2026 WaterWatch Lecture Series

2026 WaterWatch Lecture Series
Zoom Presentations & Live Events
First Lecture– Tuesday, January 13
Wednesdays, January 21 – March 4, 2026
7:00pm

Stay engaged with nature this winter with weekly presentations by a diverse range of presenters and themes. The first lecture is on Tuesday, January 13, and the remaining lectures are on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm with a few minutes at the end for Q&A. The series begins on January 13 and ends on March 4.

All lectures will have in-person and Zoom options. Tune in from the comfort of your own home, or join us live as the NSRWA and MassAudubon host the lectures from local venues or Mass Audubon’s North River Wildlife Sanctuary.

Lectures will be recorded with videos at the bottom of this page.

REGISTER FOR THE 2026 WATERWATCH LECTURE SERIES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 13 – Building the Resilience of Eelgrass Meadows from North Carolina to Maine – Live at The Raw Bar at Island Creek (Zoom available) – Join us for a kick off fundraiser at Island Creek Oysters while learning about the crucial role of eelgrass along the East Coast and its resilience in a changing climate. Eelgrass—the foundation of our coastal ecosystems—is under threat. How can it survive warming oceans and human pressures? Get the answers directly from a leading expert! We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Alyssa Novak, Ph.D., a distinguished coastal ecologist and Research Assistant Professor at Boston University. With a rich academic background from the University of Virginia, University of Rhode Island, and the University of New Hampshire, Dr. Novak’s research is at the forefront of understanding the structure, function, and resilience of coastal systems, especially vital seagrass ecosystems. Dr. Novak will share cutting-edge insights on the essential traits that allow eelgrass to resist and recover in the face of rapidly warming oceans and how we can effectively protect and restore these critical habitats. $20 per person to attend at the Raw Bar at Island Creek, with oysters and light fare included. Drinks and additional meals will be available for purchase.

Wednesday, January 21 – South River: Past, Present and Future – Live at Mass Audubon North River Sanctuary (Zoom available) – Earlier this year, NSRWA and partners celebrated a major win: the removal of the first dam on the South River at Veterans Memorial Park in Marshfield. This transformational project is the first step in restoring the river and creating a healthier, more resilient future for the watershed. NSRWA’s Kezia Bacon and Becky Malamut will trace the South River’s story: its history from Native American settlements to the Portland Gale, the decade-long journey to remove the dam, and what the future might hold for this treasured resource. See video below.

Wednesday, January 28 – On a River: A History of the North River by Lyle Nyberg – Live at Mass Audubon’s North River Sanctuary (Zoom available) – Join the NSRWA, Mass Audubon, and local author Lyle Nyberg on Zoom or live at Mass Audubon’s North River Sanctuary, 2000 Main St. in Marshfield, as Lyle discusses his latest book, On a River: A History of the North River Massachusetts. Listen as Lyle uncovers centuries of fascinating local history, the river’s people and families, environmental significance and threats, and an outlook into the future of the state’s first and only designated Scenic and Protected Waterway. See video below.

Wednesday, February 4 – Riding the Rising Tide: Hull’s Plan for a Changing Coast – Live at Mass Audubon North River Sanctuary (Zoom available) – Rising seas are reshaping our shores—Hull is diving in with creativity and collaboration. Join us to explore how a Massachusetts community is preparing for coastal change now and in the future through a combination of nature-based design, home elevation, and innovative wetland restoration. Town staff will share their approach and lessons learned from a multi-year planning process in Hull—the Hampton Circle Area climate adaptation roadmap. See video below.

Wednesday, February 11 – Nature Photography with Shawn Carey – Wildlife Photography 101: Ditch the Blurry Birds! – Live at Mass Audubon North River Sanctuary (Zoom available) – Ready to level up your nature photos from “meh” to magnificent? Join seasoned photographer Shawn Carey for a crash course in the art of capturing stunning wildlife! We’re not just learning settings—we’re discovering how to genuinely observe nature, snap share-worthy shots, and do it all with an ethical, eco-conscious approach. Hear hilarious stories, see incredible pictures, and learn professional tips for trying this hobby—even if your budget is tighter than a telephoto lens cap. Stop taking pictures all the time, and start taking photos you’ll actually want to print and share! See video below.

Wednesday, February 18 -Wednesday, February 18 – Due to unfortunate circumstances, we have to switch the upcoming lecture topic from black bears to winter raptors.  We’re staying with the local predator theme, just changing the fauna. We still hope to see you in-person at Mass Audubon’s North River Sanctuary or on zoom for our upcoming WaterWatch Lecture: Winter Raptors of the South Shore! Join us for a fascinating exploration of the winter raptors that define our South Shore landscape. From the silent, ghostly arrival of Arctic Snowy Owls on our beaches to the majestic return of Bald Eagles patrolling the North River, bird expert, local guide, and former owner of Birds Unlimited, Steve French will reveal how these apex predators rely on our local waterways for survival and why their presence is a vital sign of a healthy coastal ecosystem. (Photo by Lisa A. Irwin) 

Due to widespread power outages, we are postponing Wednesday’s lecture to next week. We will combine the Bogs and Fens with Mass Audubon’s Doug Lowry talk with Trivia Night at Stellwagen Brewery in Marshfield. Please join us in person or on Zoom at 7:00pm next week, Wednesday, March 4. Wednesday, February 25 – Bogs and Fens with Mass Audubon’s Doug Lowry – Live at Mass Audubon North River Sanctuary (Zoom available) – Scattered amongst the better-known habitats of the Commonwealth are the little-explored regions of quaking bogs and peaty-soiled fens. Sunken in the lowest contours of the landscape, these habitats’ unique features include carnivorous plants, flood water absorbing sphagnum moss, showy orchids, and blueberries and cranberries. Because decomposition happens so slowly, the soil and water in bogs are very acidic which creates an opportunity for specialized species to thrive. No need to travel to far away exotic places-learn where to discover the intrigue of these fascinating habitats close to home.

Wednesday, March 4 – WaterWatch Series Trivia Night & Bogs and Fens with Mass Audubon’s Doug Lowry – Live at Stellwagen Beer Company (Zoom available) – Join us at Stellwagen Beer Company in Marshfield for a fun night of celebration and trivia. Share your knowledge of general watershed facts, natural history and environmental topics, and have a beer! We’ll highlight a bit of content covered throughout the 2026 WaterWatch Lecture Series. You needn’t consider yourself an expert! Register here for live event at Stellwagen Beer Company.

REGISTER FOR THE 2026 WATERWATCH LECTURE SERIES

South River: Past, Present and Future – With NSRWA’s Kezia Bacon and Becky Malamut

On a River: A History of the North River by Lyle Nyberg

Riding the Rising Tide: Hull’s Plan for a Changing Coast

Nature Photography with Shawn Carey – Wildlife Photography 101: Ditch the Blurry Birds!

Please enjoy these videos from past WaterWatch Lectures

Problem to Plate – Green Crabs

Rainbows on the Wing: Dragonflies and Damselflies

A History of the Indian Head River

The Blue Line Method: How to Catch (and Release) Wild Trout

Taking Environmental Action

Marine Mammals on the South Shore: Whale and Dolphin Conservation’s Marine Animal Rescue and Response Team

Protecting Our Coastal Waterbirds