Interview with Conservation groups
Interview with Conservation groups
Group ( Association): Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association (WPWA)
Person (Director): Denise J. Poyer
Your position (Title): Program Director
Date: May 23, 2012
What does your group (Association) represent? WPWA is the state watershed council for the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed. This is a 300 square mile area covering most of southern RI and a little of south eastern CT.
How active is your group? We are
extremely active in many issues within our watershed.
We have volunteers that collect water quality data on 40 sites;
conduct fish passage projects; encourage river access remediation; and
provide recreational and educational programs.
We are also very active throughout the state, sitting on many
committees that serve the interests of the environmental community.
Currently we are actively working with our Congressmen and Senators to
pass a bill that would require a study of the Beaver, Chipuxet, Queen,
Wood and
What is the most interesting or picturesque place on your watershed? So many, it’s hard to decide. There is the falls, off of Falls River Road on the Falls River; the whole upper reach of the Wood River, from Rt. 165 down to Arcadia Road, and the Long Pond/Ell Pond trail in Hopkinton, to name just a few.
What has been your greatest achievement
with this group or any other conservation group that you have belonged
to? WPWA was
instrumental in establishing the URI Cooperative Extension’s Watershed
Watch, which uses volunteers to monitor the water quality throughout the
state. There are many other
achievements, such as the fish passage projects on the
What would be your greatest goal if funding was available? Have the five rivers in the Watershed included in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. We would also like to be able to offer kayaking programs to all underserved populations in the state.
What could an interested individual do to help or volunteer for your group? Besides becoming a water quality monitor we are also looking for people to help with our recreational programs.
What overall environmental issue concerns you the most? Unplanned development. We are not against development, but we would prefer to see it concentrated in the areas that already have the infrastructure to support it. Creating new large developments in areas that are currently wooded causes impacts to small streams and wetlands that can destroy their habitat quality.
Does your group offer any educational or recreational opportunities that people should not miss? We offer paddle trips, hikes, and fishing opportunities. http://www.wpwa.org/
 |
 |
Submitted by Conservation Chairman Bill Luther