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PRODID:-//Freedom's Way National Heritage Area - ECPv6.18.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
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X-WR-CALNAME:Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://freedomsway.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
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TZID:UTC
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DTSTART:20210101T000000
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260514T190000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260514T203000
DTSTAMP:20260408T115302Z
CREATED:20260408T115302Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260408T115302Z
UID:36334-1778785200-1778790600@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Celebrating Spring Biodiversity with the Caterpillar Lab!
DESCRIPTION:Join the Caterpillar Lab for this eye-opening\, dynamic virtual event\, and discover the extraordinary\, vibrant and fascinating native caterpillars that surround us. Using founder Sam Jaffe’s acclaimed macro photography and video\, the Caterpillar Lab will introduce you to the astonishing diversity of caterpillar species found in New England. Learn about the physical and behavioral adaptations\, host plants and life history of our caterpillar neighbors and hone your caterpillar observation skills. Caterpillar Lab programs inspire outdoor exploration and curiosity for participants of all ages! \nThis program is being presented by Nashua River Watershed Association which is dedicated to protecting our local rivers and landscapes to benefit humans and the diversity of wildlife and plants that share this region. \nPRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: NashuaRiverWatershed.org/Upcoming-Programs. A zoom link will be emailed to each participant. \nDATE: Thursday\, May 14 \nTIME: 7 – 8:30 PM \nLOCATION: This event is virtual. \n  \nPhoto courtesy of Samuel Jaffe \nThis program is offered by the Nashua River Watershed Association and The Caterpillar Lab as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature\, Culture & History\, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places\, objects\, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/celebrating-spring-biodiversity-with-the-caterpillar-lab/
LOCATION:Virtual
CATEGORIES:Hidden Treasures,Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Cecropia-Gravity-1.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nashua River Watershed Association":MAILTO:nrwa@NashuaRiverWatershed.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250528T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250528T193000
DTSTAMP:20250423T144648Z
CREATED:20250408T132925Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250423T144648Z
UID:27756-1748455200-1748460600@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Spectacular Squannacook
DESCRIPTION:This guided event will take participants on an early evening paddle along the main stem and back coves of the scenic Squannacook River. A Nashua River Watershed Association educator will lead the group on a leisurely interpretive paddle\, providing information about the history of the Squannacook and the abundant organisms found in\, on and around the river. Both NRWA and Nashoba Paddler staff members are American Canoe Association certified paddling instructors. \nThis free paddle is partially funded by a grant from the Bruce J. Anderson and is open to all participants aged 16 and up. Canoes\, paddles and PFDs will be provided. \nNumbers are limited and registration is required via our Upcoming Events page on our website. \nDATE: Wednesday\, May 28th \nTIME: 6:00 – 7:30 PM \nLOCATION: Nashua River\, Groton\, MA 01450\nFull details will be sent to registrants prior to the event. \nACCESSIBILITY: The launch area is accessible to those with mobility limitations but special permission will be required in advance to park near the launch. \n  \nThis program is offered by the Nashua River Watershed Association as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature\, Culture & History\, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places\, objects\, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/spectacular-squannacook/
CATEGORIES:Hidden Treasures,Tours
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/IMG_6811-1.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nashua River Watershed Association":MAILTO:nrwa@NashuaRiverWatershed.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250517T093000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250517T110000
DTSTAMP:20250509T160331Z
CREATED:20250416T191942Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250509T160331Z
UID:28031-1747474200-1747479600@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Guided Walk in Fitchburg's Baker Family Public Forest Reserve
DESCRIPTION:This guided hike\, limited to 15 attendees\, will take place on May 17th from 9:30 – 11:00 am\, rain or shine. We will meet at the trailhead of the Jewell Hill Trail on Ashby West Rd. in Fitchburg. Click here to register. \nMost of the hike will traverse and explore the Baker Family Public Forest Reserve\, the highest elevation and most biodiverse portion of the city’s Northern Water Supply Watershed. The focus of the tour will be on the importance of forests to humans and other living beings\, and on a couple of ways to protect them. Several features of special interest will be pointed out. \nThis ~2-mile hike will be on narrow\, mostly unimproved woodland trails\, so participants will need to be able to handle a hike of moderately difficulty and walk single file at times. \nREGISTRATION REQUIRED\, CLICK HERE. \nDATE: Saturday\, May 17th\nRain or shine. \nTIME: 9:30 – 11:00 AM \nLOCATION: Baker Family Public Forest Reserve\, near 1070 Ashby West Road\, Fitchburg\, MA 01420 \nImage courtesy of R.S. Baker \n  \nThis activity is offered by the Fitchburg Trail Stewards\, Nashua River Watershed Association and the Fitchburg Greenway Committee as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature\, Culture & History\, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places\, objects\, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/guided-walk-in-fitchburgs-baker-family-public-forest-reserve/
LOCATION:Baker Family Public Forest Reserve\, 1070 Ashby West Road\, Fitchburg\, MA\, 01420
CATEGORIES:Walks & Hikes
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-16-at-3.13.41 PM.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20250308T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20250308T150000
DTSTAMP:20250228T172453Z
CREATED:20250228T172453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250228T172453Z
UID:26896-1741438800-1741446000@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Nature Quest in Nashua: River Otter\, Beaver\, & Muskrat of the Nashua River
DESCRIPTION:Come explore the great outdoors in the City of Nashua! \nNashua River Watershed Association Naturalists will lead FREE guided outdoor exploration programs for children ages 6 to 13 and their families. Join us to learn about the diversity of plant and animal life in and around the Nashua River as we explore various wildlife habitats in five city parks during winter and spring months. \nWhen & Where: Nature Quest in Nashua will run on the second Saturday of each month February through May 2025 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.\, with a bonus walk in May \nChoose to attend one\, two\, or all five programs. \nMarch 8: River Otter\, Beaver\, & Muskrat of the Nashua River – Mine Falls Park \nApril 12: Spring Surprises in & around the Pond – Lovewell Pond Park \nMay 10: Macroinvertebrates & Metamorphosis: Aquatic Insects – Field Grove \nMay 31: Our Wild Neighbors: Urban Wildlife & Where They Live – Nashua Public Library \nNOTE: Registration is required by the Thursday preceding the program to ensure registrants receive important pre-program details such as directions. For example\, to attend the Sat. March 8 walk\, please register by Thurs. March 6th. \nDetails: NRWA Discovery Backpacks will be provided to each family team so that participants have a variety of field guides\, hand lenses\, binoculars\, and other resources to use during each program. This is a fun way for families to connect with nature and explore outdoor spaces with knowledgeable guides providing information about water and land\, human impact\, wildlife corridors\, and the importance of nature parks in their city of Nashua. \nRegistration: Registration is required for each program. Families are invited to join one or more of these events. Register online today. \nFor more information or questions regarding these programs\, please email the NRWA education team. \nThis program is supported in part by the Merrimack Conservation Partnership and the Brian S McCarthy Foundation.
