April 15, 7pm
Program with Rep. Michelle Badger and Sen. Dylan Fernandes to learn about environmental priorities and legislation. Bring your questions and input. Co-hosted with SEMPBA at their Center, 158 Center Hill Rd, Plymouth.

April 26, 10 – 4
Plymouth Herring Run Festival at Jenny Pond Park with HPWA again providing the fun and educational Herring Run obstacle course. Volunteers needed, contact Tess Goldmann, tessgoldmann@aol.com if you can help out for a couple hours.

May 3, 7:30am
Bird Walk: Join Brian Harrington for a spring morning bird walk. If the weather is bad (moderate to heavy rain) the walk for that day will be cancelled. Meet at Carter-Beal Park at the junction of Bournedale and Herring Pond Roads (Bourne) and bring whatever you might need. Walks will last about 2 hours on a woodland path and participants can feel free to leave the group at any time.

May 3, 8:30 – 11:30 am
Plymouth Town Clean-Up, HPWA volunteers meet at Elmer Raymond Park, pick up a special trash bag, collect roadside litter in your neighborhood and return the bag to the park for collection by the Town DPW. Spend a couple hours helping to beautify our watershed. If you are not available on Saturday, May 3, but would like to clean up before-hand, contact Paul Denoncourt, pmdmdrmg@gmail.com.

May 17, 8am
Bird Walk with Brian, meet at Carter Beal Park, same as above.

June 9, 11, 16 and 18, 6-9pm
Free MA Boating Safety Course offered by the MA Environmental Police at the Little Red School House. Earn the now mandatory Boating Safety Certificate during the four sessions. For details see the article elsewhere in this newsletter.

June 14, 2:30pm
Boat Tour of GHP: Enjoy a leisurely pontoon boat ride around Great Herring Pond and learn about the nature, environment and history of the largest pond in Plymouth that contributes so much to the quality of life in our watershed. Contact Jack Kedian, jkedian1@hotmail.com if you would like to join the roughly 1-1/2 hour excursion.

June 19, 6:30pm
Boat Tour of GHP: another opportunity, same as above.

June 27, 7:45pm
Firefly Walk with Blake Dinius. Join us for a walk at dusk to view and learn about fireflies with the ever-so-knowledgeable and fun Plymouth County Entomologist, Blake Dinius. Families with children are encouraged to participate. Meet at Parking Lot 2 in Myles Standish State Forest, (enter the State Forest off Long Pond Road onto Alden Road. Follow Alden Road until it changes to Upper College Pond Road. Take the sharp left and stay on Upper College Pond for about 1 mile. Parking lot 2 will be on the right.) Bring insect repellant and a small light, preferably not a flashlight. Co-sponsored with SEMPBA.

July 4, 6pm
Annual 4th of July Boat Parade. Brought back as a pond tradition by the Nichols family. Decorate your boat and meet at the Three Rocks area of GHP to join the fun as boats parade around the pond. HPWA will award prizes to the best decorated and most patriotic boats.

July 10, 6:30pm
Boat Tour of GHP: Enjoy a leisurely pontoon boat ride around Great Herring Pond and learn about the nature, environment and history of the largest pond in Plymouth that contribute so much to the quality of life in our watershed. Contact Jack Kedian, jkedian1@hotmail.com if you would like to join the roughly 1 1/2 hour excursion

July 19, 2:30pm
Boat Tour of GHP: another opportunity, same as above. Contact Jack Kedian, jkedian1@hotmail.com to join.

August 9, 2pm
Annual HPWA Picnic on the Pond at Weston’s Beach, 173 Herring Pond Rd. Join neighbors and make new friends on this fun afternoon with food, games and water activities. Bring an appetizer, salad or dessert to share. HPWA will provide hamburgers and hot dogs, waters, soft drinks and paper goods.

August 20, 7pm
HPWA Annual Meeting, Little Red School House. Join our Annual Meeting for updates from committee chairs on HPWA activities and projects, election of the Board of Directors and some social time to meet and greet other members. This is your opportunity to ask questions and offer suggestions.

HPWA owl house project at Little Red Schoolhouse

October 25, two sessions, 10am-noon and 2-4pm
Owl Nesting Box Building Workshops. Put together an owl nesting box for your yard. Precut wood and all the materials will be provided for a donation of $30. Bring a battery powered drill if you have one or one will be provided along with helpful assistants. Choose the morning or afternoon session. Contact Trish O’Brien to register or for more information at pobrien140@verizon.