Above More people escaped to the river than ever before as shown by this group just below the Ipswich Mills dam in early May, shortly after the Pandemic hit. Photo Judy Schneider
This has been quite a year.
Our hearts are with you and yours and we hope that in these uncertain times you have been able to find some respite through the river. Over 2,100 Ipswich River members and their guests came to Riverbend to paddle between May 25th and October 30th. Many of those were new members, like Melanie Fowler whose journey to membership we shared in our recent annual appeal. We are so glad to have Melanie and others like her join our number, because the river needs their support.
With all the urgent challenges facing our country and our world, the river is at risk of being sidelined. After yet another drought only four years after the worst drought in the river’s history, we must keep speaking up for clean, reliable water and healthy natural spaces. The river is not a distraction from issues of equity and health, it is an asset in addressing both.
We are currently working on a three-year Strategic Plan. We have sought input from partners, staff, our board, and our members. Overwhelmingly, you expressed renewed belief in our bread and butter mission: protecting clean water, keeping water in the watershed, and safeguarding thriving habitats. Thank you to all who have given their input. If you have not, there’s still time for your voice to be heard! Please take the survey now.
As part of the Strategic Plan, we will continue to look to all stakeholders in clean water and green spaces. Among our goals is continuing to get more people volunteering on the river, to implement better policies that will increase the river’s resiliency, and increase the pace of habitat restoration. Please join us on Thursday, November 12th at 4 PM on Zoom for an Ipswich River Update with Wayne to learn more about the health of the river, hear how your watershed association is faring these days, have your voice be heard and spend some time with other river lovers. RSVPs are required to get the link, sign up here.
The Fall Annual Appeal is our biggest and single most important fund-drive of the year. Give what you can, invest in the river’s future. Please give to the annual appeal today.