SuAsCo Climate Resiliency Coalition

Photo: Parterre Ecological

Mission
The Coalition aims to build more robust and equitable resilience to climate change impacts in the Sudbury-Assabet-Concord (SuAsCo) river watershed. It works collaboratively and regionally to accelerate the implementation of inter-municipal and regional projects that strengthen ecological and social resilience and incorporate downstream and upstream impacts.

The Coalition
The SuAsCo Climate Resiliency Coalition brings together communities in the 399-square-mile watershed to collectively work on cross-boundary climate adaptation. The Coalition focuses on the intersection of water-related and natural resource climate vulnerabilities, particularly water supply, flooding, and extreme heat. It supports municipalities and non-governmental organizations by sharing information and resources, assisting in developing funding proposals involving more than one municipality, convening and networking Coalition members to share experience and data, building capacity through workshops, and providing mutual support of projects, and other means as needed.

OARS, the watershed organization for the SuAsCo, is the Coalition convenor. Initially supported by a grant to the Town of Stow from the MAPC, the Coalition now has a 3-year grant to support its basic functions from the Foundation for MetroWest.

Eligibility
All municipalities and relevant non-governmental organizations wholly or partially within the SuAsCo watershed (watershed map) are invited to join! There is no cost to join; we ask for a commitment at the highest level to attend meetings and participate in decision-making. Official members in our first year: Acton, Concord, Framingham, Hudson, Lincoln, Maynard, and Stow. Sample Commitment letter.

Stories From Watershed Collaboratives Across Massachusetts made by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Global Lab, in collaboration with MASS ECAN.

Webinar Recordings
A Watershed Approach to Building Resilience in our Communities, 3/1/23

How to Maintain Green Infrastructure, 6/9/22

Meeting Summaries
A Watershed Approach to Building Resilience in our Communities, 3/1/23 (summary);

Engaging Frontline Populations Part 2, Coalition Goals, 3/24/22 (summary);

Engaging Frontline Populations Part 1; Charles River Flood Model Project, 1/27/22 (summary);

Identifying SuAsCo Priority Issues, 10/8/21 (summary).