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Westfield River Watershed

Protecting the Land

“It feels pretty wonderful to drive over the bridges during summer and see folks enjoying the river,” says Brian Conz. After all, Conz is president of the Westfield River Watershed Association, and he and other members of this all-volunteer group have been dedicated to helping people enjoy and preserve the Westfield River and its surrounding ecosystem since WRWA was founded in 1953.

“I would definitely consider the river to be a beneficial amenity for the city of Westfield, and an economic benefit as well,” says Conz, a Springfield native who got his first taste of enjoying – and protecting – the region’s wildlands through a leadership program with Southwick’s Wilderness Experiences when he was a teen.

During the pandemic, Whip City residents have, indeed, found solace walking, jogging, cycling, and romping with happy dogs along the raised dike that cradles the Westfield River between Chapman Playground and the city’s beautiful new Esplanade and Half Mile Park. For generations, however, residents have also fished the river’s shoals and paddled its quiet (or fierce, depending on the season) twenty-odd miles. Generations of nature lovers have picnicked at its sides, wandered its banks, and thrilled to its songbirds, bald eagles, and occasional otters.

Just as momentous, the watershed’s 517 miles of hills and woods afford Westfield vital infrastructure impossible to replace.

“Having a forested, intact watershed helps to buffer flooding. It helps to provide clean water. It helps to provide habitat for wildlife and biodiversity. It also provides tremendous carbon sequestration,” says Conz, whose day job is chairing Westfield State University’s Geography, Planning, and Sustainability department.

Simply said, protecting the watershed gives us permeable ground to absorb floodwaters. It delivers clean water to more than five public water systems. And, just by letting trees do what they do, it removes climate-changing carbon from the air.

WRWA board member Jake Lehan describes himself as “a hiker, a biker, and a liker of nature.” He and Conz both say they’re energized to be part of a proactive group fueled by volunteers.

Twice a year, WRWA members organize river clean-ups. In late May, they open the West Springfield fish ladder so people can see shad (and some salmon!) splashing their way up to spawn. In June, the group sponsors an all-abilities “Canoe Cruise” to get locals paddling on a river most only drive across. In October, they team with Western Mass Fly Fishermen to teach fly-fishing to anyone who wants to learn.

In between, WRWA offers educational programs, internships, and films.

The purpose of all this, Lehan says, is “to bring people who haven’t been involved in outdoor recreation into the woods, into nature, into these river paths - to get to know the land and to appreciate it.”

“We love to teach people to be stewards,” he says, “and to think about ‘Leave no Trace’ while also enjoying nature.”

WRWA welcomes new members! To join, to support its mission, or for details about upcoming events, please visit www.westfieldriver.org.

Suggested pull quotes:

  1. Protecting the watershed gives us permeable ground to absorb floodwaters. It delivers clean water to more than five public water systems. And, just by letting trees do what they do, it removes climate-changing carbon from the air.

  2. Our purpose is to bring people who haven’t been involved in outdoor recreation into the woods, into nature, into these river paths - to get to know the land and to appreciate it. Jake Lehan, WRWA board member

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