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The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Sign up for Email Updates For questions about our newsletters or programs, contact us at crc - at - ctriver.org or 413-772-2020.

The Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. Thank you for supporting our mission. Deer Paths Nature School by Beth Pelton Source to Sea Cleanup Welcome to the Source to Sea Cleanup, a powerful and effective community event spanning the length of the 410-mile Connecticut River watershed in NH, VT, MA, & CT. Each fall, volunteers of all ages and abilities come together to do their part and spend a few hours making the water cleaner, the river banks safer, and the wildlife happier. The 2024 Cleanup has now passed, and group leader registration will reopen in July 2025! See the Registration Site The Annual Source to Sea Cleanup will be back in 2025 Get your gloves and trash bags ready, the goal of the Source to Sea Cleanup is to remove as much trash as possible from our waterways, riverbanks, and communities. Trash moves from land to water, from upstream to downstream, and together we can make a BIG impact in preve nting this trash from ending up in our rivers. The 28th annual Source to Sea Cleanup was held on September 27-28th, 2024 The 29th annual event will be back in September, 2025 See the Cleanup Site In 2024's Source to Sea Cleanup: Overview Get a summary of the initiative and how you can participate. Get the Basics Cleanup Site Map & Resources See our new registration platform for all the details. Get Started Trash Advocacy Learn more about how to prevent & reduce trash in our rivers. Stop Trash Sponsorship This event is held every year thanks to generous support from local sponsors. Sponsor Details Sign Up for Voluntee r Email Updates If you'd like to know when new volunteer opportunities become available, or just keep up-to-date with Connecticut River ne ws and events, sign up here and then return to this page. Overview of the Cleanup Getting Dirt y for Cleaner Rivers What began as a group of volunteers organizing to remove trash from local rivers over two decades ago has become a hugely popular annual event that brings communities together in support of clean water and healthy habitats throughout the Connecticut River watershed - in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Volunteers are organized into groups with Group Leaders coordinating details at different trash sites (Group Leader and volunteer registration is now open! ). Trash tallies are also gathered after each cleanup, contributing to Connecticut River Conservancy's long-standing database which is used to inform our work in advocacy to reduce future pollution , support river restoration , and inform the public and policy-makers of issues affecting the environment. Trash tally results throughout the watershed show that in 2024 117 groups collected over 39 tons of trash - and there'll be more next year! See our Cleanup Chronicle for more details. Get the 2024 Cleanup Chronicle 2024 Cleanup Volunteers Gallery Stay Tuned or Get in Touch Our 2024 Source to Sea Cleanup registration platform is chock full of resources. Make sure you're signed up for our email list to get updates. Want to reach out for any questions in the meantime? Contact Stacey at slennard at ctriver.org. Trash Advocacy All Year Round While the Source to Sea Cleanup is all about picking up trash in our waterways, streets, and parks – it is also part of a greater effort that includes recycling our waste, speaking up for legislative actions to reduce pollution, and advocating for producers to develop products that are less harmful for the environment. We are pleased to see that after years of advocacy by Connecticut River Conservancy and partners, a Tire EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) bill has passed in Connecticut , becoming the first of its kind in the nation. This new legislation will decrease illegal tire dumping, save municipalities money, and boost tire recycling. On the flip side, legislation does not always go as we hope, as in the case of Vermont’s bottle bill – which would add containers like water bottles, juice bottles, and wine bottles to the list of redeemables – getting vetoed in 2023. Our River Stewards regularly comment on permits and legislation to steer policy in a more river-friendly direction, and we encourage you to sign up to our state-based eblasts at ctriver.org/email to get river updates and action opportunities in your state. Most Common Items Found in Cleanups Plastic Bottles Electronics Styrofoam Tires Aluminum Cans Clothing & Footwear Nips Toys Glass Bottles Cigarette Butts Construction Items Automotive Speak Up For Cleaner Rivers All it takes is a series of small actions by lots of people to make a big impact on our rivers. Through personal power and responsibility, we can keep our rivers clean for all to enjoy. Wondering how you can make a