Farmington River Watershed Association

RESEARCH THAT ESTABLISHES A COMPREHENSIVE SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING OF WATERSHED FUNCTIONS AND HEALTH. Our research and mapping projects assist planners, policymakers, watershed residents and river users. Research includes ongoing water quality monitoring to provide information that complements the work of other agencies. It also builds up a long-term record that could show how the river responds to changes in the watershed. Research also includes hands-on stewardship such as fish habitat restoration, reduction of storm water runoff, and re-vegetating streambanks with native plants.

Advocacy in support of the Wild & Scenic designation on 14 miles of the upper Farmington River, including for sound management of water quality and quantity, for riverbank and riparian buffer protection, in town land use proceedings, and through participation in the Farmington River Coordinating Committee. AS PART OF THE LEGISLATION TO PROTECT THIS SEGMENT, THE UPPER FARMINGTON RIVER COORDINATING committee WAS CREATED TO COORDINATE THE MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES OF THE PRIVATE TOWN, STATE, AND FEDERAL GROUPS PROTECTING THIS SEGMENT OF THE RIVER TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY AND INFORMATION SHARING.

EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC, GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS COMMUNITIES ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF A HEALTHY RIVER SYSTEM AND OUR COLLECTIVE ROLE IN ITS PROTECTION. Education activities include free online lesson plans for schools, river guides and newsletters, canoe trips, river cleanups, field trips and outdoor lessons for student groups, community workshops on residential water conservation, and public presentations on best practices for watershed management.