Biodiversity Day at Sweets Knoll State Park

Please join us this Saturday, May 11 at Sweets Knoll State Park at 1387 Somerset Avenue (Rt. 138) in Dighton to explore the property and identify the species of plants and animals who call this lovely riverside area home. Several biologists and botanists will be on hand to help us out. The event begins at 9 a.m. and will continue through mid-afternoon.

As you may be aware, the state park extends from Somerset Avenue (Route 138) down to the Taunton River. It includes grassland, woodland and shoreline habitats.

All are welcome — no special expertise required. We look forward to seeing you.

Join Us for our Spring Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer Training

Saturday, February 23, 2019, 9:45 a.m. to 12 Noon
At the TRWA River Education Center
Sweets Knoll State Park
1387 Somerset Avenue, Dighton, MA 

Become a “Guardian of the Taunton River Watershed!” 
Join our Water Quality Monitoring Testing Team.

No prior technical experience is necessary!
Qualifications: A sense of adventure, a vehicle, and a desire to make a difference!

We are looking for volunteers willing to be available on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from March to November between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. to collect water samples and record basic observations at various stream sites on the Taunton River and its major tributaries. The water samples are then driven to the Taunton Waste Water Treatment Plant to be dropped off at the Veolia Lab for processing by 8:30 a.m. Most of our current 20 testing sites already have a volunteer(s) assigned to perform the monthly tests. Our greatest need right now is for additional team members and back up testers for each site who would be willing to cover for the regular testers when there are vacations, appointments or last minute vehicle emergencies. We try to match up volunteers with sites in their geographic area. Currently, we are testing in Berkley, Bridgewater, Dighton, Middleboro, Raynham, and Taunton. Check out our website for a complete list of the sites. Regular team members sample once a month as a back up tester, depending on how many sites you volunteer to back up, you may be called upon once or twice a season to perform sampling. Its a great way to “try out” some environmental activism!

The TRWA has been collecting data on the health of the Taunton River and its tributaries for 30 years.  Keeping this data set running is important.  It is an incredible tool for scientists, legislators, and environmental regulators–a snapshot of the river’s health and a record of environmental changes over time–and you can play a part in ensuring the continued study of this waterbody and track some changes as upgraded wastewater treatment plants come on line in 2019, 2021 and 2022.  Plug in!  Make a difference! 

This Training is Free of Charge

If possible, please register ahead of time by contacting us by email: trwa_staff@verizon.net

In case of inclement weather, the snow date will be 

Saturday, March 2, 2019, 9:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Can you Picture Yourself Making a Difference?

 

Wanted: Educational/Informational/Non-Profit Exhibitors at our Taunton River Festival, Sunday, June 10th

For thirty years, the Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA) has been a voice for the Taunton River, and advocate for environmental protection, sustainable development, and responsible stewardship of our precious water resources.  We are an Alliance of concerned residents, businesses, and organizations united to restore and properly manage water and related natural resources within the Taunton River Watershed.

In keeping with this mission, in recognition of our 30th anniversary and in partnership with other non-profits, we are bringing back the popular Taunton River Festival which was held by the Weir Corporation (now the Neighborhood Corporation) for over 20 years.  This free, daylong event will again be held at the Weir Riverfront Park in Taunton and offer a variety of activities for the entire family, including live music, a food court, craft fair, river activities, and much more.  

We are looking for Educational/informational/non-profit exhibitors; corporate sponsors, and vendors.  Please contact us at Director@savethetaunton.org if you would like to participate on that day as a sponsor, exhibitor, or vendor.  

TAUNTON RIVER FESTIVAL info page

TRFnon-profitorganization

TRFspace application

TWRA TRF Sponsorship Ltr 2018

Music & Poetry in the Grove

The Taunton River Watershed Alliance and the Friends of Boyden Refuge, Inc. are teaming up again this year to host “Music & Poetry in the Grove,” an afternoon of entertainment at the Gertrude M. Boyden Wildlife Refuge, 1298 Cohannet Street, Taunton.  This Sunday, May 6, from 2:00-5:00, bring your lawn chairs and picnic snacks and set up in the pine grove next to the Refuge parking lot.  The afternoon line up features Matt Borello, Sandy Borges, Louis Leeman, Nancy Brady Cunningham, “Ragtime” Jack Radcliffe, Ethel Fraga and a few surprise guest artists.  For more info, call our offices at 508-828-1101 or email director@savethetaunton.org

TRWA Had It’s Annual Sampling Team Volunteer Training

TRWA had it’s annual Sampling Team Volunteer Training the last Saturday in February (2/24/18).  Once again we have a very enthusiastic and dedicated team of volunteers for the 2018 sampling season!

The work of these Guardians of the Watershed is crucial to our ability to understand what is happening with pollutant levels and water quality in the Taunton River and its tributaries.  Most of the wastewater treatment plants in the watershed are undergoing upgrades to better remove nutrients (particularly nitrogen).  Tracking the current river condition and future conditions as these upgrade go online is important for a River like the Taunton which is a high percentage of treated wastewater effluent at critical summer low flow.

We owe a debt of gratitude to our Sampling Team Volunteers!

Join Us for our Spring Water Quality Monitoring Volunteer Training

Saturday, February 24, 2018, 9:45 a.m. to 12 Noon
2nd floor library, Bristol County Agricultural High School 
135 Center Street, Dighton, MA 

Become a “Guardian of the Taunton River Watershed!” 
Join our Water Quality Monitoring Testing Team.

