1 of 21

Introduction to BRWA

The Blackstone River Watershed Association

Vibrant, Healthy, Free-Flowing Waterways

in the Blackstone Valley, Treasured by All

2 of 21

2020 Accomplishments

The Year in Review

3 of 21

The BRWA’s mission is to engage, educate, and advocate

for improved water quality in the Blackstone River Watershed.

4 of 21

2020 Winter Hike at River Bend Farm

A family friendly event - 19 participants hiked the Goat Hill Trail to Goat Hill Lock and then continued along the Blackstone River.

5 of 21

Water Quality Monitoring

Celebrating 17 Years in partnership with the Blackstone River Coalition

Mike Sperry

WQM Program Coordinator

for BRWA

6 of 21

BRWA oversees

28 monitoring sites between Grafton and the Rhode Island border

Water Quality Monitoring

7 of 21

Water Quality Monitoring

Volunteers take water samples, temperature readings, depth measurements, and do a bit of chemistry at the site.

8 of 21

Samples are brought to the lab where a group of lab volunteers tests the samples for conductivity, nitrates, phosphates and turbidity.

Water Quality Monitoring

9 of 21

Watershed and Us!

An interactive, hands-on watershed education program free to educators

How we educated

Frannie the Fish

One way we educate

We’ve gotten very positive feedback from teachers and students on the Watershed & Us program over the years. The inclusion of a new segment on cold water fisheries in 2018 has been especially successful. This was when we introduced Frannie the Fish who, it just so happens, lives in a cold-water fishery. Frannie is very beloved by all school children.

We normally present to schools in Grafton, Mendon-Upton, Hopedale, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Sutton and were on track to add Auburn to our list of regulars this year. We were also scheduled to present to the employees of Eaton Wright-Line Company in Worcester but those presentations were canceled because of the pandemic.

The Watershed & Us program is just one way the BRWA educates children and adults about the Blackstone River Watershed, both what it looks like and how to take care of it.

10 of 21

Miscoe Hill, Mendon-Upton Watershed Program 2020

148 Fifth Graders

March 9^th and 10^th

Watershed and Us!

11 of 21

Led by the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program, and in collaboration with groups from across the watershed, the goal of the Needs Assessment is to determine a list of needs for improving the river and the watershed.

“The primary desired outcome is an actionable, consensus-based needs assessment that is a catalyst for more projects that improve the water quality, native habitat, and resilience of the watershed.”

Blackstone Watershed Needs Assessment

How we advocated

12 of 21

BRWA supports Town of Hopedale Land Purchase to Preserve Water Quality

The Blackstone River Watershed Association took part in a site visit and generated a letter of support for the purchase of land by the town of Hopedale at 364 West Street, a 155 acre parcel of undeveloped land north of Hopedale Pond, bordering Upton. The Grafton and Upton Railroad entered into a Purchase and Sale agreement with the owner with intentions of developing distribution centers and adding tracks on this land even though development of this area could have adverse impacts on a future water supply for the Town of Hopedale.

130 of the 155 acres is considered forestry/wetlands and the land is enrolled in a Chapter 61 program which, under MA State Law, triggers a “right of first refusal” for the town when the landowner intends to sell the land for a residential, commercial, or industrial use.

The Town of Hopedale decided by nearly unanimous vote at Town Meeting to acquire the property.

As a non-profit organization focused on the protection of the Blackstone River and its tributaries, the BRWA understands that these forests and wetlands are critical parts of the Mill River watershed and an invaluable natural asset for the people of Hopedale.

13 of 21

Stream Temperature Sensor project

BRWA in Partnership with MassWildlife

Recording temperature data at one of six monitoring stations

14 of 21

Thank you, Jim and Maggie!

You will always be a special part of the BRWA family!

15 of 21

16 of 21

It’s too hard

to say goodbye!

So we won’t…just Au Revoir….Until we meet again!

17 of 21

One of BRWA’s blessings this year is

Ayla Trahan Bylund born July 2, 2020

Ayla visiting the Blackstone River with her mom, BRWA Board of Director and Vice President-elect Joy Trahan Liptak.

Ayla is dressed and ready to go as the cutest and newest member of the BRWA!

Out for a canoe ride with mom and dad!

Future BRWA paddle organizer?

While this year has certainly had its difficulties, it is even more important that we take stock of all God’s incredible blessings!

One of BRWA’s blessings this year is Ayla Trahan Bylund, born July 2nd at 11:57 pm, weighing 7 lbs. 11.2 ounces and measuring 19 inches long.

The picture on the left shows what a fashion plate Ayla is, dressed and ready to go as the cutest and newest member of the BRWA! Then we see her out for a canoe ride with her mom and dad. We’re certain we have a future paddle organizer in the making here! And the picture on the right shows Ayla with her mom and Vice President-elect Joy Trahan-Liptak

It is for little ones like Ayla especially that the BRWA works so hard to realize our vision of Vibrant, Healthy, Free-Flowing Waterways in the Blackstone Valley, Treasured by All!

Welcome to the BRWA family, AYLA!

18 of 21

Leadership for 2021

Ted Beauvais (re-elect)

Ken Bedard (term continues)

Pieter De Jong (re-elect)

Tara Neal (re-elect)

JoAnne Holahan (term continues)

Joy Trahan-Liptak (term continues)

Board of Directors (3-year terms)

19 of 21

Leadership for 2021

President: JoAnne Holahan

Proposed Slate of Officers

Treasurer: Tara Neal

Secretary: Ken Bedard

Vice President: Joy Trahan- Liptak

20 of 21

We welcome your comments, encourage your participation, and thank you for your support!

Please visit us on Facebook or online at www.thebrwa.org

21 of 21

Holahan

Trahan Liptak

2021