As we begin a new year, we at WRWA would like to thank all our members and donors for making our year a success. Thank you to all of you for the overwhelming response to our Annual Fund Drive. We look forward to carrying our work onward into 2023, encouraged and inspired by your support.

One significant achievement was that we increased our capacity for the education and outreach programs by hiring a young woman who grew up in Westport and was inspired by our school programs. We welcomed Michaelah Vasconcellos as our newest staff member in the fall of last year. Many of you already know her, as she is the new face of our River Center weekend programming.

We're sad, but happy that, after 18 years, our Education Director Shelli Costa will be leaving WRWA for a new and exciting opportunity as Executive Director of the Coggeshall Farm in Bristol, RI. Read more about it below.

We anticipate that in 2023 we will continue our regular activities and programs, beginning with our interesting line up of speakers in our winter series. You can read more about them in this newsletter. All of these lectures will occur in person and/or online. Please RSVP if you plan to attend.

We still have some 2023 calendars, featuring the winners from our annual photo contest, so make sure to get one soon before we run out! And later on this winter, we will be returning to the Dedee Shattuck Gallery for our annual Winter Art Show, reception and Brushes & Brews. Look for us in mid- February and on line at 32 Auctions.

Thanks again for your confidence in WRWA and for helping us continue our important work. Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Deborah

During her time at WRWA, Shelli shared her knowledge and passion for the ecology of the watershed with countless students, creating the Watershed Education Program that was integrated into Westport’s pre-K-12 curriculum. It was also her vision that helped outfit the River Center with the wonderful learning tools that will help educate another generation of regional students.

We’re sure that we all will miss her calm teaching manner and the wealth of her knowledge. All the best to Shelli!

Don't forget to pick up your WRWA 2023 Calendar

The new WRWA Photo Calendar with local tide charts is still available online and at the River Center and Partners Village Store. It features the winning photographs from our annual photo contest.

The calendar is a great gift for anyone who loves Westport's unique beauty and scenery! And the daily tide graphs are a useful added bonus for anyone who watches the tides in the Westport River. Pick up your copies while they last.

Winter Speaker Series planned for

Jan.19, Feb. 9, March 23, and April 13

2023 Winter Speaker Series

• Building A Sustainable Future •

Join the Westport River Watershed Alliance and Partners Village Store

for a series of talks on vitally important topics relating to our future and

how we can manage in turbulent times of climate change.

Presentations are free and can be attended in person at the WRWA

River Center or through a Zoom link. All take place on Thursdays at 4 p.m.

January 19, 4 p.m. Richard Heinberg is a Senior Fellow at Post Carbon Institute and is the author of POWER: LIMITS AND PROSPECTS FOR HUMAN SURVIVAL, along with hundreds of essays and articles. This lecture will provide ideas and information to guide us thoughtfully through the coming crises.

Click here for complete bio and publications.

February 9 at 4 p.m. Nicholas Sullivan author The Blue Revolution: Hunting, Harvesting, and Farming Seafood in the Information Age. In a fast-growing world where more people are eating more fish than ever before, Sullivan brings encouraging news for conservationists and seafood lovers about the transformation of the industry. More information here.

March 23 at 4 p.m. Tom Kearns, President of DSK architects and planners will speak on sustainable building projects, local and internationally.

More details in next River News.

April 13 at 4 p.m. Madeline Ostrander will present her book, At Home on an Unruly Planet, Finding Refuge on a Changed Earth. This timely book is a hopeful, urgent and universal message about our collective ability to face the climate changes we can no longer ignore. More details in next River News.

Contact WRWA at outreach@wrwa.com to sign up or for more information.

Stay tuned for update on Hix Bridge Rubble Removal project. WRWA will be meeting with town officials and the Army Corps of Engineers in January.

We are happy to announce that our 10th annual art show will be returning to the Dedee Shattuck Gallery February 16 through the 25th, 2023. This year's theme will be "Reflections" - perspectives on the Westport River. Over 35 artists have signed up to participate.

We still have room for just a few more artists. Email us at outreach@wrwa.com if you are an artist interested in contributing something.

The show will run for ten days; in early 2022 (just as the pandemic was subsiding) we had hundreds of visitors. We anticipate that the 2023 show will attract an even larger audience.

We appreciate the extraordinary talents of our regional artists and enjoy the opportunity to share great art with the general public each winter.

All About Snowflakes

Date: January 21, 2023

Location: WRWA’s River Center,

493 County Road, Westport MA

Time: 12 pm - 3 pm

Price: free

Come join us at the River Center to take a close-up look at snowflakes. Learn about the science behind snow through activities and crafts for children of all ages. Attendees may also explore our aquariums, virtual reality sand table and high resolution microscope. Email rivercenter@wrwa.com to register.

The Watershed Alliance is pleased to be a Lees Community Partner. Please save up your market receipts and either drop them off at WRWA

493 Old County Road, or mail to PO Box 3427, Westport, MA 02790

Thank you!