Founded in 1977 by diverse users of the river, IRWA is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and though small in size (2 full-time and 2 part-time staff), it is a leader in its field, even nationally. Its mission is “to serve as the voice of the River”—“to protect and restore the River and its ecosystem through education, outreach, monitoring and advocacy.” IRWA’s Restoration Program was pioneering; its monthly Monitoring Program is 11 years old, with 60 trained volunteers. But in 2003 the Ipswich was named one of the nation’s most endangered rivers, owing to low-flow issues. In response, IRWA formed a broadly representative Task Force of stakeholders, spearheaded studies by the US Geological Survey to identify problems, developed a Watershed Management Plan adopted by the Executive Office of Environmental Affairs, and a Regional Water Conservation Plan which the Task Force unanimously ratified. So the staff is highly competent— all have advanced environmental degrees, and serve on state committees and task forces. IRWA and its Executive Director Kerry Mackin have received national awards from the River Network and the US Environmental Protection Agency, and locally from the Essex County Greenbelt Association (Cat’03), and the Charles River Watershed Association (Cat’98). You can join them.