Join us on Saturday, November 7th 2026 for our Annual Meeting!

4:00pm – 6:30pm – Bristol County Agricultural High School

FREE – $10 donation encouraged

Annual Meeting Agenda

4-5pm General Business Meeting

Welcome and President’s Report – Dick Shafer

Treasurer’s Report – Anne Morse

Nomination and Re-election of Board of Directors and Officers – Dick Shafer

2026 Program Recaps 

Bruce Spooner Education Center – Sally Spooner and Abby Abrahamson

Water Quality Monitoring – Steve Silva

Diamondback Terrapin Population Study Results – Sarah Copp, Project Technician 

Diamondback Terrapin Nesting Season Recap – Ellenor Simmons

Volunteer Recognition Awards  

5-6pm Guest Speaker Presentations 

Taunton River Stewardship Plan Update – Lori Watson and Michelle Tinger

For 38 years, the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD) has worked with community members and regional partners, such as the Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA), on conservation and management efforts along the 40-mile-long Taunton River. Together, TRWA and SRPEDD produced the 2005 Taunton River Stewardship Plan. The National Park Services’ Wild and Scenic designation has helped protect over 1,500 acres of conservation land along the river. Two decades later, SRPEDD continues to advance the Taunton River conservation and management efforts by updating the Taunton River Stewardship Plan. 

Working together with the National Park Service (NPS), representatives from the ten main stem Taunton River communities, federal, state, and regional partners, including TRWA and SRPEDD, produced the 2005 Taunton River Stewardship Plan. In 2009, the Stewardship Plan provided the basis for congressional Wild and Scenic designation for the Taunton River. Through annual NPS funding attached to this designation, we have helped: protect over 1,500 acres of conservation land along the river, develop and maintain river access sites, preserve local and indigenous cultural and historical sites, restore local and migratory fisheries, and support municipal projects in the Taunton River Watershed.

Two decades later, the same coalition of partners who developed the 2005 Stewardship Plan, hope to continue to advance Taunton River conservation and management efforts by supporting SRPEDD as they update the Taunton River Stewardship Plan.

For more information on the Taunton River Stewardship Plan, visit tauntonriver.org/resources/partners/

Permeable Reactive Barrier (PRB) on Long Pond – Karen Pettinelli

River Stewardship – Monica Bentley

Closing 

*Light refreshments will be served. TRWA Tide Calendar and other items will be available for purchase.*

Refreshments generously donated by Trucchi’s!

SPEAKERS

Lori Watson

Assistant Director, Environmental Planning, Southeastern Regional Planning & Economic Development District (SRPEDD)

Lori Watson oversees a diverse portfolio of environmental planning projects and community engagement efforts. Lori’s career has focused on natural hazard mitigation, community resilience, and water quality—areas that closely intersect with watershed systems. She brings experience from multiple sectors, including state and county government, academia, environmental nonprofits, and private consulting. She believes regional planning agencies are uniquely positioned to provide strategic, tailored, place-based plans and resources in an efficient and cost-effective way.

Ms. Watson holds a B.A. in Environmental Economics from St. Lawrence University and a Master’s degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors near local waterways—kayaking, sailing, and appreciating clean water and open space. (srpedd.org)

Michelle Tinger

Environmental Planning Manager, Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD)

Michelle joined SRPEDD in November 2023 where she provides technical assistance on greenhouse gas reduction, climate adaptation strategies, floodplain management, open space planning, zoning bylaw updates, and brownfields cleanups. She particularly enjoys using data-driven, place-based strategies to balance community development with environmental conservation. 

She supports Southeastern Massachusetts communities with projects focused on flood management, greenhouse gas reduction, pollution mitigation, open space and recreation planning, and brownfields cleanup.

