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Blackstone River Watershed Association
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BRWA NEWS
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EarthDay Cleanup 2014
A raft of trash caught up in the Blackstone River.
Photo Credit: Susan Thomas
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The snow is finally gone! And the river and
streams are running free. We can see flowers popping up and birds
gathering nesting material. And unfortunately, we can also see trash
strewn along shorelines and in waterways throughout the watershed. If
you haven't signed up for the BRWA's annual EarthDay Cleanup, now's
the time! We can really use every pair of hands to help remove tires,
bottles and cans, construction debris, plastic bags, and more from
ponds and streams in communities from Grafton down to Blackstone. We
have at least one site at Plummer's Landing in Northbridge where a few
sturdy boats are needed to access debris caught by downed trees.
Please contact us at
events@thebrwa.org or call 508-278-5200 to sign up today!
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Honoring a BRWA Founder – Phil Neeland
The BRWA was saddened to learn of the passing of one of its founders
and past president and longtime vice president, Philip Neeland, age 71,
on February 5th at Milford Hospital after fighting a long illness.
Phil was one of the founders of the BRWA in 1977 and played a
significant role in getting the BRWA its not-for-profit designation,
received in 1978. Phil was always an active member of the BRWA board
and served as the Vice President for almost 30 years. Phil and other
board members participated in the "Zap 2" and "Zap 3" clean ups along
the Blackstone River and its tributaries in the late 1970’s. Phil was
instrumental in acquiring grant money to beautify areas along the river,
and in the process gave underprivileged youth the opportunity to learn
about the river and the land along the river. These young people
participated in various tree plantings, picnic table and bird house
construction, riverbank clean ups, and other outdoor activities that
made their community a welcome area to relax and play in. Phil also
chaired the BRWA canoe and kayak race for many years and participated
in numerous other BRWA events and cleanups.
On September 27th 2009, a maple tree was dedicated to Phil, in front of
the Maple Sugar Shack at River Bend Farm in Uxbridge. At that event,
Phil was honored for his long time commitment to the BRWA and to the
communities of the Blackstone River Valley.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
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April is National Poetry Month.
This celebration was started in 1996 and it's a
great excuse to to put pen to paper and express your love of nature the
next time you are out for a paddle or hike along the Blackstone. Other
ways to celebrate, suggested by the Academy of American Poets: leave poetry
in an unexpected public place; chalk it on pavement; organize a poetry
reading; listen to poetry in your car; add a poem to your lunch; or visit
a poetry landmark.
http://www.poets.org/page.php/prmID/47.
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4/17
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National Bat Appreciation Day.
Massachusetts has five species of bat on record -
all listed on the state's endangered species list. These flying,
ecolocating insectivores are emerging from hibernation this time of year
and will summer in hollow trees, under bark, in houses and buildings, in
small caves, and under piles of rocks and woods. Waterways and vernal
pools within the Blackstone river watershed provide a lot of the flying
insects that make up the bats' diet.
Learn more and then explore!
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4/19
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Woodlands & Waterways Walk.
Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park, River
Bend Farm Visitor Center. Uxbridge. 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Learn about the
wonders of the wetlands while exploring firsthand using the senses.
Info: 508(278-7604).
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4/19
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BRWC Blackstone River Paddle Tour.
Meet behind the Museum of Work & Culture, Woonsocket RI.
Tour will be from Woonsocket to Manville
(map).
For reservations or info, contact Keith Hainley at
KeithHainley@BlackstoneRiver.org.
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4/22
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Rabbits and Raindrops Storytime.
Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park, River
Bend Farm Visitor Center. Uxbridge. 11:00 a.m. - noon. Join the Park
Ranger in the Big Red Barn for stories followed by a nature walk to
discover habitats and shelters. Wrap up the morning with a nature collage
inspired by naturalist/illustrator Jim Arnosky’s book, Rabbits and Raindrops.
Info: 508(278-7604).
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4/24
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BRWA Board Meeting.
