Our Work

Our mission is to protect, preserve, and enhance the natural and recreational features of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord Rivers, their tributaries, and watersheds.

Education and Awareness.
OARS aims to raise awareness of the natural beauty of the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers their habitat, values and their importance to the watershed communities, as well as bring attention to the problems that affect the rivers. Learn more about OARS' education programs and visit our Events page.

Science.
To assess the health of the rivers and safety for recreation, OARS conducts various monitoring programs on the Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord rivers, and tributary streams. Learn more about OARS' monitoring programs.

As a result of OARS' leadership, a nutrient study (TMDL) and a USGS hydrologic study of the Assabet's aquifers were completed in 2004, and an Army Corps of Engineers' dam removal and sediment remediation study was completed in 2010. Go to our Technical Information pages for links to these and other reports.

Solutions.
OARS believes that working collaboratively with community members, local, state, and federal officials, and other stakeholders will result in the rivers becoming healthy enough for swimming and fishing, as required by state and federal standards. OARS works on projects and issues, including:
• Invasive species: mapping and removing invasive aquatic plants
• Stormwater: encouraging low impact development (LID) and groundwater recharge
• Water pollution: Reducing wastewater pollution, including studying the impact of pharmaceuticals on river fish
• Building understanding around the impact of dams and hydropower on the rivers
• Speaking Up: commenting on regulations, permits, projects, and policies that affect the rivers
• Initiatives: collaborating with partners on stream identification signs, educational interpretive signs, and fish stocking