Westport River Watershed Alliance’s 30th Annual Meeting - 2007

By Jon Alden

Community Events of Westport                                              Back to Community Events Home Page

 

The Westport River Watershed Alliance held their 30th Annual Meeting on march 18th at the Back Eddy, and celebrated special volunteers and environmental activities in the watershed. Receiving volunteer awards were Joan Tewksbury who managed the data base for the Alliance’s summer gala and Bonnie Stropp who works with students as part of the Watershed Education Program.

 

Two Annual Environmental Awards were presented. The first was awarded to Jack Sisson and the Westport Highway Department for their multi-year efforts constructing the wetlands system at the Head of Westport to reduce stormwater in the river. The award reads, “Jack Sisson is a man of his word. For three years, Jack and his crew moved the Town’s S.319 Stormwater Project to completion in the spring of 2006. Despite numerous surprises, Jack’s determination to meet deadlines and insight to find the right persons for multiple tasks involved with the project combined to make a successful stormwater remediation project for the Town of Westport. Jack’s positive attitude and ability to get the job done has made a tremendous positive impact on our environment and water quality at the Head of Westport.”

 

The second award was given to Ralph Guild who, unfortunately, could not attend. For over twenty years, restoring Adamsville Pond has been one of Ralph’s goals. With perseverance and fortitude, pond dredging began in 2006 and will be completed in 2007. The increased depth will go far in aiding the annual return of the alewives and improving wildlife habitat and stream flow at the top of the West Branch of the Westport River.

 

John Bullard, former mayor of New Bedford and currently President of Sea Education Association was the guest speaker. John presented an excellent synopsis of Al Gore’s award-winning An Inconvenient Truth, bringing home the impacts of global warming and outlining numerous challenges and changes in our living practices to turn around the dire predictions. If we don’t act now, what future generations will inherit is quite grim.

 

Joining the Board of Directors for a three year term were Russ Craig, Mollie Conklin, and James T. Whitin. The Alliance’s mission is to restore, protect, celebrate, and sustain the natural resources of the Westport River and its watershed which encompasses six towns: Dartmouth, Fall River, Freetown and Westport in Massachusetts and Little Compton and Tiverton in Rhode Island. WRWA accomplishes its goals of protecting the watershed through education, advocacy and community outreach. For further information, please call (508) 636-3016 or visit www.wrwa.com.

 

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