Try Yoga at the River’s Edge This Summer

A Yoga at the River's Edge class in the Rexhame Dunes. Photo by Sandy Bacon.

It is morning on the river. The sun has risen enough to bring its warmth to the day. Trees sway gently in the breeze. Fluffy clouds dot the blue sky. An occasional bird flies by. Listening closely, we can hear water lapping at the shore. This is the setting for Yoga at the River’s Edge, a Saturday morning outdoor program that resumes June 9^thfor its 22^ndseason. 

In 1997, as a newly-certified yoga teacher and board member of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, I wanted to create an event that would unite two of my favorite things: yoga and our local rivers. That summer, I led a series of six Gentle Yoga classes at various scenic spots in Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate, and Pembroke. I chose places that first and foremost offered a beautiful view of the North or South River (or a tributary), but that could also accommodate a large group of people and their yoga mats. 

Yoga as a common form of exercise was just emerging in the 1990s. Unlike today, most gyms didn’t offer it. Dedicated yoga studios were few and far between. Yoga was the kind of thing you might just as easily find in a rented church hall or community center. It hadn’t attained its present popularity. It certainly wasn’t considered an outdoor activity.

But it was summer . . . and the North and South Rivers are so peacefully inviting in summer! Especially when the marshes have turned green, and the trees along the riverbanks are in full leaf-out. What a great way to begin the day – rolling out a yoga mat in a scenic spot, spending an hour relaxing, and stretching, and breathing deeply. Would people actually attend these classes? Would they mind putting their yoga mats on the grass or the forest floor? Would they be scared off by the threat of bugs? What did we have to lose? We decided to give it a try.

We met at the Indian Head River Reservoir, on the Hanover-Pembroke line, where a large expanse of lawn, bordered on one side by woods, overlooks the Indian Head River and its fish ladder. We met at Couch Beach in North Marshfield, in a cathedral of tall pines, on an upland that offers a panoramic view of the North River and its marshes. We met at the Norris Reservation in Norwell, at a little clearing in the woods, a stone’s throw from Second Herring Brook. 

We met on the lawn of the Marshfield branch of the YWCA, a secluded spot that overlooks Little’s Creek and the mouth of the North River. We met at the Driftway Conservation Park in Scituate, both on a grassy rise, and on a wooden dock beside the Herring River. And we met in the Rexhame Dunes in Marshfield, in the sand at the edge of the South River. Luck was on our side. Not one of these classes was rained out.

Something about Yoga at the River’s Edge appealed to people. Right from the beginning, we attracted a respectable number of students – not too many, not too few. Attendees commented on how gorgeous the locations were, how they might not have ever visited them if not for this series. They also remarked on how good it felt to do yoga outdoors, in a natural setting. The bugs, for the most part, held off. And so, year after year, we continued to offer these classes. 

In the two decades since Yoga at the River’s Edge began, I’ve welcomed seven additional men and women – all certified yoga instructors -- to the River’s Edge team. We each have our favorite places to teach, and we take turns doing so throughout the season, which now extends throughout the entire summer – mid-June to mid-September. We all feel fortunate to be able to lead these classes, gathering with fellow yoga practitioners at some beautiful spots along our local waterways. Plus, it feels good to give back – to support the North and South Rivers Watershed Association with the proceeds the donation-based program generates.

On behalf of the Yoga at the River’s Edge team, I hope you will consider joining us this summer. The season begins June 9^that one of my favorite places on the North River – Couch Beach in North Marshfield (access via Couch Cemetery, 629 Union Street). 

• Join our mailing list by emailing yogariversedge@verizon.net. 

• Find our schedule online at http://www.hellokezia.com/yoga/Yoga_at_the_Rivers_Edge.html 

• Or like “Yoga at the River’s Edge” on Facebook.

by Kezia Bacon

May 2018

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 22+ years of nature columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

A Pontoon Boat Cruise on the North River

Looking downstream from the bow of the pontoon boat.

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If you’re reading this article, you are probably aware of the North and South Rivers -- two beautiful, healthy, tidal waterways whose watershed comprises much of the South Shore. Chances are, you’ve also spent some time there – perhaps by boat, or with a canoe, kayak or paddle board, or by walking in one of the numerous conservation areas that border them.

On the other hand, maybe you haven’t. Whether paddling trips and hikes aren’t your thing, or you have other reasons for not being able to access the rivers, I have good news to share with you. There’s another option! The North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) now offers Pontoon Boat Cruises.

