Events

WP Watershed-wide Calendar of Events

March 1, 2025

  • Winter Book Talk Circle with AMRW

    March 1, 2025  4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
    Mystic & Noank Library, 40 Library St, Mystic, CT 06355, USA

    Sharing on behalf of the Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed.

    Let's Read!!
     
    Nature is the best teacher. Join the Alliance in a Talk Circle about The Serviceberry.
     
    Our current economic system is based on scarcity and harm. The author of Braiding Sweetgrass shows us how an economics of abundance is all around us, if we pay attention.
    Come for the snacks...stay for the book talk.

    Learn more

    See more details

March 11, 2025

  • I&E Committee Monthly Meeting

    March 11, 2025  5:00 pm - 6:15 pm

    Online

    See more details

March 13, 2025

  • The Herring Are Coming!!! Part 1

    March 13, 2025  6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

    The Herring Are Coming!!!

    The Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council
    In partnership with the Charlestown Land Trust are pleased
    To present a viewing in of Illuminated Minds Media’s River Herring Migration Series:


    🎥 River Herring Migration Series:


    Part 1: A Complicated Path – The Great Decline
    📅 Thurs, March 13th 
    🕕 6:00-7:30 PM


    Part 2: A Complicated Path – The Recovery
    📅 Wed, March 19th 
    🕕 6:00-7:30 PM


    📍 USFWS Kettle Pond Visitor Center, RT 1 Charlestown, RI

    Admission is free!

    See more details

March 19, 2025

  • The Herring Are Coming!!! Part 2

    March 19, 2025  6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

    The Herring Are Coming!!!

    The Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council
    In partnership with the Charlestown Land Trust are pleased
    To present a viewing in of Illuminated Minds Media’s River Herring Migration Series:

    🎥 River Herring Migration Series:

    Part 1: A Complicated Path – The Great Decline
    📅 Thurs, March 13th 
    🕕 6:00-7:30 PM

    Part 2: A Complicated Path – The Recovery
    📅 Wed, March 19th 
    🕕 6:00-7:30 PM

    📍 USFWS Kettle Pond Visitor Center, RT 1 Charlestown, RI

    Admission is free!

    See more details

March 20, 2025

  • Trail Walk Series 2025 with Westerly Land Trust: Grills Preserve

    March 20, 2025  10:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Bowling Lane, Bowling Ln, Westerly, RI 02808, USA

    This walk on WLT’s 500-acre preserve is over primarily flat terrain often along the Wild and Scenic Pawcatuck River on clear, wide trails. We should be able to see most of the popular attractions, including the Polly Coon Bridge, the Larkin Foundation dating from the 1660s, and views from Big Hill after a short but steep climb. Meet at the parking lot at the cul-de-sac at the end of Bowling Lane in Bradford Village. Please contact the hike leader to sign up!

    Contact Casey Merkle, coordinator@wpwildrivers.org to RSVP.

    See more details

  • Why Birds Matter: Learn How the Audubon Society Protects Them

    March 20, 2025  6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

    Sharing on behalf of the Richmond Conservation Commission: 

    The RCC is alerting you to our public evening education series for Richmond residents and others about an upcoming presentation next week on native birds in Richmond, South County, and beyond. 

    Charles Clarkson will present on "Why Birds Matter" – with a focus on how the Audubon Society of Rhode Island (ASRI) helps to protect bird populations, and seeks to reverse declining bird populations in Rhode Island. 

    Dr. Clarkson has been the Director of Research at ASRI since 2022, and he is a renowned public speaker. He has taught at Salve Regina and Roger Williams University, and has testified at Congressional hearings about the importance of birds. Charles was also the coordinator for the Rhode Island Bird Atlas, a five-year, statewide project aimed at documenting the distribution and abundance of our birds.

    The Carolina Fire Station is located at 208 Richmond Townhouse Road (Route 112) in Richmond. This evening program and presentation will begin at 6:30pm, followed by time for the public to ask questions. Refreshments will be available, and the RCC will have a free raffle for attendees.

