 NORTH of Holyoke at the Dinosaur Footprints parking lot. Walking distances should be about 1 to 1 1/2 miles. Bring lunch and water. Click here or contact Julie Richburg at (413) 532-1631 ext. 12 or Tom Gagnon at (413) 584-6353 for more info.

May 26– June 1

May 26 (Saturday) – GLENDALE FALLS (WESTFIELD RIVER WATERSHED) – “Spring Cleaning” Wild and Scenic Work Day, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM in Middlefield, sponsored by the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Advisory Committee. Help repair trails and spruce up this scenic area, the home of one of the highest waterfalls in Massachusetts. Bring your shovels, gloves and sense of humor! Meet at the Glendale Falls parking area. Click here or contact Meredyth Babcock, Stream Team Volunteer Coordinator at (413) 623-2070 or volunteer@westfieldriverwildscenic.org for more info.

May 26 (Saturday) – HERRING RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayak Trip in Harwich, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the winding tidal rivers, quiet bays, and scenic marshes of Cape Cod with an experienced paddler. Previous kayaking experience is required. Trip is suitable for adults and children aged 12 and older. Fee: $35/members, $40/nonmembers. All equipment is provided. $10 discount if you bring your own kayak. All participants must be age 12 and older, swimmers, and experienced paddlers. Life vests are required. Pre-registration is required. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

May 26 (Saturday) – PARKER RIVER – Kayak Family Paddle on the Parker River, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM, co-sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Plum Island Kayak. Late spring is a great time to experience on-the-water ecology, and kayaking is the perfect way to capture every moment. From wading birds to waterfowl, the salt marshes provide the backdrop to sights and sounds that are uniquely available from the water. Kayaking quietly on the calm waters of the Plum Island Sound, we’ll visit secluded areas where we can witness wildlife without disturbing their activities. We may even see horseshoe crabs mating! Fee: $50/members $60/non-members. Children must be in double kayaks with an adult. Instruction in kayaking techniques and safety procedures is provided. The fee covers single kayak rental. Subtract $10 per person for double kayak rental and $20 per person if you use your own kayak. Experience Level: Beginner II (no experience necessary; requires some stamina). Paddling time: 3 hours, with intermittent rests. Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

May 26 (Saturday) MASHPEE RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayak the Mashpee River and Popponesset Bay, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM in Mashpee, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. The Mashpee River encompasses three distinct habitats including freshwater, brackish and saltwater and is surrounded by the Mashpee Woodlands Conservation Area. Blueback Herring pass through these waters to and from their spawning grounds. Nesting marsh wrens and red winged blackbirds are plentiful along the shoreline and surrounding marsh and ospreys can be seen fishing overhead. Popponesset Bay offers spectacular views. While this trip is intended for those with previous kayaking experience, all experience levels are welcome. Participants will be required to wear a life vest. Kayaks, paddles and life vests provided. Fee: $40/members, $45/nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

May 26 (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 26 (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 veganpeace@earthlink.net for more info.

May 26 (Saturday) – HOOSIC RIVER – Riverfest, the annual celebration of the Hoosic hosted by the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA). The event will be held at Cole Field on the Williams College campus from 11 AM to 4 PM. Admission is $5 advance and $7 at the gate per person. Children 10 and under admitted free. Riverfest is a family event that features live river animals, crafts and games, pony rides, raft rides, live music, drumming and a riverside art exhibit. The traditional Riverfest bird walk, led by Leslie Reed-Evans of the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, begins the day of celebration (meet at 7:30 AM at Ephs Pond opposite Cole Field.) Events for kids and adults are scheduled throughout the day. Click here, call (413) 458-2742 or write to office@hoorwa.org for more info.

May 27 (Sunday) – 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 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: Trip coordinator Cheryl Thompson Cameron [stonefoxfarm@juno.com or (401) 647-5887] or click here for more info.

May 27 (Sunday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Primitive Rendezvous at Bennett Meadow, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM in Northfield, sponsored by the Northeast Primitive Rendezvous Association. Smell food cooking on the camp fire, hear muskets firing in the distance, see period tents, clothing and tools and get a glimpse of how life was lived long ago. The Original Northeast Primitive Rendezvous Association invites you to visit their temporary historic encampment at the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s Bennett Meadow Wildlife Management Area, located on the west bank of the Connecticut River just south of the Route 10 bridge. Park your car and walk through a time warp to observe people recreating the period of the 1750s through the 1840s. Reproductions of period items will be sold by shopkeepers, so you can bring a piece of history home with you, or start gearing up for the next encampment. The event is free and open to the public. Click here or here for more info. [The encampment is also open to the public on Tuesday, May 29.]

May 28 (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, River Road at Route 6, in Mattapoisett. The race is open to persons of all ages. There will be two persons to a boat. The boat must be a homemade river racer design of any material you choose. There are no limitations or restrictions on types of paddles. Divisions include open/men’s, women’s, junior boys, junior girls, co-ed and parent/child. Junior division teams are both contestants under 14 years old. Trophies are awarded to the first, second and third place finishers in each division. Although no entry fee is charged to take part in the race, pre-registration is required: contestants can register at the Rochester Grange Hall, 205 Hartley Road, Friday, May 11 and Friday May 18, 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM. The Boat Race Ham and Bean supper will be served on the Saturday evening of the Memorial Day weekend, May 26, 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the Rochester Memorial School. Proceeds from the supper, along with donations, fund the expenses of the race. Contact Boat Race Chairman Arthur F. Benner at (508) 763-2024 for more info. [Click here for photos from previous Boat Races.]

May 28 (Monday) – MILL and CONNECTICUT RIVERS – Memorial Day Canoe Paddle, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy a gentle canoe paddle before your Memorial Day cookout! We will meet at Arcadia and walk the short distance to put in by the Mill River. At this time of year we should be able to see many returning bird species such as northern orioles, eastern phoebes, great-crested flycatchers, blue-gray gnatcatchers, along with many species of warblers. We also will be watching for spring wildflowers along the banks and shores. Participants should know how to paddle. Fee: $15/members, $20/non-members. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

May 28 (Monday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Healthy Bodies, Healthy Earth: Memorial Day Canoe Trip, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon in Sheffield, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR). Paddle the winding Housatonic to enjoy the beauty of this meandering river as it passes through agricultural fields and floodplain forests, and view the seasons changing at TTOR’s Bartholomew's Cobble Reservation 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. Fee: TTOR members: Adult $24; Child (10-16) $10 Nonmembers: Adult $30; Child (10-16) $15. Please pre-register. Click here or call (413) 229-8600 to sign up or for more info.

May 30 (Wednesday) – WEST ISLAND (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Sea Kayak Sconticut Neck to and around West Island in Fairhaven,sponsored by the SE Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The eastern portion of West Island is undeveloped and protected by the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation, and includes several scenic salt marshes and tidal creeks. PFD and spray skirt required. While pre-registration is not required for this trip, you may want to click here or contact the trip leader, Haven Roosevelt [(508) 636-0006, havenesq@comcast.net] for more info.

May 30 (Wednesday) – CLAM RIVER (FARMINGTON WATERSHED) – Clam River Ramble in Sandisfield, 10:00 AM start, sponsored by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC). Travel old logging roads through regal hemlock and white pines before venturing off-trail to the Clam River. Parking is available at Sandisfield town hall; we will depart from there at 10 AM. Distance: 3.5 +/- miles; Terrain: Moderate to difficult (mostly flat but with wet/rough footing in places – 8 5% of the hiking will be off-trail). Click here, call (413) 499-0596 or write Amanda L'Etoile at aletoile@bnrc.net for more info.

May 30 (Wednesday) – BLACKSTONE WATERSHED – Rain Gardens to the Rescue! Workshop, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM in Worcester, sponsored by the Worcester Stormwater Coalition’s city-wide Rain Garden Campaign. This is a workshop to Learn the Why, What and How of protecting our waterways and how rain barrels can contribute to that effort. The workshop will provide tips on how to enhance your landscaping to harvest rainfall, reduce runoff, and save money on your water and sewer bills. The event includes door prizes, free Homeowner’s Guides and other giveaways, and the opportunity to win a free rain barrel. Come join the Campaign and bring your neighbors with you. The event takes place at the Bancroft School, Multi-Purpose Room, 110 Shore Drive in Worcester. For questions and to register, contact Donna Williams at 508-335-8393 or dwilliamsbrc@aol.com

June 1 (Friday) – ESSEX RIVER and GREAT MARSH (NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Horseshoe Crab Kayak Paddle, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations (TTOR). The Trustees and Essex River Basin Adventures (ERBA) for a guided kayak paddle of TTOR’s Crane Wildlife Refuge. During this specialty paddle, we will set off by boat in search of migrating horseshoe crabs in Essex Bay. Price includes kayak rental and equipment, tour guides, and launch fees. Fee: TTOR Members: $40; Nonmembers: $50. Click here or call (978) 356-4351 ext. 4062 to sign up or for more info. To register within 48 hours of a paddle, please contact the beach office at (978) 356-4354.

June 1 (Friday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Rally for the Valley, 3:30 PM – 7:00 PM in Uxbridge. The MA DCR Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park and the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor will host “Rally for the Valley” at the River Bend Farm Visitor Center. Join the Blackstone River Watershed Association and groups and citizens from around the Watershed to support the Blackstone Valley National Historic Park initiative introduced in Congress last October. Add your voice to the call for the passing of this legislation and the establishment of the National Historic Park within the Valley. There will be family fun activities, food, music, area vendors and much, much more. Click here for more info.

June 2-10 (Saturday-Sunday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Cape Walk 2012, 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, here or contact the Commission at pathways@capecodcommission.org or (508) 362-3828 for more info.

