Events

2023 ANNUAL MEETING. RECONNECTING WATERSHEDS: Innovative Approaches for River Connectivity & Restoration

Featuring a presentation by Chad Sumner
Chad is Principal and CEO of SumCo Eco-Contracting, LLC (“SumCo Eco”), a self-performing heavy-site civil construction firm. Founded by Chad and his brother Travis in 2006, the company has completed hundreds of ecological restoration projects across the Northeast, including dam removals and rehabilitations; river, wetlands, and marsh restorations; coastal resiliency and climate adaptation; invasive species management; and more. His work addresses diverse ecological, environmental, and infrastructure challenges posed by climate change.

Come visit us on South Street in Hudson this weekend for the Hudson Community Fest!!

Located on South Street, in the heart of Hudson’s Historic District, the Hudson Community Fest is an old-fashioned street fair that includes entertainment, a food court, family-friendly activities, and over 120 vendors. Weather permitting, it draws approximately 5000 patrons. The Fest is rain or shine.

RAIL TRAIL WALK ALONG THE ASSABET RIVER

Saturday, July 1st, 4pm, Concord

Naturalist Peter Alden, author of the Audubon Guide to New England, will lead a 2.5-hour walk focusing on birds and plants on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail from West Concord toward White Pond. Meet at the beginning of the Rail Trail in West Concord (Rt. 62).

Pre-registration appreciated

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

SUNRISE PADDLE

Sunday, July 2nd, 5:15pm, Carlisle

Join Alan Ankers for a 2 to 3-hour paddle along the Concord River through the Carlisle, Bedford and Billerica sections of Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, with a stop for a hearty breakfast at a
casual riverside restaurant. Bring your canoe/kayak, life jacket (required), binoculars if you have them, and water. Meet at the Bedford Boat Landing (Rte. 225). 5:15am

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

HISTORY PADDLE

Saturday, July 8th, 9:00am, Wayland

Travel in time as you paddle with Brian Donahue, Brandeis University history professor and expert on
the Sudbury River. Paddle to Sherman’s Bridge through the wide meadows that prompted the founding of Wayland and Sudbury and hear stories of a fascinating and sometimes lurid past. Meet at the Rte. 20 boat launch. Bring your canoe/kayak and life jacket (required). Cars will be available at Sherman’s Bridge Rd. to ferry you back. For more information: 508-358-2980. 9am

THE NATURE OF STORIES: THE HIKE

Saturday, July 8th, 10:30am, Concord

A group of friends go for a hike in the woods, explore the natural world around them and record their findings in a journal. After the storytime, make a nature journal of your own. The Old Manse (269
Monument Street) 10:30am

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

NATURAL HISTORY OF THE SUDBURY RIVER WALK

Sunday, July 9th, noon, Sudbury

Enjoy the wonderful vistas of the meandering Sudbury River at Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge with Neela de Zoyso, botanist and instructor at the Native Plant Trust. Be introduced to the glacial sculpting of Weir Hill and the Native American history of the location. Learn about the floodplain trees,

BIRDING THE ASSABET RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Friday, July 14th, 8am, Maynard

Mass Audubon Senior Director of Conservation Science, Jeff Collins (OARS Board of Directors member),
on a 2-hour birding stroll around the Refuge in Stow and Maynard. We’ll search for birds of forest, wetlands, and fields, and learn to identify various bird species by sight and sound. Bring binoculars
if you have them, bug spray, and water; wear long sleeve shirt and pants (for mosquitos).

Preregistration required. 8am

LOWELL FAMILY FESTIVAL

Saturday, July 15th, 10:00am, Lowell

The Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust is partnering with the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Mass Audubon, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s Assabet National Wildlife Refuge to host 3 Family Outdoors Days this summer. This date is in honor of Latino Conservation Week, an initiative of the Hispanic Access
Foundation. Three hours of activities for people of all ages includes fishing, archery, dragonfly explorations, and a wildlife visit. Details online. 10am

THE NATURE OF STORIES: WE ARE WATER PROTECTORS

Saturday, July 15th, 10:30am, Concord

When a black snake threatens to poison earth’s water, a young girl joins her community in protecting their
water. Following the storytime, create cool illustrations with watercolors and wax. The Old Manse (269 Monument Street) 10:30am

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

WHAT IS YOUR WATERSHED ADDRESS?

