Strategic Plan
The Connecticut River watershed is more than an ecological boundary, it is our home.
The health of our watershed is inseparable from the health of the ecosystems, communities, and wildlife that depend on it. With this understanding at the heart of our work, the Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC) is excited to share the Strategic Plan for Protecting Our Living Watershed. This plan lays out a bold path forward—strengthening our ability to restore vital habitats, advocate for clean water, and build powerful partnerships across the region. It marks a new chapter for CRC, one focused on expanding our impact and deepening our commitment to a thriving, resilient watershed for all.
Below is an interactive version of the Connecticut River Conservancy's strategic plan. You can click on the bracketed square on the lower right to expand, read, and zoom in. There is also a PDF link below.
Our Path to Impact Over the Next Five Years
Through meaningful partnerships and science-based restoration, advocacy, and community connection, CRC will prioritize the following four goals for a living watershed.
Goal 1: Promote the adoption of a shared agenda for protecting and restoring the watershed
Mobilizing resources at scale across the watershed will require a dual approach of deep listening and making common cause with a range of stakeholders. CRC will expand engagement with decision-makers—including federal, state, tribal, and local government officials—by fostering a shared vision for a healthy, living watershed.
At the same time, we will connect with local communities and the public by recognizing the needs of the people we serve. We will continue to elevate the importance of the Connecticut River, its tributaries, and the ecological, economic, and community value they deliver. See the full plan
above for key activities.
Goal 2: Improve the ecological health of the riparian and aquatic habitats of the watershed
The Connecticut River watershed has abundant forests, rivers, wildlife, and spaces to enjoy the outdoors. However, the combined challenges of accumulating pollutants, outdated infrastructure, increased development, severe weather events, and threats to biodiversity mean there is work to do to ensure the future ecological health of the bioregion.
Building upon CRC’s prior restoration successes and staff expertise, we will continue to focus on improving the ecological condition of riparian and aquatic areas. These efforts seek to mitigate human impacts and to enhance life on, in, and near the river for people and nature. See the full plan above for key activities.
Goal 3: Deliver CRC’s full mix of strategies across the entirety of the watershed
In order to support a living watershed we must reconcile the gaps in availability of programmatic initiatives and the diversity of needs across different watershed communities. The regional distribution of CRC's programs has been historically uneven due to a range of circumstances including funding limitations, staff capacity challenges, inconsistent regulatory and permitting processes, and partnership priorities.
We recognize the opportunity to deepen and better coordinate restoration, science, advocacy, and communications to develop greater impact across the watershed. Strengthening and expanding localized and equity-centered partnerships
will play a key role in advancing this effort. See the
full plan above for key activities.
Goal 4: Build a strong foundation for growth
The Connecticut River Conservancy has evolved rapidly in recent years, with the welcoming of a new Executive Director, expansion of the Board of Trustees, addition of highly experienced staff across all departments, and renovations to our 1813 headquarters building.
These changes have improved both human and operational capacity, which help continue the trajectory of growth needed to achieve our desired impact in the watershed. Our people are CRC’s greatest asset and what make this organization thrive. This strategic plan is intended to support the continued growth of CRC’s people, places, and programs. See the full plan above for key activities.
Support a Cleaner, Healthier Connecticut River
The work of the Connecticut River Conservancy and our many regional partners is vital and ongoing. From removing obsolete dams and invasive species to advocating for better policies and testing water quality, we take a watershed-wide approach to just about everything we do. Your support makes this possible! Make a contribution today to support the goals in this strategic plan.
CRC's Strategic Planning Committee​
​
The Connecticut River Conservancy's strategic plan was developed as part of a comprehensive process including watershed community research, stakeholder surveys, and a strategic planning committee including the following staff (•), Board of Trustees («), and consultants (~) in alphabetical order by first name.
​
Amara Cunningham •
Ansel Appleton •
Brett Morrison •
Bob Sproull «
Candace Damon «
Chris Riffenburg •
David Williamson ~
Diana Chaplin •
Kate Buckman •
Kathy Urffer •
Lindsay Clarke ~
Rebecca Todd •
Ron Rhodes •
Stephen Gephard «
​
Consulting by Bernuth & Williamson.
​Strategic plan design & editing by Diana Chaplin.​​
​
Additional resources:
​
​