Westport RiverWatershed Alliance

2017Annual Report

Our mission:to restore, protect, celebrate, and sustain the natural resources of the Westport River and its watershed

Photo: Amelia Tripp

Photo: Mark Goulding

STAFF

Deborah Weaver, Executive DirectorRoberta Carvalho, Science DirectorSteve Connors, Community Engagement ManagerShelli Costa, Education DirectorGay Gillespie, Development DirectorJennifer Lynch, Development and Finance Administrator

Commonwealth Corps Service MembersVictoria QuennessenAngela Hilsman

OFFICERS

Tom SchmittPresident

Charley AppletonVice President

Tom JansenTreasurer

Tom RobinsonSecretary

Westport River Watershed Alliance 2017 Board of Directors

Elizabeth Brinkerhoff Ed CareyRich CastensonLinda FindlayDave ForneyBill GollnerCarol Ann HayesChris KillenbergWard MooneyCarol MoriartyMarilyn Packard-LutherArthur H. ParkerMartha SlaightDale Weber

Photo: Barry French

Dear Members and Friends:Letter from WRWA President and WRWA Executive Director

2017 proved both challenging and rewarding: challenging in the sense that the WRWA not only maintained and expanded on programs, projects and initiatives. Our Board and Staff spent considerable time, energy and resources thinking about and working on our future. It was rewarding because with the help of remarkable friends, members, supporters and volunteers, we accomplished and in many cases exceeded all our objectives. 2018 promises to be a “Watershed” year (pun intended) as we plan for and execute transition to new offices and resources at the Head of Westport, and a renewed commitment to sustain and improve the health of the Westport River Watershed as well as the communities it connects.

ScienceContinued ongoing summer water quality monitoring including the partnership with the • Buzzards Bay Coalition Baywatchers Program.Established a new Science Committee, including Board members and scientists from other • organizations.Partnered with UMASS Dartmouth on 2 projects in Cockeast Pond:•

1) multi-year study for the assessment of the ecological health of the Pond;2) four year EPA funded study of the impact of oysters on nitrogen reduction.

Tom Schmitt WRWA President

Deborah WeaverExecutive Director

EducationContinued Partnership with Westport Community Schools, pre K—senior high school, in-class • lessons and field studies.Provided three $1,000 scholarships to local high school seniors. • Partnered with Lees Market to support 5• th grade field study: Dune Grass Restoration.Partnered with OnPoint Realty to support Commonwealth Corps Service Members, two • members serving as Environmental Educators and Volunteer recruiters.

AdvocacyPromoted monthly local meetings with leaders of other area non-profits.• Worked with Town officials to develop and secure a grant from the Seaport Economic Council • to pay for the costs of improving the Head Landing.Annual meeting guest speaker George Heufelder spoke on the benefits & designs of • de-nitrifying septic systems.Printed and widely distributed an article on costs of de-nitrifying septic systems, authored by • Dave Cole & Cathy Lanier, long time WRWA members. Printed and mailed town-wide an educational flyer for residents on how to prevent • stormwater pollution at home.

Community EngagementOars & Paddles Winter art show at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery—over 45 donated works.• Annual River Day brought in over 700 people and 40 vendors and exhibitors.• Sold out Summer Music Concert in partnership with the Narrows Center for the Arts, hosted • & sponsored by the Westport Rivers Winery.Hosted two Electronic recycle Days in partnership with IndieCycle—8,000lbs of material kept • out of local landfills.Held three Beach Clean-ups—over 100 volunteers participated.•

River Center

Worked closely with virtually all Town boards and committees, completed a three-year • permitting odyssey.Matched a $100,000 gift, thanks to many generous donors, members and non-members.• Hired Page Construction, our building partner. Page most recently completed the new • Education center for the Whaling Museum.Began implementing an exciting education and information resource center for the entire • community.

“Bottom line”: Healthy finances, both operational and endowment (see charts)

Westport River Watershed Alliance 2017 Finances*

Sources $486,737

Assets

Education revenue up• Three successful events• Membership, Gala, and Annual Fund • exceeded goalsEndowment use • reduced from 5% to 2.5%

Uses $482,749

Personnel costs • downScholarship awards tripled• Event costs lowered• More funds spent for watershed • projects

Assets over $500,000 higher• Endowment up $100,000• Pledged River Center grants and • gifts up $400,000River Center fundraising near • $2.0 million

*Unaudited

$3,000,000

$2,500,000

$2,000,000

$1,500,000

$1,000,000

$1,500,000

$02016 2017

River Center Pledges & Grants

River Center Accounts

Endowment

Fixed Assets

Other Current Assets

Operating Accounts

2017 Education ProgramsOver 2,000 school children participate in WRWA’s watershed education programs annually. Our award-winning program enhances the existing school curriculum with hands-on, science lessons and field studies in order to build a sense of local stewardship for our amazing natural surroundings.During 2017, the WEP Program continued to improve throughout the year by reaching the following goals:

WRWA was again awarded 2 Commonwealth Corps volunteers • to help expand our education programs. Our service members, Angela Hilsman and Victoria Quennessen, have done an excellent job educating local students on a variety of watershed topics. WRWA continues to expand and update our curriculum with • the latest science topics, including integrating the effects that climate change will have on the living things throughout the watershed.The 27• th year of Adopt-a-Watershed was led by our staff in collaboration with Dan Harrington’s Environmental Science class at the Westport High School. Students learn about water testing and biological tests that scientist used to determine the health of the river.Fifth graders at Westport Middle School planted the 17,000• th

dune grass seedling as part of the Dune Restoration Project. Students also researched the plants and animals that are adapted to survive in the dune’s climate.WRWA has continued the successful partnership with the • Westport Historical Society to provide a field study for 6th grade students at the Head of Westport. The field study teaches students how wetlands help protect the Westport River and the history behind the land use at the Head.Again this year, WRWA received funding from BayCoast Bank to • host 2 local college interns to assist with our summer education and water quality monitoring programs. Our two interns, Rachel Pacitto and Alexie Rudman, were great with students and had a passion for sharing their environmental knowledge. Summer science education programs for children were very • successful this year. We held seven weeks of summer programs, reaching over 100 participants ages 3 to 16 throughout the season. We partnered with the Westport Cultural Council to offer 8 student scholarships to attend the summer program.

