WHO WE ARE

The Watershed Action Alliance of southeastern Massachusetts (WAA) is an environmental advocacy coalition formed in 2002 to address the pressing ecological issues from population growth which continue to impact all watersheds in our region. Its members now represent twelve watersheds, spanning 65 communities in southeastern Massachusetts.

An overarching goal of the Alliance is to promote the sustainable use of water and the implementation of smart growth policies to protect the natural environment and keep water local. If water is returned to the ground near its source, we can provide enough water to streams and rivers to sustain the native fish, plants, and other aquatic life unique to southeastern Massachusetts while accommodating projected population growth.

Where: Cape Cod Bay

The Eel River Watershed Association is a non-profit organization, incorporated in 1997 dedicated to protecting the Eel River and its wildlife. Over 100 households in the watershed are members of the Association, representing roughly 15% of the households in the watershed.

Where: Boston Harbor

The FRWA is a private non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a mission to promote, protect, restore, enhance and improve the water quality, natural resources, cultural sites and recreational opportunities of the Fore River watershed.

Where: Mass Bay

Where: Cape Cod Bay

The Jones River Watershed Association is a non-profit, member-based organization established to protect, enhance, and restore the natural resources of the watershed though advocacy, protection of sensitive riparian lands, habitat restoration, and infrastructure improvements.

We began our work in 1985 in response to the terrible impacts of water diversions out of the basin. Since that time, we have maintained an increasingly consistant level of effort to educate others and ourselves about this small coastal ecosystem and its relationship to the globally significant Gulf of Maine.

Where: Boston Harbor

NepRWA members, staff, Board of Directors, volunteers and supporters work to protect and restore the Neponset River, its tributaries and surrounding watershed lands for the benefit of present and future generations.

NepRWA accomplishes this mission through:

Environmental monitoring, science, research and planning;
Outreach and education to the general public and targeted audiences;
Demonstration projects that highlight new and existing best practices;
Political action at the local, state and federal levels;
On-the-ground cleanup, restoration and preservation projects; and
Advocacy and, when necessary, litigation.

NepRWA always strives to use a collaborative approach to carry out its mission but will employ legal action or other non-collaborative methods when necessary.

Where: Mass Bay

The North and South Rivers Watershed Association, Inc. (NSRWA) is a non-profit grassroots environmental organization located on the South Shore of Massachusetts. The NSRWA was founded in 1970 and has grown to over 1,500 members today, comprised of individuals, families, businesses, and other environmentally-concerned organizations. The membership comes primarily from the 12 towns within the watershed: Norwell, Hingham, Scituate, Marshfield, Hanover, Pembroke, Whitman, Hanson, Duxbury, Weymouth, Rockland and Abington. The NSRWA was created by a handful of river-lovers bound together by an intense devotion to the natural beauty of the area and a strong commitment to protect these natural resources for their own and future generations.

The mission of the NSRWA is to preserve, restore, maintain and conserve in their natural state, the waters and related natural resources within the watershed.

Where: Pembroke

A grassroots organization, run by dedicated volunteers, the PWA began in the Fall of 2004, and covers Furnace, Hobomock, Little Sandy Bottom, Oldham and Stetson ponds. The mission of Pembroke Ponds is to educate the public and to restore and preserve the Ponds of Pembroke for clean and safe recreational use.

To accomplish our mission we:

Monitor water quality and compile comprehensive reports
Hold an annual pond clean up day
Have a Weed Watchers program with classes given by DCR
Give boating safety courses
Partner with schools, businesses, other community groups and area watersheds
Work closely with local governmental departments and commissions
Have on-going educational outreach with general public and youth

Where: Narragansett Bay

The mission of Save The Bay is to ensure that the environmental quality of Narragansett Bay and its watershed is restored and protected from the harmful effects of human activity. Save The Bay seeks carefully planned use of the Bay and its watershed to allow the natural system to function normally and healthfully, both now and for the future.

In defense of Narragansett Bay and its watershed, Save The Bay’s actions include:

Watching over the activities and programs of government and the citizenry that degrade the environmental quality of the Bay, basin, and watershed.
Leading the community by initiating programs and activities that increase the environmental awareness and knowledge of the public.
Initiating action that will directly clean up the Bay.

Where: Plymouth

Our Ponds: Little Long Pond, Gallows Pond, Long Pond, Halfway Pond, Round Pond, & Bloody Pond.

Our mission is to educate and inform members and the public about environmental issues and other items of special concern to the residents of the Six Ponds area of Plymouth, Massachusetts.

Where: Narragansett Bay

The TRWA is a non-profit alliance of concerned individuals, businesses and organizations who are dedicated to protecting and restoring the Taunton River watershed, its tributaries, wetlands, floodplains, river corridors and wildlife.

For years, TRWA has been a voice for the river, an advocate for environmental protection, sustainable development and responsible stewardship of our precious water resources.

With a corps of dedicated volunteers, TRWA helps protect our watershed through education and awareness programs, public policy advocacy, campaigns, water quality monitoring and citizen action.

Where: Boston Harbor

The Weir River Watershed Association (WRWA) is a 501(3)c nonprofit group committed to promoting awareness and stewardship of the Weir River Watershed.

Our goals are to:

Gather data on the Watershed’s condition using monitoring programs.
Design and carry out local projects to maintain and improve the water quality, beauty, and enjoyment of the Weir River Watershed.
Report findings on the condition of the Weir River Watershed to the public, governmental committees, and other agencies.
Build a partnership of schools, community groups, businesses, and all levels of government entities who are committed to maintaining the Weir River Watershed as a necessary and beautiful resource.

Where: Narragansett Bay

Our Mission: To restore, protect, celebrate, and sustain the natural resources of the Westport River and its watershed. Our goals are:

To promote the environmental integrity of the watershed and its coastal environs.
To advocate the wise use and preservation of natural resources in the watershed for the aesthetic, recreational, and economic benefit of the citizens of the area.
To educate the general public about the interrelationship of our waters, soils, plants, animals, and people.

Acknowledgements

The Alliance thanks the Sheehan Family Foundation for its continual support over the past four years.