6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. 271 Oak St., Uxbridge.
info
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4/25
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DCR Healthy Heart Trail: Franklin Kick-off.
9:00 am to 11:30 am. Join Hockomock Area YMCA,
The Friends of the SNETT, MA DCR and the National Park Service as they
celebrate the unveiling of the DCR Healthy Heart Trail, with an
informative and fun introduction to a local trail gem, the Southern
New England Trunk Trail (SNETT). The event will begin with opening remarks
at the Y and then move to the SNETT for a picnic luncheon and walk on the
trail. Bernon Family YMCA, 45 Forge Hill Rd., Franklin, MA.
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4/25
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National Arbor Day.
Massachusetts’s State tree is the American Elm,
Ulmus americana. The trees have leaves that are sharp-toothed and rough
textured on top; branching is alternate. Trees of various species that
grow along stream banks provide important shading that helps keep water
temperature from getting too high in the summer. This is vital to many
fish and other aquatic species.
info
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4/26
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Mass Audubon's Work for Wildlife Statewide
Volunteer Day.
9 a.m. - noon.
info
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4/27
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BRWA Annual EarthDay Cleanup.
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. River Bend Farm Visitor Center, Uxbridge.
It's time, once again, to grab your boots and gloves and pitch in to clean
up the shorelines and waterways of the Blackstone River Watershed. BRWA
Team Leaders will work with volunteers along waterways in Grafton,
Millbury, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Hopedale and Blackstone. If you know of
a site that needs cleaning or can offer a boat for in-stream cleanups,
please let us know! Have fun outdoors while protecting your local water
resources. You can make a difference by volunteering just a couple of hours
of your time. This project also meets community service requirements for
many organizations. After the cleanup, volunteers will meet back at the
Visitor Center for pizza and drinks.
RSVP: events@thebrwa.org
or 508-278-5200.
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5/2 - October
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Kidleidoscope Kids Nature Story Hour.
Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park, River
Bend Farm Visitor Center. Uxbridge. 10:30-11:30 am. This popular
nature-themed story and activity hour returns for the season! Meet at the
Big Red Barn Visitor Center for nature stories, followed by a short nature
walk and a craft activity.
Info: 508(278-7604).
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5/2-5/3
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Ecological Design and Aquatic Restorer Construction
at the Living Systems Laboratory workshop.
Grafton, MA. Dr. John Todd will discuss the
principles of ecological design and the history of his groundbreaking
work, and provide hands-on instruction in the construction of the Canal Restorer.
Learn how to build this ecological technology that digests sediment and
metabolizes excess nutrients and contaminants. Restorers bring the dynamic
ecological cycles back into balance within ponds, lakes and canals
challenged by heavy nutrient loading, stormwater runoff and leaching
pollutants. Aquatic Restorers are excellent solutions for both natural
and man-made water bodies, including public and private ponds, golf
courses, parks and urban canals.
info
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5/5
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Central Mass Chapter Trout Unlimited Monthly Meeting.
6:30 p.m. 50 Elm Street, Auburn, MA
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5/11
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Hidden Treasures Canal Walk.
Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park, River
Bend Farm Visitor Center. Uxbridge. 1:00-2:15 p.m. In celebration of
Preservation Month, walk along restored sections of the Blackstone Canal
and Towpath to search for hidden treasures! Discover an early stone quarry
site and remnants of a stone lock, one of 48 such structures used to lift
and lower canal barges along their 45-mile route. On this two-mile long
walk, learn about the canal and the transformation of the agricultural
landscape and discover the hidden heritage and natural wonders along the way!
Info: 508(278-7604).
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THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL
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Reduction in State
Environmental Funding
On April 9th, the Massachusetts House Committee
on Ways and Means put forth its budget for 2015 that unfortunately
showed a reduction in funding from last year's budget for environmental
programs, including parks and recreation. Representatives have since
filed amendments and the house will now be debating the budget. The
process is repeated in May with the Massachusetts Senate. More
information can be found at
https://malegislature.gov/Budget/FY2015/House.
