Small grants program

The Municipal Small Grants Program was initiated in 2006 by the RSC. Its purpose is twofold - to support town efforts that help to protect and enhance river resources, and to strengthen relationships between the RSC and municipal entities which are on the front lines in protecting these resources. Any municipal entity (conservation commissions, historical commissions, libraries, schools, recreation departments, public works etc) is eligible to apply for a grant up to $2500. They may partner with other organizations outside municipal government when applying for funds.

Five projects were supported in the first round of funding ranging from a water resource inventory, to invasive species management, trail enhancement, school programs and creation of a junior ranger program. Return to this site in late winter/early spring for updates on the 2007 grants cycle.

River steward awards

The River Stewardship Council and the League of Women Voters jointly present River Steward Awards each year to individuals, groups, community organizations, employers or institutions that have demonstrated innovative thinking, creative solutions, extra effort and brave positions that have led to environmental health and preservation of the resources of the watershed. Nominations are accepted from throughout the watershed, and one award is given in any particular town. Awardees in 2006 include:

ACTON

The Land Stewardship Committee is an invaluable resource to the Assabet watershed. Led by Jim Snyder-Grant, the Committee works hard to make Acton's 1,650 acres of conservation land and associated waters accessible to the public in a way that is protective of its resources. Through maintenance and signage of a new canoe launch on the river, the committee models exemplary stewardship standards.

BEDFORD

Dave Ranney is working to bring the public to Bedford's portion of the Concord River to enjoy and appreciate all it offers. As a member of the Bedford Trails Committee, Dave leads walks from Causeway Road to Brothers Rock and beyond, recounting tales of natural and cultural history. It is his dream to someday connect these trails with those in Carlisle and so create a larger network of trails along the river.

BILLERICA

Betsy Gallagher is the Concord River's ambassador in Billerica. Nobody knows the middle reaches of the river better than Betsy, and she is generous in sharing her knowledge, as well as her beautiful pontoon boat, with others. Since 2002, Betsy has piloted river tours for the public as part of RiverFest and has even taken festival -goers out again after Riverfest when asked. She has strengthened community connections to this important resource.

CARLISLE

Lynn Knight has wakened all too early in the morning for the past 6 years to do water quality monitoring for the Organization for the Assabet River. She has sampled six sites on the Assabet from May through September. This data has been crucial to the advocacy efforts to protect the river. Lynn is highly regarded for her efforts, and received two nominations for this award.

CONCORD

Through his energy, excitement and commitment, Bob LeMaire, a 5th grade teacher at the Thoreau School, involved all Thoreau 5th grade classes in the Rivers Schools project, a partnership with Drumlin Farm, to introduce students to the rivers in an interdisciplinary and intimate way. Each spring for four years, he has accompanied his students to the river, and encouraged them to reflect on their experiences through artwork, prose and poetry.

SUDBURY

Karen and Ron Riggert are models of community involvement. Many years ago, Karen surveyed Hop Brook, a tributary to the Sudbury River as part of the Adopt-a-Stream Program, and has gone on to manage a wildlife tracking study for Friends of the Assabet National Wildlife Refuge. Ron coordinated the Hop Brook Protection Association efforts to control aquatic vegetation and water chestnuts. Their efforts have been essential to the protection of the Hop Brook, and led to the creation of a town Ponds and Waterways Committee.

SOUTHBOROUGH

Freddie Gillespie created the Sudbury RiverWatershed Organization in response to the Sudbury River running dry in 1999. Since that time she has been a thoughtful, tireless and knowledgeable advocate for the health of the river. She has rallied support of local community members, supported scientific studies, coordinated volunteers to assist with filed component of field studies, undertaken storm drain stenciling projects as a way to garner support and educate the community about storm water and become active on local town committees... all with a goal of protecting our river resources. Several organizations joined in nominating Freddie for the River Steward Award.

WAYLAND

Presented in memoriam to Ken Moon, who is remembered for his tireless commitment to conservation efforts in Wayland, in the watershed and in the State. As a member of the Wayland Conservation Commission from its inception he played a key role in writing and implementation of the Conservation Master Plan. He worked with the Town, the State and Sudbury Valley Trustees to ensure the protection of conservation throughout the town, in particular the Hamlen Woods area.

Return to this site in late winter to learn more about the nomination of River Steward Awards for 2007. Also see www:lwvcc.ma.lwvnet.org

Links

www.assabetriver.org
www.sudburyvalleytrustees.org
www.suasco.org
www.nps.gov/MIMA
http://www.fws.gov/northeast/greatmeadows/
www.massaudubon.org
www.riverways.org