June 2 – 8

June 2 (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 2 (Saturday) – NORTH RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – National Trails Day work party, 10:00 A M – 12:00 Noon at the Norris Reservation, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations. This year for National Trails Day, help us celebrate the national treasure herself: Eleanor Norris, who turned 100 this year! Help us spruce us the property that she donated and get it ready for the many visitors that will be coming this summer. Please bring work gloves and lots of energy as we work together to care for this property that adds so much to our community. Click here for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – FRENCH RIVER (FRENCH AND QUINEBAUG WATERSHED) – National Trails Day Horseback Ride in Oxford, 9:30 AM – 2:20 PM, sponsored by the Bay State Trail Riders Association (BSTRA). 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. This year the event is open to trail walkers and mountain bikers too. Click here or contact Lynn Paretsky at (508) 476-7094 or lynnparesky@aol.com to sign up or for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED – National Trails Day Celebration on the Danvers Rail Trail, sponsored by the Danvers Rail Trail Committee. The Committee will celebrate the work accomplished to-date on the Rail Trail with a day of events including: a “Swamp Walk & Talk”; pre-dedication coffee & doughnuts or Bake Sale (by Maple St. Congregational Church); a Dedication Ceremony; Ice Cream Walk; and similar events with food, refreshments, and music. Click here or write to kday@mail.danvers-ma.org for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – CRANE SWAMP (ASSABET - SUDBURY WATERSHED) – Grand Opening of the Walnut Hill Trail, 10:00 AM start, sponsored by the Sudbury Valley Trustees (SVT). Join us on the 20th Anniversary of America's largest trail celebration, National Trails Day, to celebrate the opening of a new trail loop on Walnut Hill in Southborough. The trail is a result of a partnership between SVT and the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation and will help connect trails throughout the Crane Swamp area with additional hiking opportunities along the Reservoir Trail in Southborough. Join us at SVT's Sawink Farm Trailhead on Walker Street in Westborough for a celebration and a tour of the new trail. Fee: Free/SVT members, $10/non-members. Click here or here for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Hemlock Gorge and Echo Bridge walk in Needham and Newton, 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Wellesley Trails Committee. Celebrate National Trails Day and walk the trails in Hemlock Gorge. See Echo Bridge, the historic 500-foot stone bridge across the Charles River that was used to carry water to Boston. Stand under the main arch and count the number of times you hear your echo. Meet at 9:00 AM at the Hemlock Gorge parking area in Needham, located on Central Avenue just before it crosses the Charles into Newton. Click here or contact Miguel Lessing at (781) 431-2411 or Denny Nackoney at (781) 237-5174 for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Fish Printing for Families at the Turners Falls Fishway, 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM, sponsored by the Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center. Print your very own T-shirt or tote bag and discover the intricate beauty and important function of fish fins and scales. Learn about resident fish as well as fish that return to the Connecticut River to lay their eggs. Drop in anytime between 12 and 2 p.m. at the Turners Falls Fishway to create your work of art using scientifically accurate replicas of Connecticut River fish. Remember to bring a T-shirt or other material to use for fish printing. Fish T-shirts make great Father’s Day presents. Please wear clothes that can get stained. This event is part of the 7th Annual Family Fish Day at the Great Falls Discovery Center. Families may want to bring along a picnic and enjoy our beautiful riverside picnic area adjacent to the fishway. For ages 6 and older. The event is free and no-pre-registration is required.

June 2 (Saturday) – SNAKE RIVER and HOCKOMOCK SWAMP (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – Birding the Erwin S. Wilder Wildlife Management Area in Taunton, 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s South Shore Regional Office. Join Jim Sweeney of the South Shore Bird Club as he introduces us to one of his favorite places. With migration at its very end and birds settling into their breeding season, what can we expect to see here at the edge of the great Hockomock Swamp? We'll seek the birds of the interior, the forest and swamp denizens, the thrushes, the vireos and more. Fee: $10/members, $13/non-members. Click here or call (781) 837-9400 to sign up or for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Paddle the Ipswich River – Source to Sea, sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA). Get out for some fun paddles this spring/summer from the source of the Ipswich River to the sea! Each trip will explore the natural beauty of this meandering river and discover the wildlife and plants along the way. All are welcome for any or all trips! The trip on June 2 will take place in Middleton and go from Pine St. to Peabody St. All trips are BYOB (bring your own boat), PFD, water and snacks. Rain cancels trips. Pre-registration is required; click here or contact Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or (978) 412-8200 to register or for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – ASSABET RIVER – Paddle the Assabet, Acton to Concord, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe/Kayak Association (RICKA). Meet at 9:30 AM for a 10:00 AM shuttle. We will put in at the Acton Canoe Launch and paddle down the Assabet to its convergence with the Sudbury to form the Concord. The river starts off as flatwater with the occasional riffle until we reach the broken dam at Damondale. Depending on the water level, the broken dam can be run or portaged. We will continue downstream past the Leaning Hemlocks and the Memorial to George Bartlett (who arranged many outings on the SuAsCo rivers in the 19th century) before reaching Egg Rock, where the Assabet River converges with the Sudbury River to form the Concord River. We will either paddle up a section of the Sudbury River, or paddle down the Concord River to the Old North Bridge in the Minute Man National Historic Park. We will take out at the Calf Pasture on Lowell Road in Concord. Bring a lunch. This trip will take several hours. It is suitable for all levels of experience and boat lengths. Late cancellations & changes to trips will be posted on the Flatwater message board.   Click h ere or contact trip organizer Erik Eckilson [eckilson@cox.net, (401) 765-1741] for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – QUINEBAUG RIVER – Paddle the Quinebaug River Canoe Trail in Brimfield, 10:00 AM, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This is a 10-mile, flatwater paddle through an extensive, scenic marshland area filled with wildlife.  Suitable for canoes and kayaks. Bring lunch/snacks, PFD, water, sunscreen. Click here for contact trip leader Paul Shields at (508) 832-5973 (before 9 PM) to sign up or for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Canoeing for Beginners, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon in Topsfield, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us for the morning to learn or brush up on basic paddling strokes such as the forward and back paddle, sweep, draw, and j-stroke. Learning how to make these strokes correctly will enable you to control your canoe with far less effort. We'll practice on land and in the backwaters, and then canoe the river to enjoy the sights and sounds of a spring morning. Fee: $15/members, $18/non-members. Youth aged 12-17 years old are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult. We will provide canoes, paddles, and PFDs. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – HERRING RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayak Trip in Harwich, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the winding tidal rivers, quiet bays, and scenic marshes of Cape Cod with an experienced paddler. The Herring River is among the most wild and scenic rivers on Cape Cod due to protection afforded it by the town of Harwich. As its name implies, it is a corridor for migrating herring. Wildlife abounds along the peaceful banks and expansive marsh. Trip is suitable for adults and children aged 12 and older. Previous kayaking experience is required. Fee: $40/members, $45/nonmembers. All equipment is provided. All participants must be age 12 and older, swimmers, and experienced paddlers. Life vests are required. Pre-registration is required. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – NAUSET MARSH (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayak Trip,
9:00 A M – 12:00 Noon in Orleans, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the winding tidal rivers, quiet bays, and scenic marshes of Cape Cod with an experienced paddler. Previous kayaking experience is required. Trip suitable for adults and children aged 12 and older. Fee: $35/members, $40/non-members. All equipment is provided. $10 discount if you bring your own kayak. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – MALDEN RIVER and SAUGUS RIVER MARSH – Bike to the Sea Day on the Northern Strand Community Trail, 8:00 AM start, sponsored by Bike to the Sea. Registration begins at 8:00 AM. The ribbon cutting for the Everett section of the trail begins at 8:30 AM in Everett between Air Force Road and Prescott Street, near 7-Acre Park. We will then ride from Everett into Malden on the completed section of trail. The remainder of the ride will be on-road. Riders can chose between a 20-mile round trip ride to Nahant Beach or a 14-mile family ride to the Saugus River Marsh. Ride is $20/individual, $35/family; proceeds go to support the development of the Northern Strand Community Trail. Noontime pizza lunch to follow at the end of the ride to registered riders. Helmets required for all riders. Children 8 years and up may ride, although children under 17 must be accompanied by an adult. Click here to pre-register for the ride, or contact Steve Winslow at swinslow4152@gmail.com or (781) 397-6893 for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER –Thirty-fourth Annual Lou Marcel Canoe Race, 8:00 AM registration and 9:00 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 from 11:00 A M – 3:00 PM 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 2 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Thirty-Third 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 for more info.

June 2 (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 17.) Click here to register for the event or here for more info. The Swimming Club is always looking for race volunteers as well. If you are interested in helping out, please complete the volunteer registration form here.

June 2 (Saturday) – CONCORD RIVER – Flatwater kayak on the Concord River,
10:00 AM start, sponsored by the Lowell Parks and Conservation Land Trust. Join the rafting guides from Zoar Outdoor for an adventure along a seldom traveled flatwater section of the Concord River. We’ll kayak from Billerica down the Concord River to Muldoon Park in Lowell. Fee: $25/person with kayak rental (sit on top, 12 yrs. old and up); $15/person if you bring your own kayak or canoe; 12 and under free, but must ride with parent (children must be 5 or older). RSVP’s required; limited space available. Click here, call (978) 934-0030 or email gwen@lowelllandtrust.org to sign up or for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – TAUNTON RIVER – Nineteenth 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 3].

