5Oth Anniversary 1969-2019

50th Anniversary Calendar of Free Community Programs You’re Invited! It’s the 50th Anniversary of the Watershed Association! The NRWA wants to celebrate with you. We are offering opportunities to paddle on our rivers, hike on our trails, tour our cities, and observe our wildlife. In 2019, there will be a free program in each of our 32 communities. Everyone is invited to attend.

Come to one program or come to all!

We are proud of the tremendous progress we’ve made restoring our rivers, protecting their greenways, and inspiring tomorrow’s stewards. We look forward to our collective future—working together to protect this beautiful place we call home.

For individual program details including registration information, as well as more about our 50th Anniversary and our work, visit www.NashuaRiverWatershed.org.

Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor! January 23, 2019 Cold Water Fishing in Mason, NH John Magee, NH Fish and Game Biologist, speaks about cold water fish (like trout) and how to protect their habitat. Details: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Mason Town Hall

February 9, 2019 Winter Wildlife Along the West Boylston, MA Hike along the Quinapoxet River and historic mill sites looking for signs of winter wildlife activity. Details: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on the Mass Central Rail Trail

March 12, 2019 Meet the Nashua River Watershed Association March 30, 2019 Greenville, NH History of the Nashua River and the NRWA What does the Nashua River Watershed Association Fitchburg, MA do? Learn about the history of the organization, its fifty NRWA founder, Marion Stoddart, shares stories of the years of accomplishments, its current projects, and what effort to clean-up the highly polluted Nashua River, and comes next. the early years of the NRWA. Others are invited to share Details: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Chamberlin Public Library their memories in this interactive conversation. Details: 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Public Library March 28, 2019 Using the MR Mapper Trail App April 6, 2019 Harvard, MA When Do Bears Wake Up? Jason Stanton from the Montachusett Regional Planning Paxton, MA Commission demonstrates how to use the MR Mapper Learn about our local bears through exhibits, a story and trail app which provides online mapping of formal trails game, even make a bear mask; for families with children throughout our region. ages 4 to 12. Details: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Harvard Public Library Details: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. at the Richards Memorial Library April 24, 2019 May 21, 2019 Hike at Hike at Bolton Flats Leominster, MA Wildlife Management Area Walk through beautiful Leominster State Forest guided Bolton, MA by Mike Fleming, retired forester, who will talk about Chris Buelow, from MA the special features of the forest and the importance of Natural Heritage and forests in creating clean water. Endangered Species Details: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Leominster State Forest Program, guides a walk through this unique May 4, 2019 landscape, home to highly specialized and imperiled species. Nashua River Guided Paddle Details: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Bolton Flats Devens, MA Wildlife Management Area Two small group guided paddles leave from the Bill Ashe Visitor Facility dock to explore the Nashua River as it runs through the Oxbow National Wildlife Refuge. June 1, 2019 Details: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Discover Macro-Invertebrates in Thayer Pond at the Bill Ashe Visitor Facility of the Oxbow National Rutland, MA Wildlife Refuge. Pre-registration required. Following a short hike to Thayer Pond, use nets and basins to gather and observe the aquatic insects that May 8, 2019 live in the pond; for families with children ages 4 to 12. Frog Conservation in the Nashua River Watershed Details: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on the Mass Central Rail Trail Ashburnham, MA Chris Picone, Fitchburg State University Professor of Biology, speaks on the native frog species of June 8, 2019 . Hike on the Wekepeke Path Details: 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Stevens Memorial Library Sterling, MA Hike this lovely wooded trail along the banks of May 11, 2019 Wekepeke Brook, known for its excellent native trout habitat, while learning about the local wildlife and the Spring Birding Walk at Heald Orchard history of the Brook. Pepperell, MA Details: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. on the Wekepeke Path Mark Archambault guides this birding walk during peak season for the spring migration of many neo-tropical bird species. June 12, 2019 Details: 7:00 - 10:00 a.m. at Heald Orchard Beginners Fishing Workshop Holden, MA Jim Lagacy from MA Fish & Wildlife will lead this workshop for adults and children ages 6 and up who would like to learn the basics of fishing; all equipment provided. Details: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Trout Brook Conservation Area

June 18, 2019 Hike at Willard Brook State Forest Ashby, MA Hike the Valley Road Trail in Willard Brook State Forest, enjoy views of Willard Brook, and learn about native flora and fauna. Details: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at Willard Brook State Forest July 13, 2019 Walk on Nashua River Rail Trail Dunstable, MA Enjoy a guided nature walk along the Nashua River Rail Trail heading south from Dunstable toward Pepperell, an accessible trail for all ages and abilities. Details: 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. on the Nashua River Rail Trail