difference? Start with a few small steps: Multiply your impact — Invite friends, family, and co-workers to join you in this effort. Speak up for your rivers — Contact your elected representatives, show them the trash problem and let them know this is an issue that is important to you and deserves their attention and legislative action. Use the power of your purchase — Tell businesses what products to make and sell; purchase only reusable items and refuse single-use plastic and foam. Lead by example — Don’t litter and properly dispose of your waste — no wish-cycling ! Get involved when there's a bill — Sign up for CRC's state-specific advocacy emails which include action alerts for when there is legislation you can directly support (or oppose!). #RiverWitness As you venture out to enjoy the great outdoors, share your river experience by using #RiverWitness and tagging @ctriverconservancy on Instagram. We’ll be on the lookout to share. Show the beauty of your favorite river spot or tributary, or use this opportunity to document the not-so-pretty side of pollution to raise awareness for the importance of conservation. Source to Sea Cleanup Sponsorship The success of the Source to Sea Cleanup reflects the partnership of individuals and businesses who do their part to help clean up our region’s waters. This community event would not be possible without the support of business leaders like you. We hope you’ll consider joining us at the sponsorship level that is right for your business. Why Sponsor? Demonstrate your commitment to the environment Increase your business exposure through generous media coverage and other promotion Provide your employees an engaging and meaningful team-building opportunity "The Source to Sea Cleanup proves to have a tremendously positive impact for our rivers and communities. The Walker Group was happy to support the initiative as a sponsor and get our own staff involved at a local cleanup event advocating for cleaner waters!" –Cheryl Elmore, The Walker Group Purchasing Manager, Community Service Lead See the Sponsorship Benefits All 2024 Sponsors If you’re ready to sign up as a sponsor, you can complete our online form. If you would prefer to discuss sponsorship and/or request a Sponsorship Benefits Package, please contact Brett Morrison, CRC’s Development Director, at 413-772-2020 ext. 218 or 802-375-4519 or bmorrison at ctriver.org . CRC’s Source to Sea Cleanup has teamed up with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup and American Rivers National River Cleanup , for cleaner waterways around the U.S. and the world. For any questions about the Source to Sea Cleanup, email us at cleanup at ctriver.org.

The Connecticut River Conservancy restores and advocates for clean water, healthy habitats, and resilient communities to support a diverse and thriving watershed. We protect, restore, and advocate for the Connecticut River Our Mission Get to Know Our Mission, Vision, & Values Upcoming Events Register to Learn & Connect Get Involved Volunteer, Participate, or Donate Connecticut River Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the Connecticut River watershed in New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. We collaborate with regional partners to restore and advocate for your rivers, and educate and engage communities. We bring people together to prevent pollution, improve habitat, and promote enjoyment of the river and its tributary streams. Join us to support healthier rivers today! Clean Water Through advocacy to prevent pollution and water quality monitoring to track data. Healthy Habitats Through dam removal, tree planting, and migratory fish programs. Resilient Communities With river recreation access, community science, & Source to Sea Cleanups. Our Mission & Programs Sign Up for River News! Sign up to get emails about river news and events. Choose Your Newsletter Latest Video: Unified Water Study 1,146 Tons of trash removed from rivers 30 Old dams & culverts removed 97,186 Trees planted in the watershed 150+ Sites annually tested for bacteria Connecticut River Conservancy Rehab of Historic Building at Greenfield HQ: Community Input Requested Funds will be used for rehabilitation projects in the First Franklin County Courthouse, a historic 1813 building occupied by CRC. From the Ridge to the River: What It Means to Be a Citizen of the Watershed Connecticut River Conservancy joined Nolumbeka Project and Western Mass Rights of Nature at Greenfield Community College Speak Up for the Connecticut River! The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is having a public comment period from January 24th – February 24th, 2025 River Stories from Around the Watershed Latest News More River News We envision a future where people and wildlife can enjoy a clean, free-flowing Connecticut River. Upcoming Events Wed, Mar 12 Policy Implications for Water in 2025 (and Beyond) / Online: LiveStream Event Learn More Mar 12, 