June 2 (Saturday) – NEPONSET RIVER – Explore the Future Neponset Trail, 10:00 AM start, sponsored by the Boston Natural Areas Network. Curious where the Greenway is planned between Mattapan and Milton? Join members of the Neponset River Greenway Council to do a bit of exploring along the banks of the Neponset and get a closer look at the future path. Click here to see a map of this event location. Registration required; click here, write to info@bostonnatural.org or call (617) 542-7696 to sign up for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – WAQUOIT BAY (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Cape Friendly Landscape Event & Plant Sale, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Waquoit Bay Reserve in East Falmouth. Beautify your yard while protecting our bays and ponds. Learn how to landscape your yard with trees, bushes, and plants that require little or no water, fertilizer, or chemical inputs. The event takes place rain or shine (under a tent) and is a benefit for the newly-formed Waquoit Bay Reserve Foundation, to support education & research programs at the Waquoit Bay Reserve. Click here, here or call (508) 457-0495 ext.155 for more info.

June 2 (Saturday) – WEKEPEKE BROOK (NASHUA WATERSHED) – Wekepeke Clean-up Day, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM in Sterling, sponsored by the Wekepeke Watershed Restoration Initiative (WWRI). Volunteers wanted to help restore the Wekepeke Watershed. The cleanup work will take place at the former Clinton Water Works in Sterling. Meet at the gate off Heywood Road. Help restore a backyard watershed and brook trout habitat by doing your part in cleaning up! Become an environmental steward for your community. Follow and help with future restoration projects of the Wekepeke Watershed. This activity will be a test run for future clean-up activities in other parts of the watershed. Please RSVP by contacting Joel Frisch at jfrisch@ngeo.net or (978) 365-9045.

June 2-3 (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. Click here or contact trip leader David Miller at (508) 853-8964 to sign up or for more info.

June 2–3 (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 3 (Sunday) – FORT RIVER (CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED) – Fifth Annual Fort River Celebration Day in Amherst, 11:00 AM – 3:30 PM, co-sponsored by the Rushing Rivers Institute. The Fort River Celebration Day provides a fun and interactive learning experience about this local freshwater resource. All are welcome to join us at Groff Park for educational displays and activities, and of course the Rubber Ducky Race at 1:00 PM. A guided canoe ride will follow as stream ecologists lead explorative canoeists and learners down the wild section of the Fort River from Kiwanis Park back to Groff Park. All proceeds benefit the Fort River Stewardship Project. Let’s share the wonders of a river that provides our drinking water, habitat for rare species, and is the longest free-flowing tributary to the Connecticut River! Click here or contact Kathleen at (413) 341-1012 or contact@rushingrivers.org for more info.

June 3 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Introduction to Sea Kayaking, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, co-sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center 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: $35/members, $45/nonmembers. 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 3 (Sunday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Hike though conservation land in Lincoln and Concord, 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This will be a moderate-paced hike from the Lincoln commuter rail parking lot to the scenic Mt. Misery/Fairhaven Bay area along the Sudbury River. Bring lunch/water/sturdy footwear. While registration is not required for this hike, you may want to contact the trip leader [Henry Gardner, henryghikes@gis.net] or click here for more info.

June 3 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Hike Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This 4-mile hike will be a conducted at a moderate pace. Many of Maudslay State Park’s trails provide scenic views of the Merrimack River. Bring water, lunch & proper shoes. While registration is not required for this hike, you may want to contact the trip leader [Sara Epstein, (781) 620-1014, sarachef@aol.com] or click here for more info.

June 3 (Sunday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – Fishway Open House, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM in West Springfield, sponsored by the Westfield River Watershed Association (WRWA). WRWA will sponsor our annual open house at the West Springfield Fish Ladder, pending repairs necessitated by damage from Tropical Storm Irene. This free event offers a “once-a-year” opportunity to tour the fish ladder, and possibly to see a returning adult Atlantic salmon if one’s been captured during the previous day or two. WRWA Board members will be present to describe the history and operation of the fish ladder, and you'll have a chance to go down into the “pit” to watch fish moving upstream. Parking is available near the old Southworth Paper Company building at 150 Front St. in West Springfield. Contact Bill Rose at (413) 786-0195) for more info.

June 4 (Monday) – SLOCUM'S RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Women’s full moon canoe trip in South Dartmouth, 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM, sponsored by the Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies. Sorry gents, this one’s for ladies only! Enjoy canoeing the historic Slocum River. Transportation to launching site and all equipment provided. Bring footwear that won’t mind getting wet, as well as a snack and libation (non-alcoholic). Fee: $20/members, $25/non-members. Click here to register or click here or call (508) 558-2918 for more info. If you have specific questions regarding this program, please contact trip leader Liz Moniz at (508) 990-0505 ext.15 or liz@lloydcenter.org.

June 5-7 (Tuesday – Thursday) – 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 2012 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 6 (Wednesday) – JONES RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Sea Kayak the Jones River and Kingston Bay, sponsored by the SE Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This is a beautiful coastal estuary to explore. The recent removal of a dam upstream might allow for some additional upstream paddling from the put-in. PFD required, spray skirt recommended. While registration is not necessary for this event, you may want to contact the trip leader, Gifford Allen [giallen@comcast.net, (774) 392-0634] or click here for more info.

June 6 (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 6 (Wednesday) – SANDY NECK and GREAT MARSH (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayaking Barnstable Harbor's Sandy Neck and Great Marsh Ecosystem, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM in Barnstable, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us as we kayak Cape Cod's largest barrier beach and salt marsh system and see for yourself why this is one of the state's most impressive coastal ecosystems. Traveling the great marsh by kayak offers a whole new perspective on nature, and an intimacy with the tide. It also allows you to get into shallow waters, where larger boats can't go! Launching from Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, we will explore the many tidal creeks and islands of the harbor, looking for shorebirds, osprey, horseshoe crabs and other creatures of the marsh. We'll also come ashore at the Sandy Neck barrier beach lighthouse. Barnstable Harbor can be windy and choppy. Weather may shorten trip - depending on conditions of seas and wind. While this trip is intended for those with previous kayaking experience, all experience levels are welcome. Participants will be required to wear a life vest. Fee: $40/members, $45/non-members. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

June 6 (Wednesday) – SHAWSHEEN RIVER – Annual Meeting of the Shawsheen River Watershed Association, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Andover Public Library (a.k.a. Memorial Hall). After a short business meeting, at which time we will elect the members of our Board of Directors, there will be a presentation by wildlife biologist Curt Laffin on the American Chestnut Tree. Curt will discuss the history and demise of this tree and efforts by The American Chestnut Foundation to restore it locally and throughout its historic range. Click here or contact Bob Rauseo at bob_otter@comcast.net for more info.

June 9 – June 15

June 9 (Saturday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – River Day: the Westport River – a Resource for Generations, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, sponsored by the Westport River Watershed Alliance. The event will take place at the Head of Westport Landing (for activities, education, exhibitors, music, food, fun) and Hix Bridge Landing for the “River Paddle” Kick-off. Come celebrate WRWA’s 35 years of environmental stewardship and learn about the many environmental resources in the watershed. Click here or call (508) 636-3016 for more info.

June 9 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER and GREAT MARSH – Walk the Eastern Marsh Trail, 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM in Salisbury, sponsored by the Essex National Heritage Area. Jerry Klima, Salisbury Selectman and Coastal Trails advocate, leads an interpretive walk of the Old Eastern Marsh Trail. Enjoy an easy walk on this 1.3 mile paved rail trail from the bank of the Merrimack River through woods and pristine sections of the Great Marsh offering beautiful views, world-class bird watching, abundant wildlife and interpretive signs that shed light on the history of this region. Our early start will increase our odds of spotting wildlife, including turtles commonly out along the trail digging nests and laying their eggs, during their peak laying season. Fee: $6.50/Essex Heritage members; $8.50/non-members. Click here or call (978) 740-0444 to sign up or for more info.

June 9 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Bike with Mike at the Deerfield River Rail Trail, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM in Deerfield, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Connecticut River Valley Sanctuaries. For something completely different, join historian and avid mountain biker Mike Whalen on a casual biking tour of the historic New Haven & Northampton Railroad route as it winds through the forested landscape of Deerfield and Conway. This hiking trail and bike path follows the scenic Deerfield River and is maintained as part of the Mahican-Mohawk Recreation Trail system. Highlights include stone remains of the high trestle at South River and many natural wonders to explore. This ride will primarily follow an old 2-percent railroad grade with some rugged sections, so mountain bikes are recommended. Fee: $10/members, $15/non-members. Click here or call (413) 584-3009 to sign up or for more info.

June 9 (Saturday) MASHPEE RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayak the Mashpee River and Popponesset Bay , 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM in Mashpee, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. The Mashpee River encompasses three distinct habitats including freshwater, brackish and saltwater and is surrounded by the Mashpee Woodlands Conservation Area. Blueback Herring pass through these waters to and from their spawning grounds. Nesting marsh wrens and red winged blackbirds are plentiful along the shoreline and surrounding marsh and ospreys can be seen fishing overhead. Popponesset Bay offers spectacular views. While this trip is intended for those with previous kayaking experience, all experience levels are welcome. Participants will be required to wear a life vest. Kayaks, paddles and life vests provided. Fee: $40/members, $45/nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

June 9 (Saturday) – ALLOWANCE BROOK (SUDBURY-ASSABET-CONCORD WATERSHED) – Birding trip to Great Blue Heron Rookery in Sudbury, 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. Fee: $18/members, $22/non-members. Click here or call (781) 259-2200 to sign up or for more info.