2017 Science and Advocacy ProgramsWRWA’s Water Quality Monitoring Program assesses bacteria and nutrient pollution in the Westport River. Since 1991 WRWA has been regularly measuring pollution levels in the River. WRWA collects water samples from boat and land at up to 20 locations throughout the watershed from June - August. In addition, WRWA and volunteers take part in the Buzzards Bay Coalition’s Baywatchers, a volunteer water monitoring project that demonstrates the progressive problem of nitrogen loading in our rivers and bays. WRWA’s goal is also to serve as a leader in bringing people together to protect and understand the local environment. The WRWA strives to serve as a hub in sharing information between Town regulatory bodies.

It’s great news that during dry weather, bacteria levels are low enough that it’s safe for swimming, boating and shellfishing (in approved areas). Bacteria levels are typically elevated during wet weather events. The big news is that we’ve seen great improvement in the last 15 years. However, we continue to see elevated fecal coliform bacteria levels during storm events, especially in the upper East Branch. In 2017, over 120 samples were collected to analyze salinity, temperature, pH, turbidity and fecal coliform bacteria. Our dedicated volunteers are out testing, rain or shine. These water quality samples are also a means for us to evaluate the effectiveness of remediation projects, such as the raingardens and storm water systems at the Head of Westport.

In 2017, WRWA continued to serve as a resource to the Town of Westport and the state as well. Our yearly testing results are sent to the Commonwealth’s Division of Watershed Management-Watershed Planning Program and used to assess the ecological conditions of the River. We also worked closely with Town offices and committees to interpret and evaluate draft reports related to the nitrogen Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) in the River as well as municipal stormwater permit compliance.

This year we experienced unprecedented collaboration as WRWA staff worked with Town Boards effecting positive results such as: an Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination Bylaw, progress on compliance for the Town of Westport’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit compliance, and taking part on a subcomittee with the Town of Westport Water Resources Committee on denitrification requirements for onsite wastewater systems. While 2017 did not have much positive news for environmental topics on a national scale, the staff at WRWA continue to work to solve the environmental problems facing the watershed. WRWA often partners with other environmental advocates to prevent measures in the state legislature that if passed, would weaken environmental protections.

2017 Annual Giving

$15,000—$30,000R. Jeremy & Hannelore GranthamMassachusetts Service Alliance (Commonwealth Corp.)Rupert C. Thompson Fund

$10,000—$14,999Linda & Charles FindlayRick HuntJohn & Carol MoriartyThe Van Sloun Foundation

$5,000—$9,999Anonymous BayCoast BankJudith & Alan PemsteinDebby RobbinsThomas & Katharine SchmittSamuel TestMassachusetts Cultural Council

$2,500—$4,999Bob & Pam BeckHelen E. Ellis CharitableTrustWally & Helga NicholsBrooksie Robbins & Christine Widing-JonssonKendrick & Anne SnyderDonald & Marjorie Swift

$1,000—$2,499AnonymousJoel Altstein & Nan M. LairdPeter & Rosanne ArestySally Bachelder

Ann S. HigginsArnold & Rosalind HunnewellPeter & Tanya JohnsonScott & Barbara JonesBill KernTed KinnariJoanne LearySarah & Ted LodgeLeo MarshallCharlotte S. MetcalfLucy D. MetcalfCurtis & Margaret MockJohannes & Ria NagtegaalSharon Nolan & Jim RosenfeldAndrea M. PowningJames Rainville & Susan StoopsDinny RobertsSouth Eastern Environmental Education AllianceDick & Ann SquireStearns Charitable TrustHenry & Janet VaillantClement Van BurenRyan WagnerDeboarh Weaver & Philip WeinbergWestport Cultural CouncilJim & Nancy Whitin

$500—$999Mits & Marilyn AdamsE. Breck Arnzen & Lani Peterson-ArnzenKatherine BarkleyRobert & Katherine Beede

Bruce A. Bauman & Denise D. SeldenCommunity Foundation of Southeastern MassachusettsTerrance & Charlene ConnollyGeoff & Tracy CornellElizabeth D. Coxe & G. David Forney, Jr.Charles Y. DeknatelMichele Demarest & John D. Patterson Jr.Jeffrey Elefante & Catherine SatterleeMarjorie Findlay & Geoff FreemanStephen L. Fletcher & Michael D. WaldenJudith B. Hale

In an effort to acknowledge the many ways our contributors support WRWA throughout the year, members are listed according to their total annual giving. Gifts in this total include memberships, Annual Fund contributions, matching gifts, memorial contributions, endowment gifts, Summer Gala contributions (excluding auction purchases) and other donations from January 1 - December 31, 2017. Every effort has been made to ensure that these are accurate and inclusive. If you see an error, please contact the WRWA office.

