News, events, and updates you Otter know from OARS.

Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  Twitter  YouTube

OARS 3 RIVERS

A strong, effective, and sustainable organization

OARS is Hiring

Education Coordinator 

Inspire the next generation of river stewards by leading OARS’ education program, primarily the Water Wise Workshops, a hands-on series of outdoor environmental workshops for children. Paid, part-time position.


Summer Outreach Field Assistant or Intern 

Organize river-based events (invasives management, walks, and paddles) and assist with outdoor education for children. Paid, part-time position.

EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES

Join our Board of Directors

We’re accepting expressions of interest in serving on the OARS’ Board of Directors! Learn more here and contact us if you want to be considered or discuss what is involved. If you are passionate about making a difference locally, join our strong team of professionals and volunteers! We welcome a broad diversity of candidates.

LEARN MORE ABOUT JOINING OUR BoD

OARS in the News

Alison Field-Juma, Executive Director of OARS, was interviewed last week by CBS NEWS BOSTON


on the recently issued Fish consumption Advisory issued for 13 Mass. state parks due to elevated levels of PFAS. In our watershed, contaminated fish were found in Walden Pond, Lake Cochituate and Ashland Reservoir.


Clearly it doesnt go away, it ends up in us, Field-Juma said. It does point that we should understand new chemicals and new formulations much better than we do.

VIEW FULL STORY

And in a related Article, “Private Well Owners Stuck With Costs To Treat ‘forever’ Chemicals.”

Volunteering with OARS

It’s that time of year again to sign up to volunteer. Join our group of dedicated citizen scientists working to monitor and improve the water quality of our three rivers and their tributaries. Training sessions are conducted in late April and early May. All volunteers are required to be retrained every year. Please get in touch with Ben at bwetherill@oars3rivers.org to sign up for 2023.

READ MORE ABOUT VOLUNTEERING

Volunteer Highlight

Len Rappoli


Len is one of our most committed volunteers. He has been volunteering with the OARS Water Quality Monitoring program since 1995. Len has helped in many OARS activities, including stream surveys and bacteria monitoring. He currently provides an essential service delivering water samples to the labs. Len is always very willing to help in any capacity, and we love having him around.


THANK YOU LEN!

HEALTHY RIVERS

supporting wildlife and our communities

SuAsCo Climate Resiliency Coalition

Thirteen participants from 11 SuAsCo municipalities attended the first Climate Coalition meeting of 2023, A Watershed Approach to Building Resilience in our Communities.” The SuAsCo Climate Resiliency Coalition takes a regional watershed-based approach to building climate resiliency and is starting small, leads with equity, is exploratory, facilitated, and builds towards watershed-wide collaboration and measurable impacts.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CLIMATE COALITION

Tracking Bacteria Pollution in the Lower Concord River

Over the last four years, OARS’ program to monitor E. coli, a fecal indicator bacteria, has consistently shown higher than acceptable levels in the Concord River at the Rogers Street bridge in Lowell. Between 2020 and 2022, we have been studying River Meadow Brook as the likely source of this bacterial pollution. Last year we identified some likely culprits—were they human, beaver, goose, or dog?

READ MORE ABOUT THE RIVER MEADOW BROOK BACTERIA STUDY

CARING COMMUNITY

that appreciates and protects our rivers through OARS

Community Highlight

Cones for the Climate was created by a group of teenage activists, Miranda Clack—Business Director; Thora McIssac—Marketing Director; and Zeena McIssac—Creative Director, during their high school years, all of whom are dedicated to fighting the climate crisis.


Their mission was to support local environmental charities and challenge the harmful practices of traditional clothing companies through the sustainable selling of T-shirts with a fun and figurative ice cream cone design. All their t-shirts (many reclaimed—making old shirts new) were created using a process that was as environmentally sound as possible.


They say, It is up to our generation to curb the effects of climate change and reverse our harmful practices before its too late.


We are honored that these inspirational young activists chose to donate 100% of their organizations profits to protecting and preserving the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers through OARS.

THANK YOU, MIRANDA, THORA, & ZEENA!

Miranda Clack

Thora McIssac

Zeena McIssac

Take a look at their creative t-shirt design and learn more about Cones for the Climate on their website.

CONES FOR THE CLIMATE

Although their store is now closed, as they are off to college, they still have a few printed t-shirts in stock. If you want to own one of these creative shirts in exchange for a donation to OARS, please get in touch with us at office@oars3rivers.org.

Protect & Preserve the SuAsCo Rivers

Support the vital work to protect, improve, and preserve the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers and their tributaries and watersheds through OARS.

GIVE TODAY
JOIN or RENEW
VOLUNTEER

OARS EVENTS

OARS 3 Rivers is once again hosting one of the largest environmental film festivals.

WHEN & WHERE

Wednesday, May 24, 2023, 7:00 pm–10:00 pm EDT

LOCATION

Fine Arts Theatre

19 Summer St, Maynard, MA 01754

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR WSFF 

PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THEY SELL OUT

2023 Wild & Scenic® Film Festival tickets are on sale now. OARS members receive special pricing.


Please call 978·369·3956 or email OARS to confirm if your membership is current.

PURCHASE TICKETS

INTERESTED IN SPONSORING THIS AMAZING & HIGHLY ATTENDED EVENT?

Showcase your business and its commitment to the environment by becoming one of our WSFF OARS 2023 sponsors.

SPONSOR THE EVENT

COMMUNITY UPDATES

Upcoming Events

MassECAN conference

May 3


Save the Date! The annual Mass ECAN Conference will be held at Clark University’s Tilton Hall on Wednesday, May 3rd.

EVENT DETAILS

SAVE THE DATE:

Fishway Tour

May 20

Centennial Island, Lowell


Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust

Fairhaven History & Hike

Spring 2023, Virtual and live meetups


This course meets three times; two for Zoom slide lectures, followed by an optional hike on June 3 (June 4 rain date).

EVENT DETAILS

Announcements

Trout Stocking has Begun


MassWild life is stocking nearly half a million brook, brown, rainbow, and tiger trout across Massachusetts this year. Stocking trucks are already rolling in the southeast and other areas will begin soon. Hatchery-raised trout are fun to catch and make a delicious, healthy meal.

TROUT STOCKING REPORT

Shout out to the SuAsCo River Ambassadors


The National Park Service highlighted the SuAsCo River Ambassadors in their Wild & Scenic River Currents


The Ambassadors will return this summer!

WILD & SCENIC RIVER CURRENT

Early spring whitewater rafting on the Concord River in Lowell. 


The Concord River rafting trip is a spring trip only. This trip runs on select weekends, April through May.


Its super fun (we’ve done it!) and supports Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust!

CONCORD RIVER RAFTING
24cb9d00-7540-4065-9296-b37f1f2b1e73 image