River Action Focus Teams

River Action Focus Teams - or "RAFTs" - are our flexible, user- friendly local river groups that allow people to use their skills, energy and interests to "do something real" to protect the Taunton River watershed - our watershed. These smaller teams are a great way to get involved by working on your tributary or in your town.

Click here for a list of current TRWA RAFTS

The opportunities for helping to restore and protect the Taunton River watershed are limited only by the skills, determination and imagination of each RAFT member. TRWA will help your Team develop a realistic action plan for your local stream, lake or pond. Here are some potential ways that your Team can help the watershed:

Shoreline Surveys
Identify "the good, the bad, the ugly" along rivers and streams, then use the information you collect to increase awareness and action.

Educational Events
Hold an event in your school, library or workplace to spread the word about the importance of the Taunton and its tributaries.

Public Access
Encourage town and city officials to improve public access to the river.

Business Sponsorships
Help strengthen TRWA's financial base and ability to fight for our watershed by encouraging
local businesses to be TRWA partners.

Nature Walks
Share your knowledge of birds or wildlife by organizing a walk along river or wetland.

Vernal Pool Certification
Certify vernal pools, the seasonal water bodies that are critical to many species. State laws protect them if they are "certified," a complex task you can learn to do.

River Mapping & Resource Assessment
Identify property owners, as well as the watershed's potentials and problems - the first steps in taking responsible action.

Membership Outreach
Help build a constituency for the river by distributing TRWA's educational material.

Water Quality Monitoring
TRWA's successful water quality monitoring project has led to the correction of pollution problems on the Taunton and its tributaries. To identify more trouble spots and suggest protective actions, we need more data. You can help collect it.

TRWA Events
Help TRWA organize and carry out fun and fundraising activities like our Nemasket River Canoe Race, Wild and Scenic River Run, Fall Archeology Canoe Trip and other annual events.

River Cleanups
Walk or canoe a stretch of river and remove as much trash and debris as you safely can. Conservation Committees and other agencies can help.

Land Acquisition
Property owners and municipalities may be eligible for tax breaks, grants and other incentives to preserve land while keeping the tax rate low. Check out the opportunities.

Television with a Purpose
If you know how to produce videos for Cable TV, TRWA can help you choose topics and provide you with solid information on watershed issues.

River Advocacy
Advocate responsible water use, conservation, land protection and development policies in your community. When the river is threatened, raise your voice at public meetings and write letters to newspapers. Educate municipal officials and boards about the need for watershed preservation.