Local Restoration Projects Made High Priority
February 21st, 2012 | by Cynthia
Curtis Pond Dam in Middleton is one of 11 Priority Projects this year.
2011 ended with some encouraging news regarding river restoration efforts in the Ipswich River Watershed. In December IRWA learned that the Ipswich Mills Dam Evaluation in Ipswich and the Curtis Pond Dam Removal in Middleton were added to the Massachusetts Division of Ecological Restoration (DER)’s list of Priority Projects. These two dam related river restoration projects along with a salt marsh restoration project in the nearby Castle Neck River were among the select group of eleven projects across the Commonwealth that were approved into the Priority Projects Program this year. A third dam project IRWA has been involved with, the South Middleton Dam Evaluation, was already on the Priority Project list. (more…)
IRWA Seeks New Leader
February 17th, 2012 | by Cynthia
IRWA seeks an Executive Director to replace its current ED, who has led the organization for more than 18 years. The new Executive Director will be responsible for continuing to build a strong organization that will attain IRWA’s goals to restore and protect the Ipswich River. This is a full-time, permanent, salaried position with benefits. To apply, please review the Position Description and submit your resume by March 15, 2012.
The Water Closet, February 17, 2012
February 17th, 2012 | by Middleton Stream Team
Black ice in background is a window on rotting tree leaves where animals are active despite the cold. Photo: J Schneider
STRANGE WINTER
    How very strange this series of Indian summers have been during months the calendar and sun call winter. We have had scattered cold days totaling less than one week in nine so far since the solstice on December 21. There has been no snow to speak of. Sadly for skaters, beaver impoundment explorers, and ice fishermen, our ponds and swamps are without safe ice.
On Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, 2012, the Middleton Stream Team held its annual winter hike. The only ice encountered we dared cross was on a shallow swale in the north shadow of a hill and trees. In past years’ winter hikes we’ve explored usually inaccessible swamps and (more…)
Marine Debris Lecture
February 13th, 2012 | by Cynthia
You'll never look at a plastic bag again in the same way. Free event!
Join us on Wednesday, February 15th at 7 p.m. at the Ipswich Performing Arts Center for a performance lecture on the complex issue of marine plastic pollution and public health.
The Town of Ipswich Recycling Advisory Committee (RAC), in conjunction with the Ipswich River Watershed Association (IRWA) and iCARE, will be hosting “Just One Word…”, a riveting performance/lecture discussing plastic debris in our oceans. Karen Ristuben, a Gloucester resident and Hamilton-Wenham teacher is the speaker. You will be moved by her powerful presentation based on her July 2011 voyage through the North Pacific Gyre. Karen recently gave this presentation at the Marine Mammal Conference in Tampa, FL and will be presenting at the Ocean Sciences Meeting in Salt Lake City at the end of February. This presentation is free and will be followed by refreshments in the lobby of the PAC. For more information, call 978-356-6613.