No prior technical experience is necessary!
Qualifications: A sense of adventure, a vehicle, and a desire to make a difference!

We are looking for volunteers willing to be available on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from March to November between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. to collect water samples and record basic observations at various stream sites on the Taunton River and its major tributaries. The water samples are then driven to the Taunton Waste Water Treatment Plant to be dropped off at the Veolia Lab for processing by 8:30 a.m. Most of our current 20 testing sites already have a volunteer assigned to perform the monthly tests. Our greatest need right now is for a complete set of back up testers for each site who would be willing to cover for the regular testers when there are vacations, appointments or last minute vehicle emergencies. We try to match up volunteers with sites in their geographic area. Currently, we are testing in Berkley, Bridgewater, Dighton, Middleboro, Raynham, and Taunton. Check out our website for a complete list of the sites. As a back up tester, depending on how many sites you volunteer to back up, you may be called upon once or twice a season to perform sampling. Its a great way to “try out” some environmental activism!

The TRWA has been collecting data on the health of the Taunton River and its tributaries for 30 years.  Keeping this data set running is important.  It is an incredible tool for scientists, legislators, and environmental regulators–a snapshot of the river’s health and a record of environmental changes over time–and you can play a part in ensuring the continued study of this waterbody.  Plug in!  Make a difference! 

This Training is Free of Charge

If possible, please register ahead of time by contacting us by email: trwa_staff@verizon.net

In case of inclement weather, the snow date will be 

Saturday, March 3, 2017, 9:45 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Can you Picture Yourself Making a Difference?

 

Announcing the Winners of our Annual Photography Contest

The Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA) is pleased to announce the release of its Annual Taunton River Tide calendar.  For our eighth year running, the TRWA has published a yearly calendar with tidal data for the Taunton River along with the winning images of the TRWA’s Calendar Photography Contest.

Berkley resident David Ennis captured the cover spot this year with his image “Bald Eagle on the Taunton River.”  He is the very first TRWA calendar photographer to win the cover spot for a second time; his “King of the Hill” shot of ospreys in territorial displays was featured on the 2016 cover.  An avid photographer, he can be found chasing birds of prey from Middleborough to Dighton.

Other winning images and photographers are:

January
“Radiant Touch,” Dighton, MA – Karen Brilhante

February
“No Swimming Today,” Muddy Cove, Dighton, MA – Mary L. Nicodemus

March
“Spring Thaw,” War Memorial Park, West Bridgewater, MA – Mark Genovese

April
“Farming by the Taunton River,” Bristol County Agricultural High School, Dighton, MA – Stephen Oliveira

May
“Yellow Warbler,” Burrage Pond WMA, Hanson, MA – Bernard Creswick

June
“Fall River Heritage State Park, Battleship Cove, and the Braga Bridge,” Fall River, MA – Jonathan Huggon

July
“Ladybugs” Somerset, MA – Deborah Sharples DeCambra

August
“Watson Pond Sunset Dip,” Taunton, MA – Mark Genovese

September
“Eastern Garter Snake in a Tree Trunk,” Pocksha Pond, Lakeville, MA – David Ennis

October
“Fun with cranberries,” Freetown, MA – Mark Genovese

November
“The Falls at the Corner of Washburn & County Roads,” E. Freetown, MA – Sally Spooner

December
“Sunset Bridge,” Dighton, MA – Al Martinez

 

The calendar also features the photographic work of: Cheryl Aguiar, Donna Barry, Don Sheerin, Barry French, Tricia Gordon, Ellen Hansen, Joanne Lachance, Carol Longo, Kaitlyn Machado, Lester Ruth, Renay Szargowicz, Kat Tasca, and Mike Walsh.

Pictures are of the wild life and scenery within the Taunton River Watershed, 562 square miles in all of or part of 43 Southeastern Massachusetts cities and towns.

Calendars are available now print-on-demand through this link. The TRWA is excited to use all the options of this new technology. Calendars can be printed from any month in the year with 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 $19.99 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.

The TRWA will be publishing another calendar in 2019 and the submission period for that calendar contest is now open. Click here to jump over to the contest page and download contest submission guidelines.

For 30 years, TRWA has been a voice for the river, an advocate for environmental protection, sustainable development and responsible stewardship of our precious water resources. We are an Alliance of concerned residents, businesses, and organizations united to restore and properly manage water and related natural resources within the Taunton River Watershed.

Fun Fall Kayak/Canoe Trip

The Fall TRWA kayak and canoe trip was a great day on the river for twenty TRWA members and friends. Everyone who participated had a great time and expressed an interest in our trips next year. We typically sponsor an overnight trip the second Saturday and Sunday, in June the weekend before Father’s Day (participants can do either or both days, camping out is optional). We also do a Fall trip usually the Sunday after Columbus Day. Mark your calendars for next year and keep an eye out for our confirmatory announcements!

Fall Foliage Canoe/Kayak Trip

Sunday, October 15, 2017

You’re invited to join the Taunton River Watershed Alliance (TRWA) for a canoe/kayak trip on the Taunton River to enjoy the peak fall foliage. The date is Sunday, October 15. The trip will begin at 10 a.m. at the South Street East river crossing on the Raynham/East Taunton line (check-in at 9:30). It will end approximately four hours later (2 p.m.) at Weir Riverfront Park on East Water Street in Taunton. Click here for registration information.