Michelle holds an MS in Urban Planning and Community Development from UMass Boston and a BA in Environmental Studies from Binghamton University. She is grateful for the opportunity to support projects that reflect regional ecological systems, promote stewardship, and meet local needs. (srpedd.org)

Karen Pettinelli

Principal Natural Resource Planner, Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District (SRPEDD)

Karen Pettinelli has a background of 14 years in agriculture and 7 years in agricultural natural resource management and program management. She has recently completed a MS in Agriculture, Food, and Environment at the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, where she focused her studies on watershed-based agricultural planning projects to support regional climate resilience in New England. In the past three years she has worked as an Agricultural Policy Research Consultant for organizations such as American Farmland Trust, Acres4Change, and Alosa Ecological Strategies. Karen has lived in MA for most of her life and has agricultural roots in Mendon, MA. She is excited to join the SRPEDD and continue to support agricultural preservation, food systems repair, and resilient natural resource management strategies in SE MA. (srpedd.org)

Monica Bentley

River Steward, Taunton River Stewardship Council (TRSC)

Monica joined the Taunton River Stewardship Council (TRSC) in 2019 as a member and Chairperson of the River Access and Improvements Committee (RAC). As an avid paddler of the Taunton River and its tributaries for well over 20 years, Monica is well versed in identifying sites for improved access. Her extensive knowledge and passion for advocacy led to her current role as the TRSC’s River Steward where she works to address river obstructions, such as fallen trees, as well as the creation of new or improved river access sites.  Working with the RAC and watershed communities, her goal is to make it safer for paddlers to navigate our rivers and for Fire and Rescue teams to respond to emergencies when needed. This work also allows fish to flow freely, especially to help them reach their spawning grounds. In less than a year, she and some contractors have cleared sections of the Satucket, Winnetuxet, upper Taunton and Segregansett Rivers. She’s also worked with the City of Taunton and Wildlands Trust to add launch sites with parking on 2 sites on the Snake River: Scadding St. and Field St. and she’s working on several others. 

When not on the rivers, Monica enjoys traveling and trail clearing with volunteer groups at Myles Standish State Forest and the Trails Working Group in Plymouth. 

Monica spent her career in marketing and now enjoys being out in nature during her retirement.  

ELECTION 

The following board members are up for re-election (two-year term):

Brian Bastarache

Bart Devine

Brad Gonyer (resigning)

Jeff Morse (resigning) 

Melissa Ramondetta

Dick Shafer will move to an Emeritus Board member (“past President”) position

Steve Silva

The following Officer nominations have been made for the 2027 Board of Directors: 

Bart Devine, President 

Katy Perry-Andrew, Vice President

Bill Fitzgerald, Treasurer

Steve Silva, Secretary and Corporate Clerk

LOCATION

Bristol County Agricultural High School, Student Commons Building, 2nd Floor- 135 Center Street, Dighton.

The Student Commons Building is on the north side of Center Street.  Parking is located to the rear of the building. The building is fully accessible.

A new opportunity for TRWA members!

TRWA is a voice for the river – as a valued member, your voice is vital to furthering important TRWA initiatives. TRWA is launching two new committees! Get involved and help design the future of the TRWA.

Sign-up for one of the committees listed below
All committees will meet monthly via Zoom

Ad Hoc Committee (“The TRWA Boosters”)

Dedicated volunteers are at the heart of TRWA, and they find deep meaning in what they do.

Are you the kind of volunteer who likes variety?  One week working on fund raising, another helping to plan an education event? Another time setting up tables for a talk? If you are, the auxiliary committee needs you. 

Our Ad Hoc Committee is inviting TRWA members who are looking for a new challenge to work alongside the Board of Directors with a focus on strategic initiatives such as fundraising, event planning (annual Taunton River Festival and others) and membership outreach.

Ad Hoc Committee Mission:

The TRWA Ad Hoc Committee powers the TRWA’s mission by building a vibrant, connected community of watershed supporters. Through engaging public events, strategic membership outreach, and creative fundraising initiatives, we expect to secure the vital resources and community partnerships needed to sustain long-term conservation, education, and advocacy for the Taunton River.