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Blackstone River Greenway
Project Updates
BRWA members Jim and Maggie Plasse attended the
April 3rd public meeting in Blackstone of the Blackstone Greenway
Project. This project, previously referred to as the Blackstone
Bikeway, is strongly supported by the BRWA whose mission includes
connecting people with the Blackstone River through recreational
opportunities.
Bridge across the Blackstone River in Blackstone, MA.
Photo Credit: MA Department of Conservation & Recreation
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At the meeting, DCR's Greenway Project Manager, Dan Driscoll, discussed
progress on the Greenway's Segment 1 in Blackstone, Millville, and
Uxbridge. Construction has begun for the 3.7 miles from St. Paul Street
in Blackstone, up through Millville, to Adams Street in Uxbridge by
Rt 146A. This requires working around the Main Street Bridge and the
Church Street underpass in Blackstone. Work on the Triad Bridge in
Millville is still in the design stage. The other part of Segment 1 is
the half-mile section connecting the MA and R.I. portions of the
greenway, in which the use of an historic railroad viaduct no longer
appears to be a viable option. Use of town open space may provide a
more feasible solution. Paving, drainage, and fencing will be the final
tasks to be handled for Section 1. DCR hopes to have this phase
completed by next year.
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Amphibian Monitoring Programs
There are people who, rather than grabbing a pair
of binoculars to identify birds, or picking up a rod and reel to cast
for fish, are passionate about finding amphibians, including wood frogs,
spring peepers, and salamanders this time of year. These sightings,
while perceived as a personal hobby, can be of great value to
environmental research programs that are becoming increasingly easy for
citizen scientists to navigate. The University of Connecticut has the
UConn Amphibian Tracker 2014 program that can be accessed at
http://hydrodictyon.eeb.uconn.edu/people/urban/tracker.html.
Another web-based monitoring program is the Orianne Society's
Snapshots in Time, which can be accessed at
http://www.oriannesociety.org/snapshots-time-tracking-wood-frog-and-spotted-salamander-breeding.
Amphibians are sensitive to ecological conditions and contaminants and
are therefore excellent indicators of environmental health. The BRWA's
mission is to improve the water quality in the Blackstone River
watershed. Citizen monitoring of the "canaries" of aquatic systems is
a good fit for the mission. Please consider becoming involved with one
of these programs.
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REFLECTIONS
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“It is not half so important to know as to feel.” Rachel Carson
The arrival of Spring, for many, is marked by the first calls of wood
frogs (Rana sylvatica) and spring peepers (Hyla crucifers). Even with
some ice remaining on vernal pools, and water temperatures around
8 deg C, frogs and salamanders are emerging from their winter
hibernation to mate and lay egg masses. While "Big Night" has occurred
in some warmer areas, it's not too late to head out to a local vernal
pool with a flashlight on a night that is over 40'F and rainy to see and
hear these amphibians migrating from the woods to breeding pools.
Below are links to two sound recordings. The first is a short tape of
wood frogs ("quacking" and "chucking"). The second recording, of
peepers, is long enough to get you through a long-nights slumber.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0Gzji9Brow.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXTI692RKLs.
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Views & opinions expressed in linked websites do not necessarily
state or reflect those of the BRWA.
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Your input is crucial to this eNewsletter. If you have a local
watershed-related story, information of interest to our subscribers, or
comments about this publication, drop an email to the editor.
The Blackstone River Watershed Association (BRWA) has a mission to
engage, educate and advocate for improved water quality in the Blackstone
River Watershed; its objectives are to:
- Engage the public in watershed stewardship activities,
- Educate members, supporters and watershed residents on watershed protection strategies, and
- Improve the water quality and esthetics of the Blackstone River Watershed’s water bodies.
The BRWA eNewsletter is published monthly by the Blackstone River Watershed
Association. BRWA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Editor: Susan Thomas susan.thomas@thebrwa.org
Mailing address: BRWA, 271 Oak Street Uxbridge, MA 01569
Phone: 508-278-5200 Web: www.thebrwa.org
Click here for back issues.
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