WATERSHED RESOURCES AND LINKS

The Charles River Commonwealth Avenue to Cutler Park Protection Group

Welcome! If you are interested in the preservation of the Charles River in the Newton-Dedham area, using this section of river and its surroundings for recreation, or just finding out more about the Charles River, these are your web pages.

First a word about the Stream Team, informally known as the 'NoNasties.' The Stream Team is an independant 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  Through the Massachusetts Riverways Adopt-A-Stream Program, we have become official stewards of the Charles River in Dedham, Needham, Newton, Weston, and Wellesley, Massachusetts. The NoNasties (named after the Norumbega to Nahanton Areas) was formed in 1997 by several local volunteers interested in preserving and protecting the Charles River.

Below you will find information and resources for the Charles River and your Stream Team, the NoNasties.

Mission Statement and Action Plan

Our mission is to protect, enhance, promote and enable public access to the natural beauty, ecological diversity, and biological health existing in the Cutler Park to Commonwealth Avenue segment of the Charles River.

We have established an action plan to achieve our mission and address issues of water quality, habitat protection, recreation, education and outreach, and aesthetics.  Please click here to read the team action plan.   

Description of the NoNasties Section of the Charles River 

Our section of the Charles River meanders between the towns of Dedham, West Roxbury, Needham, Wellesley, and Newton in Eastern Massachusetts.  Click here to view a USGS topographic map of our section of the river.

Photographs and Related Facts About This Area

The Charles River is an oasis in the suburban sprawl and winding highways west of Boston.  The banks of much of the Charles in this area are owned by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, managed by the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC). These photographs show how development and the river environment can coexist, in large part because of land purchases for conservation and recreation by the state early this century.   To view photos, click here.

Meetings

Meetings of the Stream Team are held monthly.  They are normally held on the second Wednesday of each month, 6:30 PM, at various locations.

Agenda items include:

• Minutes of Previous Meeting;
• Progress of issues in order of listing in this Action Plan; and
• New issues.

For More Information

If you are interested in attending a meeting, joining the 'NoNasties' Stream Team or would like more information, please contact Damon Carter at dc@ltx.com.