Thanks to our Board of Directors and Members who made possible the following accomplishments in 2023:

• Partnered with the Town of Plymouth by contributing $5,000 toward the $37,800 needed for the installation of a Permeable Reactive Barrier and the evaluation of its removal of phosphorus from the Carters River
• Took stream flow measurements and water quality samples in the Carters River and Herring River at the inflow and outflow of GHP to determine total phosphorus in GHP monthly from April to October. (Thanks to Dr. Sara Grady for her expertise and dedicated efforts each month.)
• The Water Quality Team took monthly water samples, dissolved oxygen measurements and samples of cyanobacteria to monitor water quality and add to the database of pollution knowledge.
• Monitored E. coli levels in swimming areas three times during the summer around Great Herring Pond. No unsafe levels were found.
• Collected water samples and tested for levels of phycocyanin, an indicator of cyanobacteria levels, every other week from May through October.
• Published 4 HPWA Newsletters
• Presented 7 Programs to Members and friends throughout the year on topics such as the Water Quality Management Plan, Mushrooms, Juvenile Herring, Wetland Restorations and Dam Removals in Plymouth (David Gould, Innovations in septic systems (Bryan Horsley), historic postcards and photos around the watershed. Many of these were recorded and can be found on our website. On December 4, a program on Climate Change Effects on Bird Migration will be presented.
• Educated and entertained several hundred children at our popular Herring Obstacle Course in April at the Plymouth Herring Festival.
• Conducted an Owl Nest Box Workshop in May at the Little Red Schoolhouse, with 50 nest boxes assembled and brought home.
• Led two bird walks with expert birders Brian Harrington and Martha Sheldon.
• Held a Butterfly Walk in Myles Standish State Forest led by Blake Dinius, the County Entomologist.
• 31 Volunteers counted herring returning to GHP and LHP for 10-minute blocks through April and May.
• HPWA volunteers picked up litter along roads in our Watershed during the Annual Town Cleanup Day in May.
• Updated and restored the Plant Identification Trail in the David E. Alper Nature Preserve
• Held the Annual HPWA Picnic the first Saturday in August, enjoyed by quite a few members.
• Initiated Movie Nights Under the Stars in July and August. People enjoyed ‘Jaws’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ with free refreshments from the Nichols’ backyard or from boats moored by the shore.
• In spite of the rain a small Boat Parade circled GHP early on the evening of July 4^th. Plan to join or view it next year.
• Installed a beautiful wooden memorial plaque for Matt Moses, who drowned on GHP several of years ago. Created by woodworking students at South and North High Schools, the effort was led by Tom O’Brien, chair of HPWA Water Safety Committee.

In 2023 ten new members joined HPWA in support of HPWA’s efforts.

If you haven’t sent in your contribution yet or would like to make an additional year-end tax-deductible donation to support these efforts, please use the button below. Thank you!