2025, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Online: LiveStream Event Sat, Mar 15 Plunge for Adventure - All Out Adventures Fundraiser / DAR State Forest Learn more Mar 15, 2025, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM DAR State Forest, 78 Cape Street, Goshen, MA 01032, USA Come join us as four brave Connecticut River Conservancy staff members plunge into ice cold water to support All Out Adventures annual fundraiser! Sat, Mar 22 Connecticut Land Conservation Conference / Wesleyan University Learn more Mar 22, 2025, 8:00 AM – 5:15 PM Wesleyan University, 45 Wyllys Ave, Middletown, CT 06459, USA Sat, Apr 05 Connecticut River Valley Environmental Summit / Middletown Learn more Apr 05, 2025, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Middletown, 45 Wyllys Ave, Middletown, CT 06459, USA Sat, May 03 Swap Meet & Craft Show - Hartford Power Squadron / West Marine, Old Saybrook Learn more May 03, 2025, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM West Marine, Old Saybrook, 1667 Boston Post Rd, Old Saybrook, CT 06475, USA Bring the kids and have a fun time at this outdoor event hosted by the Hartford Power Squadron! Learn About: Migratory Fish Migratory fish are essential to healthy river ecosystems. The Connecticut River hosts 8 species of migratory fish that travel thousands of ocean miles and over 200 miles upriver annually. CRC's migratory fish restoration efforts include advocating for and expanding fish passage and raising awareness through community science and education. Learn More

First Franklin County Courthouse, now headquarters to the Connecticut River Conservancy in Greenfield, MA. The Greenfield Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is seeking public input on 12 projects under review to help determine which will receive funding this year. One of the projects is the First Franklin County Courthouse Rehabilitation, an application submitted by the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) as occupants of this historic building at 15 Bank Row in Greenfield. CRC’s staff and water quality monitoring lab are both housed in this building.  The CPC will meet on Thursday, February 27, at 5:30 p.m. at the John Zon Community Center specifically to collect public input on the proposals. The public may also provide feedback at any CPC meeting during the public comment period. In addition, the committee has developed an online survey to gather comments until the end of February ,  with more information on all applicants here (the survey is not exclusive to Greenfield residents).  The Connecticut River Conservancy’s application is #1 on the survey.     About the Connecticut River Conservancy’s proposal for the First Franklin County Courthouse rehabilitation:     Funds will be used for historic rehabilitation projects in the First Franklin County Courthouse, a historic 1813 building owned and occupied by CRC. The first phase includes important restoration on the building exterior, including: repairing the bell tower; restoring and waterproofing the original granite block entry stairs, repointing of brickwork on the façade and chimney; removal of crawling ivy to protect bricks and mortar, and replacing the wide-plank oak entry thresholds with modern replicas made from locally sourced white oak.    The second phase will fully renovate and daylight a 1,000 square foot room into a modern meeting room and kitchen suitable for public education events and large gatherings. This room has a separate entry and will be made accessible to other community organizations, helping meet the need for affordable indoor meeting spaces for Greenfield residents and groups. Phase 2 includes restoration of seven long-since bricked in windows and one exterior door, providing daylight and access to an outdoor area as an extension of the meeting space.      CRC takes very seriously our role as a steward of this historic property and the significance it holds in the greater community. The goal is to maintain and restore as much of the historic nature of this building as possible while creating a functional and energy efficient office building with a community meeting space that is fully ADA-accessible, affordable, and conveniently located near downtown amenities and parking. We are proud of the role CRC has played in maintaining the prominence of this building in the overall historic downtown, and we look forward to continuing that stewardship for many more years.    “CRC welcomes community support to help preserve this community treasure. Thank you for your input, and please come by to visit soon!”  says Rebecca Todd, Executive Director at the Connecticut River Conservancy.    About the Community Preservation Committee Process:     Applications were received for six affordable housing, three historical preservation, and three outdoor recreation projects, totaling $298,523 in requested funding. Over the last few months, the CPC has met with applicants to delve deeper into their proposals. All applications are available for review on the Community Preservation Committee’s page on the city website at https://greenfield-ma.gov/cpcfunding .     