Taunton River Stewardship Council

Stewards of the Wild & Scenic Taunton River

Image Credit: Wildlands Trust
 

Welcome!

The Taunton River is a hidden treasure, rich in history and environmental resources. As one of the most diverse and intact coastal riverine ecosystems in all of southern New England, it provides outstanding wildlife habitat, great scenic beauty, and a multitude of recreational opportunities, from camping and canoeing to snowshoeing and bird watching.

To learn more about the Taunton River and the Stewardship Council, please visit any of the the drop-down menus above.

News and Events

Landscape Conservation Project Awarded:
The Healey-Driscoll Administration awarded $1.25 Million to the town of Middleborough and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) for the Fort Hill Conservation Project. This project will protect 278 acres that extend protection to 2.25 miles of the Taunton River in Middleborough. In addition to conserving important agricultural lands, mitigating future... Continue reading

Council Openings
We currently have two Council Member openings in the communities of Fall River and Raynham. We welcome interested parties to contact Gloria Bancroft at director@savethetaunton.org. Continue reading

National Park Foundation Grant Awarded
The NRTB, in partnership with the Town of Bridgewater, the MA Dept. of Corrections, the Taunton River Stewardship Council, and others, was awarded a National Park Foundation grant to construct a 1.8-mile, natural surface pedestrian trail along the banks of the Wild and Scenic Taunton River and other land. The... Continue reading

High St Dam Removal
Bridgewater’s High Street Dam, which stood across the Town River for more than 100 years, has been removed. The removal of the 12.5-foot-high, 80-foot-wide hazardous dam opens 10 miles of river to migratory fish. Further upstream, the upcoming replacement of the High Street Bridge will reduce flooding by better accommodating... Continue reading

The Taunton Wild and Scenic River

The Taunton River travels through 10 communities for approximately 40 miles from the confluence of the Town and Matfield Rivers to the confluence of Mt. Hope Bay.

For over two decades, local citizens, planners, conservation groups, and other partners worked to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Taunton River. It is their efforts, through local planning, stewardship, and advocacy, that helped the Taunton achieve federal Wild and Scenic recognition.

In 2009, President Obama signed federal legislation designating the entire mainstem of the Taunton River as a component of the National Wild and Scenic River System to be administered by the National Park Service through a locally-based partnership, the Taunton River Stewardship Council. 

Please explore this website to learn more about the Taunton and what it means to be a Wild and Scenic River.