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The Westfield River drains the eastern slopes of the Berkshire Hills of southwestern Massachusetts, then joins the Connecticut River in Agawam. The Westfield River Watershed Association was established in 1953 to protect and improve the natural resources of the Watershed, as well as to expand recreational and other land use opportunities for people's enjoyment and for sound ecology. WRWA is a tax-exempt non-profit organization funded largely by membership dues and some grants. WRWA is governed by a Board of Directors who are elected each spring at the organization's annual meeting. If you share our goals, please join us by volunteering some time or becoming a member!   | Wondering What's Up in the Watershed? Check out the most recent issue of the WRWA Newsletter (April, 2013) [pdf]! Sat, May 18 - Kayak/Canoe Demo Day Sun, Jun 2 - Fish Ladder Open House Sat, Jun 15 - Westfield River Canoe Cruise Sat, Jun 22 - Storm Drain Labeling Sat, Sep 14 - Kayak/Canoe Race Sat, Sep 21 - Fly-Fishing Clinic Ongoing - The Watershed Waltz (DVD) Ongoing - 1955 Flood (DVD) | |
Demo Day!  Don't miss the 4th Annual Kayak/Canoe Demo Day at Hampton Ponds State Park on Saturday, May 18 from 10 AM to 4 PM. In conjunction with Wilderness Experiences (Southwick), WRWA is sponsoring this opportunity to test-paddle many different models of kayaks and a few canoes. Customer representatives from several kayak manufacturers will be on hand to answer questions, and a variety of on-shore and in-the-water workshops will be offered throughout the day. Admission is $5 per person or $10 per family. Refreshments and a raffle (with a $549 kayak as the main prize) will be available. Hampton Ponds State Park is located just west of the intersection of East Mountain Rd. with Rt. 202 in the northeastern portion of Westfield. |
and Robinson State Park Day  Join us for our annual flatwater (mostly) paddle along the Westfield River from downtown Westfield to Robinson State Park in Agawam on Saturday, June 15. Registration will take place from 10-11 AM at the parking area just east of the Great River Bridges (Rts. 10/202) in Westfield. Given that it parallels the busy Rt. 20 corridor, this section of the river is very scenic and more "natural" than you'd expect! The cost is $10 per person or $25 per family, which covers insurance, shuttle expenses and light snacks at Robinson Park. You'll have the opportunity to enjoy some of the events scheduled by the Friends of Robinson State Park for their annual Robinson Park Day at the end of the paddle. | |
Invasive Species Project  Want to help combat the spread of invasive species in your community? WISP is a partnership of environmental organizations and local residents in the Westfield River watershed, promoting cooperative efforts to protect native habitats and manage invasive species through education, early detection, eradication, and management. Is there a special place in your town that is being overrun with invasive plants? Do you want to learn to identify new invasive species that may be coming into the area? Visit the WISP webpage or contact them at wrwisp@gmail.com |
Storm Drain Labeling  Wondering what those labels on the curb are all about? They're a reminder that the storm drain system isn't connected to the wastewater treatment plant - what goes down those storm drains goes straight into our local rivers and ponds (or, in some cases, into the ground). The City of Westfield has published an informational brochure on stormwater management, which you can review at the links below: Over the past several summers WRWA has been sponsoring storm drain labeling sessions, with the goal of labeling all the drains in the most densely populated portions of the city. In the summer of 2013 we're planning to expand our efforts to Southwick and Russell. Those opportunities will be posted in the Upcoming Events section of the page as they're scheduled. Please join us! | |
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Please forward any suggestions or corrections to Mike Young at myoung@westfield.ma.edu