July 18, 2019 History and Current Operations of the Ayer Ice House Dam Ayer, MA Liisa Grady of Ayer Ice House Dam and Alan Manoian, Ayer Director of Community and Economic Development and historian, share the history of this site and its renovation, including a short tour. Details: 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the Ayer Ice House Dam

July 23, 2019 Hike Along the Brookline, NH Walk along the Nissitissit River, a major tributary of the Nashua River, enjoy its beauty, and learn about its cold water fishery. Details: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at the Nissitissit River Conservation Area

August 1, 2019 Hike at the Cook Conservation Area Lancaster, MA Learn about local history and the important wildlife September 14, 2019 habitat in and along the during this Transcendentalists, Textiles, & Turbines: guided hike on riverside trails. A Downtown Nashua River Walk Details: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at the Cook Conservation Area Nashua, NH Join long-time Nashua Urban Heritage Guide, Alan August 6, 2019 Manoian, for a fascinating, informative & memorable Hike at the Lane Conservation Area walking tour of the historic Downtown Nashua Riverfront. Lunenburg, MA Details: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. begin at the Main Street Bridge Discover the beauty of this property on a guided walk along wooded trails and the banks of the winding September 17, 2019 Mulpus Brook. Hike at High Ridge Wildlife Management Area Details: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at the Lane Conservation Area Gardner, MA View the diverse terrains of forests, fields, marsh, and September 7, 2019 stream that make High Ridge a home to abundant The History of the Wachusett Dam and Reservoir wildlife. Clinton, MA Details: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at High Ridge Wildlife On the promenade at the top of the dam, Rangers from Management Area the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation will share the story of how the dam was built and how the dam works September 21, 2019 to protect the water quality of the Nashua River today. Hike at Valley Farm Details: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. at the Wachusett Dam Shirley, MA Walk the trails at historic Valley Farm (c. 1720), learn about the history of the property and look at active beaver habitat. Details: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Valley Farm September 24, 2019 Hike Along the Westminster, MA Explore the trail along the Whitman River which passes frog ponds, vernal pools, upland habitat, and feeder streams with native brook trout. Details: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. on the Whitman River Trail

September 28, 2019 Walk on Rail Trail Townsend, MA Enjoy views of the Squannacook River, protected wildlife and forest areas, and historic sections of Townsend on this guided walk. October 29, 2019 Details: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. on Squannacook River Rail Trail Climate Trends in New England & Their Impact on Our Rivers October 5, 2019 Hollis, NH Guided Paddle on the David Vallee, Hydrologist-in-Charge of the National Nashua River Weather Service’s Northeast River Forecast Center, will speak about changing climate in New England and its Groton, MA impact on our local rivers, from flooding to droughts. Two small group guided paddles leave from the Details: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the Lawrence Barn Petapawag Boat Launch to explore the Nashua River Community Center and its oxbows. Details: 12:30 - 2:00 p.m. and 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. at the Petapawag Boat Launch. November 6, 2019 Pre-registration required. Walk on the Granite Town Rail Trail Milford, NH October 16, 2019 Enjoy the natural scenery and learn about the history of NRWA Anniversary Open House the area while walking the trail of the old Brookline & Milford Line where trains once moved ice, granite, and Groton, MA passengers. Join the Nashua River Watershed Association Board Details: 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. on the Granite Town Rail Trail and Staff to celebrate the official 50th anniversary date of the NRWA’s founding during an Open House at our River Resource Center. December 8, 2019 Details: Time TBD at the NRWA River Resource Center Winter Wildlife of the Wachusett Boylston, MA October 19, 2019 Walk trails near the looking for View the Watershed from winter wildlife activity, and observe the numerous waterfowl species that spend the winter at the reservoir. Princeton, MA Details: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at the Wachusett Reservoir Hike up Mount Wachusett to enjoy the fall foliage and the sweeping views of the Nashua River watershed from its western border. Date TBD Details: 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. at Mt. Wachusett State Animal Tracking and the Use of Trail Cameras Reservation New Ipswich, NH What wildlife moves through your yard and local woods? Learn how to answer that question by understanding animal track identification, and through the use of trail cameras. Details: Time TBD at the New Ipswich Public Library

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