Seining on the Westport River

Dartmouth, MA – Join Lloyd Center Research Director, Mark Mello, for a canoe trip on the Westport River.  The trip begins in Adamsville, RI and reaches Horseneck Beach.  After paddling along this historic river, try your hand at using a seine net.  The Gulf Stream carries subtropical fish up to Massachusetts shores during the summer. These summertime visitors are unable to survive the harsh New England winters.  Join the Lloyd Center in search of these tropical visitors. Maybe you will be lucky enough to catch a spotfin butterfly fish, a banded puffer, or another of our “southern visitors.”

The canoe trip will be held on Saturday, August 25th from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Participants will meet at the Westport Middle School Parking Lot.   Canoes, paddles and life vests will be provided. Participants are asked to bring a lunch and something to drink (non-alcoholic) as well as footwear that you won’t mind getting wet (while seining, hopefully not when paddling!) and a hat. An overview of paddling skills and safety tips will precede the trip.  The cost of the program is $20 for Lloyd Center members and $25 for non-members. Space is limited so call 508-990-0505 now to reserve your spot.

Founded in 1978 and situated with its headquarters and spectacular nature preserve overlooking the scenic Slocum River estuary in Dartmouth Massachusetts, the LLOYD CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT has achieved a well earned reputation for excellence in environmental research and education.  Through its innovative outreach programs, it has established itself as a highly regarded leader in the ongoing effort to raise awareness of the area’s fragile coastal resources and the importance of protecting them. 

Located on 55 acres of pristine salt marsh, maritime forest and wetlands at the mouth of the Slocum River, the Nature Center is open, at no charge, to the public Tuesdays through Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.  It has a 15 foot pilot whale skeleton, as well as dolphin and leatherback turtle skeletons on display. The Center’s aquaria exhibit local fresh and saltwater fish and invertebrates, a touch-tank where you can pick up spider crabs, whelks, hermit crabs, periwinkles, mussels and green crabs.  The top floor observatory with its magnificent views of the Elizabeth Islands and Buzzards Bay was named one of 15 special places by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs.  Trails are open from dawn to dusk, seven days a week.  The Lloyd Center for the Environment is located at 430 Potomska Road, Dartmouth, Massachusetts.  For more information, log onto www.lloydcenter.org or call 508-990-0505. 

Lloyd Center For the Environment

The Lloyd Center is the only area organization focused on educating the public about coastal and watershed issues, and conducting research on coastal ecosystems and endangered species. The Lloyd Center serves individuals, agencies, and organizations in southeastern New England (Rhode Island to Boston to Cape Cod). It

The Center cooperates on a broader level in coastal, environmental, and educational programming throughout New England, nationally and internationally.

The Center's school-based activities further expand their reach to urban audiences. A scholarship program also provides space for ten urban New Bedford students, mostly African-American and other minorities, in the Summer Program. 

You can learn more about the Lloyd Center for the Environmental at: http://www.lloydcenter.org.

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