Finding Sacred Ground: A Member’s Journey into Nature-Based Spirituality
Hi I’m Kent Harrop a resident of Beverly, member of IRWA and founder of a new program called North Shore SING (Spirituality in Nature Group), in partnership with IRWA. Since boyhood growing up along the Blackstone River in Rhode Island, the natural world has been a place of wonder and inspiration. I became a member…
Know Before You Go: How Fast Is the River Moving?
River conditions change all the time—especially with rain, drought, or dam activity. Before heading out for a paddle, it’s a good idea to check the river flow so you and your crew are prepared for the conditions. At IRWA, we use real-time data from the USGS (United States Geological Survey) streamflow gage right here in…
Why Did the Turtle Cross the Road?
Spring has arrived and many species are on the move. Here’s a few tips on what to do if you spot a turtle crossing the road: Slow down and keep an eye out for turtles on the move. Always consider your own safety first with regards to traffic; only assist if you can do so…
Creating Collective Action
As you likely know, April 22nd every year is Earth Day, a day to celebrate environmental protection and take action in your community to steward your local environment. Here in New England, Earth Day usually coincides with the very start of spring, when this season’s growth is just emerging. It’s also a great time to…
WATER Coalition Lobby Day Recap
Progress can be a frustrating concept. In an ideal world, we’d all come home in the evenings to communities that are slightly better than when we left them that morning. It is an annoying reality that sometimes progress does not mean change, but rather means coming home to a community that is exactly the same,…
Resilient Rivers: Engaging Students in Watershed Science
Over the past few weeks, 7th-grade students from Wilmington, Middleton, Topsfield, Boxford, Ipswich, Hamilton, and Wenham have participated in Resilient Rivers, Ipswich River Watershed Association’s (IRWA) new enrichment program. This program aligns with 7th grade state science standards, and aims to inspire future environmental advocates while providing teachers with a locally relevant program that fits into…