June 9 (Saturday) – PARKER RIVER – Kayak Family Paddle on the Parker River, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, co-sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center and Plum Island Kayak. Late spring is a great time to experience on-the-water ecology, and kayaking is the perfect way to capture every moment. From wading birds to waterfowl, the salt marshes provide the backdrop to sights and sounds that are uniquely available from the water. Kayaking quietly on the calm waters of the Plum Island Sound, we'll visit secluded areas where we can witness wildlife without disturbing their activities. We may even see horseshoe crabs mating! Children must be in double kayaks with an adult. Fee: $50/members, $60/non-members. Instruction in kayaking techniques and safety procedures is provided. The fee covers single kayak rental. Subtract $10 per person for double kayak rental and $20 per person if you use your own kayak. Experience Level: Beginner II (no experience necessary; requires some stamina). Paddling time: 3 hours, with intermittent rests.Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

June 9 (Saturday) – NORTH RIVER TO TAUNTON RIVER – 2012 Wampanoag Passage Paddle Fundraiser, benefitting the North and South Rivers Watershed Association. Thirty-five years ago, Peter Kelly-Detwiler and an intrepid band of Boy Scouts paddled this once forgotten canoe passage originally used for thousands of years by the Wampanoag tribe. Now Peter is again paddling this historic, 72-mile canoe passage that links the North River in Massachusetts Bay to Taunton River in Narragansett Bay. People are invited to join in the paddle, make a donation, and/or take part in the send-off celebration on June 9. Click here for more info.

June 9 (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: $30/members, $35/non-members. Click here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 9 (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: $25/members, $30/non-members. Open to anyone age 16 or older. Click here or call (781) 259-2206 to sign up or for more info.

June 9 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Turners Falls Canal Walk, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, co-sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Institute and the Northfield Mountain Recreation & E nvironmental Center. Take a springtime stroll back in time to when Turners Falls was a paper- and cutlery-producing power house—and see it all from the fabulously popular canal side trail and bike path.  Using historical maps and photographs, geologist and industrial history buff Steve Winters will lead you back to early 19th century Montague when the first dam on the Connecticut River at Turners Falls was built, not for power, but for barge navigation. We’ll investigate the ruins and existing structures of the Montague Paper Co., the John Russell Cutlery Co., and much more.  Meet at the picnic tables next to the entrance to the Turners Falls Fishway and the bike path. For ages 16 and older. Pre-registration is required; call (toll-free) (800) 859-2960 to register or for more info.

June 9 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Whip-poor-wills, Rails and other Bolton Birds, 3:00 PM – 9:00 PM in Bolton, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. The Bolton Flats Wildlife Management Area and nearby conservation land provide a wealth of habitats (and birds) that can be easily sampled in just a few hours - river, ponds, freshwater marsh, farm fields, thickets, woodland and extensive grasslands. Vesper and Chipping Sparrows, Prairie Warbler and Brown Thrasher nest in nearby grasslands. The marsh provides habitat for a number of Virginia Rails and Sora and we may find American Bittern, Wilson's Snipe and Pied-billed Grebe. An area specialty is a remnant of the increasingly hard to find sandy Pitch Pine-Scrub Oak woods favored by Whip-poor-wills. We will listen for these birds to begin calling at dusk, as they get ready for a night of insect catching. Depending on water levels, shorebirds and ducks can be found in wet areas in the fields, and many songbirds can be seen in the thickets and woodlands. Around sunset, we will have a picnic dinner in the field as we wait for the Whip-poor-wills to begin calling. Open to anyone age 16 or older. Transportation provided form Drumlin Farm Education parking lot. Fee: $50/members, $60/non-members. Click here or call (781) 259-2200 to sign up or for more info.

June 9 (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, Deputy Director, at rgonzalez@groundworklawrence.org or (978) 974-0770.

June 9 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Deerfield RiverFest in Shelburne Falls, 10:00AM – 3:15PM, 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. The festival begins with a kickoff performance by Sarah Pirtle, followed by the Watershed Waltz Puppet show. Other activities include educational displays and demonstrations as well as live music and dancing, a colorful Frog & Flower Parade, aquatic bug table, art, crafts, tag, book and plant sales, food vendors, trolley rides, power plant tour, quiet water rafting and paddle boating, and more. Click here or contact Polly Bartlett at dbartlet@crocker.com or (413) 625-6628 for more info.

June 9 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – Spring river cleanup in Lenox, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, co-sponsored by the Housatonic Valley Association and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team. Meet at the Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife’s George Darey Wildlife Management Area parking lot, just east of the railroad tracks on New Lenox Road. Bring a canoe or kayak. Life jackets are mandatory. Put in at Decker Landing. The focus will be on removing trash from strainers north and south of Decker Landing. Please register and let us know if you need a boat or space in a boat. Canoes may be available. A picnic lunch will be provided following the cleanup. Click here or contact Alison at adixon@hvatoday.org or (413) 394-9796 to sign up or for more info.

June 9 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Ipswich River Cleanup, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM in North Reading, sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA). Join IRWA and the Reading/North Reading Stream Team for this annual Clean-up. Volunteers are needed to work on shore or by canoe and kayak. Bring your own tools, gloves and boat if possible. Meet at the Ipswich River Park gazebo, Central St. in North Reading. Please RSVP to Ryan at rodonnell@ipswichriver.org or call (978) 412-8200.

June 9 (Saturday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Work Day on the Blackstone Canal in Northbridge, 9:00 AM start, sponsored by the Blackstone Canal Conservancy. Meet at Plummers Landing (Church St. Extension, just west of the intersection with Quaker St. and the bridge over the Blackstone) to continue ongoing work on the historic canal and banks to enhance its visibility and public access. No RSVP required - come prepared to work. Bring loppers, gloves, and other tools if you have them. No power tools or chain saws, please. Contact Dave Barber at (508) 478-4918 for more info.

June 9 (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. Race starts at 11:00 AM. The event takes place at the Decker Boat Launch in Lenox. Great lunch following the race. Click here or contact race organizer Patty Spector at (413) 637-2597or patty.spector@verizon.net for more info.

June 9 – 10 (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 10 (Sunday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Breeding Birds of the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM in Topsfield, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Breeding birds afford an opportunity to observe courtship and territorial behavior that is not often evident in migrant birds. We'll look for nesting birds, including rose-breasted grosbeaks, scarlet tanagers, swallows, warblers, bluebirds, and more. Learn about Mass Audubon's State of the Birds report and how you can help bird populations in Massachusetts. Instructors: Chris Sullivan - Birder-Naturalist; Warren Tatro - Birder-Naturalist. Fee: $10/members, $12/non-members. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 10 (Sunday) – SLOCUM'S RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Introduction to stand-up paddling in South Dartmouth, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM, sponsored by the Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies. Stand-Up Paddle Boarding is a fun way to explore the waterways, improve your balance and get a fantastic core workout. Anyone can Stand-Up Paddle! Instructors specialize in teaching people with no surfing or paddling experience at all. The only prerequisite is that you are comfortable in the water, and want to try something new! The one and a half hour introduction session will take place in the calm waters of the Slocum River. Participants will be introduced to all the basics; getting familiar with equipment, water entry and balance, proper stance and positioning on the board, efficient paddling technique, safety and etiquette. Come out and give it a try… you’ll love it! Fee: $50/members, $60/non-members. Click here to register or click here or call (508) 558-2918 for more info.

June 11-16 (Monday-Saturday) – SLOCUM'S RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Southcoast All Taxa Biodiversity Initiative: Biodiversity Week in South Dartmouth, sponsored by the Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies. From June 11-15, scientists and naturalists will lead walks and conduct “collecting” trips within the local watershed. A schedule of trips, open to the public (pre-registration required) will be posted on the Lloyd Center’s website. On June 16, the scientists and naturalists finalize lists of collected species…many of which will be on display at Lloyd Center headquarters. Scientists and naturalists with expertise in specific groups of plants or animals are needed. We also welcome members of the public interested in helping discover the plant and animal life which inhabits our watershed. Additional information is available by contacting Lloyd Center Research Director Mark Mello at markmello@lloydcenter.org or (508) 990-0505 ext. 22.

June 12 (Tuesday) – SALISBURY PLAIN RIVER (TAUNTON WATERSHED) – River Clean up in Brockton, 1:30 PM - 5:00 PM, sponsored by the Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA). State Street Bank Corporation, TRWA’s corporate partner, will have a Global Outreach Employee Volunteer Program clean up in Brockton. Please join us for a afternoon of education and clean-up around some of the Taunton River’s tributaries. Volunteers are needed to remove debris from the riverbeds and help identify sources of pollution in the area. Gloves and trash bags will be provided and there will be members of the TRWA and the Brockton Conservation Commission on hand to assist and provide information about these headwaters of the watershed and how to protect them. Volunteers are welcome to gather after the clean-up for snacks and networking. Contact the TRWA at director@savethetaunton.org or (508) 828-1101 to sign up or for more info.

June 12 (Tuesday) – BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED – Spring workshop for herring/herring run wardens and enthusiasts, 5:30 PM-7:00 PM, sponsored by the River Herring Network. The workshop will take place at the Bourne Veteran's Memorial Community Center, 239 Main St, Buzzards Bay, MA. The workshop will dig into the fish passage laws and learn about how the communities of Middleborough and Lakeville manage the Nemasket River herring run. Brad Chase and John Sheppard from MA Division of Marine Fisheries will be there to discuss Mass. General Laws Chapter 130, the specifics of what wardens are authorized to do under it, the mechanics of the MOUs between the towns and DMF for local management, and ASMFC updates. David Cavanaugh will share his experiences with the Middleborough-Lakeville Herring Fishery Commission and local management of their run. We will provide pizza and refreshments during the workshop. Please come with your questions or concerns applicable to your runs. Click here for more info.