    Please sign up by sending an email at fishandminerals@gmail.com , or call the Town Hall at 539-9000, Extension 9 to let us know how many of your group will be attending. Bring your family and friends – this will be a great event. Thanks for your consideration. See you next week!

    See more details

March 25, 2025

  • Aquatic Invasive Species Workshop with CT DEEP

    March 25, 2025  6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    North Stonington Education Center, 298 Norwich-Westerly Rd, North Stonington, CT 06359, USA

    You are invited to attend a free hands-on workshop on Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) hosted by the CT Office of Aquatic Invasive Species (OAIS). This session will provide valuable insights into identifying invasive aquatic plants and effective management strategies to help protect our local Wild and Scenic Rivers and water bodies.

    Workshop Details:
    📅 Tuesday, March 25
    ⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    📍 North Stonington Education Center
    298 Norwich-Westerly Road, North Stonington, CT

    What You’ll Learn:
    ✔ How aquatic invasive species spread
    ✔ Identification of common aquatic invaders
    ✔ The impact and spread of hydrilla
    ✔ Integrated aquatic plant management strategies

    RSVP not required, but greatly appreciated. Email coordinator@wpwildrivers.org to RSVP.

    See more details

March 26, 2025

  • Stewardship Council Monthly Meeting

    March 26, 2025  5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
    Westerly Land Trust, 449 Westerly Bradford Rd, Westerly, RI 02891, USA

    Hybrid optional. Email coordinator@wpwildrivers.org for zoom credentials.

    See more details

Check this webpage for upcoming events. You may also “follow” us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter!

Recent Events

River Stewardship Celebration – The Stewardship Council celebrated our Community Grant recipients and partners on Sunday, Sept 22 at Grey Sail Brewing in Westerly, RI.

Thank you to the Appalachian Mountain Club Narragansett Chapter, Avalonia Land Conservancy, RI DEM, Save the Bay, Southern Rhode Island Conservation District, Tomaquag Museum, Trout Unlimited Chapter 225, and the Westerly Land Trust. And huge thank you to Grey Sail Brewing for hosting all of us!

7 Rivers Festival – Hosted by the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers program, the first 7 Rivers Festival was a success throughout the 12 towns of the Watershed. Many thanks to partners and local business owners who provided wonderful programming and special offers for the 500+ attendees. Thirty separate events celebrated the your rivers during the weekend of the Festival. Photos, press and a partners list highlighting the festivities are below.

Photos highlighting 7 Rivers Festival partners

(Photo Credit: Gillian Gordon unless otherwise noted)

Exeter Public Library, RI Wild Plant Society
The Mushroom Hunting Foundation
South Kingstown Land Trust
Louttit Library, West Greenwich
Event Leads were given Wild and Scenic hats as a “thank-you!”
Painted Turtle,
Hewitt Farm, North Stonington
Newly acquired Cottrell Family Preserve, Westerly Land Trust
Shunock River, North Stonington
Westerly Land Trust
Westerly’s River Days,
Southern RI Conservation District
​Musicians including Emmye Vernet and Will Platt at Westerly’s River Days,
Southern RI Conservation District
Save the Bay at Westerly’s River Days, Southern RI Conservation District
North Stonington Milltown Arts

“Fresh Water Fly Tying” with
RI DEM, Division of Fish and Wildlife
(Photo Credit: Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed 7 Rivers Festival)
North Stonington Milltown Arts
Stewardship Council Member provides education at Westerly’s River Days
“Sheets Family Forest Grand Opening,” Avalonia Land Conservancy
“The Rivers Connect Us” with Cassius Spears and the Tomaquag Museum (Photo Credit: Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed 7 Rivers Festival)
“Narragansett Trail Hike” with Appalachian Mountain Club and
The Nature Conservancy
(Photo Credit: Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed 7 Rivers Festival)
“Muddy Amphibians” with
Mystic Aquarium
(Photo Credit: Hugh Markey)
“Stream Insects in our Neighborhood” with the Hopkinton Land Trust
(Photo Credit: Hugh Markey)
Kenyon’s Grist Mill Co-Owner provides a lesson and “Free Paddle” with
Queen’s River Kayaks
Viewing moths captured with the Southern RI Conservation District
(Photo Credit Hugh Markey)
Baby bats hidden in the shingles, Audubon Society of RI
(Photo Credit: Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed 7 Rivers Festival)

