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Spring 2009: Taunton River Watershed Campaign
Conservation & Nature Series

Welcome to our Spring and Summer program series. All programs are open to anyone who would like to attend. Programs are free of charge unless otherwise indicated. If your town board doesn't have funds to pay the fee, scholarships may be available. Call (508) 828-1101 for assistance. Additional events will be posted on the TRWA website: www.savethetaunton.org

For more information on a specific event, please call the event sponsor. Our programs are supported by the sponsoring organizations, The Jessie B. Cox Charitable Trust and The Island Foundation.

Taunton River Festival – “Going Green”
Saturday, June 6 – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Weir Riverfront Park, Taunton
Sponsor: The Neighborhood Corporation – Greater Taunton’s Community Development Corporation
The Neighborhood Corporation’s signature event, the Taunton River Festival, is held each June at the Taunton’s Weir Riverfront Park. Admission is FREE! This free, family-oriented community celebration is attended annually by thousands of area residents. The Taunton River Festival features live entertainment, educational exhibits, and numerous games and activities for kids.

Biodiversity Day at Boyden Wildlife Refuge
Saturday, June 13 – 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sponsors: MA Audubon, Friends of Boyden Refuge and Taunton River Watershed Alliance
Leaders: Jen Carlino, Norton Conservation Administrator and Priscilla Chapman, MA Audubon
Location: Gertrude M. Boyden Wildlife Refuge, 1298 Cohannet Street, Taunton
Spend the morning with a few turtles, snakes and dragonflies. Join us to conduct a survey of the wild inhabitants of this scenic wildlife refuge on the banks of the Three Mile River. Groups will explore areas of forest, grasslands and shoreline and identify species of plants and wildlife. If you wish, bring binoculars, field guides and/or butterfly nets and wear comfortable walking shoes or boots. We’ll share results over a cookout at noon.
Pre-register: Priscilla Chapman, pchapman@massaudubon.org or (508) 828-1104

The Ultimate Recycling: Historic Preservation and Environmental Protection
Monday, June 15 – 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Robertson on the River, 120 Ingell St., Taunton
Sponsors: The Neighborhood Corporation, National Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservation MA
Rehabilitating historic buildings creates local jobs, maintains and revives community character, saves land by reusing existing building sites and fulfills the need for housing, retail and commercial uses. Case studies of successful preservation and reuse efforts will be showcased, as well as practical resources for moving forward with such preservation projects.
Please RSVP to Liz Gimson at liz.gimson@tpl.org or call (617) 371-0556

Another Jewel in the Watershed’s Crown: Come & See!
Saturday, June 20 – 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Sponsor: Mass Audubon and The Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts
Leader: Wayne Petersen, Mass Audubon IBA Program Director
Location: Auburn Street, Bridgewater. Directions available upon registration.
Join Wayne Petersen, director of Mass Audubon’s Important Bird Area (IBA) Program, for a tour of an extensive complex of open fields, floodplain forest, and wooded uplands that include a 125-acre Bridgewater parcel recently acquired by The Wildlands Trust of Southeastern MA. Together, with adjacent properties owned by the MA Dept. of Fish and Game, these parcels bracket the Taunton River and support a diversity of breeding and migratory bird species and other wildlife. Bring binoculars, field guide, a light long-sleeve shirt, and comfortable walking shoes.
Pre-register: Priscilla Chapman, (508) 828-1104 or pchapman@massaudubon.org

Summer Solstice by Candlelight
Saturday, June 20 – 7:00 pm to 9:00 p.m.
Sponsor: The Trustees of Reservations
Leader: Linton Harrington, The Trustees of Reservations
Location: Copicut Woods, Indian Town Rd., Fall River
Celebrate the official arrival of summer and the quiet beauty of Copicut Woods at twilight with a candlelit walk down Miller Lane. We’ll begin by making candle lanterns that will light our way down the trail at dusk. Pre-register: TTOR Bioreserve office (508) 679-2115

Land Conservation Options Workshop
Thursday, June 25 – 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sponsors: Town of Plympton Open Space Committee, The Wildlands Trust, The Trust for Public Land and The Nature Conservancy
Location: Plympton Town Hall, Selectmen’s Meeting Room, 5 Palmer Road, Plympton
How landowners and communities can permanently conserve land including the steps involved, public and private funding sources, and potential tax benefits of conservation. Panel discussion including representatives of land conservation organizations, town officials and a landowner who has experience conserving land.
For more info call The Nature Conservancy Plymouth office 508-732-0300 x21

Taunton Wild and Scenic River Run
Saturday, June 27 – 9:00 a.m. to Sunday, June 28 – 4:00 p.m.
Sponsor: Taunton River Watershed Alliance
This annual canoe and camping trip starts on the Town River, goes on to a cookout, entertainment, and camping at Titicut and then down the Taunton River to the Weir Village. Exact locations depend on water conditions and will be announced later.
Cost: $30/canoe or kayak for TRWA members; $40/canoe/kayak for non-TRWA participants
Call for arrangements for scout or youth groups with adult leaders.
Dinner and evening program is included in cost.
Pre-registration is required. For more information or to register call: 508-828-1101.

Meet the Hockomock: An introduction to a special environment
A Taunton River Watershed Massachusetts Important Bird Area
Saturday, July 18 – 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Sponsor: MA Audubon
Leader: Wayne Petersen, Mass Audubon IBA Program Director
Location: Meet in the commuter parking lot at Rt. 106 in West Bridgewater, immediately west of Exit 16 on Rt. 24
The Hockomock Swamp IBA is an outstanding example of what constitutes an Important Bird Area; as the largest freshwater wetland in Massachusetts, it represents not only a magnificent example of an Atlantic White Cedar swamp, but also supports a rich diversity of bird species and wetland plants characteristic of a swamp forest. Join Mass Audubon’s IBA Program Director, Wayne Petersen, to find out more about the IBA Program and a morning of exploration in an area facing potential impact from a proposed rail line extension. Bring binoculars, field guide, a light long-sleeve shirt, and comfortable walking shoes that might get wet.
Pre-register: Priscilla Chapman, (508) 828-1104 or pchapman@massaudubon.org

Local Farm Day at Kettle Pond Farm
Saturday, August 15 – 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Sponsor: Kettle Pond Farm CSA, The Trust for Public Land Southeastern MA Agricultural Partnership
Location: Kettle Pond Farm CSA, 181 Bayview Street, Berkeley.
Come learn about our community supported agriculture (CSA) program at Kettle Pond Farm. Enjoy a light lunch featuring fresh organic garden vegetables. Participate in hands-on activities to learn about sustainable agriculture, goals and methods. A canning demonstration will also be provided.
Donations are gratefully accepted
Pre-register: Liz Gimson, liz.gimson@tpl.org or call (617) 371-0556

Local Farm Summer Finale
Saturday, August 29 – 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sponsors: Soule Homestead, SEMAP, The Trust for Public Land
Location: Soule Homestead Education Center, 46 Soule Street, Middleboro
Join the finale of Soule Homestead’s Summer Concert Series. An organic farm tour will
precede the concert. You can also learn more about Soule Homestead’s youth education
programs and outreach. Representatives from the Taunton River Watershed Campaign
and Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership will also provide information
on how to support local farm preservation. Come early and bring a picnic supper. In
case of rain, concert will be held indoors.
Farm tour: 4-5:30. Concert: 6-8.
COVER CHARGE: $7 / Seniors and Students: $5 / Kids 12 and under: FREE
For more information about the Soule Homestead Concert Series,
visit www.soulehomestead.org or call 508-947-6744.

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