Park Watershed
What We Do
Park Watershed supports integrative planning strategies through which municipal, state and regional agencies, projects and policy can shape a greener, more prosperous future.
Education & Outreach: Presentations about how your neighborhood, business or nonprofit organization is related to local ecosystem health. Providing informational materials to K-12 Schools along the watershed.
We partner with and consult other local non-profits and agencies on projects concerning the ecological revitalization of the watershed.
About the Watershed
A watershed is the land area that drains to one stream, lake or river, affecting the water quality in the water body that it surrounds.
Every inch of the United States is part of a watershed – in other words, all land drains into a lake, river, stream or other water body and directly affects its quality.
Because we all live on the land, we all live in a watershed — thus watershed condition is important to everyone.
Our Mission
Park Watershed Inc. is a non-profit dedicated to the revitalization and conservation of the 78 square mile watershed that the Park River and its tributaries filter through.
Located west of and connecting to the Connecticut River, this watershed encompasses the towns of West Hartford, Bloomfield, Hartford, Newington, New Britain, Farmington, Avon, Simsbury, Wethersfield and Windsor. The high urbanization of these areas make the continued preservation of the watershed vitally important to ensure natural assets, ecosystems and water quality of the region are conserved for generations to come.
By coordinating efforts across stakeholders- community members, government agencies, and educational institutions- our organization strives to safeguard the health and safety of our communities and the nature within them.
Current Priorities
We need your input!
The North Branch Watershed Plan
The North Branch Park River flows approximately 5.4 miles through portions of Bloomfield, West Hartford, and four urban neighborhoods in the City of Hartford. Four major tributaries – Beamans Brook, Wash Brook, Filley Brook, and Tumbledown Brook – drain from Bloomfield and the northern parts of West Hartford converging near the University of Hartford to form the North Branch of the Park River.
Hartford Urban Bird Treaty
The Urban Bird Treaty is a unique program through US Fish & Wildlife Service, that brings together partners from a spectrum of federal, state, municipal, non-profit, and educational organizations to create bird-friendly habitats that connect citizens to nature through birding and conservation in cities.
Get Involved
Volunteer
We welcome others to our diverse urban watershed stewardship network. Through project work, such as building rain gardens and river clean ups, we raise awareness about the benefits of green infrastructure, and demonstrate ways in which citizens can create healthy, beautiful natural places within urban areas.
Sign up to volunteer here.
Your support helps us achieve our mission and conserve this precious resource.
Past Events
Education & News
Grab our comprehensive educational guide here!
Learn How to Conserve and Revitalize the North Branch Park River.
News about the watershed communities
What’s the latest? Click to find out!