Above: Brandon Boyd is often out in the field helping with restoration and monitoring on the Ipswich River and its tributaries.
We are very lucky to have the support of many dedicated volunteers. Through our monitoring programs, events, gardens, office assistance and more these river heroes use their skills and time on behalf of the river. The organization wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything without our amazing volunteers. As we wrap up 2020, the staff would like to thank some of the volunteers who helped us make it through a truly challenging year.
Development Director Trish Aldrich and Programs Coordinator Ryan O’Donnell would like to thank Brandon Boyd and Deborah Moules. What a team! Together, they help tend the important gardens at Riverbend, demonstrating how to have an attractive landscape without chemicals or extra watering.They ask local business people they know to sponsor the Paddle-a-thon, and they help prepare mailings, even on short notice. Deborah researches foundations that fund water conservation, river restoration and helping people connect with nature. Brandon helps repair boats at Riverbend, monitors the river, checks on the fish ladders and helps out with field work. Thanks to Deborah and Brandon, Riverbend remains a beautiful and welcoming place.
Above: Pre-pandemic, Deborah Moules and Claudia Johnson (Middleton) were frequent helpers at Riverbend, and continue to help remotely!
Above: Along with helping data analysis to help understand water demand on the North Shore, Mark Logsdon (and children Rosie and Arthur) participated in the Greenscapes: Water for People campaign. greenscapes.org/waterforpeople
Environmental Planner Patrick Lynch would like to thank Mark Logsdon for volunteering his time on data analysis and for chatting about water policy during Friday pre-work paddles. He would also like to thank all the members, volunteers and Board Members who have welcomed him to the organization this year. Hope we can get out paddling and walking the trails together in 2021!
Outreach Manager Rachel Schneider is forever grateful to design volunteers Julie Diewald and Linda Coe for creating the new branding and posters for the Ipswich River Water Trail. That was a big project! Speaking of big projects, Sally Heiter and Amy MacNulty, new to the Paddle-a-thon Committee in 2020, served as committee co-chairs during a hectic year and managed wonderfully. Despite the challenges of holding an event during a pandemic, through example and ingenuity they led the committee and Paddle Raisers to make it the most successful year ever.
Above: Amy and Ken MacNulty walked and biked various stretches of the watershed to raise funds and awareness for Paddle-a-ton and the river.
In a year in which all non-profits are anxiously seeing how they will be impacted by the pandemic, we have also been working on our next Strategic Plan. For continuing to support the organization, and for envisioning a brighter future for the River with us, Executive Director Wayne Castonguay would like to thank our Board of Directors. Particularly Susie Winthrop who became the new President of the Board in 2020 and Ken MacNulty who took the lead on Strategic Planning. Many thanks as well to Jeffrey Lissack who skillfully led our planning sessions. Our volunteers’ continued heroic support of the organization has us anticipating a lot of excellent progress for the river in the next three years.
Thank you Brandon, Deborah, Mark, Julie, Linda, Amy, Sally, Susie, Ken, Jeff and all volunteers who contribute to protecting and restoring the river in so many ways! It takes a team to save our streams and we’re so grateful you are on the team. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please reach out to Ryan O’Donnell.