Join us as our guide Ellenor Simmons leads a walk through a small section of the Bay Circuit Trail & Greenway at Borderland State Park.  This site far from the park's entrance will take us along the unfamiliar Dead Swamp Pond. We will learn about the pond's formation, the history of the property and visit an aging Hemlock grove. No restrooms. Sturdy footwear recommended. Our guide, Ellenor Simmons, brings 32 years of state parks experience to TRWA as a former Southcoast Field Operations Team Leader and park supervisor with the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. In her retirement,…

  Join Ellenor Simmons for an easy walk to explore the Weir Village Riverfront Park in Taunton. This park boarders the Taunton River on two sides, West Water Street and East Water Street.  View the newly renovated park while learning the history of both the Taunton River and this neighborhood.  Our guide, Ellenor Simmons, brings 32 years of state parks experience to TRWA as a former Southcoast Field Operations Team Leader and park supervisor with the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. In her retirement, she enjoys leading walks and volunteering with our Diamondback Terrapin Population Research Project Limited to…

    The 190-acre Picone Farm is one of Middleboro’s largest remaining areas of prime farmland. The property includes approximately 6,000 feet of frontage on the Nemasket River, scenic rolling fields, a pond, several pockets of mature woodland, a small stream, protected farmland with community gardens, and walking trails extending into the adjacent Town-owned Peter Oliver Estate. Our event will begin with a tour the historic home to learn about the Loyalists who lived there and notable guests who visited, followed by a walk at Picone Farm. Our guide, Ellenor Simmons, brings 32 years of state parks experience to TRWA…

  The Southeastern Massachusetts Bioreserve is a vast network of protected land across 13,600-acres of Freetown and Fall River, conserving a special ecosystem which protects clean water and provides habitat for countless wildlife species.  With over 50-miles of interconnected trails and roads for hiking, walking, and biking there is so much to explore. We will walk the Tattapanum Trail at Watuppa Reservation, where a pair of bald eagles are known to nest on North Watuppa Pond.  Our guide, Ellenor Simmons, brings 32 years of state parks experience to TRWA as a former Southcoast Field Operations Team Leader and park supervisor…

  Join us to witness the annual migration of amphibians as they awake from their brumation! We don't have a way to confirm the date with our amphibian friends, but the weather looks good for March 17th and we don't want to miss it. This event is being led by Brian Bastarache, TRWA Board Member and Bristol County Agricultural High School Environmental Conservation Department Chair. Meeting Place- Massasoit State Park (1361 Middleboro Ave., East Taunton). Enter a short distance and park. Brian Bastarche will be waiting to lead the group. What is the "Big Night"?  Every spring (March or April),…

Help Protect the Water Quality of the Taunton River and its Tributaries Water Quality Monitoring Training Session March 29, 2025, 9:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. TRWA’s Watershed Center, Sweets Knoll State Park, 1387 Somerset Ave, Dighton (on Rt 138 just south of the Bristol Aggie Center Street traffic light) The Taunton River Watershed Alliance has tested water quality in the Taunton Wild & Scenic River and its tributaries since its inception in 1988. This citizen collected data is an incredible tool as a historic picture of the watershed’s health.  It helps keep the spotlight on areas and actions needed for…

                               All Photo credits- Brian Bastarache   Separate fact from myth. Learn about the evolution, ecology, and diversity of the snakes of Massachusetts. The presentation will include a slideshow followed by live specimens.  Learn all about our native snakes from Brian Bastarache during this free 1-hour presentation at Bridgewater Public Library.  No registration required. Brian, a TRWA Board Member, is chairman of the Bristol County Agricultural High School Environmental Conservation Department and field herpetologist for Oxbow Associates, Inc. He also leads a team conducting Northern Diamondback Terrapin population research with TRWA since 2016.

Completed Restoration.   Photo credit- Division of Ecological Restoration   Join us for a tour of the High Street Dam Removal and Bridge Replacement project in Bridgewater, MA. Completed in 2024, this important river restoration project improved fish passage to help migratory river herring reach critical headwater spawning habitat in Lake Nippenicket. The project also included the construction of a bridge to replace the former 200-year-old and undersized High Street culvert. The new bridge can safely pass larger flood flows making the community more resilient to the impacts of climate change. The tour will take a deep dive into the project…

    Known as the Alfred J. Lima Quequechan River Rail Trail, this 2-mile paved path follows the Quequechan River over a former railroad bed, crossing bridges along ponds and marshes. Although the path cuts through Fall River’s urban center, walkers enjoy views of ducks, swans, turtles and other local wildlife.  The Quequechan River runs East to West, connecting the Watuppa Pond to the Taunton River. We will discuss the river's history from indigenous times to the industrial era resulting in Fall River’s powerful growth in the 19th century. Our guide, Ellenor Simmons, brings 32 years of state parks experience to…

Join us for a cleanup at Dighton Rock State Park in collaboration with DCR and the Friends of Dighton Rock Museum     Help us cleanup one our favorite local state parks with incredible views along the banks of the Taunton River. All ages welcome! We will be working in the marsh at low tide. Bring waterproof footwear, gloves, water, and trash pickers, if you have one.  Otherwise we will have a limited number of pickers to borrow. Children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bring a friend! Meeting place- Dighton Rock State Park is located at…