Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association announces upcoming events

 

Upcoming Events at WPWA Full Strawberry Moon Paddle Sunday, June 28th, 6:30-9pm   Join WPWA to relax with views of both sunset and moonrise over the Wood River. Enjoy the Strawberry Moon at dusk on the Wood River. Evening paddles are a real treat to hear the bull frogs, green frogs and beavers. Beavers often grace us with their stealthy swims or loud tail slaps. Upriver from the WPWA Campus, the river is wide and offers a nice view of the moon reflecting off the water. Event takes place on Sunday, June 28th. There is no rain date reserved for this event due to moonrise times. Kassi@wpwa.org will send an email Friday or Saturday morning if the weather forecast does not permit a safe paddle trip. Event is 6:30-9:00pm, the group will launch at about 6:50 pm and paddle for over an hour and a half. Headlamps are encouraged for on-land activities. Cost is $30 for WPWA members. Kayaks and gear are included. If you are a WPWA Otter, Osprey, or Eagle Member, the program is free and you will not be asked for payment when you register online. 4 tandem kayaks are also available, great for an adult to share with a child under 11. The registration link will indicate the number available, if any. You may renew your WPWA Membership here: https://wpwa.org/ For More Information Contact: Kassi Donnelly: kassi@wpwa.org PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. Register Here  Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) Paddle Trip Tuesday June 16th, 4:30-7pm (Rain Date Thursday, June 18th) Funded and organized by the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council. Tomaquag Museum education staff are sharing their knowledge and stories. Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association is providing kayaks, gear and instruction. A three-way partnership! The Stewardship Council event description and registration: Raised to honor the wisdom and ancestral knowledge of the land and water. The paddles will focus on the relationship between humans and the natural world through indigenous knowledge Limited spots available, must be age 10 or older. Tuesday, June 16, 4:30pm to 7pm Location: Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, 203 Arcadia Rd, Hope Valley, RI 02832 Limited Availability. Register before Friday, June 12. *RAIN DATE: June 18 Contact Casey at coordinator@wpwildrivers.org with questions. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. https://wpwildrivers.org/recent-events/   Register Here Interested in learning more about the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers? The National Designation: How WPWA led the efforts to earn the watershed a prestigious designation within the National Parks Service's Wild and Scenic Rivers System. https://wpwa.org/projects/ Activities of the local Stewardship Council: A group of representatives appointed by towns, agencies and key organizations in the watershed. Supported by the National Park Service.  https://wpwildrivers.org/   Staff: Casey at coordinator@wpwildrivers.org Summer Evening Kayak: A Delightful Way to Experience Wetland Flowers Late July and Late August Join the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council, the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society, and the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association for a series of summer evening paddles on the Wood River to discover aquatic flowers.  Besides plant identification we will also learn about the ecology of the Wood River and why it has been designated as a National Wild and Scenic River. When • Thursday, July 23, 2026 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm • Friday, July 24, 2026 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm Rain date Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm • Thursday, August 20, 2026 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm • Friday, August 21, 2026 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm Rain date Saturday, August 22, 2026 from 5 pm to 7:30 pm Where WPWA, 203 Arcadia Road, Hope Valley, RI 02832 (Google Directions), (Written Directions ) In July we usually see native rhododendrons, sweet pepperbush, pickerel weed, and several types of floating water lilies. With any luck there will still be swamp rose and swamp azaleas still blooming.  In August we should be treated to Joe-pye weed, boneset, monkey flowers, bur marigolds and the spectacular cardinal flowers. These paddles will be led by naturalist Denise Poyer, former Program Director for WPWA and currently a member the Wild and Scenic Rivers Council and RIWPS.  The Wild and Scenic Rivers Council is subsidizing some of the cost of these paddles to help make them more available to the community. • Limit to 15 participants per paddle. The paddles are appropriate for beginner kayakers, 10 and over. • Fee: $30 per person, includes individual kayaks, paddles, life jackets, and paddle guides. Fee is due at time of registration. Fee  is non-refundable. No discount for bringing your own kayak and no refunds for no shows.   • Participants will be asked to sign a standard liability waiver at the event prior to participation. Participants under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian sign on their behalf. • General Guidelines for WPWA kayaking programs: What to Wear. What to Bring, What to Expect Links to register for this July 23 paddle or any of the other upcoming paddles in this series.   PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. https://riwps.org/exploring-natives/  Register Here

Our Contact Information Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association 203 Arcadia Road Hope Valley, RI 02832 401-539-9017 http://www.wpwa.org