Our Work
Hero Image Photo Credit: Richard Bird
What We Do
OARS works with our watershed communities, local, state, and federal agencies, and other stakeholders through collaboration, partnership, and advocacy to make the rivers healthy enough for swimming and fishing, as state and federal standards require. OARS is a member of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Wild & Scenic River Stewardship Council, the SuAsCo Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA), the Merrimack Restoration Partnership, and Mass Rivers Alliance, among others, and facilitates the SuAsCo Climate Resiliency Coalition.
How We Do It
Understand the causes of river impairments through rigorous water quality sampling and data analysis to identify durable solutions. Data are collected by trained community scientists and analyzed, reported, and shared with the public by the OARS team.
Identify and invest in nature-based solutions and natural green infrastructure to reduce pollution, restore natural hydrology, and create free-flowing conditions. These efforts will provide clean and cool water for humans and wildlife, reduce damage from droughts and floods, and build resilience to climate change by treating stormwater runoff before it enters the SuAsCo Rivers and watershed.
Advocate for stronger and more effective policies, laws, regulations, and permits to improve the water quality and resilience of the SuAsCo watershed ecosystem based on science and stakeholder engagement. Make the rivers healthy enough for swimming and fishing, as state and federal standards require under the Clean Water Act.
Offer educational programs, lectures, workshops, and community events for kids and adults to raise awareness of the natural beauty and diversity of the rivers and the causes and solutions to pollution.
Encourage recreational use of the rivers and their shorelines by providing maps, signage, access, and recreational events open to all. Manage invasive aquatic plants and support other stewardship efforts to keep the rivers clear and open for recreation.
Solutions
We believe working collaboratively with community members, local, state and federal officials, and other stakeholders will make the rivers healthy enough for swimming and fishing, as state and federal standards require.
Thank you for helping keep the waters clean and the ecosystems intact along the Assabet!
Intel Employee, Fall 2023
Thank you for what you all do for our local Rivers and waterways, which are such an amazingly beautiful part of our area. Your continued efforts are much appreciated; thank you.
Jennifer Johnston, represented artist and proprietor, Three Stones Gallery, Concord
The Concord, Assabet, and Sudbury rivers are treasures for local recreation and storied settings for Massachusetts history. The dedicated team at OARS does the hard work of keeping these rivers beautiful and clean.
State Senator Mike Barrett
OARS does critical work to understand long-term trends in the condition of our rivers and their tributaries. Working with volunteers, OARS collects sound scientific information that is essential to our municipalities and state agencies for determining resource management needs and methods, infrastructure investments, and permit limits. I'm proud to have earmarked funds annually in the state budget for this important work.
State Representative Kate Hogan, Stow
News & Events
Your source for the latest OARS news about the SuAsCo rivers, including the latest Otter News stories, press releases, events, and more
READ OUR NEWS & UPDATESResource Library
Documents, reports, studies, and data sources to support your knowledge
VIEW RESOURCE LIBRARYVolunteer
Opportunities for YOU to get involved through public outreach, volunteer-based water quality monitoring, Weed Warrior training, invasive water chestnut removal events, our annual River Clean-up, and numerous other opportunities
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Help ensure the health and resilience of our three Rivers for future generations by giving a today, work depends on you!
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