A pontoon boat is a motorized boat with a wide, flat deck, and plenty of room for upright seating. The deck is supported by two or three metal tubes (or pontoons), which provide flotation. While not the most aerodynamic, a pontoon boat moves quickly and deftly enough to provide a smooth, steady ride. The NSRWA’s boat – donated by a Marshfield family -- has comfortable bench seats in both the sun and the shade, all with a terrific view. Plus there’s no climbing – from the dock, you walk straight on and off the vessel. This is a very different experience from a kayak or a canoe.

Throughout the boating season (late spring til mid-autumn) NSRWA offers pontoon boat cruises several times per month. Each includes a licensed boat captain and a tour guide. You can choose the “Nature and History” themed cruise or just “Nature.” “Fall Foliage” and “River Wildlife” are other options. You can also charter your own.

In August, I signed up for one of the Nature and History-themed cruises. After registering online, I received my instructions, so I knew exactly where to park and what to bring. At 10:00am, I met my captain, guide, and fellow participants at Roht Marine, on the North River, on the Marshfield-Scituate line (Route 3A). After a brief safety overview, we were off.

I already knew a fair amount about the history of the North and South Rivers, but on the tour, I learned quite a bit more! Our guide explained how our region has changed since the last ice age – and how the rivers were formed. He discussed the first European settlers in our area and the ways in which they interacted with the native tribes who had been here for years. He explained salt marsh haying, and packet ships, and gave an overview of the local shipbuilding industry. He also discussed the ecology of the salt marsh, and pointed out some of the wildlife that make their home there. We saw marsh wrens, red tail hawks and osprey, and kept an eye out for bald eagles (they nest nearby.) There were maps and other visual aids to enhance the presentation, plus we were encouraged to “Ask anything.”

After an hour moving steadily upstream through gorgeous landscapes, we reached the Route 3 Bridge in Pembroke. The captain turned the boat around, and for most of our journey back to the starting point, we were encouraged to admire the view. This led to casual conversations among the participants and plenty more insights from the guide.

The 2-hour tour was extremely enjoyable. Time passed quickly. I found myself wanting to return, soon, with various friends and family members, especially those who aren’t inclined to experience the rivers in other ways. A Pontoon Boat Cruise would be a lovely way to mark a special occasion – a birthday or anniversary, for example, or a retirement. At $50 per person (for NSRWA members, $75 for non-members) it’s a bit of an investment, but well worth the cost.

If you’re interested in joining a Pontoon Boat Cruise, there are a number of them coming up this fall – nearly every weekend through the end of October. Most go upriver through Marshfield and Norwell, but some go downstream to The Spit. Visit nsrwa.org for details and to register.

by Kezia Bacon

August 2017

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 20 years of nature columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

A view from the stern of the pontoon boat.

No-Fuss River Excursions

The author and her paddle board at the Keville Bridge on the South River.

Every year, as spring turns into summer, I find myself drawn to the North and South Rivers. The marsh is vibrant green, the water reflects the bright blue sky, and the breezes are just right for cooling off on a hot day. Of course, actually coordinating a trip on the rivers with my canoe or kayak is another story! Weather, tides, personal schedules, and transportation are all part of the planning process, not to mention gathering my gear and making sure it’s still in working order. Occasionally everything falls into place and I find myself sitting happily in my boat, paddling up- (or down-) stream, promising myself I will not let so much time go by before the next excursion.

If you’re interested in seeing what our local rivers are all about, but maybe not-so-interested in the logistics of getting there, you might consider a guided, outfitted class or trip. The North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) has made such trips a part of their activity roster in the last few years. They offer both lessons and guided tours, with equipment included. It’s totally worth the cost, to have someone else provide your equipment and show you around!

Below is a listing of what the NSRWA is offering this summer. If you’d like to experience the beauty and serenity of the North or South River with a minimum of fuss, here’s your chance!

Learn To Kayak

Friday July 25, 12-2pm

Sunday, August 10, 12-2pm

Coastal Kayak Educators provides all equipment, as well as expert group instruction for children and adults ages 8 and up in this 2.5-hour course (children must be accompanied by an adult). Meet at the Union Street Bridge Conservation Area in Marshfield and learn the basics of kayaking on the North River, with an emphasis on safety. Pre-registration required. For details, visit www.nsrwa.org.

