FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 1/28/2014

Greenfield, MA – The Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRC) today launched three new river restoration projects in New Hampshire and Vermont via the website CleanWaterFuture.org – which allows individuals, businesses and organizations to help fund conservation projects that improve water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, erosion control, river access and more.

The projects are located in Woodstock (VT), Stratford (NH) and one that includes numerous locations throughout the greater Upper Valley. The Woodstock, VT project will remove invasive plants and restore streamside buffers (vegetated areas along waterways) at sites damaged during flooding from Tropical Storm Irene. The Stratford, NH project will stabilize a recreation trail and improve habitat for wild, native Brook trout. The third project will help control invasive aquatic species, such as water chestnut, throughout the Upper Valley.

“Our goal is to give communities the opportunity to support on-the-ground conservation projects,” says CRC Executive Director, Andy Fisk. “These projects are small but will result in meaningful improvements in water quality, habitat and the overall health of the Connecticut River watershed.” The Clean Water Future website is administered by CRC.

Those interested in contributing to these river conservation projects can visit www.CleanWaterFuture.org to donate money to projects of your choosing at any giving level that suits you. The average donation from individuals is $35, with larger organizations investing as much as $1,000 in various projects. CRC River Steward Ron Rhodes of Pomfret, VT notes: “Everybody who swims, paddles, fishes or just enjoys the beauty of our rivers will benefit from investing in these projects.” The website has helped raised more than $55,000 for 17 projects throughout the Connecticut River watershed since 2012.

Donations from individuals, businesses and organizations are made by credit card through the CleanWaterFuture.org website, or can be made by check directly to the Connecticut River Watershed Council, 15 Bank Row, Greenfield, MA 01301. The fundraising window for this round of projects will close after 90 days. Implementation of the projects will occur during the summer of 2014.

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CONTACT:

Ron Rhodes, North Country River Steward, 802-457-6114, rrhodes@ctriver.org

Andy Fisk, Executive Director, 413-772-2020 x208, afisk@ctriver.org

ctriver.org