Connecticut River Watershed Council: About Us

Mission and History

Who We Are

Our Headquarters

Special Projects

Small Grants Program

Publications

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CRWC Mission Statement: the River connects us

The Connecticut River Watershed Council works to protect the watershed from source to sea. From alpine forests to tidal estuaries, rural farmlands to urban riverfronts, spotted salamanders to bald eagles, and mussels to salmon, the Connecticut River watershed unites a diversity of habitats, communities and resources. As stewards of this heritage, we celebrate our four-state treasure and collaborate, educate, organize, restore, and intervene to preserve the health of the whole for generations to come.

CRWC History: over a half century of achievement

For more than 50 years, the Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC) has been informing and engaging people in the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of the Connecticut River watershed. CRWC is the Connecticut River’s primary watchdog and steward “from source to sea.” Our initiatives have helped to protect threatened resources and encourage positive growth, and are as diverse as the watershed we serve. Since our founding in 1952, CRWC accomplishments include:

	Helping to restore access to spawning areas for migratory fish, such as Atlantic salmon, that have been blocked by dams for hundreds of years.

	Protecting over 8,000 acres through our Land Conservancy Program, preserving valuable wetlands, forests and farmland, river access points, and natural buffers.

	Supporting three full-time River Stewards who bring CRWC’s on-river presence to every region of the watershed, taking action and assisting community groups.

	Championing the designation of the entire watershed as a National Wildlife Refuge. CRWC's donation of Third Island in Deerfield, Massachusetts to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service led to the establishment of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge.

	Working with residents of Vermont and New Hampshire for bi-state river protection through the creation of the Connecticut River Joint Commissions.

	Intervening in the federal relicensing of hydroelectric dams to insure the River is protected.

	Publishing the definitive guide to boating on the Connecticut River.

	Developing watershed curricula for use in schools throughout the watershed.

CRWC Today

CRWC is well known and respected for its reasoned views on land use, water quality, open space preservation, natural resource protection, and watershed awareness. Our staff includes three River Stewards who provide an on-river presence to assist others and take action when threats or opportunities arise.

We build partnerships, conduct research, produce publications and initiate programs that encourage local activism and the discovery, enjoyment and love of the River and its watershed environment.

Providing information is a top priority. We sponsor public forums, publish books and newsletters, issue Alerts! when action is needed, maintain a reference library, and host this watershed Web site.

CRWC also has a small grants program to help others conduct research or create materials that will increase public understanding and enjoyment of the River and its watershed.

Click to download Currents & Eddies newsletter (.pdf)

2006 Annual Report

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Photo credits: � B.B. Greenbie. The photographic images found throughout this site are by the late Barrie Greenbie and are used by permission.

Site designed by Caroline Sinton and developed by Jesse Miner. Funded in part by a grant from the Silvio O. Conte National Fish & Wildlife Refuge.