Scenic North River Tours

Saturday July 26, 1-3 pm

Sunday, August 3 – 6:30-8:30pm

Saturday, August 23 – 12:30-2:30pm

This tour is recommended for kayakers with some experience, ages 8 and up (children must be accompanied by an adult). Coastal Kayak Educators provides all equipment, and leads the group on a 2-hour tour of river, beginning at the Union Street Bridge in Marshfield. Pre-registration required. For details, visit www.nsrwa.org.

Historic North River Kayaking Tour

Sunday, August 24, 11am-3pm

For ages 8 and up (children must be accompanied by an adult), and led by Coastal Kayak Educators, this is a leisurely 8.5-mile paddling excursion. It will delve into the North River’s role in the lives of Native Americans, colonial shipbuilders, the industrial revolution, and the modern day era, and will examine how its ecology has changed throughout time. The tour begins at the Union Street Bridge Conservation Area in Marshfield. All equipment is provided, and there will be a lunch break at Couch Beach in Marshfield. Pre-registration required. For details, visit www.nsrwa.org.

Stand Up Paddling Lessons on the South River

Thursday July 17 at 6pm

Monday Aug 4 at 6pm

Monday Aug 18 at 6pm

This 1.5 hour lesson on the South River was one of the best of my recent “new experiences,” and much easier than I anticipated. Learn to stand up paddle (SUP) with the NSRWA and Luminate Surf & Skate on the river and marsh creeks near Rexhame Beach in Marshfield. All equipment is provided. Pre-registration required. For details, visit www.nsrwa.org.

by Kezia Bacon, Correspondent

June, 2014

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Science Fridays in the ‘Shed

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For those of us with school age children, summer vacation presents both joys and challenges. It can be a welcome reprieve, not having to adhere to the bus and school routine five days a week. On the other hand, the relaxed schedule can be a mixed blessing: lots of opportunities to do those things for which we haven’t had time all year, but also lots of hours to fill.

If, like me, you’re home at least part-time with your kid(s) during these 10-or-so weeks, you may be looking for new ways to spend your days. Especially mid-summer, after the novelty of not having to rush out the door in the morning has worn off, and the word “bored” is showing up in conversations, you may be wondering what’s out there. We are fortunate, here on the South Shore, to have nearly endless options.  

There are camps, there are day programs, there are all sorts of events offered through local libraries and recreation departments. Blueberry picking (Scituate, Hanson) is always a favorite of ours, as are group explorations of conservation areas where the kids can enjoy unstructured play. The places we’ve enjoyed most so far, with our crew of friends (ages 5-10) and their parents, are Willow Brook Farm in Pembroke, Couch Beach (via Couch Cemetery) in North Marshfield, and the Norris Reservation in Norwell. All offer well-shaded trails and a respite from the summer heat.

One relatively new option on the local scene is offered by the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA): a series of outdoors explorations for families otherwise known as Science Fridays in the ‘Shed.

Last year my son and I participated in the very first Science Friday. We joined a small group of parents and children, along with Samantha Woods and Sara Grady from the NSRWA, and hiked out from Third Cliff in Scituate to The Spit at the mouth of the North River. Along the way, we tested the salinity of marsh creeks, learned about some of the grasses and other vegetation that grows in the zone between the land and the sea, and kept our eyes open for shorebirds and horseshoe crabs. The trip was timed for low tide, so we could spend most of our time checking out the tide pools – familiarizing ourselves with the creatures and plants that make their home among the rocks at the edge of the ocean.

This year the NSRWA has expanded its Science Friday program. There will be four trips this summer, each on a Friday morning from 10-12.

On July 11^th, you can learn about freshwater tributaries at the Norris Reservation in Norwell, through which Second Herring Brook flows as it makes its way to the North River.

On July 18^th, NSRWA returns to The Spit in Scituate for tidepooling and barrier beach geology.

On July 25^th, they will be exploring the North River marshes, via the Messer Conservation Area, off Union Street in North Marshfield.

And on August 15^th, there will be a freshwater tidal exploration on the Indian Head River, at the Hanover Canoe Launch.

All of the programs are designed to introduce children and their families to the different habitats and ecology within the North and South Rivers watershed, aka “the ‘shed.” Participants will be actively engaged in collecting field data, and will use scientific sampling gear to analyze water quality and identify plants and animals.

Pre-registration is required. The best way is to sign up online at www.nsrwa.org. The cost is $5 per person for NSRWA members, $10 for non-members, and – this is the best part – no charge for kids 12 and under.