Press around the 7 Rivers Festival

Photos: Inaugural 7 Rivers Festival a success (The Westerly Sun, June 30, 2022)

7 Rivers Festival emphasizes interconnected nature of the watershed (The Day, News from southeastern Connecticut, June 26, 2022)

Amy Russo tests the waters with a kayak trip on RI’s ‘wild and scenic’ Wood River (Providence Journal June 24 and Sunday, June 26, 2022)

Finding Paradise on the Wood River (Providence Journal, video, June 24, 2022)

One weekend + 12 towns + 7 rivers = 7 Rivers Festival (The Westerly Sun, June 23, 2022)

South County Has Rhode Island’s Only Officially “Wild and Scenic” Rivers (Rhode Island Monthly, June 21, 2022)

First ‘7 Rivers Festival’ Celebrates Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed (ecoRI News, June 20, 2022)

Seven Rivers Festival this Weekend (The Day, June 20, 2022)

Celebrating our rivers: 7 Rivers Festival, June 25-26 (What’s Up Newp, June 13, 2022)

Watershed Association Partnership during National Rivers Month! (Narrow River Notes, Newsletter of the Narrow River Preservation Association, June 2022)

RICKA/SNEP Joint Paddle at the 7 Rivers Festival (Paddler, Newsletter of the Rhode Island Canoe and Kayak Association, June 2022)

7 Rivers Festival – Hike At Carter Preserve (Charlestown Citizens Alliance, June 10, 2022)

7 Rivers Festival Highlights Wild and Scenic Rivers (SO Rhode Island, May 31, 2022)

Resiliency Radio Hour (WBLQ, April 21, 2022)

The First Annual 7 Rivers Festival (The North Stonington Quarterly, Spring 2022)

An event brochure was published by the 7 Rivers Festival coordinating team (May, 2022)

Partners of the 7 Rivers Festival

Coordinating events throughout the 12-town area would not have been possible without our partners who are listed below. Are you interested in more hiking, paddling or education programs? Be sure to look up these organizations, many host events throughout the year.

Organizations

  • Appalachian Mountain Club, Narragansett Chapter
  • Audubon Society of Rhode Island
  • Avalonia Land Conservancy
  • Cross’ Mills Public Library
  • Cross Road Blues
  • Emmye Vernet and Will Platt, Musicians
  • Exeter Boy Scouts, Pack 45
  • Exeter Historical Association
  • Exeter Public Library
  • Friends of Pachaug Forest
  • Hopkinton Land Trust
  • Kingston Free Library
  • Leave No Trace RI
  • Louttit Library
  • Milltown Arts North Stonington
  • Mystic Aquarium
  • North Stonington Conservation Commission
  • Ocean State Bird Club
  • Queen’s River Kayaks and Kenyon’s Grist Mill
  • RI Canoe and Kayak Association
  • RI Department of Environmental Management, Fish and Wildlife
  • Save the Bay
  • South Kingstown Land Trust
  • Southern New England Paddlers
  • Southern Rhode Island Conservation District
  • Stonington Free Library
  • Stonington Human Services, Recreation Division
  • The Mushroom Hunting Foundation
  • The Nature Conservancy
  • The Watch Hill Conservancy
  • Tomaquag Museum
  • Trout Unlimited, Narragansett Chapter
  • Voluntown Public Library
  • Westerly Land Trust
  • Wheeler Library
  • Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association

Local Businesses

  • Knead Doughnuts, Westerly, RI
  • Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery, West Greenwich, RI
  • Little Country Pizza & BBQ, Exeter, RI
  • Mama Emily’s Sweet Treats, Stonington and surrounding towns, CT
  • Mechanic Street Marina, Pawcatuck, CT
  • Mia’s Cafe, Pawcatuck, CT
  • Next to Nowhere Creamery, Exeter, RI
  • Shaidzon Beer Company, West Kingston, RI
  • St Clair Annex, Watch Hill, RI
  • Stagecoach House Inn, Wyoming, RI

Comments are closed.