June 13 (Wednesday) – CAPE COD WATERSHED – Birds on the Brink: Salt Marsh Birds Coping with Sea Level Rise, 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon in Wellfleet, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Climate change and sea level rise are an emerging threat to tidal marsh obligate breeders such as the saltmarsh sparrow, Nelson's sparrow, willet, clapper rail and seaside sparrow, as well as to birds that find their food in the marsh. Saltmarsh Habitat Avian Research Program (SHARP) scientist and PhD candidate Maureen “Mo” Correll will lead a field walk through the sanctuary's tidal marshes and deliver a short presentation on the current research that is being conducted to support management and conservation of this fragile coastal habitat. Fee: $7/members, $9/non-members. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

June 13 (Wednesday) – WESTPORT RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Paddle the Westport River East Branch, sponsored by the SE Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Paddle down the river from the Head of Westport to islands in Westport Harbor. PFD required. While pre-registration is not required for this trip, you may want to click here or contact the trip leader, Haven Roosevelt [(508) 636-0006, havenesq@comcast.net] for more info.

June 13 (Wednesday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Holyoke Rows Boathouse Challenge Canoe and Kayak Race in Holyoke, 5:00-6:00 PM registration, proceeds benefitting Holyoke Rows. The race begins at 6:30 PM sharp. 10K racing, 4K recreational and 6K Barton Cup Qualifier events, all taking place on a loop course on the Connecticut, mostly deep water with minimal current. The race begins/ends at the Jones Ferry River Access Center. Click here or contact Mark Wendolowski at (413) 626-3862 or lmsc80@yahoo.com for more info.

June 14 (Thursday) – SANDY NECK and GREAT MARSH (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayaking Barnstable Harbor's Sandy Neck and Great Marsh Ecosystem, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM in Barnstable, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us as we kayak Cape Cod's largest barrier beach and salt marsh system and see for yourself why this is one of the state's most impressive coastal ecosystems. Traveling the great marsh by kayak offers a whole new perspective on nature, and an intimacy with the tide. It also allows you to get into shallow waters, where larger boats can't go! Launching from Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, we will explore the many tidal creeks and islands of the harbor, looking for shorebirds, osprey, horseshoe crabs and other creatures of the marsh. We'll also come ashore at the Sandy Neck barrier beach lighthouse. Barnstable Harbor can be windy and choppy. Weather may shorten trip - depending on conditions of seas and wind. While this trip is intended for those with previous kayaking experience, all experience levels are welcome. Participants will be required to wear a life vest. Fee: $40/members, $45/non-members. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

June 15 (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/members, $15/non-members; Children $11/members, $13/non-members. Click here or call (978) 887-9264 to sign up or for more info.

June 15-17 (Friday – Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Fourth Annual Waltham Riverfest, in downtown Waltham. Riverfest is a celebration of the wonderful resources, both natural and artistic, that run though the heart of Waltham. Activities include music, dancing, painting, strolling, shopping, eating, and boating (rentals will be available the entire weekend, as well as a canoe tour on Friday evening). There will be wrist bands sold which will get you discounts on food and merchandise at local stores and restaurants. You can participate in Paint the River, our Silent Auction, and see many vendors showing wares as well. This year there will be new and exciting additions to the music and entertainment. The Moody Street Bridge will have Art Vendors along the length of it on Saturday. On Sunday, there will be a Guided River Walk by Waltham Land Trust at 12:00 Noon and at 2:00 PM, there will be a special Celebration of the River with Spoken Word and Music. Click here for more info.

June 16– June 22

June 16 (Saturday) – MERRIMACK RIVER and THE GREAT MARSH – Teacher Workshop: Salt Marshes, 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon in Newburyport, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center. Looking to connect your students to nature while also building up your nature education confidence in the classroom? This workshop begins with sharing what you know, what you do, and what you need. We’ll then dive into all of our available resources from books to biological supplies and search through our many activity kits and curricula to find exactly what you can use in your classroom for your specific grade. We'll spend the last part of the workshop outdoors, where we'll introduce you to the local ecology and take you through a series of activities relating to our theme while sharing our knowledge of the natural world with you to take back to the classroom. Participants will gain new insights, increase their environmental awareness, and become more savvy about science as they teach their students about the natural world and its creatures. You'll walk away with many new and exciting lesson plans, student generated projects, and a greater understanding of the importance of protecting the nature of Massachusetts. This workshop is for teachers, science curriculum specialists, administrators, and naturalists with a focus on Pre-K to Grade 5 curriculum. Fee: $25/members, $30/nopn-members. Click here, call (978) 462-9998 or contact instructor Lisa Hutchings at lhutchings@massaudubon.org to sign up or for more info.

June 16 (Saturday) – SWIFT RIVER (CHICOPEE WATERSHED) – Swift River Paddle in Belchertown, sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This section of the Swift is an amazing river to paddle. The relatively slow-moving current is suitable for anyone with paddling experience and for all types of boats, but there may be strainers along the sides. The area is gorgeous, and for several miles of the river the water is crystal clear - you can see the beautiful formations on the bottom and lots of fish, plus many birds on and above the water. This river flows out of the Quabbin and is clean and cold. Click here or contact trip leaders Elbert & Bernice Bowler [(413) 532-4464 (before 9 PM), treble13@comcast.net] to sign up or for more info.

June 16 (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. Click here or contact trip leader Elaine Cibelli [(508) 832-9060 before 9 PM] to sign up or for more info.

June 16 (Saturday) – CHASE GARDEN CREEK (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayaking Chase Garden Creek in Yarmouth Port, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Chase Garden Creek is a long, meandering creek that is protected from the stronger winds of Barnstable Harbor. Close encounters with osprey nests and other bird life is a certainty. While this trip is intended for those with previous kayaking experience, all experience levels are welcome. Participants will be required to wear a life vest. Kayaks, paddles life vests and safety equipment are provided. Fee: $40/members, $45/non-members. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

June 16 (Saturday) – NAUSET MARSH (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayak Trip,
9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon in Orleans, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the winding tidal rivers, quiet bays, and scenic marshes of Cape Cod with an experienced paddler. Previous kayaking experience is required. Trip suitable for adults and children aged 12 and older. Fee: $35/members, $40/non-members. All equipment is provided. $10 discount if you bring your own kayak. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

June 16 (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/members; $45/non-members. Click here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 16 (Saturday) – SUDBURY RIVER – Flatwater paddle in Concord, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The goal is to travel upstream as far as Great Meadows in Sudbury, then return to Concord by 5:00 PM. Bring PFD, water, lunch/snacks. Potluck supper at Leader’s house optional. Click here or contact trip leader Ken Samoylenko [(978) 369-3409 (before 9 PM), kostia1932@comcast.net] to sign up or for more info.

June 16 (Saturday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Fly casting workshop, 2:00 PM-4:00 PM in Sunderland, sponsored by the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC). CRWC River Stewards and fly fishing guides David Deen & Ron Rhodes will host this workshop. Fly Fishing is a sport the whole family can enjoy and a great way to get outside to enjoy the Connecticut River. Participants will receive professional instruction on fly fishing terminology, casting lessons and entomology. Orvis is generously providing the fly rods and reels for use during the workshop and a fly fishing guide book for each participant to take home with them. (BTW, these workshops are instructional and participants will not be catching fish.) While the event is free, space is limited, so you are strongly advised to contact Angela at the CRWC at (413) 772-2020 ext. 204 or amrozinski@ctriver.org to reserve your spot. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. The event will take place at the Sunderland Public Library, 20 School Street in Sunderland. Click here for more info.

June 16 (Saturday) – NASHUA RIVER – Lancaster River Festival, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, sponsored by the Lancaster Friends of the Nashua River. This free event will take place on the Cully Field property bordering the Nashua River (directly across from the Lancaster Fairgrounds) along Route 117 in Lancaster. The River Festival offers families and individuals the chance to get out and enjoy a day of fun activities on the banks of the Nashua River, one of the most beautiful natural resources in the town of Lancaster. The field will be full of LOTS of fun family activities plus feature a musical tent where groups will be playing all day long (performers include Christine Hatch, Paul Della Valle, Still River and Scott and Nancy). The Festival also will include Canoe Rides (Still River Outfitters), Livestock and Petting Zoo (Lancaster 4-H), educational displays by Mass. Audubon and Mass. Fish and Wildlife, a BBQ (Lancaster Boy Scouts) and Ice Cream (Juniper Farms). Click here or contact Peter Stanton at (508) 523-5916 or pstanton@wbjournal.com for more info.

June 16 (Saturday) – WESTFIELD RIVER – Westfield River Canoe Cruise, sponsored by the Westfield River Watershed Association. Our annual quiet-water paddle from downtown Westfield to Robinson State Park in Agawam will be held in conjunction with Robinson State Park Day (hosted by the Friends of Robinson State Park). This year we'll be launching from a quarter-mile downstream of the Great River Bridge (canoe drop off at the end of Fowler St., off Meadow Street just south of the river and east of the Great River Bridge; with parking at the SE corner of the Great River Bridge area). Registration normally begins at 12:00 Noon, with a group launch at approximately 1:00 PM. Bring your own canoe/kayak and life jacket(s). There is a fee for this event ($7/person or $20/family), to cover the cost of insurance and refreshments at the end of this 2-3 hour paddle, which has a more natural feel than you'd expect given that the route basically parallels the heavily traveled Route 20! Click here or contact Fran Siska at (413) 562-4998 for more info as it becomes available.

June 16 (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 16 (Saturday) – SLOCUM’S RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Opening of “The River Project: Art & Nature at Slocum’s River Reserve”, 10:00 AM start, co-sponsored by the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust and The Trustees of Reservations. The beautiful Slocum’s River Reserve in Dartmouth is the inspiration and the setting for six large-scale site-specific sculptures that will be on display from June 16, 2012 through May 18, 2013. The exhibit officially opens with a “Sculpture Walk” at the Slocum’s River Reserve at 10:00 AM. A companion exhibit featuring models and drawings of the works will open at the nearby Gustin Gallery at 11:00 AM, and an Opening Reception will be held at the Gallery from 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM. Click here for more info.

