In 2022 HPWA members and Board members were active throughout the year protecting our watershed, and engaging members and friends through education and social events.

=> Water Quality Committee members collected samples all around Great Herring Pond and tested for E. coli levels twice during the summer season to be sure the water was safe for swimming.

=> Water Quality Committee members also assisted Kim Tower of DMEA in collecting water samples and other data each month from April through October. Additional samples were collected to discern phosphorus and nitrogen levels across LHP into GHP.

=> During the summer months Water Quality Committee members closely monitored GHP for cyanobacteria blooms and quickly responded to resident concerns.

=> This fall a committee composed of 7 Board members and a couple of Water Quality Committee members studied the first draft of the Water Quality Management Plan, met with David Gould and Kim Tower of the Plymouth DMEA and the chief author of the plan to review and question the data and conclusions of the report to ensure that the final draft will propose the best plans for reducing phosphorus, algae and cyanobacteria blooms.

=> Three educational programs were offered via Zoom– Northern Right Whales, Insect Declines Webinar, and Tracking Herring Migration Webinar.

=> At our Annual Meeting in August Board Members Martha Sheldon and Brian Harrington gave a program on birds in our watershed.

=> Quite a few members participated in the Herring Count in April and May.

=> Plymouth County Entomologist Blake Dinius led a Butterfly Walk in Myles Standish State Forest for about 25 of our members in April.

=> Martha Sheldon and Brian Harrington led two morning Bird Walks in May at Carter Beal Conservation Area. There were 30 eager participants.

=> HPWA donated $2000 to Camp Clark and $500 to Plymouth Recreation Camp at Hedges Pond for scholarships to encourage a love of nature in local children.

=> After a hiatus of 2 years due to Covid 19, HPWA held its Annual Picnic in August on the Weston property on the shore of GHP.

=> Also in May members collected trash along some roads around GHP as part of Plymouth’s Town Clean Up Day. Over 25 purple bags of trash were collected.

=> At the end of August, the Invasive Species Committee with Jerry Levine and Dr. Sara Grady conducted a thorough search of the bottoms of GHP and LHP for invasive water plants and found none.

=> Three newsletters were compiled and sent to approximately 500 people providing information and fun facts to help people understand how to live as better stewards of our beautiful watershed.

=> The Communications Committee routinely posted photos and information on Facebook and communicated through email.

=> Many children and families enjoyed our Herring Run Obstacle Course held in April as part of the Town of Plymouth Herring Festival.