In 2025, the Neponset community made major progress toward a cleaner, safer, and more connected Watershed.
From advances at the Lower Neponset River Superfund Site to new Greenway trail connections and deeper neighborhood engagement, communities across the Neponset Watershed moved important work forward.
This progress reflects the power of community leadership, collaboration, and sustained advocacy — made possible by the commitment of members, volunteers, municipal partners, and supporters who showed up, spoke up, and invested their time and resources throughout the year. Thank you.
Here’s a snapshot of highlights from across the Watershed.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation
Secured a Massachusetts Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program grant to continue the Resilient Neponset Project through June 2027, adding extreme heat data, supporting a Community Action Team and Liaisons, and providing technical assistance to municipal staff.Completed Phase 2 of the MVP Resilient Neponset Project, enhancing the watershed-wide flood model and identifying sites for nature-based strategies to reduce climate-driven flooding. Photo credit: Boston Globe.Collaborated with flood model consultants and the Estuary Community Advisory Group to combine technical analysis and community insights and assess how salt marshes may affect future flood risk.Worked with Dedham, Stoughton, Canton, Westwood, Norwood, and Foxborough, along with Weston & Sampson Engineering, to explore nature-based solutions identified through the Neponset Watershed flood model.Participated in a statewide climate resilience working group focused on managed retreat from flood-prone areas.Worked with the Town of Stoughtonon climate resilience priorities through the MVP program, evaluating culverts for upgrades to handle heavier rain.Conducted site visits to assess areas identified by the Neponset Watershed flood model and help develop concept designs for future grant funding. Supported Boston’s MVP flood impact study by sharing surveys and hosting a public meeting with Mattapan residents to discuss local insights and concerns.Expanded the Neponset Water Conservation Programto help towns protect streams, reduce climate emissions, and save money for residents and businesses.
Water Quality and Habitat
Released our 5th annual Water Quality Report Card at the Martini Shell in Hyde Park, highlighting areas for improvement to support safe recreation.Continued efforts to reduce stormwater pollution across the Watershed through the Neponset Stormwater Partnership (NSP), involving 13 cities and towns.Wrapped up our Embrace-A-Stream projectwith Greater Boston Trout Unlimited, featuring a new website, stream monitoring, and a middle school pilot program.Completed the 2025 Community Water Monitoring Network (CWMN) water quality analysis using six months of data from 41 volunteer-monitored sites and 10 additional sites monitored by X-Cel Conservation Corp students.Shared the Neponset Watershed’s annual water quality findings in a public presentation with a guest speaker from X-Cel. (Video here.)Added chlorophyll monitoring to multiple Watershed ponds to track and study nutrient pollution and algae growth.Met with Neponset conservation committees on watershed issues, including human/beaver conflicts and stormwater control. (Video here.)Partnered with Mass Wildlife and Greater Boston Trout Unlimited to use electrofishing to survey brook trout and monitor stream health in Traphole Brook, Norwood.Worked with MassDCR to band and monitor saltmarsh sparrows to assess their health.
Continued advocacy for the EPA Lower Neponset River Superfund Site, including lobbying elected officials, improving state and federal agency communication, and participating with the Lower Neponset Superfund Community Advisory Group. Continued partnering with the Sharon Lake Management Advisory Committee on a sustainable management plan and phosphorus reduction for Lake Massapoag.Secured a $5,000 grant toward the cost of a new climbing structure in Doyle Park, enhancing recreational opportunities for the community.Marked the long-awaited start of construction upgrades on Edgewater Drive in Mattapan to improve Neponset River access.Supported the nature-inspired redesign of Kennedy Playground in Mattapan, adding play and exercise spaces.Continued to advocate with MassDCR to improve riverfront access and trail investments in Hyde Park and Mattapan. (See MassDCR’s press release.)Participated in discussions about a Truman Parkway “road diet” to improve walking and biking safety, alongside a proposed Neponset River Greenway Trail extension from Mattapan Square to Fowl Meadow.
Education and Community Engagement
Reached over 3,000 fifth graders in the Watershed to teach about water conservation, stormwater, and climate.Hosted two Boston Public School Green Team workshops, connecting local youth to the Neponset River through hands-on learning.Hosted annual spring and fall cleanups across the Neponset, engaging hundreds of volunteers from Walpole to Dorchester.Led four corporate volunteer groups (120+ volunteers) in cleanups and Greenway and riverfront improvement projects in Boston, Quincy, and Norwood.Supported volunteer trail maintenance and waterfront projects, including trail clearing in Milton, Canton Fall Trail Maintenance Day, and the Norwood Tiot Trail project.
Collaborated with the Neponset River Lab at Boston College on an interactive digital history of the Neponset River.Worked with local artists to complete mural renovationsalong the Greenway Trail, refreshing public art and enhancing the trail experience.Supported 800+ participantsat community events, including the Fairmount Greenway Bike Ride, Juneteenth Joy, Mattapan on Wheels, and the National Youth Bike Summit.Hosted multiple large-scale events drawing 2,000+ people to the Neponset, including King Tides, Neponset Day, and the Pumpkin Parade.Led a tour of the Neponset Estuary for Quincy residents.
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