Events

WP Watershed-wide Calendar of Events

February 11, 2025

  • I&E Committee Monthly Meeting

    February 11, 2025  5:00 pm - 6:15 pm

    Online

    See more details

February 13, 2025
February 14, 2025

  • Valentine's Day Hike at Breakheart Pond

    February 14, 2025  10:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Join us for a Valentine’s Day hike on Friday, February 14. We couldn’t think of a better spot to celebrate love than at Heartbreak Pond—oops, I mean Breakheart Pond.


    RI DEM Fisheries Biologist, Corey Pelletier, will be there to provide insight on a fish habitat improvement project. Don't miss it!

    Meander through tranquil woods, along Breakheart Brook, past the sparkling waters of the pond, and enjoy the natural beauty of this serene spot. Hearts will glow as we trek about 3 miles and soak in the quiet together.

    Bring sturdy shoes, thick socks, warm layers, and a little love for nature. 
    Email coordinator@wpwildrivers.org to RSVP and for parking details.

    See more details

February 15, 2025

  • Charlestown Land Trust - Winter Walk at Mill Pond Preserve

    February 15, 2025  10:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Sharing on behalf of Charlestown Land Trust. RSVP here.

    Explore Mill Pond Preserve with Charlestown Land Trust President Bill McCusker on this casual winter hike. Explore the beautiful Preserve, enjoy fresh air, and meet others who share a love for conservation.

    See more details

February 22, 2025

  • Annual Member's Meeting

    February 22, 2025  10:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Ekonk Community Grange, 723 Ekonk Hill Rd, Moosup, CT 06354, USA

    Sharing on behalf of Friends of Pachaug Forest.

    Find out what's going on in 2025 and how you can get involved. Guest speaker will be Andy Bicking, Connecticut Forest and Park Association Executive Director.

    RSVP

    See more details

  • Southern RI Conservation District Local Working Group Meeting

    February 22, 2025  10:00 am - 12:00 pm
    Louttit Library, 274 Victory Hwy, West Greenwich, RI 02817, USA

    Sharing on behalf of the Southern Rhode Island Conservation District

    See more details

February 26, 2025

  • Stewardship Council Monthly Meeting

    February 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

  • Charlestown Land Trust Winter Speaker Series: Salt Marsh Restoration

    February 26, 2025  6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
    Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd, Charlestown, RI 02813, USA

    Sharing on behalf of Charlestown Land Trust.

    Join us CLT's second talk in their 2025 Winter Speaker Series - CLT is thrilled to welcome Wenley Ferguson, Director of Habitat Restoration at Save The Bay.

    Wenley’s presentation will focus on salt marsh restoration in Charlestown and throughout the salt ponds and Narragansett Bay. Rhode Island’s salt marshes face significant challenges, from historical alterations like drainage ditches to the accelerating impacts of sea level rise. These critical ecosystems filter stormwater pollution, buffer against storms, and provide habitat for at-risk species like the salt marsh sparrow. Learn about local restoration efforts, including elevation enhancement projects using dredged sediment and tidal hydrology restoration projects using “runnels” that are helping these ecosystems adapt to climate change.

    No pre-registration required.

    See more details

February 27, 2025

  • All in for Alewife

    February 27, 2025  5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
    Ocean Community YMCA - Naik Family Branch, 1 Harry Austin Dr, Mystic, CT 06355, USA

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

    Gather Up at the Y in Mystic on Feb 27 at 5pm to learn with CT Fish Biologist Kevin Job about this incredible fish, get the updates since last year about their populations and protections, hear Tribal perspectives on Seeqanamâhs, and meet the US Coast Guard Academy volunteers helping us help with "River Herring Rebound!" There will be snacks.

    Learn more

    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

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