Join us for a year-long celebration of our 3 rivers! From the Wild & Scenic Film Festival and River Music event to art shows, science talks, river cleanups, and our Annual Meeting, there’s something for everyone who loves the rivers.

OARS began with a handful of passionate residents who refused to give up on their rivers.

In the 1980s, the Assabet and Concord were heavily polluted—fish were scarce, algae blooms frequent, and many stretches were unsafe for recreation. Over the next four decades, OARS volunteers, scientists, and advocates changed the course of our rivers’ story. Together, we are removing dams, monitoring water quality, educating thousands of students, and building a community devoted to keeping our 3 rivers clean, connected, and thriving.

Stay tuned as we share stories and photos from OARS’ early days and the people who started it all.

Meet the people who shaped OARS

from our early advocates and long-time volunteers to new supporters helping carry our mission forward

Have a story to share about the rivers or your connection to OARS? We’d love to hear from you.

SHARE YOUR STORY

VIEW FULL EVENTS CALENDAR

(All 40 Years 3 Rivers events, highlighted in red)

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Every purchase helps fund the science, restoration, and education that keep our rivers healthy.