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/nature-quest-in-nashua-river-otter-beaver-muskrat-of-the-nashua-river/
LOCATION:Mine Falls Park\, Whipple Street\, Nashua\, NH\, 03060\, United States
CATEGORIES:Workshops & Classes
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/home_hero_3.webp
ORGANIZER;CN="Nashua River Watershed Association":MAILTO:nrwa@NashuaRiverWatershed.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20240113T130000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20240113T150000
DTSTAMP:20231221T193635Z
CREATED:20231221T193445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231221T193635Z
UID:20105-1705150800-1705158000@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:Nashua Nature Quest for Youth & Families
DESCRIPTION:Monthly Outdoor Adventures in Nashua Parks\n2nd Saturdays\, January thru May\, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm \nThe Nashua River Watershed Association would like to invite you to participate in our FREE Nashua Quest series running on the 2nd Saturday of each month\, January thru May\, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm.  Sign up for program(s) of your choice today. \nNRWA Educators/Naturalists will lead five FREE guided outdoor exploration programs for children ages 6 to 13 and their families.  We’ll learn about the diversity of plant and animal life in Nashua parks\, and their connection to the Nashua River through an investigative adventure in five city parks during the winter and spring. Families can choose from the following programs; pick one\, or two\, or all: \nJan. 13 at Greeley Park   Animals of the Forest Tracks and Signs\n\nFeb. 10 at Mine Falls Park    Winter Wildlife and Water\nMar. 9 at Downtown Riverwalk   River Otters\, Beavers & Muskrats\nApr. 13 at Lovewell Pond Park   Spring Surprises In & Around the Pond\nMay 11 at Field Grove   Macroinvertebrates & Metamorphosis\n\nNRWA will provide each family team with an NRWA Discovery Backpack with field guides\, hand lenses\, binoculars\, and other resources for use during our program. This is a fun way for families to connect with nature and explore outdoor spaces with knowledgeable guides. \nRegistration is required for each program; space is limited. Sign up for program(s) of your choice today. Additional information for each program will be provided upon registration. \nThis free public program series is made possible by grants from the Merrimack Conservation Partnership and the Brian S. McCarthy Foundation. \nQuestions? Email the education team.
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/nashua-nature-quest-for-youth-families/
LOCATION:Greeley Park\, 100 Concord Street\, Nashua\, NH\, 03064\, United States
CATEGORIES:Walks & Hikes
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/IMG_3454-1.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Nashua River Watershed Association":MAILTO:nrwa@NashuaRiverWatershed.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220522T140000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220522T150000
DTSTAMP:20230421T201645Z
CREATED:20220425T151833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230421T201645Z
UID:13548-1653228000-1653231600@freedomsway.org
SUMMARY:The Nashua River: Earliest Times
DESCRIPTION:Join the Lancaster Historical Society for a presentation on the Nashua River put on by the Nashua River Watershed Association. \nAttendees will learn about the history of the Nashua from earliest  times when used by indigenous peoples\, through the days of harnessing the river for mill power with resulting pollution\, to successful clean-up efforts\, and\, the outlook for the river moving onward in the twenty-first century. \nThe program will take place in the Dexter Room of the Thayer Memorial Library (use rear entrance).  If you live in Lancaster\, or in the region\, you will not want to miss this one! \nA sign denoting the “Meeting of the Waters” (the north and south branches of the Nashua) will be unveiled on the Center Bridge on the nearby road of the same name immediately following. \nFor more information\, call (978) 733-6907. \n  \nThis program is offered by the Lancaster Historical Society\, Nashua River Watershed Association\, and Thayer Memorial Library as part of the Hidden Treasures Festival of Nature\, Culture & History\, an annual month-long celebration showcasing events and activities hosted by local partners celebrating the unique places\, objects\, and stories of the Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area. Hidden Treasures programs are free and open to the public. Click to discover more Hidden Treasures!
URL:https://freedomsway.org/event/the-nashua-river-earliest-times/
LOCATION:Thayer Memorial Library\, 717 Main St\, Lancaster\, MA\, 01523\, United States
CATEGORIES:Talks
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://freedomsway.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ht-2022_lancaster-historical-society_meeting-of-the-waters-scaled.jpg
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