When you think of a river hero, who comes to mind?
Maybe it’s someone quietly monitoring water quality from their backyard. A volunteer who always shows up for cleanups. A group raising awareness and educating their community. A town that has gone above and beyond to conserve water. Or someone who speaks up for the river by engaging local and state leaders.
This past year, the Ipswich River Watershed Association has been reflecting on how much of the work to protect our river happens behind the scenes. We want to shine a light on those efforts.
That’s why we’re launching our annual River Hero of the Year Award, recognizing an individual, municipality, nonprofit, or group that went above and beyond for the Ipswich River in 2025. The award will be presented at IRWA’s 2026 Annual Meeting.
Nominations close February 28, 2026.
We invite you to nominate a river hero or put your own name forward. We can’t wait to learn about the people and projects making a difference for our river.
Nominate a hero today by clicking here.
I would like to nominate the Trash Queens of Middleton. Since 2020 they have been picking up trash throughout Middleton. We have focused on the roads of Middleton to pick up trash before it gets into the river. They have picked up at the various landings in Middleton and have turned in several thousand redeemables and donated the proceeds to the Middleton Stream Team Scholarship Fund. We have organized a successful town wide litter pick up and have presented information at both elementary schools in Middleton. We have a partnership with the DPW and a strong relationship with the Stream Team. The Trash Queens are 5 ladies who have formed a close friendship while doing something that benefits the town.
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Excellent! Please submit them through this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-XZOVIpmmfHPLzrMmr0UXvkhE-gexvvsaerrZVY4CRAcflw/viewform?usp=header
I nominate all volunteers related to the Lebanon Swamp Restoration Project in Wilmington MA
I’m nominating Harley Monteiro for the River Hero of the Year Award for his outstanding contributions to the Lebanon Swamp Ecosystem in the Ipswich Headwaters in Wilmington Ma.
Great! Please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-XZOVIpmmfHPLzrMmr0UXvkhE-gexvvsaerrZVY4CRAcflw/viewform?usp=header
I would like to nominate Harley Monteiro as the river hero of the year .
I nominate Harley Montiero of Wilmington
We love the work Harley is doing! Please fill out this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe-XZOVIpmmfHPLzrMmr0UXvkhE-gexvvsaerrZVY4CRAcflw/viewform?usp=header