Connecticut River Conservancy

The River Makes the Valley

The Connecticut River is at the heart of our region—our businesses, farmlands, and communities all depend on keeping the river clean, healthy, and vibrant.

Centuries of farming, fishing, and industry have put the river at risk. For more than 65 years, Connecticut River Conservancy (formerly the Connecticut River Watershed Council) has worked to restore and protect this vital resource as the rich, powerful, and beautiful force it has always been in the Valley and in our lives.

We work on the ground in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire to ensure clean water for all of our communities. We’ve made great progress—but there is still much more to do.

Please help us work toward a healthier river and stronger Valley for all.

Your Gift Makes a Difference

Your donation helps ensure we leave a beautiful, safe, and healthy river for future generations.

Your support helps us:

🎣 Improve recreational opportunities for fishing, boating, kayaking, paddling, and swimming

🌳 Restore riverbanks and plant native trees

🐟 Remove dams to improve fish passage, water quality, and wildlife habitat

⚖️ Take on major polluters and advocate for stronger protections

🧤 Engage thousands of volunteers in cleaning up rivers each fall through our annual Source to Sea Cleanup

📍 Protect the entire Connecticut River watershed—all 410 miles of the mainstem river and its 148 tributaries, from the Canadian border to Long Island Sound

Thank you for making a generous donation today. The Connecticut River needs more friends like you.

Who We Are

Protecting the Connecticut River Since 1952

The Connecticut River and its tributaries are the lifeblood of our region. CRC works to protect and restore the entire watershed for the benefit of people and wildlife.

Today, our work includes:

⚡ Improving river flows, recreation, and fish passage through the FERC relicensing of Wilder, Bellows Falls, and Vernon Dams

🚜 Working with farmers to protect farmland and reduce runoff into rivers

🌿 Restoring riverbanks through native tree planting

🛶 Enhancing access for fishing, boating, paddling, and swimming

🐠 Removing obsolete dams to reconnect rivers and restore habitat

🗑️ Removing tons of debris through our annual Source to Sea Cleanup

We’ve made meaningful progress, but there is still much more to accomplish.

With your support, we can continue protecting clean water, restoring healthy habitats, and building resilient communities throughout the Connecticut River watershed.

Thank you for supporting this work.

photo credit: Michael Tessier