The Deerfield River Watershed Association is a non-profit organization with the mission to preserve, protect, and enhance the natural resources of the Deerfield River watershed in south-eastern Vermont and north-western Massachusetts New DRWA address: 15 Bank Row, Suite A, Greenfield, MA 01301 Facts & Ecology of the Deerfield River watershed Water Quality What's happening today in the watershed Recreation in the watershed Do your part to protect the watershed

DRWA is committed to pursue the following program goals for the benefit of the watershed

• Protect and monitor water quality: Our program includes Spring testing at 12 sites for pH, alkalinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen, and Summer testing at 11 sites for bacteria to assess the safety of recreational waters. Annual river clean-ups with other organizations such as the Connecticut River Source to Sea Consortium.
• Protect and monitor wildlife habitat and wetlands: We surveyed more than 20 marshes in the watershed for frogs and toads and waterbirds (grebes, rails, herons, and more). This work documents the diversity of little known wildlife communities in the watershed. See newsletter and final report.
• Protect open space to safeguard habitat, natural features, water quality and scenic beauty. We sponsored a regional Open Space Forum and are working to cooperate on programs with the Franklin Region Council of Governments and the Trustees of Reservation.
• Be an active local partner in the implementation of the Deerfield River Settlement Agreement: We correspond and meet with the other Agreement signers and participate in negotiations around new threats to the river, and cultivate a good working relationship with the power company.
• Support the implementation of the State's Deerfield River Watershed Team Management Plan: We are active members of the Team and assist in educational programs as well as provide information as needed.
• Improve watershed stewardship by the public through education and recreational opportunities; for example at the annual Riverfest in Shelburne Falls and at the forums and conferences we sponsor and organize; and maintenance of an eight-mile portion of the Mahican-Mohawk trail (Deerfield to Shelburne).
• Encourage watershed/environmental education in local schools. We sponsor a mini-grant program for watershed schools.

Find our more about our work and what's happening in the watershed by reading our newsletter, the Current

• The Deerfield River Watershed Association is currently seeking volunteers to monitor and certify vernal pools in the Deerfield River watershed this spring and summer. Vernal pools are small basins that typically fill with water during the fall and winter, and dry up during summer. If you are someone who doesn't mind getting wet and enjoys looking for frogs, salamanders, and smaller critters such as caddisflies, diving beetles and midges, this project is for you. Participants are required to attend training sessions to learn the certification methods and the identification of the animals that inhabit these pools. Training sessions will be held in Greenfield in early March. This project is made possible by a grant from the Deerfield River Enhancement Fund, managed jointly by the Vermont Community Foundation and the Community Foundation for Western Massachusetts. Please contact Pat Serrentino at (413) 772-0520 or pserr@crocker.com for more information on the project, or if interested in volunteering.
• DRWA is accepting proposals from watershed schools for mini-grants. See more information and find out how to apply for a grant.

• Latest available Board meeting minutes: March 08 (PDF)
• Archived News

Thursday May 8, 2008 6:30 - 8 pm	Friends of Green River Meeting CRWC Conference Room, 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA Planning for Green River Festival and Fall Cleanup
Tuesday May 20, 2008 7pm	DRWA Board Meeting Information Center, Shelburne Falls Everyone welcome. For more info, contact Françoise
Saturday June 14, 2008 all day	Riverfest Downtown Shelburne Falls
July 17 - 19 2008	Green River Festival
October 4, 2008	Green River Cleanup

Find out more: Facts & Ecology of the Deerfield River watershed What's happening today in the watershed Recreation in the watershed How to be a watershed-wise resident or visitor

Print this form and send it to Deerfield River Watershed Association, 15 Bank Row, Suite A, Greenfield, MA 01301

The various membership levels are:

• Student ($10)
• Individual ($15)
• Family ($25)
• Contributing ($50)
• Sustaining ($100)
• Business ($25-199)
• Corporation ($200-499)
• Patron ($500)

Members receive our newsletter, The Current, and are given priority for DRWA-sponsored events such as the Hikes & Bikes.

drwa@deerfieldriver.org
Deerfield River Watershed Association,
15 Bank Row, Suite A, Greenfield, MA 01301

Committees are open to all DRWA members and help the Association reach its goals.

Membership/Fundraising Committee

• Develop membership policy re solicitation of new members, retention of old members, membership benefits, categories.
• Mailing and contacting (phone calls), material production (brochure, letters, pledge cards, thank you notes) .
• Conduct membership drives, develop benefits follow-up.
• Major donors visits.
• Identify potential sources for grants and individual donations.
• Develop fundraising goals for each year in coordination with plan of work.
• Work with Board of Directors on pursuing grants.
• Organize fund raising events with the help of the Board.

Mahican-Mohawk Trail Committee

• Recruit supporters from the DRWA membership and agencies for the committee.
• Develop a five year trail plan towards expanding the trail in both directions within plan of work.
• Conduct communications with land owners, agencies and the power company.
• Recruit and manage volunteers for trail maintenance.
• Identify potential funding.
• Provide maps and public information.

Volunteer Monitoring Committee for Water Quality and Wildlife

• Develop strategy/long range plan for monitoring projects within plan of work.
• Recruit and train volunteers.
• Deal with scheduling, equipment, analysis, publication of results.
• Develop and pursue funding.
• Cooperate/coordinate with state watershed team.

Outreach/Education Committee

• Maximize public exposure for work by other committees through the media, newsletters, website etc.
• Publish newsletter 3 times a year or as appropriate.
• Develop a plan for the Hikes and Bikes program within the plan of work.
• Plan and organize public forums.
• Help organize Riverfest.

Proposal Committee

• Reviews all proposals submitted by DRWA.
• Devises a recommendation for the full board on whether or not to approve the proposal.

Friends of Green River

• Organize presence at Green River Festival.
• Organize Green River Cleanup.
• Schedule and run Friends of Green River meetings.

Finance Committee

• Proposes an annual budget