River Action Committee (RAC):

Join the Chair of River Access for the Taunton River Stewardship Council to help expand river access in the watershed! If you are a novice or long-time canoe or kayaker on the Taunton River or its tributaries – this committee is for you. This is a hands-on committee for those who are interested in being actively engaged in the watershed – 

• Help in finding put in spots for kayaks and canoes
• Work with communities to expand access
• Become eyes in scouting for trash and blockages along the river

RAC Mission:

The River Action Committee (RAC) will work in partnership with the TRSC River Access and Stewardship Committee to increase river access for recreational purposes, fish passage and emergency personnel. The River Action Committee (RAC) would work under the direction of the TRSC River Steward to scout the Taunton River and its tributaries for woody debris, trash, and potential new access points or those in need of repair. 

Join here today or sign up at the Annual Meeting! 

JOIN A TRWA COMMITTEE

The Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA) is pleased to announce the winners of its Annual Taunton River Tide Calendar Photography Contest. This year the calendar features the work of 13 area photographers and nature enthusiasts. Pictures are of the wildlife and scenery within the Taunton River Watershed, 562 square miles in all of or part of 43 Southeastern Massachusetts cities and towns.

This year’s winners are:

Cover – “Picture Perfect on the Taunton,” Taunton, East Taunton/Raynham Line, MA – Kevin Carr

January – “Otter Friend Saying Good Morning,” Middleborough, MA – Bart Devine

February – “Great Blue Heron has Lunch at Gate in-between the Lakes,” Lakeville/Middleborough Line, MA – Bud Morton

March – “Morning Snack,” Lakeville, MA – Michael Ojjeh

April – “Glossy Ibis,” Burrage Pond Wildlife Management Area, Halifax, MA – Laura FitzGerald Kemmett

May – “Green Sweat Bee,” Assonet, MA – Carolyn DiFrancesco

June – “Boat Thru Brightman,” Fall River, MA – William Gibson

July – “Defiant Retreat,” Dighton, MA – David Ennis

August – “Photographer and Sandhill Cranes at Sunrise,” Burrage Pond WMA, Halifax, MA – Chuck Cowing

September – “Paddling Down the Taunton River,” Taunton, MA – William Orphanos

October – “Nature’s Reflection,” Carver’s Pond, Bridgewater, MA – Gina Guasconi

November – “Mrs. and Mr. Red Shouldered Hawk,” Wrentham, MA – Catherine Luce

December – “Walking Through A Snowy Landscape,” Picone Farm Conservation Area, Middleborough, MA – Shari Sprong

This year’s cover is “Picture Perfect on the Taunton,” shot by Kevin Carr. As a journalist and TRWA volunteer water quality monitor, Kevin experiences the story of the Taunton River on a daily basis walking along its banks. He says, “Rivers, like the Taunton River, are indispensable to the ecosystem, providing the life force of clean water and a sustainable habitat for countless water and land animals. Photography raises public awareness through the beauty of the natural world.”

Discounted copies will be on sale for $15 at the TRWA’s Annual Meeting, Saturday, November 7th, from 4:00pm – 6:30pm at Bristol County Agricultural High School. After the Annual Meeting, copies will be $15 for members, $20 for non-members at our Sweets Knoll State Park office. Please email director@savethetaunton.org or call ahead for times when the office will be open. This year we are also offering online ordering and shipping! Order your copy soon as the number of copies at these prices is limited.

Calendars are always available print-on-demand through the link below. The print-on-demand calendars can be printed from any month in the year with or without the tide data from the Taunton River or any other of the 3,500 NOAA tide stations. People purchasing the calendar can even customize their calendar with their own photographs. Half the proceeds from the online $27.95 purchase price goes directly to the TRWA to support its ongoing mission protecting and restoring the Taunton River watershed, its tributaries, wetlands, floodplains, river corridors and wildlife.

Congratulations to the winners! Thank you to to all the photographers who submitted their work! A special thank you to volunteer Jennifer O’Keefe and Board Member Melissa Ramondetta for all their time and effort in coordinating this calendar contest!

Pre-order copies – $15 Members, $20 Non-members

**LIMITED SUPPLY** TRWA Online Shop

Print-on-demand – $27.95

Calendar Link

Become a Member

Donate

Corporate Sponsorships

Annual Taunton River Tide Calendar Photography Contest

TRWA’s program, “Listening to Nature with Bioindicators” was held on January 24th at the Boyden Wildlife Refuge. 