June 16 (Saturday) – WEKEPEKE BROOK (NASHUA WATERSHED) – Explore the Lovely Wekepeke, 10:00 AM – 12:30 PM in Sterling, sponsored by the Sterling Land Trust. Enjoy a 3-4 mile walk along the Wekepeke, a lovely, lake-and-basin filled, wooded terrain in Central Sterling, with an interesting history. We'll learn more on our walk. Bring a lunch, water and insect repellent. Due to limited parking, participation is limited to 10 people. To sign up, contact Peder Pederson [(978) 422-2920 or pedersen@ece.wpi.edu] or Colleen Abrams, (508) 479-2123.

June 16 (Saturday) – HOUSATONIC RIVER – River cleanup in Pittsfield, 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, organized by the Housatonic Valley Association (HVA) and the Berkshire Environmental Action Team (BEAT). Meet at Wahconah Park on Wahconah Street. Pull out trash from the West Branch of the Housatonic River. Canoes welcome. Bring water and sunscreen. Lunch will be provided. We provide bags and work gloves. Please wear appropriate footwear (e.g., old sneakers or waterproof boots); we have a limited number of waders available to borrow. Event sponsors include the City of Pittsfield and American Rivers. Contact Alison at (413) 394-9796 or adixon@hvatoday.org for more info.

June 17 (Sunday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Father’s Day Flatwater Paddle in Topsfield, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This trip is suitable for first-time paddlers and/or new AMC members. Please contact the leaders ASAP if you need a boat or would like to carpool. Click here to sign up or for more info.

June 17 (Sunday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Dragon Slayer Whitewater Race, sponsored by the New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association. Registration is from 11:00-11:45 AM at the Monroe Bridge put-in, and the race begins at 12noon sharp. This race takes place on the “Dryway”, a Class III-IV run that is only suitable for expert whitewater paddlers with the proper gear. Click here or contact Mark Wendolowski at (413) 626-3862 or lmsc80@yahoo.com for more info.

June 17 (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 to 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 leader Fred Snell at fredsnell@gmail.com for more info.

June 17 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Father's Day Tide Pool Cruise, 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 look for wading birds, seals, seasonal wildlife and waterfowl while employing hands-on science and interactive props. Your family will have a wonderful time cruising and learning about this vital part of the area’s natural history.
The Yankee Clipper is US Coast Guard inspected and licensed and has life jackets and a marine toilet for your convenience. Fee: Adults $20/members, $27/non-members; Children $16/members, $19/non-members. Click here or call (978) 462-9998 to sign up or for more info.

June 17 (Sunday) – SUDBURY and CONCORD RIVERS – Father’s Day Paddle, 9:00 AM start, sponsored by the Norumbega Chapter of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association. We will launch at Sherman’s Bridge over the Sudbury River, located on Sherman’s Bridge Road at the Wayland/Sudbury line, and from there to the take out in Concord at the Old North Bridge it is about an 8 mile run. Bring a lunch and we will spend some time at the National Park in Concord. Click here or contact John Fitzgerald at (978) 371-2438 or jmbfitz@hotmail.com for more info.

June 19 (Tuesday) – BLACKSTONE RIVER – Riverbend Farm Loop paddle in Uxbridge, 6:15PM start, sponsored by the Blackstone Valley Paddle Club. Paddle on a remnant of the Blackstone Canal to the historic Goat Hill Lock, or more experienced paddlers can paddle the Loop: down the River and then up the Canal. The river loop requires very good boat control in moving water, so is not suitable for beginners. Contact Cheryl at (401) 647-5887 or StoneFoxFarm@juno.com for more info. We will have a National Park Service Ranger paddling with us this evening. Boat rentals are available by advance reservation [Blackstone Valley Outfitters, (401) 312-0369].  The RI Blueways are also invited to join us this evening. 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 19 (Tuesday) – CHARLES RIVER – Charlesgate Greenway Public Meeting, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM, sponsored by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. Are you interested in re-linking the Emerald Necklace and The Esplanade? Do you want access to more green space and enjoy river views? Then you should come to a public meeting to discuss the conceptual design for the Charlesgate Greenway. The Lawrence and Lillian Solomon Foundation, with the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation and active participation of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy and The Esplanade Association, are seeking input on a proposed multi-use path connecting the Charlesgate area with the Charles River, and in the process, unlocking access to 2 1/2 acres of now isolated parkland. If successful, this would be the first step towards reclaiming a pedestrian and bicycle route between the Emerald Necklace and Charles River Basin that was displaced by highway construction a half century ago. The meeting will be held at the Massachusetts Historical Society (1154 Boylston Street, Boston). Light refreshments will be served. Click here for more info.

June 20 (Wednesday) – CONNECTICUT RIVER – Summer Solstice Paddle, 6:30 PM - 8:45 PM, sponsored by the Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Center. Awed by the great power of the sun, civilizations have for centuries celebrated the first day of summer , otherwise known as Midsummer or the Summer Solstice. During this evening paddle, we’ll explore some of the celebrations from around the world as well as the rich history and natural history of Barton Cove. Ancient waterfalls, historic log drives, dinosaur footprints and nesting bald eagles are unique to this peninsula, cove and “narrows” on the Connecticut River. This program is appropriate ages 16+ and for both beginning and experienced paddlers. Tandem kayaks available. Fee: FREE with own kayak, $25/boat with kayak rental. Click here or call (toll-free) (800) 859-2960 to sign up or for more info.

June 20 (Wednesday) – TEN MILE RIVER – Summer Solstice walk At Seekonk Meadows, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, sponsored by the Ten Mile River Watershed Council (TMRWC). We will meet at Seekonk Library and walk a little known trail through Seekonk Meadows and the Charles Mararian Farm. The trail offers good views of Gameno Pond, Central Pond, and some cellar holes being taken over by forest. Be sure to bring water as we will be walking 2-3 miles with some up and down. Bug spray will be provided. This is a free walk, but a small donation to the TMRWC is greatly appreciated. Click here or write to hiking@tenmileriver.net for more info.

June 20 (Wednesday) – SCORTON CREEK (CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED) – Kayak Scorton Creek in Sandwich, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Scorton Creek, a tidal creek, offers great opportunity to view salt marsh species of birds and other beach inhabitants within a quiet and calm environment. This is a good trip for those less confident in open water paddling. There will be opportunity for boaters to pull ashore for a beach combing leg. Total paddling time is about 1 hour, 20 minutes. While this trip is intended for those with previous kayaking experience, all experience levels are welcome. Participants will be required to wear a life vest. Kayaks, paddles and life vests provided. Fee: $35/members, $40/nonmembers. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

June 21 (Thursday) – CHARLES RIVER – West Cambridge evening walk, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This moderate paced, 5-mi. city walk will include Longfellow Park, Brattle Street, many historic stops, and return along the Charles River. Meet in front of Harvard Square T-Stop at the top of the stairs. Heavy rain/storm cancels. No dogs; non-AMC members $1. Although it is not necessary to register for this event, you may want to click here or contact walk leader George Hovorka [(781) 771-8604 (before 9 PM), george65m5@hotmail.com] for more info.

June 21 (Thursday) – ASSABET, SUDBURY and CONCORD RIVERS – River Solstice Celebration, 6:30 PM in Concord. Celebrate the arrival of Summer with Musketaquid and OARS as we kick off Riverfest (June 23-25), a weekend of celebrating our Wild and Scenic Rivers! The evening begins at 6:30 PM with a picnic on the grounds of the Old Manse. Bring food, drink, and a blanket, and relax while listening to music performed by the Voices for the Earth Chorus, Snow Crow, among others, and taking in an incomparable view. At 8 PM launch your 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. [Directions to make a candle lantern.] For those who want to participate without getting wet, the best viewing spot is from the Lowell Road Bridge just outside Concord Center. You are also welcome to participate in the Drum and Dance Circle with Earth Drum Council at the Old Calf Pasture, which will begin at 8:00 PM. All are welcome to come for the picnic, the music, the flotilla, the drumming, or all four. And everyone is encouraged to bring a candle lantern. Click here, email OARS or call (978) 369-3956 for more info. For canoe rental, call South Bridge Boat House at (978) 371-2465, and ask for the Solstice group rate.

June 21 (Thursday) – NAUSET MARSH (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Nauset Marsh Scenic Cruise, 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM in Orleans, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Cruise through Nauset Marsh in a pontoon boat in search of shorebirds and other wildlife. Learn about salt marsh ecology and the cultural history of the area. We hope to spot ospreys, great blue herons, terns, willets, oystercatchers, and plovers. Fee: $35/members, $40/non-members. Click here or call (508) 349-2615 to sign up or for more info.

June 22 (Friday) – IPSWICH RIVER – “Voice of the River” Concert and Party celebrating Rivers Month, the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA)’s 35th Anniversary, and honoring Kerry Mackin, retiring IRWA Executive Director. The event will take place from 7:00-10:00 PM at the Governor’s Academy Performing Arts Center, Byfield and will feature a performance by Miranda Russell. Click here for more details.

June 22 (Friday) – CHARLES RIVER – Evening Canoe on the Charles, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, sponsoredby Mass. Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy a paddle down one of the most beautiful stretches of the Charles River, past Medfield State Hospital and up into the Medfield marshes. Watch as the sun sets over the river and listen for the evening sounds of birds, frogs and other creatures. Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, a basic paddling overview & guides are all provided. Fee: Adults $30/members, $35/non-members. Click here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 23– July 4

June 23 (Saturday) – SLOCUM'S RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Tidal River Paddle in South Dartmouth, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe/Kayak Association (RICKA). Meet at 9:30 AM for a 10:00AM launch. This trip will take 3 to 4 hours and is approximately 7- 8 miles. You may encounter winds. Trip is suitable for all levels of ability and all boat lengths. Bring a lunch. Late cancellations & changes to trips will be posted on the Flatwater message board.   Click here or contact trip coordinators Bill Brown [kayakbill222@aol.com] or Bill Mitchell [wmitchell270@comcast.net] for more info.

