About the Black River Action Team

The Black River Action Team began in 2000 as an idea turned
reality. The concept that “someone ought to do something” became
energized into action by the realization that everyone is a
“someone.” Since that first cleanup of the Black River’s banks and
bed by three volunteers, the BRAT has grown to include more than
seventy-five “someones” of all ages, working around the watershed.
With the support of the CT River Watershed Council as its umbrella
organization, the BRAT continues this annual tradition of rolling
up sleeves to get down & dirty in order to clean up the Black River
and its tributaries.

The BRAT’s foundation has always been one of active, creative
partnerships and common-sense stewardship – working together to
achieve and maintain a thriving river ecosystem is a win-win
situation. Where others see “problems” the BRAT sees opportunity:
an opportunity to learn more about how a river system works, to
network with other organizations working on similar scenarios, to
partner with communities and landowners on finding a practical
solution and consensus – an opportunity to get the job done.

Over the years, the BRAT has built partnerships with various
organizations to accomplish terrific things:

~ planting trees with the Army Corps of Engineers and local
grade-schoolers

~ helping Springfield Girl Scouts earn the EPA’s WaterDrop Patch

~ collaborating with the Southern Windsor County Regional Planning
Commission on a brochure about the watershed, and participating in
a Stream Geomorphic Assessment during 2006/2007

~ hauling trash out of the river and its tributaries during an
annual event called RiverSweep

~ coordinating with the CT River Joint Commissions on the First
Annual VT Clean Water Day Paddle event, hopefully the first of many
recreational adventures to come

~ obtaining a Partnership Program grant from the CT River Joint
Commissions to conduct the first-ever Visual Assessment of the
river in 2005

Developing relationships with landowners and other organizations in
the communities of the watershed is the foundation of the Black
River Action Team. A vision of a thriving river ecosystem with a
strong sense of community and a healthy economy is something
everyone can share and celebrate.