2026 River Stewardship: Paddle, Pull, Protect!
Help protect local waterways by removing invasive water chestnut from the Sudbury River. Paddle with a purpose in the mornings from early June through the end of July—canoes, kayaks, and gear provided (or bring your own!). No experience needed — just a love for nature and being on the water!
This year we are working again in partnership with the Conantum neighborhood and are focused on removing water chestnut from the stretch of river between Fairhaven Bay and Heath’s Bridge (Sudbury Road).
Schedule
Volunteer days: Forthcoming
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (or arrive and stay for the hours that work for you!)
First day: Forthcoming
Last day: Forthcoming
Sign up here. (This will bring you to an interest form; when the schedule is set, the link will be updated.)
We have space for 8 volunteers max on a given day. Please add your email next to your name.
Location
We are focused on the water chestnut in the stretch of river between Fairhaven Bay and Heath’s Bridge (Sudbury Road). We are working in partnership with Conantum and launching our boats from the neighborhood at 313 Heath’s Bridge Rd. Volunteers can park their vehicles on the side of the road and walk down to the river.
Paperwork
Before joining us, please review the following documents. All participants will need to sign a waiver, which will be provided onsite.
Gear
We provide:
> Canoes and kayaks
> Personal flotation devices
> Thin gloves (beware of the sharp nuts on water chestnuts!)
Volunteers are welcome and encouraged to bring their own boats, life jackets, and gloves if preferred.
You provide:
> Clothes and shoes that can get wet and muddy (e.g., Tevas, Crocs, Chacos)
> A towel; also, a change of clothes in your car can be helpful
> Sun protection: sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and/or a light long sleeve (there’s little to no shade on the river)
> Water & a snack as needed. (no restrooms on site)
About the Program
The River Stewardship Program is aimed at managing invasive water chestnut, specifically from the Sudbury River. The program generally runs from early June through early August. Several days a week in the morning, volunteers are on the river in canoes and kayaks removing water chestnut plants and composting them at a designated upland site near the shore but out of the floodplain. The Land Trust provides all of the equipment or volunteers are welcome to bring their own watercraft and/or personal flotation device (PFD) to wear. The program has averaged the removal of about 750 bushels a season from the river along the Bigelow Woods property and 100 additional bushels from Fairhaven Bay by the Town of Concord and nearby residents.