Photo: Laurie Wenham

Tom Boreiko & Alison CoolidgeLawrence & Susan BorgesLee & Joanne BrewdaNorm BriseboisPeter Kelsey & Brenna CaseySusan Clare & Peter D. ParkerJohn & Susan ClarkeDavid & Giovanna ClottJohn & Chris ConwayMichael & Carol CorbettCharles Cowing & Katherine GibsonMichael F. & Marian CroninEdward Dietrich & Barbara SmithMichael Elefante & Louise SawyerFrederic & Elizabeth EustisRobin & Samuel FanElizabeth Flynn & Andrew LottJack GormanSally HartyCharlotte HarveyThomas & Barbara JansenJanet W. JonesMartin & Judy KellyMary Ellen KennedyChristopher & Susan KillenbergRobert & Patsy LawrencePhip & Amy LeePeter & Kay LisleJane LoosAmy & Thomas Mangold, Jr.Janie MartignettiMarilyn Packard-Luther & Jefferson BullRonald Derosiers Memorial FundJanet SegalAlan & Janis SemineChris & Deb SemineDrew & Kiki ShillingPaul & Elizabeth SittenfeldBarbara & Tom SlaightJoyce & Fred SparlingThe Jeffrey Family FundChristopher & Elizabeth ThompsonJoan J. ThompsonDavid & Lynne TothPeter F. Wohlauer & Robin Alt

$250—$499Joan & Richard AbramsTim & Monica AgnewWilliam & Susan BarkerStephen & Robin BehrmanWarner & Ann BerthoffEmilio BizziElizabeth BrinkerhoffCharles F. BrodtJohn & Laurie BullardMichael & Catriona BurnsConstance & Richard CastensonPeter & Patti Cerilli

Carol Ann HayesDelia & Bill HuntDavid Jones & Allison RyderRichard & Alison JonesRyan & Jaime KimJohn & Patricia KoenitzerAnne & Bob LarnerRobert & Weezie LawrenceRobert & Susan MontgomeryJames & Donna MoodyNoel & Linda OlsenGarry PlunkettGuy & Betty RenyNancy & David RenyAmy SaldingerMolly & Bill SherdenBennett & Lissa SingerHoward & Fredi StevensonR. Michael & Martha SullivanHenry & Judy SwanMargaret G. ThomasKeith & Susan WatsonBenjamin & Elizabeth WhiteHarry & Lucy WhitinHuseyin YaserDavid & Sarah Yerkes

Up to $249Bill & Penny AgnewLucien & Kristi AgnielPaul R. AlassoMark Allard & Leah OmahonyAl & Mady AlmeidaAnne AlmyCarolyn F. Almy & F.J. Whitmore BoogaertsCarol & Leonard AmaralJ. George AnetakisGregg AngellCharley & Pat AppletonRobert G. ArmknechtHelene C. AugerSusan & Bruce BaileyKevin BakerMartha G. BakerMichele BarnesWalter & Anne Barnes

Bruce & Karen ClarkeLeslie & Ed CroninBob & Susan DaylorDonald DetrickMatthew & Christine DoyleDeborah & Henry DrinkerCarolyn K. Duby & David G. SwiftBruce EarleEMC TechnologiesRick EustisDale FerrisGrover & Monika FitchStuart & Ulrike FuldCarolyn WillardEllen GatesKatherine & Matt Glendinning

Photo: Carol Coutinho

Barbara BeanJudith M. BeavanJohn & Mo BeiserAlice Benedict & Caldwell SmithLaura Bennett & Stephen ToroDavid & Betsy BienvenuePeter & Sue BigelowDavid BiltcliffeJudith E. BlackVictoria Black & Brian Corey, Jr.Robert & Julia BlakeRichard J. Blum & Harriet WarmDenise BolducJulian & Pamela BondCarol BonnarDavid & Edith BordenBettina Borders & Victor MaileyChristopher Bosso & Marcia GoetschRuth & David BournsMary Lou BoutwellMaura & Stephen BrackenBradshaw Insurance Agency, Inc.James & Ellen BraytonJane Gordon BraytonSally BraytonRichard & Barbara BrewerPeter & Tally BriggsStephen BrockmanDeborah & David BrownEdward M. Brown & Judith WolinMichael W. Brown & Anne GatelyGioia T. Browne & James MarshWayne C. & Eileen M. BrowningCarroll & Nancy BrownleeNils J. Bruzelius & Lynne A. WeilBurton B. BryanVirginia BuchananNorman & Irene BuckElizabeth Bullock & Stephen JordanJim BurgessPhilip & Hilary BurlingJohn S. BuxtonNate ByrnesEdward & Peggy CampionFabien & Lisa CanuelWilfred & Joan CarneyRichard & Lesley Carrigg

John CayerChristopher T. & Annie Mock ChanPhoebe A. ChardonLeo & Amy ChausseNicholas & Meg ChristSarah & Chadwick ChristieJohn & Rayna CipolliniLinda ClarkMichael & Amy ClarkeSam CoaleMike & Phinie ColemanRobert F. Collins & Hope W. SterlingJames Connor & Ann DonohueAnnie Connors

Matthew DavisNancy M. DawsonVirginia Lyons & Richard de NeufvilleWilliam DeckerJohn & Inge DeFuscoDavid & Deborah DeitzGeorge & Paula DelanoRichard DeyJoyce A. DiBona & Robert H. WeissPatricia DillonKaren E. Donfried & Alan E. UntereinerWendy & Jim DorseyRosemary & Thomas DownerCarrie Drake & Cranston PaullMilton L. DunhamPaul & Linda EastwoodBeverley EdwardsMark & Wanda EdwardsDavid EmilitaHolly J. BronhardDaniel & Clara EstowSusan Esty & Larry SullivanBarbara FariaBradford & Eileen FaxonSandra & James FeeneyCharles & Kate FeiningerKathy & Conrad FeiningerMarybeth FerrariniSydney & Eric FisherDaniel & Carol FitchAnne Fitzgerald & Lawrence HookeyEdward & Pauline FitzgibbonAnne Fonseca & David MoreiraElizabeth M. Foote & Eric J. ThorgersonEdith B. ForresterGeorge & Susan FosterSarah FosterRichard Fox & Galina VolkovaThom & Janice FreddoGerald & Jane FreedKatherine FriasHenry & Priscilla FrischBrian C. Gallagher & Julie MorseLee & Polly GardnerSkip & Tally Garfield