Saturday, July 15th, 11:45am, Concord

Rivers connect us! Through hands-on activities, learn about your watershed and how you can protect it. Designed for children 6-12. The Old Manse (269 Monument St.) 11:45am

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

WRIGHT WOODS WALK

Sunday, July 16th, 10:00am, Concord

Join Rachel Wheeler and John Myers for a guided loop walk in the Concord Land Conservation Trust’s Wright Woods beginning at the Fairhaven Bay Overlook and exploring the trails along Well Meadow and the Sudbury River. This 300 acre woodland is located between Fairhaven Bay and Walden Pond. In addition to appreciating local flora and beaver activity, you will learn about the history of the property, the stone terraces and boathouse, and the family that loved and preserved these woods. The 2-hour walk will

RECREATION ON OUR RIVERS

Sunday, July 16th, 1:00pm to 4:00pm, Concord

Exploring on and along our rivers is the most fun way to learn about them. Learn how to do so safely and
with respect! Participants will have the opportunity to paddle in a boat on a Wild & Scenic River!
Designed for children 6-12.

Preregistration required. A parent must be present. 1–4pm

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

BIRDING THE LINCOLN’S CODMAN CONSERVATION LAND AND FARM MEADOW

Tuesday, July 18th, 8:00am, Lincoln

Join Lincoln Conservation Director, Michele Grzenda, on a 2-hour birding stroll around Codman Estates, Farm Meadow, and North Codman Conservation Area. Meet 25 bird species commonly found in our
neighborhoods, wetlands, and forests, and learn various field identification techniques by sight
and sound. Bring binoculars if you have them, bug spray, and water. Wear long sleeve shirt and pants
(for mosquitoes).

Pre-registration required. 8am

FAMILY FISHING & FESTIVITIES AT GREAT MEADOWS NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Saturday, July 29th, 5:15pm, Center of Activity in Sudbury: Great Meadows

Join us for a fun-filled day of hands-on activities. Bring a picnic to enjoy overlooking the beautiful Sudbury River. Rain or shine at the Refuge Headquarters. 73 Weir Hill Rd. For information call 978-443-4661.

Calling All Anglers
Beginners and experience anglers come join MassWildlife’s Angler Education Program to learn how to fly-cast. All equipment will be provided free of charge.

FAIRHAVEN BAY NATURE PADDLE

Saturday, July 22nd, 10:00am, Lincoln

Join Lincoln Conservation Ranger Will Leona on leisurely 2-hour paddle along the scenic Sudbury River. Enjoy a brief history of the area and be on the lookout for local wildlife along the way. Sightings may include great blue herons, beaver lodges and dams, belted kingfishers, Canada geese, white-tailed deer,

THE NATURE OF STORIES: KALA AND THE BEES

Saturday, July 22nd, 10:30am, Concord

The typically brave Kaia has one fear: bees. When her father gets beehives to go on the roof of their apartment, Kaia must face her fear and learn about these important insects. After the storytime, make bee hotels to create habitat for bees in our own neighborhoods. The Old Manse (269 Monument Street) 10:30am

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

WALK WITH THOREAU ALONG THE MIDDLESEX CANAL

Sunday, July 23rd, 10:00am, Billerica

Join experienced guide Marlies Henderson for a 3-hour exploration of extant portions of the Middlesex Canal, from the Billerica Falls to River Neck Road, Chelmsford, and back, reading passages from reading passages from Henry David Thoreau’s Week on the Concord and Merrimack Rivers. High boots recommended.

