Fifty Five Years of River Protection Leads to a New Home
NSRWA Announces Five-Year, Four-Phase Plan to Create a River Center on the North River
Fifty Five years ago, a small group of local conservationists gathered on a back porch, united by a shared conviction that the North and South Rivers—two of the South Shore’s most vital natural resources—deserved protection. From that grassroots beginning, the North and South Rivers Watershed Association (NSRWA) was born.
Over the past five decades, NSRWA has grown into a respected regional environmental leader. The organization has successfully advocated for state and federal protections for rivers, challenged illegal discharges, restored habitat, expanded public access, and educated generations of residents about the ecological and recreational value of their waterways.
Today, at this milestone moment, NSRWA is taking the next bold step in its mission.
The organization has launched an ambitious four-year, four-phase plan to establish a permanent River Center with direct access to the North River—a place that will anchor the Association’s work for decades to come and serve as a regional hub for environmental education, stewardship, recreation, and sustainability on the South Shore.
“This project represents the natural evolution of fifty years of advocacy and action,” said NSRWA Executive Director Samantha Woods “A permanent River Center will allow us to deepen our impact, welcome the public to the river’s edge, and inspire the next generation of river stewards.”
The Four Phases of the River Center Plan
Phase I – Completed (December 2025)
NSRWA successfully closed on a property in Pembroke with direct access to the North River, securing a long-sought physical presence on the water itself.
Phase II – 2026–2027
The Association will pursue permitting and construct a boardwalk and dock, creating safe, sustainable access to the river for education, monitoring, and public engagement.
Phase III – 2028
Redevelopment of the property will begin to establish NSRWA’s new headquarters, designed with a strong emphasis on environmental education, sustainability, and public awareness.
Phase IV – 2029
Completion of redevelopment and the official opening of the River Center to the public, marking a transformative new chapter in NSRWA’s history.
A Home for the Next Fifty+ Years
The River Center will provide a permanent home for NSRWA’s programs and staff, expand educational offerings for schools and the community, strengthen scientific monitoring and conservation efforts, and reconnect people to the rivers that define the region’s natural heritage.
As NSRWA celebrates fifty five years of protecting the North and South Rivers, this initiative ensures that the work begun on a back porch half a century ago will continue—stronger, more visible, and more impactful than ever.
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