Anthony & Sharon ConnorsNat ConnorsJames & Carol ConstantineDavid & Linda CornellMartin CostaRichard & Judith CottrellElizabeth Coughlin & Damon MayLouisa CoughlinThomas & Joan CoughlinJennifer & Michael CoyeJames & Edwina CroninNancy C. CrosbyLarry & Nancy CulpepperDavid & Jean CummingsJohn & Betsy CummingsVictoria R. CunninghamSusan CzernickaBrendan DaleyJames & Rosemary DaleyIngrid M. Davidge

Photo: Amelia Tripp

Jane A. GasekAlbert & Mary GaudetTeg & Julie GebhardElizabeth Gelfand & Jerry SundheimerJessica GesnerDavid A. Gibbs & Rosemary PereiraChristine GibneyLaura & Howard GiffordDeborah H. GilbertGay GillespieWilliam & Linda GlaserDerrill & Madison GoldizenLydia & Bill GollnerCarol Goodman & Robert WalshBob & Bea GormleySarah & Mike GosslerRoger M. Greene & Barbara Truesdale WisbachPeter & Tracy GreenwoodBetsy Grenier & Jane LindenAnne GriswoldElizabeth Grossman & Baruch KirschenbaumGene & Carol GuayBrian & Charlotte GuimondDavid & Margaret GulletteMichael Habib & Evelyn WilberRobert C. & Susan M. HadleyEleanor Anne HallJames & Dorothea HallanMargaret HamiltonTrevor HamiltonDevens & Sandy HamlenE. Skyler & Linda HardyJoseph & Helen HarringtonJames HarrisonLouisa HartJune Hatfield & Roland C. KoelschPatricia Healey & Robert MakinAnne & Jerry HellerRuss Hensel & Karen QuigleyMatthew & Sally HerreidLee HigginsDavid W. HobartWilliam Hogan & Donna R. MassanoRichard & Ashley HolmquistGeorge & Marcia Holster

Barbara Honthumb & Richard ClareAnne T. HopkinsSandra HorowitzCory HowlandElizabeth Hubert & Ron DumaisAlice HuffRichard & Annie IbaraIndiecycle, LLCPaul & Jess InwoodDavid J. JabbourEd JacksonNick & Sarah JansenTrintje JansenAlissa & David Jarvis

Ryan JohnsonAJ & Allie JohnstonJoann J. JohnstonDeborah S. Judd & Hank KeatingJohn & Carolyn KaiserLionel & Jane KaliffPeter & Kate KastnerJoan KaufmanFoster KayJames & Judy KeeleyJoseph L. KeithJudy L. KellerJill & Matt KelsallTom & Suzanne KendigDanielle KennedyGene & Peggy KennedyMary Louise KennedyPatrick & JoAnn KeyesElliott & Jacqueline KieffVirginia A. King

Deborah L. KnappRon KnappThomas & Susan KnappRobert & Judith KnightCaroline KnoxDaniel & Lee KraftRobert & Naoko KuglerWilliam & Julie LachVirginia L. LacyNan & Jim LairdDavid Lalima & Georgiana ThomasCarol Langstaff & Jim RooneyMargaret & John LavenderAndy & Diane LavoieRud Lawrence & Jackie CohenRaymond P. LearyTimothy LeePeter LenrowJohn F. LentiniLucy Ann LepreauMaurice F. LessesEdward LevineDiana LevyLanie LincolnBarbara LinnellJennifer Lisle & Steven AbreuRichard T. LoringSteven Lubar & Lisa ThoerleRuth & Bruce LynnPeter MacDougallTerry MacFadyen & Jean RosielloNancy & Roger MackayCarlton & Alice MacomberAndrew D. Magee & Lucy MunsonDoris & Dick MagovernAnn MaguireWilliam & Betsy MakerRichard & Audre ManchesterYvonne MarquisMartha D. MarshallRichard & Ann MasonDouglas & Carolyn MaterneAlexandria & Parker MauckMaurice E. MayW. Brem & Anne P. MayerRoger & Brianna McAvoyThomas & Claire McCabe

Photo: Greg Stone

Olivia B. McCullough & Jonathan SharlinJohn & Carla McDermottJohn A. McDonoughPaul McDonoughCharles & Nancy McGrathJoseph & Rosemary McGuillArthur & Doreen McKinleyRichard & Margie McNallyDenis MeadowsNancee D. MeekerAnthony & Rosemary MelliJames F. MelvinMichel & Louise MethotPaul & Diane MethotEdward & Denise MicaleBarbara MillenErica MillerValerie & Doug MillerRichard & Nancy MobleyWilliam & Eileen MoncriefDale MongeonMonika MontrymowiczWilliam & Lee MorrisonHugh & Diana MortonJoseph E. MullaneyElisabeth R. MundelWilliam & Jane NapolitanoRuss & Claire NautaEvelyn NeimanCraig NewbergerEric & Jane NewcomerKirsten A. NewcomerJohn & Kayla NilesHarriet S. NoyesJonathan & Joan O’BrienDoug & Sarah OliveiraElizabeth & Daniel OstreicherJoseph & Melissa PachecoMelinda Paine-DupontRobert & Mary Anne PallackJohn & Nancy PannoniErnest T. Patrikis & Emily TruebloodMartha Holman PaullMelissa PelletierCeleste PenneyLawrence & Lorna Phan