The frigid temperatures kept the program indoors, but Abby Abrahamson, TRWA’s Bruce Spooner Education Center Program Manager kept participants enthused with interesting discussion, interactive materials, and hands-on learning.

Abby presented a very informative program on bioindicators, focusing on an important species, lichen! As a replacement for freezing outside, she provided examples to examine inside and identified some that are common in the watershed. 

There are varieties of lichen in many places one might see during a woodland walk. They are easy to overlook – it’s the “hiding in plain sight” phenomenon. Although easily overlooked, they are actually important indicators of air quality and are important contributors to its health. An abundance of lichens is an indicator of good air quality. 

Lichens are a combination of two species that act together symbiotically, fungus and algae. There are three basic types with descriptive names, crustose, that is tightly attached to rocks, tree backs and other surfaces; foliose that have a leaflike structure and fruiticose that is bushy or branched.

Some lichens are native to New England, and although they are very hardy and can withstand a wide variety of environmental conditions, some are also considered endangered due to climate change, habitat destruction and other environmental challenges.

When the weather turns warmer, maybe we will have an opportunity to look for them outside in their native environments. For now, watch for them, take pictures and send them to us for identification.

Reference: https://owlcation.com/stem/lichens-and-people-surprising-interesting-and-helpful-uses

[Show slideshow]

As we enter 2026, TWRA is privileged to welcome and introduce you to our two new staff members, Melissa Benjamin, TRWA Coordinator, and Abby Abrahamson, Bruce Spooner Education Center Program Manager. 

Melissa Benjamin comes to TRWA with a background in wildlife management/conservation, office management, environmental education, and communications. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Maine in Machias. She has previously worked for other conservation organizations such as Mass Audubon and the National Park Service.

She is a life-long nature-lover and is thrilled to work for TRWA. She is excited to bring more attention to the important work that TRWA does, support environmental advocacy and conservation efforts, as well as assist with expanding educational programs. 

Already she has expanded TRWA’s social media presence with a TikTok account, adding more dimension and followers to our Facebook account with other plans in the works.

When she’s not running the TRWA office, you can find her looking at birds, listening to music, taking photos, and going on adventures with her seven-year-old daughter.

You can reach her at 508-697-5700 and director@savethetaunton.org  

For office hours please call ahead: 508-828-1101

Abby Abrahamson is equally thrilled to join TRWA.

She looks forward to connecting with community members across the Taunton River Watershed to explore the vital role the watershed plays in our lives and how we can all enjoy, learn about, and protect it.

She is an environmental educator and community engagement professional dedicated to sharing her love and awe of nature in ways that inspire meaningful local environmental action. With experience spanning nonprofit outreach, program design, and education, she is bringing a dynamic blend of scientific knowledge, communication skills, and on-the-ground leadership to her work. 

Abby holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. In her free time, Abby enjoys photography, reading, and cycling. In 2025, she cycled the full 41 route in the annual Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride. She hopes to complete her first triathlon in 2026!

We will be cheering her on.

Watch for innovative new programs and traditional favorites at Taunton River Watershed Alliance – A Voice for the River since 1988

It’s TRWA’s  growth and success that have required additional staff. Abby’s position as the Education Center Manager is new. The education center’s growth has outgrown its volunteer and office management. Melissa’s position has added hours as well. 

TRWA’s members, our office coordinator, our multi-faceted officers and board of directors, the volunteers who are the backbone of the organization’s work, donors and sponsors whose contributions are so important to the financial support of the organization, and our social media followers who spread the word are all essential to TRWA.  We are always open to new ideas and suggestions. Thanks to all.

– Sally Spooner, TRWA Board Member

Pictured left to right: Coordinator Melissa Benjamin,  Bruce Spooner Education Center 

Program Manager Abby Abrahamson, TRWA Board Member Sally Spooner.

TRWA New Staff Press Release