After months of visioning, stakeholder analysis, and deliberation, the staff and Board of Trustees at the Connecticut River Conservancy are thrilled to share the 2026-2030 strategic plan: Protecting Our Living Watershed đ
You can dive into the full plan right here:
ctriver.org/strategic-plan
A sneak peek of some of the pages are above, and we invite you to explore further, join us along the way, and reach out for whatever portion of this plan you are called to participate in most.
As with any efforts for positive change, we look forward to engaging many partners, volunteers, advocates, friends, and funders to help realize the full potential of cleaner, healthier rivers for all.
Many more details are here:
ctriver.org/strategic-plan đ
#connecticutriver #ctriver #strategicplan #newengland #northeast #watershed #cleanwater #healthyrivers
Another obsolete dam bites the dust! đđ
Happy to share that the Valley Street Dam in Springfield, VT, is officially GONE. Now if only we can have some rain to break through this drought you will see Mile Brook waters flowing free.
The video in the second frame provides an on-the-ground update from Director of Programs, Ron Rhodes, during the removal process.
CRC worked with the Mount Ascutney Regional Commission (MARC) and the Town of Springfield to remove this dam in order to improve water quality, fish passage, and flood resilience.
More details here: ctriver.org/post/valley-street-dam-removal
#ctriver #connecticutriver #damremoval #springfieldvt #cleanwater #healthyhabitat
Perspective! đ
Incredible to see how the longest river in New England, running over 400 miles, with a watershed over 11,000 square miles, and dozens of tributaries - not to mention habitats, communities, and thousands of years of history - can look so small from space yet mean so much and require decades or even lifetimes to conserve. Itâs an amazing part of the world and we can all play a role in protecting this bioregion for future generations.
Sign up for our newsletter at ctriver.org/email to stay connected with all the latest river news, including state-based action alerts and ways to volunteer and get involved đ
#ctriver #conservation #myctriver #newengland #connecticutriver #environment #volunteer
Rivers connect our communities, wildlife, and future, and on Saturday, May 16th, weâre walking to celebrate them.
Join the @fortriverwatershed , Connecticut River Conservancy, and @kestrel_land_trust for a meaningful 3-mile guided walk along a headwater tributary of the Fort River through North Amherst and Shutesbury. Along the way, weâll stop to explore local river concerns, watershed health, and why protecting clean water matters.
More information at fortriver.org/events, and don't forget your blue shirt!
Take the Watershed Community Survey to Help Inform Reporting! đ§
The Connecticut River Conservancy is seeking community input in a brief survey as part of the creation of a State of the Connecticut River Watershed Report.
Anyone who lives, works, or has experience in the Connecticut River watershed (in NH, VT, MA, or CT) is encouraged to participate.
The survey asks about your experience with local waterways, priorities and concerns related to the environment, and the kind of reporting information that would be most valuable for you.
Responses will be accepted through the end of May, 2026.Â
Survey shortlink heređ /VPrJc0
Thank you for sharing your input! đđ˝
Connecticut River watershed photos by Al Braden.
A couple of weeks ago Connecticut River Conservancy was donated a flight to document a section of the river from the air. @lighthawk_org 's mission is to accelerate conservation success through the powerful perspective of flight, using aviation to help protect ecosystems, wildlife, and natural resources across North America.
From the ground to the sky, the watershed is transforming with the seasons change. Full of beauty and life as everything begins to bloom!
Special shout out to our wonderful pilot, Kurt Fischer, for helping make this happen.
Curious how cities and communities can work with nature to manage stormwater and build resilience? Join us for CRCâs next LiveStream webinar on Green Stormwater Infrastructure!
Learn how rain gardens, green roofs, permeable pavement, and other innovative solutions are helping reduce flooding, improve water quality, and cool urban areas, in communities throughout the Connecticut River watershed.
Bring your lunch and your questions for this lunchtime conversation with local watershed experts. Register at ctriver.org/events to recieve the Zoom link!
We had a great opening reception for Migratory Moments: An Exhibition Celebrating Our Connection to Rivers, Fish, and Wildlife!
Some folks created painted migratory fish which were then paraded around the library, others joined for snacks, music, and merriment as the artwork was revealed. The exhibition of work tells stories of rivers as well as to our creativity and interconnectedness with the natural world.
Be sure to check it out at the South Hadley Public Library until the end of this month!
Join us tomorrow, Thursday, May 7 at a public reception at the South Hadley Public Library, celebrating a community art exhibition exploring our connection to rivers, wildlife, and place.
The reception will include live music by Josh Ballard and Greg Reilly, light refreshments, and informal conversations with participating artists. A brief program at approximately 5:30 PM will introduce the artists and provide an overview of fish migration and CRC's work.
This event is part of the global World Fish Migration Day series, âWe Are River People.â
Find out more at ctriver.org/events
We just released our 2023â2025 Cyanobacteria Monitoring Report!
Since beginning this program, monitoring has expanded to 13 sites across Hampshire County, helping us better understand when and where harmful algal blooms occur. So far, results show no clear long-term trends, but blooms are appearing across more locations and months, highlighting why continued monitoring matters.
Cyanobacteria blooms can pose health risks, and they donât always look or smell the way you might expect. When in doubt, itâs safest to avoid contact with affected water.
Weâll keep building this dataset in 2026 to better understand how climate, land use, and mitigation efforts shape these patterns.
Read the full report at ctriver.org/news
This year marks 350 years since the tragic events at Peskeompskut, where hundreds of Native women, children, and elders were killed during Metacomâs Resistance (King Philipâs War), a turning point in the regionâs history.
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The @nolumbekaproject is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and commemorating the Indigenous history of the Connecticut River Valley. They will be stewarding a series of events in the coming weeks in remembrance of these tragic events.
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Find out more: nolumbekaproject.org/350
Happy Earth Day to all those who celebrate! đ
This week begins a series of events with various partner organizations throughout the Connecticut River watershed. The City Nature Challenge is an annual global event where people document plants and wildlife in their local area over a few days to help scientists track biodiversity.
Check out our website for all the details and where to find an event near you: ctriver.org/event