Andrew & Kristi PickeringNorma Pineault & Jay SullivanTed & Cathy PomeroyJonathan & Robin PotterJohn & Kimberly PoultonAlexander PrestonKatharine PrestonRonald & Loretta PriceGina PurtellChris & Sara QuintalHarriet Rantoul-HazardSharon Raposa & Steve SiebelShmuel & Katya Ravid

Gretchen ReillySandy Reynolds & Debbie JohansenMargaret ReznikMary RiesFrances RileyLarry & Ellie RinkRaymond A. RobillardThomas & Johanna RobinsonJune Brownell RocheJane RoessnerDennis & Ruth RogGordon D. RoweMichael & Kathy RoyRobert & Carol RussellJohn & Gail Sampieri

Marge & Chet SandborgDavid & Bonnie SandsQuentin SanfordEdward & Kathy SayersCarol SchenePaul & Christine SchmidAmy F. ScottTimothy M. Scott & Gabriele M. ZybarthNorma SearsMary Anne SedneyNancy SelvageEileen & Kevin Shea

Photo: Mark Goulding

Mary Ann SheaEileen Wheeler SheehanRichard & Elizabeth ShorrockGary & Terry SimmonsJoan SlafskyThomas H. Slaman & Kenneth C. StoneDavid Bent SmithMary SmithVictoria SmithMartha SoehringRosanne SomersonEva SommaripaKatharine Spencer & Peter RosenfeldElizabeth S. Spicer

John SpicerKevin St Martin & Marianna PavlovskayaMeri-Ellen St. MartinCarol & Bob StegemanJonathan & Peggy StevensGregory & Brenda StoneLinda M. StrattonBonnie & Sandy StroppJames & Patricia StubbertPhillip & Linda StubblefieldPatrick & Shelagh SullivanEmily H. SuttonArthur & Cindy Sweetser

Linda & Jeffrey SwopeAmma SzalSue SzekelyMaryann & William TabolaKaren Morrissette TajalliPaul A. Tamburello, Jr.Jennifer & Seth TerryTed & Carol ThibodeauCarlton & Nancy Thompson

Photo: Mark Goulding

Mark & Connie ThompsonStephen Thompson & Debbie BrownMaynard ThomsonLawrence TittemoreDavid Tobias & Elizabeth MicheelsRalph Tompkins & Fran ClarkMartha TorranceMary Trigg & Ron RappAllen & Amelia TrippLee O. TrippLeslie TrippLinda TrippArstein & Catherine TveitWilliam & Charlotte Underwood

Lauren UsiltonPaul & Martha ValcourtHilly & Piet van LoonNeil & Sue Van SlounWillem & Inge VanpeltDouglas & Madeleine VronaSusan WakemanSterling WallDale Weber & Frank McDonough

Janet & Hans WegnerNancy Weinstein & John DeanRosalind WeirAnn Forest West & Michael T. PieringGretchen & Larry WhippleDonald B. WhiteWilliam & Ellie WickesBarbara WicksFaith Wilbur & Peter D’allesandroGinny & Jack WilkensNina & Kent WilleverCarroll & Kate WilliamsonThomas & Anne WinnerSandra Wolff & John Jacobson

Alice WoodHelen & Hilary WoodhouseSusan WorthenStephen WuoriGeorge YeomansMichael YogmanStephen & Kathy YoungRichard & Louise Zanrucha

Oars and Paddles Art Show

Our thanks to Dedee and Bill Shattuck, for their generous donation of the beautiful and bright gallery space for our show.

Wine and beer were generously provided by Westport Rivers Winery and Buzzards Bay Brewing.

Artists

Phyllis Dobbyn AdamsAshley AinsworthRay AudetDebbie BiancoDennis BroadbentLiane ByrnesSusan CzernickaRose Esson-DawsonMaureen FlemingDavid FormanekGail FredellJan FreddoRita GardentGay GilliesChristina Glaser

Our fourth annual winter art show had the theme of “Oars and Paddles” in 2017. Hosted at the Dedee Shattuck Gallery from February 25 - March 4, this was ourbest attended event yet, and the artwork was extraordinary.

We collected forty-five old wooden oars and paddles, and gave them to area artists, whose imaginations transformed them into beautiful works of art, ranging from whimsical to inspirational. We are so pleased that this winter art show has become a popular regional event.The gallery was packed for the reception and silent auction.

In conjunction with the Oars and Paddles art show, we hosted another Brushes and Brews art event, with artists Pam Clarkson and Barbara Healy offering a two-hour workshop, creating a lovely painting of a Westport water scene.

Annie GriswoldSandra HallShirley HardisonBarbara HealyJC CummingsTrintje JansenCaitlyn KenneyElizabeth KingFred KrackePerrin GardentNick JansenSusan MedynJim & Nancy WhitinJennifer RashleighBarbara SlaightMac StantonLucy TabitAbigail TestMichael WaldenFaith WilburCorey WindhamSarah Tappen WindhamHelen WoodhouseBrenda Wrigley-ScottCarolyn Waters

A.J. Potter Jr. & Sons, Inc.Adamsville Healing Arts CenterAdamsville Wine & Spirits, LLCAlbanese Monuments, LLCAmerican CanineAnchor Animal HospitalBaraby Corp.Beetle, Inc.Boutique Fitness, Inc.Chase Farm Veterinary HospitalCoyne & Powers Insurance Agency, Inc.Cuttyhunk Shellfish FarmsDurfee Buffinton Insurance Agency, Inc.EcoRI NewsFernandes & Charest, P.C.Field Engineering Co., Inc.HomeworksGray’s Grist Mill, Inc.Handy Hill CreameryHay Ray’s Farm & FeedHead Town Landing Country StoreKind SnacksKozy Nook RestaurantLawton BuildersMarguerite’s RestaurantMeriz Landscaping, Inc.