June 23 (Saturday) – MILLERS RIVER – The Birds of Athol, 7:00 AM, sponsored by the Athol Bird and Nature Club. This excursion into Cass Meadow with expert birders Joan and Larry Duprey will meet at the Alan E. Rich Environmental Park, near 50 Main St. in Athol. Both properties are in close proximity to the Millers River. Heavy rain cancels. Contact Larry at (978) 235-6581 or Larry_Duprey@hotmail.com for more info.

June 23 (Saturday) – WEWEANTIC RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Coastal waterway paddle in Wareham and Marion, 10:30 AM launch, sponsored by the SE Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This will be a leisurely-paced,
6-8 mile trip to explore the headwaters of the Weweantic River, Sippican River, and Cohackett Creek. PFD required. Launch 10:30 AM at State boat ramp in rest area between Exits 20 & 21 on I-195 eastbound. While it is not necessary to register for this event, you may want to contact the trip leader, Wesley Ewell [(774) 313-7599 between 7-9 PM] or click here for more info.

June 23 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Rafting trip on the Monroe Bridge (Class IV) section of the Deerfield, sponsored by the Berkshire Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Rafting trips are very popular, so register early - but no later than the Wednesday before the trip. Minimum age is 14. Strong swimming skills required. Click here or contact Al Howcroft [(413) 256-1301 (best time to call: M-F 3:30-6:30 PM)] to sign up or for more info.

June 23 (Saturday) – GLENDALE FALLS (WESTFIELD RIVER WATERSHED) – “One Step at a Time” Wild and Scenic Work Day, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM in Middlefield, sponsored by the Westfield River Wild & Scenic Advisory Committee. Help repair trails and spruce up this scenic area, the home of one of the highest waterfalls in Massachusetts. Bring your shovels, gloves and sense of humor! Meet at the Glendale Falls parking area. Click here or contact Meredyth Babcock, Stream Team Volunteer Coordinator at (413) 623-2070 orvolunteer@westfieldriverwildscenic.org for more info.

June 23 (Saturday) – IPSWICH RIVER – Paddle the Ipswich River – Source to Sea, sponsored by the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA). Get out for some fun paddles this spring/summer from the source of the Ipswich River to the sea! Each trip will explore the natural beauty of this meandering river and discover the wildlife and plants along the way. All are welcome for any or all trips! The trip on June 23 will take place in Reading and go from Mill St. to Pine Rd. All trips are BYOB (bring your own boat), PFD, water and snacks. Rain cancels trips. Pre-registration is required; click here or contact Cynthia at cingelfinger@ipswichriver.org or (978) 412-8200 to register or for more info.

June 23 (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. Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, a basic paddling overview & guides are all provided. Registration is required. Fee: Adults $33/members; $38/non-members. Click here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 23 (Saturday) – LAKE GARDNER (POWOW RIVER – MERRIMACK WATERSHED) – Fourth Annual Lake Gardner Classic 5K Canoe and Kayak Race in Amesbury, sponsored by the Lake Gardner Improvement Association. Registration begins at 9:30 AM, and the Race starts at 11:00 AM. This is a family-oriented amateur race, with trophies awarded to top finishers in each class. Click here for more info.

June 23 (Saturday) – SANDY NECK and GREAT MARSH (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayaking Barnstable Harbor's Sandy Neck and Great Marsh Ecosystem, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM in Barnstable, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us as we kayak Cape Cod's largest barrier beach and salt marsh system and see for yourself why this is one of the state's most impressive coastal ecosystems. Traveling the great marsh by kayak offers a whole new perspective on nature, and an intimacy with the tide. It also allows you to get into shallow waters, where larger boats can't go! Launching from Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, we will explore the many tidal creeks and islands of the harbor, looking for shorebirds, osprey, horseshoe crabs and other creatures of the marsh. We'll also come ashore at the Sandy Neck barrier beach lighthouse. Barnstable Harbor can be windy and choppy. Weather may shorten trip - depending on conditions of seas and wind. While this trip is intended for those with previous kayaking experience, all experience levels are welcome. Participants will be required to wear a life vest. Fee: $40/members, $45/non-members. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

June 23 (Saturday) – SLOCUM'S RIVER (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Kayak tour in South Dartmouth, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by the Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies. The Slocum River is a peaceful scenic estuary, offering extraordinary views, great birding and paddling. Come explore the many coves and marshes along this classic New England landscape. Paddlers of all abilities are welcome. All tours include basic kayak equipment and instruction by certified guides. Fee: $45/members, $55/non-members. Click here to register or click here or call (508) 558-2918 for more info.

June 23 (Saturday) – QUINEBAUG RIVER – Hike and Bike the Westville Dam area,
2:00 PM – 4:30 PM, sponsoredby the Grand Trunk Trail Blazers. Come to explore the diverse types of recreational trails in this area, suitable for various types of uses. The event takes place at the U.S. Army Corps’ Westville Dam Recreation Area. Check-in at the second parking lot; at 2:30 and 3:30 there will be guided rides for kids to different trails, which are accessible to both training-wheels and tricycles. A bike mechanic from Bicycle Concepts will provide safety inspections on all bikes free of charge. Members of the local area trail committees will be in attendance for those seeking more information about local trails and trail related activities. Maps will be provided so that you can go off on your own. Rain date is Sat., June 30. Write to bgoodwin321@gmail.com with any questions.

June 23-25 (Saturday-Monday) – SUDBURY/ASSABET/CONCORD RIVERS – Riverfest, sponsored by the Concord, Assabet, & Sudbury Wild & Scenic River Stewardship Council. The Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers provide a range of recreational opportunities to those within the greater Boston area. A natural respite, the river offers occasions for hiking, birding, fishing and boating. It is also a great educational resource to teach students about ecology of river systems.  Riverfest is a weekend long celebration of the three rivers. All events are free and open to everyone. Click here for more info.

June 23-24 (Saturday- Sunday) – SUDBURY, ASSABET and CONCORD RIVERS – “Riverfest” Paddle and Camp, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Paddle all of the Wild and Scenic portions of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord (SuAsCo) Rivers. Launch on the Sudbury River in Framingham, paddle 15 miles to camp (optional) near Egg Rock in Concord, with a shore component at Old North Bridge. Sanitary facilities and s’mores will be provided. Bring your own water craft, floatation, camping gear and food. Cars will be shuttled to Concord near the camp site if your craft cannot handle all of your camping gear. Launch on Sunday on the Assabet River in West Concord and continue another 15 miles down the Concord River to take out in Billerica. Meet us along the way/leave early if you cannot paddle the entire day. Click here or contact trip leader Bill Fadden [(508) 877-8893 (before 9 PM) or faddenwn@aol.com] to sign up or for more info.

June 23 – 24 (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 24 (Sunday) – ESSEX RIVER and GREAT MARSH (NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Cruise the Essex Marshes, 10:00 AM – 12 Noon in Essex, sponsored by the Essex County Greenbelt Association. Take a boat trip down the Essex River into the scenic salt mash landscape of Essex Bay aboard Essex River Cruises’ Essex River Queen 1. Learn about the ecosystem, habitat and species that live and migrate in this environment. Fee: $20/Adults, $10/Children. RSVP to ecga@ecga.org, or contact Mary Williamson at mew@ecga.org or (978) 768-7241 ext. 13 for more info.

June 24 (Sunday) – NASHUA RIVER – Sixth 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 24 (Sunday) – MERRIMACK RIVER – Introduction to Sea Kayaking, 1:30 PM – 5:30 PM, co-sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Joppa Flats Education Center 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: $35/members, $45/nonmembers. 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 (Sunday) – QUINSIGAMOND RIVER (BLACKSTONE WATERSHED) – Family Canoeing on the Quisigamond River in Grafton, 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary. Join us for a family-friendly canoeing experience in the Blackstone River watershed. This is the perfect experience for beginner paddlers. We will practice our skills in flat, quiet water and then move into a marshy area to test our steering skills. Get up close to learn about plants that like their feet wet. This program is part of the Campaign for a Fishable/Swimmable Blackstone River by 2015. The trip will be led by Sheryl Farnam, a Natural History Guide and Birding Instructor. Fee: $20/members, $25/non-members. We will provide life jackets, paddles, and canoes. Click here or call (508) 753-6087 to sign up or for more info.

June 24 (Sunday) – 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 24 (Sunday) – MUDDY RIVER (CHARLES WATERSHED) – Muddy River Walking Tour, 5:30 PM start, sponsored by the Muddy River Restoration Project Maintenance and Management Oversight Committee (MMOC). Join MMOC staff for a one-mile walking tour of the Phase 1 area of the Muddy River Restoration Project. The tour will highlight both the scope of the restoration project and the history of the area. Phase 1 of the Project, which is expected to start later this year, includes daylighting the Muddy River in the area of the Landmark Center to make it visible again. The tour starts at the Richardson Gatehouse, 125 The Fenway, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy Visitors Center, and ends at the Landmark Center. Click here for more info.

June 24 (Sunday) – NASHUA RIVER – Groton Greenway River Festival,
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM, sponsored by the Groton Greenway Committee. The Festival returns, complete with the famous cardboard canoe races. All events are free. There will be canoeing all day courtesy of Nashoba Paddler LLC, lots of environmental displays and children’s activities, and musical guests including Native American drummers. Food will be available for purchase. The Festival is held on the bank of the Nashua River at the Petapawag boat launch, Nod Road, Groton. Click here or contact Pete Carson at pbcarson@charter.net for more info.

