A safer, more beautiful and healthy Neponset River Watershed results from the efforts of thousands of individuals, families, volunteers, businesses, and government departments – including everything that each of us does at home!

We help the environment every time we each make an effort to recycle more, conserve more water and electricity, plant the yard with native, drought-tolerant plants, regularly maintain our septic systems, and reduce our use of harsh chemicals in and around our homes.

Click the links below to learn more about making a positive difference in your environment.

Always Bag or Compost Yard Waste

Leaves and grass clippings that are dumped, raked, or left near waterbodies are bad for the environment.

Create a Water Efficient Lawn

Summertime lawn watering uses almost 50% more water than indoor winter usage, and depletes the groundwater that sustains local streams and ecosystems.

Build a Rain Garden

Build a rain garden in your yard to catch the water running off your driveway, sidewalks, street & lawn, and to filter out its pollutants.

Build a Backyard Habitat

Design your yard to support local, native biodiversity, to feed and shelter small wildlife, and to enjoy nature, close-up, year-round.

Take Care of Your Septic System

Leaking and poorly maintained septic systems release nutrients and pathogens (bacteria and viruses) that can be picked up by stormwater and discharged into nearby waterways.

Live with Wildlife

Every year, the lives of many young wild creatures are disturbed by people who take young animals from the wild in a well-intentioned attempt to “save” them.Learn what to do, and what not to do, to help wildlife in your area.