STREAM TEAMS

STREAM TEAMS

Stream Teamers are among the most committed and knowledgeable volunteers in the watershed, and have undertaken many projects to protect the Ipswich River and educate their communities about issues facing the river. Currently the towns of Reading/North Reading, Middleton, Topsfield and Ipswich have Stream Teams.

Walkers enjoy the Middleton Stream Team's annual Winter Hike.

MIDDLETON STREAM TEAM

"The Middleton Stream Team (MST) has been in existence since 1998. It has continually grown in members and is a 501(c)3 organization. The volunteers are dedicated to improving and protecting our watershed, including ponds, streams, wetlands and the river.  The team has created five canoe landings with picnic areas on the eight miles of Ipswich River within Middleton. The team members firmly believe that to educate is to increase appreciation that leads to protection. We sponsor public educational hikes in fall, winter, and spring. The annual vernal pool spring hike has had attendees of over fifty, including many children with nets and buckets for exploration. The MST Earth Day Festival has been a popular early spring event with many educational activities for all ages. The team has many work sessions, including litter clean ups, landing upkeep, trail making and river clean ups.  We also invite the public to join us on paddles on the river several times each year. In the past year we have added public educational programs at the library all related to water and environmental protection.

We also have a photo contest that inspires people to capture the wonder of our watershed in pictures. As President, I am amazed at the wealth of talent within the membership of the Middleton Stream Team. We have people that volunteer to do strenuous labor, others that take beautiful photos during every event, donate hand crafted items to raffles that benefit the Earth day festival, lead hikes, make heavy wooden signs that identify every stream and river crossing, and so much more. It is a fun and friendly group with a serious mission. We have passion for our river and every living creature that depends on it to survive. Water is life. We always welcome new members!"

-Sandy Rubchinuk MST President 

Learn more about the Middleton Stream Team by finding them on Facebook, visiting their website, or joining them at Middleton Earth Day.

TOPSFIELD STREAM TEAM

The Ipswich River and wetlands are a special feature of our town of Topsfield. We’re the local representatives serving, protecting and enjoying the beautiful [8 miles - verify?] of river threading through our community — as part of the Ipswich River Watershed Assoc. This includes the portion that winds through the incredible Audubon Sanctuary and Bradley Palmer State Park. We’re very lucky.

Good stuff:

  • Local hosts for watershed-wide IRWA Paddle-a-thon at the back of the Fairgrounds riverside.
  • Strawberry Festivals (2) awarded full scholarships to the Paddle-a-thon. 
  • Coordinate with IRWA on water monitoring, Hoods Pond, signage and other good ideas.
  • The Heiter Challenge: Annual paddle from the Heart of Topsfield to the Sea!
  • Sponsored symposium on local water with Town Water Superintendent Greg Krom and IRWA’s Wayne Castonguay at Town Library
  • Offer group paddles on the river. Canoes and kayaks available for sharing.  

Topsfield Stream Teamers out paddling for the annual Heiter Challenge.

Everyone is welcome to join outings, outreach and conversations. Find them on Facebook or contact Joel Hariton [email protected].