Last year the program sold out, so if you’re interested, consider signing up right away. If your children are at all interested in natural history, ecology, or outdoor exploration, you’ll be glad you did.

 by Kezia Bacon 

May 2014

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

Learning About The Water Cycle

My son is in second grade, and each day when he comes home from school, one of the first things I do is check his backpack to see what the teacher has sent home. There is homework, of course, and often a notice from the school, and usually there is a sheaf of papers representing work recently completed in class. Needless to say, as this is work designed for 7- and 8-year olds, for me, it’s mostly review. But every so often I too get to learn something from the Second Grade curriculum.

In March, Abel brought home some worksheets about the water cycle. One night he had to cut out pictures of each phase of the cycle, and glue them to another page in the proper order. They had covered this in class earlier that day, so Abel understood the concepts. I suspect my memory is faulty, but I couldn’t recall learning about the water cycle myself until adulthood. I was so pleased that second graders were already learning basic earth science!

I’m sure I’m not the only one whose memories of Earth Science have grown hazy. Thus I offer this quick primer.

There are four phases to the water cycle: condensation, precipitation, accumulation and evaporation.

• Condensation, aka Forming Clouds - There is water vapor in the air. When it rises and meets cooler air, it turns into water droplets that form clouds.

• Precipitation, aka Water Falling to the Earth – The clouds gather more and more water as they are moved by the wind. This liquid is constantly forming and evaporating within the clouds, and when the conditions are right, it will fall to earth as rain, snow, sleet or hail.

• Accumulation, or Forming Bodies of Water – The water that falls to the earth via precipitation collects either as surface water (oceans, rivers, lakes, puddles) or groundwater (filtered through the land, and stored within the ground).

• Evaporation, or Forming Water Vapor – The warmth of the sun converts both surface water and groundwater to water vapor. These tiny droplets are carried up into the sky by rising warm air. As they reach the cooler air, condensation begins, and the cycle continues.

To drive these concepts home, Abel’s school brought in the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) for a program known as “Water All Around You.” The NSRWA set up six stations in the school cafeteria, each one addressing a different aspect of the water cycle.

There was a station at which students answered the question “Where in the watershed are you?” A watershed is an area of land in which all of the water that falls will drain to a specific place. For example, Abel’s elementary school is within the South River watershed, so all the rain that falls within that area eventually drains to the South River. The students looked at topographic maps of the town and learned how and where the water flows after it falls from the sky.

They also learned about water quality – finding out about what causes pollution, as well as the natural processes within the earth that clean the water, and the manmade processes (wastewater treatment plants) that are equally essential. Through a see-through acrylic groundwater simulator, they saw how contamination from something like a faulty septic system might flow through the land and into the groundwater. They even got to create mini filtration systems, with plastic bottles and coffee filters, to see first-hand how swamp water can be filtered clean.

In addition, they learned how water flows over the land. Using a model of a storm drain, parent volunteers demonstrated how things like motor oil, fertilizer, road salt, animal waste, and cigarette butts all get washed into the road and eventually flow, untreated, into the nearest body of water.

Abel’s favorite station was the taste test. He and his classmates sampled tap water, distilled water, and bottled water, to see how they varied in flavor. They made note of their observations and then discussed which water source would be the safest to drink. As for taste, the general consensus was that Marshfield water tasted best.

A final station educated the second graders about managing water quantity, and explained to them how they could conserve water in their everyday lives. They were asked to figure out how many household tasks they could complete, using 65 gallons of water per day (the state-recommended maximum consumption, to ensure that there is enough water for public safety and household usage). Practicing their math skills, the students found that they couldn't water their lawns, which can take thousands of gallons a day. 

The NSRWA offers “Water All Around You” to towns that participate in its Greenscapes program, which educates citizens, young and old, about water conservation. To date, more than 12,000 of students across the South Shore have participated, either at the second grade or fifth grade level. The program is a success because so many local towns have participated.

NSRWA Executive Director Samantha Woods says, "We need to change our water consciousness. The majority of our citizens don't know where their water comes from, what is the most common source of water pollution or what the term ‘watershed’ means. Upcoming generations will be faced with more water challenges than ever before. ‘Water All Around You’ is meant to remedy this lack of knowledge by bringing water to the classroom and when possible to get children into their watershed. Our goal is to ensure that every child in the South Shore region, at least once in their school career, learns what a watershed is, how we can protect it and where their own water comes from."

by Kezia Bacon

March 2014

Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the North and South Rivers and their watershed. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 15 years of Nature (Human and Otherwise) columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com

The Year on the Water (1996)

A new split-log boardwalk at Nelson Forest.

