OARS River Log | By Sarah Kwan, OARS Director of Commuications & Development & Laura DaCruz, OARS 2024 Summer Education Coordinator | Published September 4, 2024

This summer, OARS brought the wonders of our local rivers to life for over 120 children through our Water Wise Workshops, an educational program aimed at fostering environmental awareness and stewardship among youth. Thanks to the generous support from The Fleetwing Charitable Foundation Trust, MathWorks and Avidia, we expanded our reach to include children from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson, Marlborough, Framingham, and Maynard through Green Maynard, as well as new locations at Lake Waushakum in Framingham and Ice House Landing in Maynard.

The Water Wise Workshops have been a staple of OARS’ summer programming since the early 2000s. Each year, we provide hands-on, nature-based education that teaches kids about the importance of clean water and healthy rivers and sets them on the path to becoming future environmental stewards in their communities. This year, the workshops ran from July 9th to August 6th, focusing on three core topics: The Water Cycle & Water Conservation, Watersheds & Pollution, and Plants & Animals.

Learning by the River

The majority of our workshops took place along the picturesque banks of the Assabet River at the South Street Riverwalk in Hudson. Here, small groups of 5 to 10 children, aged 5 to 10, gathered to explore the natural world. Led by our dedicated Education Coordinator, Laura DaCruz, and Environmental Intern, Nathan Callan, these sessions were filled with engaging discussions, fun experiments, and interactive activities designed to make environmental science accessible and enjoyable.

In our Water Cycle & Water Conservation workshop, children learned about the journey of water through the environment and why conserving this precious resource is essential. They participated in a “water cycle dance” to physically act out the stages of the water cycle and played a water conservation game highlighting the importance of careful water use.

The Watersheds & Pollution workshop introduced the concept of a watershed and the impact of pollution on our rivers. Children built their mini-watersheds, observed water flow, and discussed how pollutants can travel and affect distant parts of a watershed. The hands-on activities culminated in demonstrating natural and manufactured filters, helping the kids understand the role of storm drains and the importance of keeping our waterways clean.

Our Plants & Animals workshop focused on the habitats along the riverbanks and the delicate balance of the food web. The children examined different microhabitats, identified native and invasive species, and learned about the impact of habitat changes on local wildlife. This year, we added live fish to the workshop, giving the kids a close-up look at aquatic life and sparking conversations about water quality and ecosystem health.

Making a Lasting Impact

Feedback from the Boys and Girls Club directors was overwhelmingly positive. Steve Zepf, Director of the Marlborough Boys & Girls Club, praised the program, saying, “Water Wise is a great educational program to teach the next generation of youth how to care for our local rivers and watershed.” Alexis Carvalho, Director of the Hudson Boys & Girls Club, echoed this sentiment: “Our youth had an amazing time at Water Wise this year! The hands-on activities were both educational and engaging. The mix of science, exploration, and creativity kept the kids fascinated and eager to learn more.”

At OARS, we believe that educating children about our rivers today is crucial for the health of our environment tomorrow. The Water Wise Workshops provide a fun and engaging way for kids to learn about nature and plant the seeds of stewardship that will grow into a lifelong commitment to protecting our watersheds.

Thank you to The Fleetwing Charitable Foundation Trust, MathWorks and Avidia for making this year’s workshops possible and helping us continue this vital work. As we look to the future, we’re excited to see how these young environmental stewards will make a difference in their communities and beyond. In the coming year, we will be expanding our Water Wise Workshops to local schools, offering them as after-school enrichment programs to reach even more children and inspire the next generation of environmental leaders.