N.A.C. Security & Stereo Systems, Inc.Potter Funeral Service, Inc.Representative Paul Schmid & Christine Shapleigh SchmidR. Michael & Martha SullivanThe Horsley Witten Group, Inc.Toyota Of DartmouthVillage PizzaDr. Douglas G. and Madeleine VronaWestport Chiropractic, Inc.Whaling City Transit Inc.Wilfrid’s Garage Inc.Zibra Corporation

2017 River Day SponsorsWRWA’s 2017 River Day Festival took place Saturday, June 10th at the Town Landing at the Head of Westport on one of the first beautiful days of Spring. This free, family-friendly festival in celebration of the Westport River drew over 700 community members and visitors. The poster contest winner was third grader Anna Herliczek.

Over 40 exhibitors and vendors presented at the event including area nonprofits, local farmers and environmental companies.

Activities included fish T-shirt printing • wee boat building• stilt building• face painting • historic tour of the Head of • Westportlive Raptor show• poster winner awards• native American demonstration • with Donna Mitchelllive music by The Gnomes•

River Day

River Day Committee Charley Appleton, ChairSteve ConnorsGay GillespieJennifer LynchDonna MitchellMarilyn Packard-LutherKatharine Spencer RosenfeldDeborah WeaverDale Weber

Summer Concert at the Westport Rivers Vineyard

Summer Concert Sponsors:

Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

WRWA held its second annual sold-out summer concert with Dar Williams and Chris Smither on July 15, 2017 at the Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery.

Co-presented by the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River, over 650 people attended from all over New England.

A Stand-Up Paddle Board was raffled at the event—Owen Costa, age 7, was thrilled to draw the lucky winning ticket for Kathleen McGinn!

Following the concert, the Winery hosted a Champagne reception for members and sponsors to meet the performers in the Cask room.

Bayside RestaurantCountry Woolens, Inc.Lees Oil Service, Inc.Pine Hill Equipment, Inc.Ralco Electric and Generator, Inc.

2017 Summer Gala

BenefactorsJoel & Lisa AlvordTrey & Debbie BiancoPhil & Hilary BurlingJoe Ciffolillo & Catherine HaferTerry & Charlene ConnollyElizabeth Coxe & David ForneyAndrew DreyfusLinda & Spinner FindlayEd & Mary Ellen FlynnJack GormanJudy HaleSally HartyScott & Barbara JonesSarah & Ted LodgeMichael & Linda MoodyWard & Lucy MooneyCarol & John MoriartyTom & Johanna RobinsonMichael & Judy RosowTom & Kate SchmittPatronsLily Altstein & Cory ZiglerBruce & Denise BaumanRuss BeedeMary Lou BoutwellMike Elefante & Louise SawyerDale FerrisCarol Ann HayesJoe MullaneyWally & Helga NicholsArthur & Connie ParkerBeverly SchuchJanet SegalBarbara & Tom SlaightAnne & Kendrick SnyderChris & Elizabeth ThompsonDeborah Weaver & Philip WeinbergSponsorsAnonymous (2)Bill & Penny AgnewRichard & Cece ArmstrongCharlie Baker & Dorrie PizzellaLibby Baylies & Nick BurnsHarold & Ceelie Beacham

Robert Bechtle & Whitney ChadwickBill Pardee & Lin BeckKatherine & Rob BeedePeter & Mary BergTom Boreiko & Alison CoolidgeJim & Ellen BraytonJane G. BraytonScott & Mayke BriggsElizabeth BrinkerhoffNils Bruzelius & Lynne WeilJohn & Laurie BullardChristine BurgessNancy BurkholderSusan BushTad & Peggy CampionPam & Charley CareySusan & John ClarkeDavid Cole & Betty SladeKit & Chas CowingMarian & Michael CroninCharles DeknatelRalph & Heidi DerbyshireThomas Dew & Carolyn Benedict-DrewHenry & Deb DrinkerDavid J.S. EmilitaBarbara FariaGrover & Monika FitchTeg & Julie GebhardGay GillespieEd GoldbergLydia & Bill GollnerCalla & Ralph GuildScott & Laurie HaigJohn & Corbin HarwoodAnn HigginsLee HigginsMartin & Judy KellyMary Ellen KennedyRon KnappDaniel & Lee KraftNan & Jim LairdCathy & Henry LanierAnne & Bob LarnerJoanne LearyPeter & Kay LisleJennie & Peter Lucas

Jean Rosiello & Terry MacFadyenElizabeth WardJanie MartignettiMaria & David MartinGeorge & Elizabeth MaxtedBrem & Anne MayerChip & Nancy McGrathBarbara Millen & James PrestonJim & Donna MoodyBill & Lee MorrisonSean & Stacy MullaneyElisabeth MundelSam Mundel & Andy PaigeJoop & Ria NagtegaalSharon Nolan & Jim RosenfeldMelinda Paine-DupontDr. Billie PivnickAndrea PowningJim Rainville & Susan StoopsDebby RobbinsMark & Margot SchmidPaul & Tina SchmidMichael & Louise SilvermanMartha SlaightLinda StrattonMike and Martha SullivanMaggie & Don SwiftAbigail TestJoan ThompsonRenke & Pamela ThyePam TrippeJanet & Henry VaillantClement Van BurenDouglas & Madeleine VronaWeatherlow FarmsDale Weber & Frank McDonoughMary Kaneb WellmanJim & Nancy WhitinPeter Wohlauer & Robin Alt

Special thanks to Dick & Betty Fitton for hosting the event overlooking the West Branch of the Westport River. Gala invitation design & illustration by UMASS Dartmouth student Kira Hallberg.

