The Neponset
River Watershed is more than just water. Don't forget the 129
square miles of land that drain into the Neponset River.
While
we are one of the state’s
more heavily populated watersheds, with 330,000 residents,
the Neponset Watershed contains many areas of open space permanently protected
by state, local, private and federal agencies, providing
watershed residents with innumerable recreational adventures
and opportunities to explore their watershed. Beyond their role as a unique recreational asset, these
protected lands -- and the many more acres of land that are
unprotected yet undeveloped -- offer a diversity of
flora and fauna. In fact, during one Neponset event -- the volunteer-based Biodiversity Days, 962 “visible”
species were observed in just one watershed town!
Open space
is critical for enabling rainwater to filter
into the
ground and recharge underground aquifers in the Neponset
Watershed. Likewise, these undeveloped areas provide needed
shelter and food to Neponset wildlife and an area to grow
for Neponset plants and fungi.
Click
on the buttons at the top left of the page to learn about
open spaces in the Watershed.
Learn
about species spotted in
open spaces around the Neponset River Watershed. Add your
own sightings!
