2026 WaterWatch Lecture Series - North and South Rivers Watershed Association

Join Us for Our 2026 WaterWatch Lecture Series
Zoom Presentations & Live Events
Wednesdays, January 14 – March 4, 2026
7:00pm

Join the NSRWA and Mass Audubon for the 2026 WaterWatch Lecture Series! Stay engaged with nature this winter with weekly presentations by a diverse range of presenters and themes. Each lecture is on Wednesday evening from 7:00-8:00pm with a few minutes at the end for Q&A. The series begins on January 14 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 we host the lectures from local venues or Mass Audubon’s North River Wildlife Sanctuary.

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

REGISTER FOR THE 2026 WATERWATCH LECTURE SERIES

Wednesday, January 14 – 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 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 light fare included. Drinks for purchase. Tickets coming soon.

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.

Wednesday, January 28 – On a River: A History of the North River by Lyle Nyberg – Live at Untold Brewing (Zoom available) – Join the NSRWA, Mass Audubon, and local author Lyle Nyberg on Zoom or live at Untold Brewing in Scituate as we listen to Lyle discuss 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. Zoom link will be available. Register here for live event at Untold Brewing.

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.

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!

Wednesday, February 18 – Coexisting with Black Bears in Southeast Massachusetts – Live at Mass Audubon North River Sanctuary (Zoom available) – Bear sightings are on the rise. Join MassWildlife Southeast District Manager Jason Zimmer to discover black bear biology, population trends, and management efforts. Most importantly, you’ll learn the key do’s and don’ts to help reduce conflict and risk with these amazing mammals.

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 – 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

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

Watch More Videos from Past Lectures Here

VIDEO RECORDINGS

Eating Our Way to a More Sustainable Coast

Wind Farms Off Our Coast

Shad: America’s ‘Founding Fish’

What Good are Mosquitoes? A Fresh Perspective on the World’s Most Hated Insect

Canaries in a Coal Mine: Bird Migration and Climate Change

Ghost Gear in Our Coastal Waters; Its Impacts, and What’s Being Done About It

North and South River Marshes and the Legacy of the 1898 Portland Gale

Making Salt Marshes More Climate Resilient

Slavery and Black Life in North River Communities, 1673-1865

Snowy Owls

PFAS in Our Waters

Know Thy Neighbor: A Brief Look at the History, Culture, and Teachings of the Mattakeeset People

How to Go Electric!

Expand Your Seafood Options with Unfamiliar Fish

Your Guide to Hiking the South Shore

Introduction to Duxbury Beach Reservation with Cristin Luttazi

Reading the Winter Landscape with Mass Audubon and the NSRWA

Salt Marshes of the South Shore with Mass Bays, NSRWA, and the National Wildlife Refuge System

Insect Decline with Plymouth County Entomologist Blake Dinius

Birding the Southeast Watersheds with Mass Audubon and the NSRWA

Amazing Arthropods! with Plymouth Co. Entomologist Blake Dinius

Exploring Wonder: A Child’s View of Nature with the SSNSC

A Beachcombers Guide to Winter with NSRWA Ecologist Sara Grady

An Introduction to Birdwatching with Mass Audubon’s Doug Lowry

Reading the Landscape with the SSNSC

Owls; In Search of Strigiformes with Mass Audubon’s Doug Lowry

Join the City Nature Challenge! The world’s biggest biodiversity study with the SSNSC

A Guide to Your Very Own River Adventure

Forest Foragers! Geocaching the South Shore with NSRWA’s Brian Taylor

Barstow’s Two Oaks and the Upper North River Shipyards with Caleb Estabrooks