2017 River Center—Capital Campaign Supporters

Contributions 2014-2017

Gifts over $10,000 will be acknowledged on the River Center Donor Wall

$300,000 and aboveAnonymous (1)Massachusetts Cultural Council Facilities Fund

$100,000 to $299,000BayCoast BankJohn and Carol MoriartyTown of Westport Community Preservation Committee

$50,000 to $99,999Gregory Barr and Elizabeth TrippeDavid and Deborah Brown*

Grimshaw - Gudewicz Charitable Foundation*Thomas and Katharine Schmitt

$15,000 to $49,999Scott and Mayke BriggsElizabeth D. Coxe and G. David Forney, Jr. Oliver S. and Jennie R. Donaldson Charitable TrustCharles and Linda FindlayR. Jeremy and Hannelore GranthamAndreas and Diane HalvorsenSally Ann LedbetterCharlotte S. Metcalf*Ward and Lucy Mooney*Johannes and Ria NagtegaalMr. and Mrs. C.Walter Nichols, IIIArthur H. and Constance Parker*The Schrafft FoundationAbigail Test

$10,000 to $14,999BankFive*Hallie, Schuyler and Spencer BiancoTom Boreiko and Alison CoolidgeGay GillespieJack and Joanie Gillette*James and Carol Ann Hayes*Tom and Jennifer HunnewellThe Island Foundation, Inc.Lafrance Hospitality*Henry and Catherine Lanier*Janie Martignetti*Thomas and Johanna RobinsonThomas A. Rodgers, Jr. Family FoundationPaul and Christine Schmid*Stearns Charitable Trust*Tom and Joanie SwiftDeborah Weaver and Philip Weinberg*Catherine MacIntyre WilliamsCarroll and Kate Williamson*

“We must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it. But we must sail and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”—Mark Twain

The earlier part of 2017 saw gentle winds moving us forward. In January the Facilities Committee, under the leadership of project manager Charley Appleton, hired Page Building Construction Company as the River Center contractor. The team from Page worked closely with the architects to finalize the design and engineering plans. Throughout the year, numerous meetings with Town boards culminated with securing all the necessary permits. The wind certainly filled our sails as we ended 2017 with a successful fundraising campaign. In the fall, a member made a generous $100,000 gift that had to be matched by mid-December. With over 40 contributors we exceeded the match, bringing us ever closer to our $2M goal!

We begin the New Year with a new well, a building permit, and the promise of starting construction in March. We are certainly not “drifting nor lying at anchor.”

$1,000 to $9,999Anonymous (2)Bill and Penny AgnewJoel Altstein and Nan LairdElizabeth A. Baylies and R. Nicholas BurnsSusan and Henry AshworthLin Beck and Bill PardeeLawrence and Susan Borges Elizabeth J. Brinkerhoff*Nils J. Bruzelius and Lynne A. Weil*John and Laurie Bullard Philip and Hilary Burling Bruce and Karen Clarke Pamela Coravos and Garrett StuckMichael F. and Marian CroninMichael Elefante and Louise Sawyer*Emmons-Bradlee Family FoundationRobert and Pam Faulkner*Steve and Lyn Fors*Curtis Freese and Heather Bentz Joseph Greaney and Nancy BeckerTerrence J. Guiney and Christine MengAnn S. Higgins Thomas and Barbara Jansen Scott and Barbara Jones Ron KnappTrisha Knapp WeberDiana Levy Will Makris and Doug Reed Charles and Nancy McGrathJames and Donna Moody*Joseph E. MullaneySharon Nolan and James RosenfeldAndrea M. PowningDeborah C. RobbinsRupert C. Thompson Fund of the Rhode Island FoundationPaul and Elizabeth Sittenfeld Barbara and Tom SlaightKendrick and Anne SnyderSpindrift SodaR. Michael and Martha Sullivan*Pam Trippe in memory of Charles Trippe Jim and Karen TungHenry and Janet Vaillant*Alan Voorhees and Lisa Moro

Douglas G., D.M.D. and Madeleine Vrona*Keith and Susan Watson James and Nancy Whitin

Up to $999Anonymous (1)Charley and Pat Appleton Russell S. BeedeGertraude Bergland Robert and Daphne BordenMary Lou Boutwell Jill Bresky Gioia Browne and Jim Marsh*Ed and Susie Carey Richard and Constance CastensonMichael and Amy Clarke John and Chris ConwayJohn and Betsy CummingsIngrid M. DavidgeLydia and Bill Gollner Jennifer Marshall and Rupert GranthamPeter and Tracy GreenwoodNick and Sarah Jansen Mary Ellen Kennedy Christopher and Susan Killenberg Joanne LearyJohn A. MacFadyen and B. Jean Rosiello Martha D. Marshall Elizabeth and George MaxtedKate Neave and David BechhoferMarilyn Packard-Luther and Jefferson L. Bull Paskamansett Bird ClubMartha L. Slaight Emily Vogler Sterling Wall Eileen WardwellElizabeth and Bob Wax Dale Weber and Frank McDonough Gretchen and Larry Whipple Benjamin and Elizabeth White Stephen and Kathy Young

* Pledged beyond 2017

River Center—Capital Campaign Supporters cont.

2017 Corporate SponsorsABC Rent-A-TentAcoaxet Veterinary Clinic, Inc.BayCoast BankBuzzards Bay BreweryDartmouth Building SupplyDavid J.S. Emilita, AICPDentistry by Kevin J. Wendell, DDS P.C.Dorothy P. Tongue, P.C.Elegant RestroomsEMC TechnologiesF.L. Tripp & SonsGraphix PlusLafrance HospitalityLees Market for Education ProgramsMechanics Cooperative BankMid-City ScrapMilbury & Company, LLCOn Point Property Agents LP for Education ProgramsPartners Village StorePrima CARE, P.C.Sitec Engineering, Inc.Spindrift Beverage CompanyWaring-Sullivan Homes Of Memorial TributeWestport Federal Credit UnionWestport Rivers Vineyard & Winery

Special Recognition GiftsIn memory of Patricia Conaway

Michael and Wendy BakerPamela and Julian BondSteven and Dorothy CarterDr. and Mrs. Thomas LamsonLanie and Tad LincolnBeverly C. HallRichard and Kathleen MetcalfRichard & Nancy MobleyJames SequeiraSandra Wolf and John JacobsonSusan B. Worthen

In memory of Walter LombaJune HanlonJane HunterMichael and Barbara McGathLisa ShaplenAddie Thomas & Peckham, Inc.

