The Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA)

The Nashua River in 1969 & 2020

The NRWA protects the water and land in 32 communities covering 538 square miles in north central Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. The NRWA was founded in 1969 on the belief that every individual has the power to make a difference. That belief led to local volunteers cleaning-up of one of the nation’s most polluted rivers, it is an internationally recognized success story.

Sections of the Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Rivers are now officially designated as part of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System! It took 11 towns, 2 states, and thousands of volunteer hours to do it but they got protection for 3 local rivers approved by Congress and signed into law with the National Resources Act by the President of the United States of America!

Helen and a student had the honor of playing for the historic local celebration. A soundbite of her playing was used to lead into the towns Community Media coverage of the event.

In Helen’s childhood this brown, foul smelling river was so polluted it was a dead river. Today the fish and waterfowl are back, folks kayak on it, and her Fitness Fluting Program is held on the Rail Trail that follows the river.