Empowering Future Stewards: OARS Expands Water Wise Education with DCU for Kids Grant

November 01, 2024

OARS River Log | Published November 1 2024

OARS is delighted to announce that we were awarded a generous grant from the DCU for Kids Foundation this October to support the expansion of our education programs. For over 20 years, OARS has proudly partnered with the Hudson, Marlborough, and Framingham Boys and Girls Clubs to deliver our Water Wise Workshops as a summer enrichment program. This past summer, we extended our reach to Maynard, and with the arrival of our TerraCorps Youth Education Coordinator, Shelley Zuckerman, we are excited to expand our Water Wise programming to afterschool settings throughout our watershed in 2025.

In previous workshops, we have benefited from using an EnviroScape environmental education model borrowed from the Town of Lincoln. These models play a crucial role in teaching students of all ages about environmental stewardship and protecting our natural resources. Thanks to the generous support from DCU for Kids, we can now obtain our very own EnviroScape model, ensuring that we can effectively engage and educate even more young minds for years to come.

As we update and enhance our Water Wise curriculum, we are also preparing to recruit high school juniors and seniors to join us as youth educators. If you or someone you know would like to learn more about this opportunity or get involved, please visit our Water Wise Workshops After School Program for more information.

River Log

~30%

of the SuAsCo rivers watershed is wetlands, crucial for wildlife habitat and water quality

~30%

of water samples in the SuAsCo rivers watershed contain PFAS, leading to increased monitoring and remediation by local authorities and environmental groups

~70%

of dams in the SuAsCo watershed are over a century old, requiring extensive upkeep and presenting obstacles to river restoration and fish passage

>40%

of the land within the watershed is publicly accessible, offering recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating, and birdwatching to the community

~15%

of the land in the SuAsCo rivers watershed is covered by impervious surfaces such as roads, rooftops, and parking lots. This contributes to stormwater runoff and water pollution issues

>40%

of the land within the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers watershed is publicly accessible, providing endless opportunities for paddling, hiking, and wildlife exploration.