June 24 (Sunday) – NASHUA RIVER – Groton Greenway River Festival, 11 AM - 5 PM in Groton, sponsored by the Groton Greenway Committee. Celebrate the Nashua River! All events are free. Canoeing all day courtesy of Nashoba Paddler, LLC. Cardboard canoe races; environmental displays; childrens activities; musical guests including Native American drummers and dancers. Food available for purchase. Held on the bank of the Nashua River at the Petapawag boat launch on Nod Road, off Route 119 in Groton. Click here or contact Pete Carson at pbcarson@charter.net or (978) 877-7366 for more info.

June 26 (Tuesday) ANNISQUAM RIVER (NORTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Sea Kayak trip in Gloucester, 10:00 AM launch, sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. A 6-8 mile paddle on the Jones and Annisquam Rivers to Wingaersheek Beach. Lunch on the water at the Market Restaurant. Must have kayak with bulkheads, a PFD and skirt, and be comfortable doing wet exits. Bring water, sunscreen and lunch money. Registration required; click here to sign up or for more info.

June 26 (Tuesday) – MYSTIC RIVER – Walking Tour of the Blueback Herring River Route, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM in Somerville, sponsored by MetroFuture Walks & Talks. In the fall of 2009, the City of Somerville was awarded a grant by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust to create new opportunities for the community to access and enjoy the Mystic River.  One component was to develop a safe pedestrian route from Foss Park to the Blessing of the Bay boathouse called the Blueback Herring River Route.  We will gather at the Mystic Activity Center for a brief overview of the project and then we will walk along the 0.6 mile route and back (a total of 1.2 miles).  Each participant will receive a copy of the Blueback Herring River Route map as well as a copy of the publication “How to Develop Walking Routes to the Lower Mystic River and its Tributaries: A Tool Kit”.  Please note that portions of the sidewalks along the route are rough and uneven and may be difficult to navigate in a wheelchair or for people with other mobility difficulties. Click here to sign up and here for more info.

June 27 (Wednesday) SLOCUM'S and LITTLE RIVERS (BUZZARDS BAY WATERSHED) – Sea Kayak paddle in Dartmouth, sponsored by the SE Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This will be an 11-mile paddle down the Slocum's River and up into the Little River. PFD & spray skirt required. While pre-registration is not required for this trip, you may want to click here or contact the trip leader, Haven Roosevelt [(508) 636-0006, havenesq@comcast.net] for more info.

June 27 (Wednesday) – SAUGUS RIVER – 2012 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 28th. All are welcome!  This free event is open to the public, no RSVP needed.  Click here for more info.

June 28 (Thursday) – NEPONSET RIVER – Annual Meeting of the Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA), taking place at the Reebok Headquarters in Canton. Click here for more info. The NepRWA Annual Meeting will feature a presentation by Canton historian George T. Comeau covering thousands of years of history along the Neponset River.

June 30 (Saturday) – CHASE GARDEN CREEK (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayaking Chase Garden Creek in Yarmouth Port, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’s Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Chase Garden Creek is a long, meandering creek that is protected from the stronger winds of Barnstable Harbor. Close encounters with osprey nests and other bird life is a certainty. While this trip is intended for those with previous kayaking experience, all experience levels are welcome. Participants will be required to wear a life vest. Kayaks, paddles life vests and safety equipment are provided. Fee: $40/members, $45/non-members. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

June 30 (Saturday) – EEL RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) – Search for Butterflies at theEel River Headwaters Preserve in Plymouth, 9:30 AM, sponsored by the Mass. Butterfly Club. Explore this newly restored former cranberry farm, and help survey its butterfly populations. After lunch we will go to nearby Tidmarsh Farm, another former cranberry farm slated for ecological restoration, to survey its butterflies to provide baseline data. An overview of the completed and future restoration efforts will be provided along the way. Meet at the parking lot for Eel River Preserve at the corner of Long Pond Road and Boot Pond Road in Plymouth. Directions: From Route 3, take Exit 5. Take Long Pond Road south past the shopping plazas. Boot Pond Road is about 2 miles on the right, parking lot is at this intersection. Bring Snack and/or Lunch. Rain date: Sun, Jul 1. Leaders: Sharon Stichter and Alex Hackman of the Mass. Division of Ecological Restoration. Click here or contact Sharon at (978) 465- 2902 or sharonstichter2@comcast.net for more info.

June 30 (Saturday) – NORTH RIVER (SOUTH COASTAL WATERSHED) –7th Annual North River tidal paddle, sponsored by the Rhode Island Canoe/Kayak Association (RICKA). Please be at launch site by 10:30 AM to unload boats and move an appropriate number of vehicles to the Take Out point. The Departure will be at 11:30 AM SHARP in order to take advantage of the tidal flows. The route is 11.6 miles, with the outgoing tide, 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. Late cancellations & changes to trips will be posted on the Flatwater message board.   Click here or contact Ron Cichowski [(508)868-3471, n3303j@erols.com] for more info.

June 30 (Saturday) – CHARLES RIVER – Evening Canoe on the Charles, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM, sponsoredby Mass. Audubon’s Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy a paddle down one of the most beautiful stretches of the Charles River, past Medfield State Hospital and up into the Medfield marshes. Watch as the sun sets over the river and listen for the evening sounds of birds, frogs and other creatures. Canoes, paddles, lifejackets, a basic paddling overview & guides are all provided. Fee: Adults $30/members, $35/non-members. Click here or call (508) 655-2296 to sign up or for more info.

June 30 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Deerfield Fest in Charlemont, sponsored by American Whitewater. The event focuses on bringing people to the area to enjoy a weekend of outdoor activities while showcasing whitewater paddlesports and raising funds and membership for American Whitewater. The main festival activities take place at the Town of Charlemont’s Fairgrounds (8 Park St.) on Saturday afternoon/evening and provide entertainment for both paddlesport and non-paddlesport enthusiasts young and old. The festival site will be bustling with activity including a whitewater marketplace, live entertainment, beer, and a silent auction with awesome outdoor gear. All proceeds from the festival support American Whitewater’s conservation and access work throughout the Northeast. Click here or here for more info.

June 30 (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 30 (Saturday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Whitewater paddle on the Fife Brook segment (Class II), sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Paddle the Fife Brook Section of the Deerfield River during Riverfest Weekend! Rental equipment is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Click here to sign up or for more info for this trip.

July 1 (Sunday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Deerfield Riverfest Wildwater Race, sponsored by the New England Canoe and Kayak Racing Association. Registration is from 11:00-11:45 AM at the Monroe Bridge put-in, and the race begins at 12noon sharp. This race takes place on the “Dryway”, a Class III-IV run that is only suitable for expert whitewater paddlers with the proper gear. Click here or contact Mark Wendolowski at (413) 626-3862 or lmsc80@yahoo.com for more info.

July 1 (Sunday) – DEERFIELD RIVER – Whitewater paddle on the Dryway (Class III-IV), sponsored by the Boston Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. This trip is timed to take advantage of a scheduled 900 cfs release into the “Dryway” section of the Deerfield in conjunction with Riverfest Weekend. This section offers a good progression from class III to IV for aspiring class IV paddlers. Click here to sign up for or get more info about this paddling opportunity.

July 1 (Sunday) – CHARLES RIVER – Water Chestnut Pulling Party, 12:00 Noon - 4:00 PM, co-sponsored by the Charles River Watershed Association and Charles River Canoe and Kayak in Newton. Volunteers are invited for rewarding and fun day of canoeing and pulling out invasive weeds (water chestnuts) from the Charles River. We will provide you with the necessary equipment and training. Click here or contact Anna at waterchestnut@crwa.org or (781) 788-0007 ext. 235 to sign up or for more info.

July 3 (Tuesday) – HERRING RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Kayak Trip in Harwich, 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon, sponsored by Mass. Audubon’sLong Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary. Explore the winding tidal rivers, quiet bays, and scenic marshes of Cape Cod with an experienced paddler. The Herring River is among the most wild and scenic rivers on Cape Cod due to protection afforded it by the town of Harwich. As its name implies, it is a corridor for migrating herring. Wildlife abounds along the peaceful banks and expansive marsh. Trip is suitable for adults and children aged 12 and older; previous kayaking experience is required. Fee: $40/members, $45/non-members. Kayaks, paddles and life vests provided. All participants must be age 12 and older, swimmers, and experienced paddlers. Click here or call (508) 362-1426 to sign up or for more info.

July 3 (Tuesday) – CAPE AND ISLANDS WATERSHED – Moonrise Paddle on Martha’s Vineyard, 7:30 PM - 9:30 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.

July 3-4 (Tuesday-Wednesday) – CHARLES RIVER – Independence Day Celebration at the Charles River Esplanade, featuring performances by the Boston Pops Orchestra, followed by fireworks (Wednesday only). 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.

July 4 (Wednesday) – SWAN RIVER (CAPE COD WATERSHED) – Sea kayak trip to/from Nantucket Sound, in Dennis, sponsored by the SE Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. Paddle down the river to mouth on Nantucket Sound, lunch on sandbar and return, circumnavigating Swan Pond. PFD required, Spray Skirt may be required if windy. To reach the put-in, take Route 6 to exit 9 for W. Harwich/ Dennisport, Route 134 south past Patriot's Square to 2nd set lights left on Upper County road past Hart Farm, left on Clipper Lane to put-in on Swan Pond. While pre-registration is not required for this trip, you may want to click here or contact the trip leaders, Jean Orser [jeanorser@aol.com] or Paul Corriveau [paulcorri@gmail.com] for more info.

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 (4/28 – 7/4/2012), 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.]

><((((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•...¸><((((º>¸.•´¯`•.¸. , . .•´¯`•.. ><((((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸.•´¯`•...¸><((((º>

Mass. Division of Ecological Restoration – 2012 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 is to restore and protect the Commonwealth’s rivers, wetlands and watersheds for the benefit of people and the environment.