The WFA will award up to two $650 merit scholarships awards for college this year to local graduating high school seniors, preferably with a demonstrated interest in river/environmental protection.  The award is designated as a “merit” scholarship; academic criteria and community citizenship will be evaluated, not financial need. Students who are Westport residents or who are sponsored by a WFA member are eligible to apply.

Students may download the application from the WFA website at http://westportriver.org/scholarship/ or pick one up from their local high school guidance office. The completed application is due by April 30^th.  The selected recipient(s) will be announced by June 1^st and will receive a check after satisfactory completion of the first semester of college.

The Westport Fishermen’s Association’s 34th annual clambake was held under warm and sunny skies on Sept. 17 for over 175 happy guests.  After everyone enjoyed their clambake with all the fixings, we moved on announcing the pick-a- prize raffle winners, culminating in awarding of the grand prize  18′ handcrafted Night Heron Kayak to Ihsan Gurdal of Cambridge and Westport.  Happy paddling!

Members always get their newsletter in the mail. For everyone one else, plus those who prefer to consume their news online, the latest issue of the WFA quarterly newsletter is now posted online. Happy summer reading!

The Westport Summer Passport 2017 is an adventure that will take you to six of the most beautiful and interesting local spots. It is a free self-guided family-friendly activity that runs through July and August. All walks are less than 1.5 miles and cover flat ground or short moderate or steep inclines. You will visit:

• Brookside Conservation Area, 1013 American Legion Highway (north Westport)
• Forge Pond Conservation Area, 214 Forge Rd. (north Westport)
• Handy House, 202 Hix Bridge Rd. (central Westport)
• Horseneck Point Lifesaving Station, 214 East Beach Rd. (south Westport)
• Mill Pond Conservation Area, 62 Reed Rd. (Head of Westport)
• Noquochoke Conservation Area, 421 Pine Hill Rd. (central Westport)

Westport Summer Passport is a partnership of the Westport Historical Society, The Westport Land Conservation Trust, the Westport Fishermen’s Association, and the Westport Education Foundation.

To download the passport go to http://westportlandtrust.org/westport_summer_passport/

Despite the intermittent rain, we had a great turnout at the WFA’s 13th annual “Run for the Water” with over 140 participants coming from ten states. In fact, a woman flew in from Michigan the night before to compete specifically in the 10K. She is doing a race in all 50 states this year and picked the WFA’s event because it supported a good cause. Proceeds from this year’s event will help fund the WFA’s scholarship program and support our advocacy efforts.

This year we swapped out the 8K course for a 10K distance and Matt Moussamih from Swansea won it in 40:22. Lauren Galiardi of Cumberland, RI was the women’s winner,  coming in at 46:59. Top finishers in the 5K Fun Run were Dan Murphy of Westport and Katie Knapp from Brooklyn, NY.  Complete results can be found HERE.