This is a very special year.  On October 2, 1968, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. This year we celebrate it's 50th anniversary. Thanks to the Wild and Scenic Act, the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers have been protected for future generations.  Join the celebration this year. Save these dates and look for more information soon!

On October 14th, from 2-5 pm, join a grand celebration at Minute Man National Historical Park and the Old Manse.  We will celebrate "Conservation in Action" with special explorations, raffles and refreshments, followed by a ceremony and remarks by distinguished guests.  Check it out.

Held in partnership with:

The Trustees, Minute Man National Historical Park, Sudbury Valley Trustees, OARS and the River Stewardship Council

Other events this year included:

Unveiling of Partnership Rivers Film, OARS Film Festival - March 28th
Patriots Day Parade participation - April 16th
Musketaquid Earth Day Celebration - April 28th
Riverfest - June 16 & 17th 
Michael Goodwin Speaks at the Old Manse, Summer Conversation Series

Did you know that the original conservation plan, drafted as a guiding document for collaborating on river conservation work, is now 20 years old? Drafted in 1995, this document has served the Wild and Scenic River well for over 20 years. Now, the Council is working to update it. A draft will be available for comment this July! Check back here for more, or contact Sarah at for more information.

Check out the original plan here.

As part of this year's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Act, you have the opportunity to share your images of the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River in our online photo contest!

Submit images to the SuAsCo photo contest and celebrate 50 years of Wild and Scenic River protection! Share your moments and experiences with others, and be entered to win 50th anniversary prizes.

Entering is simple.  Upload photos to Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using the #mysuasco hashtag, and follow and tag one of these three accounts:

On Facebook:  @SuascoRSCRiverfest
Instagram:  @Mass_DEP
Twitter:  @MassDEP

If you know of a person or group who lives or works in the SuAsCo River watershed who is doing a project that will inspire children, families, and town and school leaders to protect and preserve our wild and scenic rivers? Is there an inspiring project or creative program that protects the beauty and health of our rivers or is dedicated to building an environmental legacy for future generations?  

The River Stewardship Award honors unsung heroes within the river communities who are doing their part to promote, preserve and protect the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic Rivers today, and for future generations. 

The award is given jointly by the River Stewardship Council and the League of Women Voters at the annual Riverfest event.

Attached is a list of past winners so you can see the breadth of projects that have been awarded.

The Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River Stewardship Council and The Old Manse celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the passage of the Wild and Scenic Rivers act with a discussion about teaching and learning on the Concord River lead by Michael Goodwin. Congress designated 29 miles of the Concord, Sudbury and Assabet Rivers as Wild and Scenic in 1999, noting the Concord River’s significance for both literature and history. Goodwin shared his experience developing the “Rivers and Revolutions” program at Concord Carlisle High School and led attendees in a discussion about how close investigation of the river helps us think deeply about both teaching and learning. Through the discussion we considered how the river helps us understand ourselves and our communities, the ability of the river to offer important lessons in multiple subject areas, and how experiences outside the classrooms bring about new discoveries about the past and present.

WHERE:  269 Monument Street, Concord, MA. Parking available on-site.

WHEN: Saturday, August 18, 2018 3-4pm

HOW:   Free and open to the public. No registration necessary. In case of inclement weather, please call The Old Manse at 978-369-3909 for updates. For more information, visit: https://bit.ly/2AAIKx2 or www.facebook.com/theoldmanseconcord/events

The Sudbury River Recreation Guide is a guide to the outstanding resources along 15 miles of the Sudbury River. It highlights natural features, ecological areas, historical sites and places described in literature, all of which help to tell the rich story of the Sudbury River. On the Trail you will pass through the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and its wide wetland floodplains which are habitat for many waterfowl. Near Heard Pond you will see Indian Point which once hosted the annual summer encampment of the Nipmucks and in Fairhaven Bay you will travel by the sites seen and written about by Henry David Thoreau. These sites, and many others, are described in the commentary on the Trail.

“A more lovely stream than this,” Nathaniel Hawthorne said of the Assabet River, “has never flowed on earth, except to lave the interior regions of the poet’s imagination.” Glimpses of the region’s early industrial past dot the remote sections with plentiful wildlife. In 1999, the last four miles of the Assabet were designated under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers program.  The Assabet River begins in Westborough, flowing north for 31 miles [through Northborough, Marlborough, Berlin, Hudson, Stow, Maynard and Acton] until it joins the Sudbury River in Concord to form the Concord River, which flows north to join the Merrimack River in Lowell. The river is home to abundant wildlife, including bald eagles, great blue herons, river otters, painted turtles, largemouth bass and many other species of fish. The Assabet offers easy and interesting paddles for the beginning boater. There is also some whitewater in the spring, several dams, and limited water depth in the upper sections during the summer.  We especially recommend the three trips shown in purple on the map.

The Concord River Boater's Trail is a guide to the outstanding resources along 10 miles of the Concord River. It highlights natural features, ecological areas, historical sites and places described in literature, all of which help to tell the rich story of the Concord River. On the Trail you will pass through the Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge and its wide wetland floodplains which are habitat for many waterfowl.

Use this guide to pick an adventure that’s suitable for the whole family on the Wild and Scenic Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers. The map shows 21 locations with descriptions including trails, suitability for baby strollers, dog restrictions, nearby activities, and more.

The Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River Stewardship Council announces the availability of Wild and Scenic River Community Grants. Recognizing the important role towns and local groups play in the protection of river resources,the grants are intended to advance projects supporting and enhancing the protection and enjoyment of the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Wild and Scenic River and its outstanding resources.  

This year's funds have been distributed but please be in touch this coming fall about project ideas.

Interested groups are encouraged to be in touch with Sarah Bursky or Anne Slugg to discuss!