This year, the committee has approximately $200,000 to allocate to Community Preservation Act projects. The CPA funds were generated through the City’s participation in a state program that allows a 1 percent surcharge on property taxes to be dedicated to these priorities. A percentage of local revenues are matched by the state each year. Greenfield voters approved the program in November 2020.     Following the public input process, the Community Preservation Committee will meet on March 13 to discuss the community feedback that was received and which projects to recommend to the City Council for funding. All upcoming meetings will have a hybrid format to allow the public to join remotely via Zoom.  The public is also welcome to make their voice heard through a survey established by the CPC. Responses are due on Monday, March 3: http://bit.ly/cpcfy25 .     Those interested in learning more about the process are encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting or contact Community Development Assistant Christian LaPlante at 413-772-1548, ext. 4 or cpc@greenfield-ma.gov .    For any questions to the Connecticut River Conservancy  about the rehabilitation of the First Franklin County Courthouse Rehabilitation project, contact Sam Stegeman at 413-834-0781 and sstegeman@ctriver.org .

Connecticut River Conservancy joined Nolumbeka Project  and Western Mass Rights of Nature  at Greenfield Community College on February 7-8th, for a very insightful evening titled “From the Ridge to the River: What It Means to Be a Citizen of the Watershed." Keynote speakers included Hartman Deetz, Mashpee Wampanoag artist-activist and environmental and cultural steward, and Rebecca Todd, Executive Director at CRC, facilitated by David Brule from the Nolumbeka Project, with an introduction by Sarah Mathews and poetry read by JuPong Lin, an interdisciplinary artist-researcher, writer and educator. The full recording of the presentation is available here . On Saturday, we gathered at the same location for a rare opportunity to participate in a Full Snow Moon Gathering and Eastern Woodlands Social Dance led by the Wampanoag Nation Singers and Dancers.  Connecticut River Conservancy is proud to partner with local organizations that further conservation of the region's vital natural resources. The Nolumbeka Project envisions a Connecticut River Valley where the histories, cultures, and persistence of Northeastern Indigenous Peoples are recognized and celebrated, and where all beings are acknowledged as kin. They host annual gatherings and educational events featuring Indigenous presenters sharing their knowledge, cultures, and histories. We work to protect and preserve the land, especially the ancient multi-tribal villages of which Wissatinnewag is an integral part. Western Mass Rights of Nature is a grassroots organization in Western Massachusetts working to bring about legal and cultural changes to recognize the rights of the natural world to exist, thrive, evolve and be restored.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is having a public comment period from January 24th – February 24th, 2025. Help us advocate for a healthier Connecticut River! This recording was from February 5, 2025 and provides an opportunity to learn about, and take action towards, a new license for the Turners Falls Dam and the Northfield Mountain Pump Storage Facility. Nina Gordon-Kirsch, Connecticut River Conservancy’s (CRC) River Steward in MA, gives an overview of the hydropower relicensing process that CRC has been engaged in for over a decade, with focus on the current Massachusetts 401 Water Quality Certification process, which you can get involved in. Background: The permits for five hydropower facilities on the Connecticut River that impact 175 miles of the river are going through a relicensing process that will last for the next 30-50 years. Two of the facilities are in MA (the Turners Falls Dam and Northfield Mountain Pumped Storage Station) and are currently being examined by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) for their 401 Water Quality Certificates. This certification ensures that the operation of the hydro facilities will comply with state-level water quality standards and not adversely impact or diminish water quality and designated uses of the river. On January 24, 2025, MassDEP released their draft certificate . There is an open comment period from January 24th – February 24th, for us to weigh in on how their draft does or does not protect the Connecticut River. MassDEP is required to read every comment that is submitted and take them into consideration as they write the conditions for the new license, so this is an opportunity to have your voice heard! Additional background information can be found at ctriver.org/hydropower