Pre-registration required. 10am

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

PADDLE THE CONCORD RIVER

Sunday, July 23rd, 2:00pm, Billerica

Enjoy this 3-hour easy flatwater paddle, with leader Marlies Henderson, from just below the Billerica Falls toward the Lowell Centennial dam. Bring your own canoe/kayak and life jacket (required).
Pre-registration required. 2pm

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

PHOTO WALK AT HEARD FARM

Wednesday, July 26th, 6:0pm, Wayland

Join Wayland photographer Henrik Broekman for a stroll around the 86-acre Heard Farm Conservation Area. Woods, open fields, wetlands, over 200 species of birds, and the Sudbury River shoreline make Heard Farm a remarkable place with over three miles of trails, many of them old cart paths. Hendrik will provide tips for successful photography with your camera/phone. All ages and abilities are welcome Meet at the parking lot at the end of Heard Road off Pelham Island Rd.
Preregistration appreciated. 6 pm

SAXONVILLE HISTORY

Sunday, July 30th, 2:00pm, Framingham

Still to be confirmed…. with Framingham History Center, Saxonville 2pm

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

STURGEON MOON PADDLE

Tuesday, August 1st, 6pm, Wayland/Sudbury

Join leader Roger Beatty (OARS Board of Directors member) for a paddle on the beautiful Sudbury River. It’s the perfect way to celebrate our rivers, and enjoy the wildlife that come out just before sunset, on this first full moon of August. The paddle from Sherman’s Road Bridge to Pantry Brook is about 3 miles round trip. Bring your own canoe/kayak and life jacket (required).

Limited spaces will be available for those who don’t own boats but pre-registration is required.

RIDE FOR THE RIVERS

Saturday, August 5th, 9:15am, Concord

Join Nashoba Valley Pedaler leaders, Mike and Allan, for a ~30-mile ride, (expect ~3+ hours, including a stop for ice cream at Erickson’s in Maynard!) on roads crisscrossing the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers. Email mduclos1@icloud.com or call 978-793-3189 for more information, or in the event of
questions. A forecast of steady rain will move the ride to Sunday. Call before 8am Saturday if in doubt. Helmets required. Ride departs promptly at 9:30 from the Robbins House parking lot on Monument St. 9:15am

STORIES, DANCE, ART, AND HISTORY AT THE OLD MANSE

Saturday, August 5th, Center of Activity: Old Manse

Come to the riverbank by foot, or paddle, bring a picnic, and enjoy a day of entertainment at the
historic Old Manse at 269 Monument Street. Rain or shine.

Plein Air Painting
Join or watch talented artists as they paint “En Plein Air” (French for painting outdoors) on the grounds of the Old Manse. Learn how painters ply their craft, ask questions and revel in the magic. For more information, contact richard@dorbinart.com.

KIDS BIKE FOR THE RIVERS.

Sunday, August 6th, 2:30pm, Concord

Join Art for All to decorate your bike with a river theme, then ride along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail in W. Concord with a short stop at the wetlands to look for wildlife. Intended for children 6-10. Helmets required and a guardian must attend.

Space is limited. Pre-registration required. 2:30pm

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

THE NATURE OF STORIES: BIRD COUNT

Saturday, August 12th, 10:30am, Concord

A young girl and her mother go out to see how many birds they can count in a single day. After the storytime, you will make a birdhouse out of recycled milk cartons. The Old Manse (269 Monument St.) 10:30am

RiverFest is a summer of celebration on and along the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers

CARLISLE TRAIL WALK

Sunday, August 13th, 1:00pm, Wayland

Enjoy a 3.5 mile walk (~3 hours) through meadows and forests on trails paralleling the Concord
River, starting at the Foss Farm conservation land and passing through Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge
and the O’Rourke farm on the way to scenic Greenough Pond in the Greenough conservation land. Be
prepared for wet conditions underfoot, bring drinking water and insect repellent. Light refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the walk. Dogs are not permitted in the Refuge. Meet at the Foss Farm