Since 1970, the North and South Rivers Watershed Association has worked for the preservation, restoration, maintenance and conservation of the rivers and related natural resources of our watershed. We have grown from a small group of citizen activists to an organization of over 1000 individuals, families, and businesses dedicated to improving water quality, restoring natural resources, providing environmental education, and facilitating recreational use and access to rivers and open space on the South Shore. For us, 1996 was a year of major accomplishments, considerable improvements and new beginnings.

The year began with a confirmation of success for the stormwater treatment system that we installed at Marshfield’s Riverside Circle in Autumn 1995. By late winter, it was evident that the system, funded by grants from the Mass Bays program and a number of private individuals and business owners, reduced pollution entering the North River by 75-95%.

The subsequent improvement of water quality made it possible for the state Division of Marine Fisheries to reopen 194 acres of shellfish beds at the mouth of the North River on April 2. The shellfish beds had been closed since 1990. The NSRWA viewed this as a great accomplishment, as it marked the success of our Harvest ‘95 project, which aimed to improve water quality in the river to a level which would permit seasonal shellfishing.

The reopening of the shellfish beds also marked the end of Debbie Lenahan’s tenure as NSRWA’s Executive Director. Lenahan chose the occasion of this achievement to step down, and the NSRWA hired Steve Ivas of Norwell to take her place.

Under Ivas’s directorship, the NSRWA took a more active role in community water quality and open space issues. We advocated for protection of Scituate’s town water supply in the First Herring Brook subwatershed, helped plan improvements at Hanover’s Luddam’s Ford Park and Indian Head Canoe Launch, and served as an advisor on the formation of the Pembroke Open Space Committee. We also helped ensure the conservation of the 174-acre Donovan Property in Norwell, and aided the New England Forestry Foundation in creating a management plan for Marshfield’s Nelson Forest. Furthermore, we were an important player in the effort to eliminate a property adjacent to Scituate’s fragile Driftway marshes as a potential site for the layover facility of the Old Colony Greenbush Railroad.

With water quality in the North River restored to fishable, swimmable levels, the NSRWA turned its attention to the other major stream in our watershed, and launched the South River Initiative in September. This endeavor aims to involve business, government and other community stakeholders in Marshfield, Duxbury, Pembroke and Humarock in improving the South River as a resource for all who may benefit from it, whether for recreation, wildlife habitat, real estate, or aesthetic value.

1996 was also a year in which the NSRWA considerably improved the quality of services that we provide to the community. We expanded our calendar of nature walks and paddling trips, offering guided tours of such sites as Cove Creek, the Rexhame Dunes, Herring Brook, Jacobs Pond, and Stetson Meadows, to name but a few. We initiated a series of kayak safety and skills workshops, which we held monthly throughout the summer and early fall on the South River. We co-sponsored an Earth Day celebration for children and adults at the South Shore Natural Science Center, and continued such annual events as River Cleanup Day, The Great River Race, and the Water Watch Forum Series.

We also continued regular testing of water quality of the North and South Rivers and their tributaries through our RiverWatch and Citizen Monitor programs. RiverWatch testing results were published weekly in the Mariner newspapers throughout the summer, providing fecal coliform bacteria levels to indicate which sections of the rivers were suitable for fishing and swimming.

This year we also expanded our community outreach efforts. In May, we began publishing a biweekly “On the Water” nature column in the Mariner newspapers. Thanks to grants from the state Department of Environmental Protection and the federal Environmental Protection Agency, we became involved with public outreach for the cleanup of hazardous waste at the South Weymouth Naval Air Station. In addition, we initiated environmental education programs in the Norwell and Marshfield school systems, providing a citizen activist newsletter for Marshfield’s fourth graders and offering guided forest tours and field trips to Norwell elementary students.

We look forward to further expanding our efforts in 1997. Improving water quality, wildlife habitat, and recreational access on the South River will be our number one priority, but we will not turn our back on the North River -- or any of the watershed’s tributaries. We’re planning a subwatershed assessment project of Norwell’s Dwelley’s Creek, ski and snowshoe workshops, canoe and kayak trips, lots of guided nature walks, expanded education programs, and plenty more.

This past year, the twelve communities that comprise the North and South Rivers Watershed have shown tremendous support for the NSRWA. Such support renews and increases our strength. As we step forward into the new year, we will continue to strive toward the goal of a beautiful, healthy, diverse and accessible river environment.

by Kezia Bacon, Assistant Director, North and South Rivers Watershed Association
January 1997