In memory of OthersJonathan and Perrin Hicks

MATCHING GIFTS

IBM Matching Grants Program - Mary Ellen KennedyHarry Frank Guggenheim Foundation - Carolyn Langstaff

Photo: Greg Stone

In memory of Alan ManchesterPaul AlassoMichael & Carol CorbettPaul and Phyllis CorcoranSara DavidsonRichard & Audre ManchesterJane SchorerJay Sullivan and Norma PineaultAlbert & Irene West

In memory of Fred SlafskyAmy Rosenberg and John Slafsky

In memory of Arnold TrippKatherine and Matt GlendinningAndrea Greenwood-SyronLinda Tripp

Advocacy CommitteeCharley AppletonRich CastensonDavid ColeIngrid DavidgeTom JansenRon KnappMaury MayMarilyn Packard-LutherBill PardeeJohn PerryAlex PrestonRon PriceTom SchmittDale WeberJim Whitin, Chair

Buoy Event VolunteersCharlie AppletonLauren ArrudaElizabeth BrinkerhoffEd CareyDedee Shattuck GalleryGay GillespieLinda FindlayTrintje JansenSarah JansenKetcham TrapsGrant MooreMarilyn Packard-LutherRyan PalmerTom RobinsonTom SchmittChristina ShermanDale WeberEvelyn WilberFaith WilburSarah Windham

Development CommitteeSteve ConnorsIngrid DavidgeLinda Findlay, ChairGay GillespieTom JansenJennifer LynchCarol Moriarty

Tom RobinsonTom SchmittDeborah Weaver

Education Committee & VolunteersTiffany CosgroveDan HarringtonColleen Brady KearneySally Ann LedbetterJanie MartignettiMarilyn Packard-Luther, ChairChristina ShermanBonnie StroppGretchen Whipple

Gala CommitteeDenise BolducElizabeth BrinkerhoffLinda ClarkSteve ConnorsRuss CraigJ.C. CummingsLinda Findlay, Co-chairGay GillespieMary Ellen KennedyJennifer LynchLucy MooneyRon PriceTom RobinsonDeborah WeaverDale Weber, Co-chairFanny WhitmanEvelyn Wilber

Gala VolunteersSam & Gabe BeausejourElizabeth BrinkerhoffMichael Brown & Anne GatelyJeff BullEd CareyRich CastensonJackie CohenElizabeth CoxeIngrid DavidgeRichard DeyDeb Drinker

Spinner FindlayAnnie FlatherJennifer GazdackoGolf Car SolutionsBill GollnerJim GormanMargot GreenBetsy GrenierCarol Ann HayesTom & Barbara JansenTrintje JansenRud & Annie JohnsonRud LawrenceSally Ann LedbetterBeth MaxtedMaury MayFrank McDonoughLucy MooneyCarol MoriartyHelga NicholsMarilyn Packard-LutherLee PattersonNorma PineaultMartha SlaightJay SullivanPam TrippeJim WhitinFanny WhitmanEvelyn Wilber

River Day VolunteersBarret AllenLaurie AmmanCharley AppletonAlex AudetGabe BeausejourElizabeth BrinkerhoffMike BrownNancy BurkholderEd CareySusie CareyRich CastensonIngrid DavidgeJim DorseySandra ElliotAnn Gately

Westport River Watershed Alliance 2017 Volunteers

Bill GollnerJim GormanBarbara JansenTom JansenDebby KingKatie LynchMaury MayFrank McDonoughCarol MoriartyJulie MorseMarilyn Packard LutherTom RobinsonKatharine Spencer RosenfeldChristina ShermanLiz StedmanLouisa TavaresMartha ValcourtDale WeberPhil WeinbergGretchen WhippleEllie WickesEvelyn Wilber

Science CommitteeBurt BryanRich Castenson, ChairDavid ColeJim HartnettRachel JakubaKen PerezTom SchmittJim Whitin

Science VolunteersBea GormleyRon PriceCatherine WilliamsDick ManchesterCharley AppletonEd CareyChris KillenbergRyan PalmerRon PriceKate & Tom Schmitt Jim Whitin

The Westport River Watershed Alliance (WRWA) is a nonprofit environmental education and advocacy group, formed in 1976 to protect and conserve the natural resources of the Westport River and it 100-square mile watershed located at the entrance to Buzzards Bay in southeastern Massachusetts. The Westport River watershed includes the communities of Westport, Dartmouth, Fall River and Freetown in Massachusetts, and Tiverton and Little Compton in Rhode Island. WRWA has established itself as a leader in the environmental grassroots movement of New England, and is considered a role model for other similar organizations.

WRWA’s primary purpose and goals are:

to promote the environmental integrity of the Westport River watershed and its environs on 1. Buzzards Bay and Rhode Island Sound;

to advocate for the wise use and preservation of natural resources for the aesthetic, recreational, 2. and economic benefit of watershed citizens; and

to inform the public of the intra-relationship amoung water, soils, plants, and animals, especially 3. humans.

Photo: Barry French

Westport River Watershed Alliance1151 Main Road

P.O. Box 3427Westport, MA. 02790-0703

508-636-3016508-636-8884 (FAX)

http://westportwatershed.org/

Photo: Jack Wilkens