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It’s time to bring the river back to life. It was sapped by industry, cars, pollutants, waste, and neglect. We’re cleaning the centuries of misuse, and the natural ecology is returning. Come join us so we all can make a bigger impact.
The Ecological Restoration and Management Program leads the way to protect, improve, and restore the Bronx River corridor and Greenway (parks and trails).
Under the stewardship of local residents, we tackle these projects using rigorous science, sound planning and research, and community-driven involvement—all the way from headwaters in Westchester near the Kensico Dam, down to the mouth in Soundview Park in the Bronx.
We are committed to involving people from throughout the region. We work together with local and regional organizations, and our volunteers come from all over our watershed, like at our recent Bronx River Watershed Summit.
Our task? The restoration of the river in the Bronx, in partnership with NYC Parks and the Natural Resources Group. This includes invasive plant removal and management, native species plantings, green infrastructure maintenance for stormwater management, and riparian (shores and wetland) restoration.
Much of our on-the-ground work is done by our Conservation Crew whose role is to be the eyes and ears on the river. They are the first to spot and report oil spills and remove channel blockages that would be safety hazards to the public, natural habitats, and our on-water activities.
The Bronx River Ecology Team—a committee of scientists, community activists, and public agency representatives— provides guidance and resources. They help the Alliance set priorities and identify the most pressing ecological restoration projects for the community and the river.
Our actions lead to better environmental policy and planning in both the city and the region, which in turn expands and strengthens other efforts to restore the watershed.
We are grateful for all those involved in this work!
Want to volunteer? Click here.
To learn more about hands-on restoration of the Bronx River or the Eco Team, contact Michelle Luebke at: michelle.luebke@bronxriver.org.
The Alliance promotes the following ecologically sustainable design principles for all projects that occur within the watershed:
Working collaboratively with others, our projects develop comprehensive approaches to keeping the river healthy. We address:
A Closer Look
How clean IS the water? That’s a question we’re asked a lot. Our robust water quality-monitoring program determines the types, locations, and severity of the pollutants. With that foundation, we’re more able to address the problems at their sources, promoting the river’s recovery and restoration.
Water Quality FAQ
That’s a great question and we’re glad you’re curious! The answer is a little more challenging because first we have to define what we mean by clean.
No, unfortunately! History tells us that the river was considered as a drinking water source for NYC back in the early 1800s. But not long after, the river began to show effects from urbanization, from input of human wastes, and from channelizing (modifying) parts of the river. Since then, it’s not been drinkable.
Not yet! But groups like the Alliance and SWIM are working with agencies, community groups, nonprofits, and other interested groups to improve water quality citywide.
Yes, it most definitely is and we have lots of wonderful, unique creatures that call the Bronx River home. Keep exploring these pages to find out more!
We’ve long had crews to help clean the river, and once we’re able to meet again*, we’d love to have you on board. The 3 main pollutants to the Bronx River are floatable trash, fecal pathogens, and low dissolved oxygen (which is what aquatic critters need to survive). In order to improve, protect, and restore the Bronx River, a robust water quality-monitoring program is necessary to determine the types, locations, and severity of inputs. Our Project WASTE Program was developed to address the floatable trash; the water-quality testing methods described on this page help us address the other two main issues. Our newest program, microplastics analysis, allows us to collect and identify microplastic pollution in the Bronx River. By addressing these water pollutants at their sources, we will begin to reverse the degradation of this urban river and promote ecosystem recovery and restoration. We welcome your help! *Unfortunately, in the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, all in-person volunteer events at the Bronx River Alliance have been postponed until further notice in accordance with official health and safety guidelines. In the meantime, you can still participate in our virtual programming! Please visit our YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram pages for daily content to stay engaged with the Bronx River!
At each study site either Alliance staff or stewards like you collect a variety of water-quality indicators, including: (see glossary for definitions)
**These special projects are not included in all study sites.
In some study sites we want to monitor the conditions at different points along its 24 mile length. In other places (like this pipe pictured, left) we might notice stormwater pipes flowing during dry weather and investigate further. In this case, the City found a problem with a sewer backup, thanks in part to our investigative help.
We use our data for scientific research and advocacy purposes, so we make sure our data are comparable to other data. We do this with the the EPA through reviewing and approving our Quality Assurance Program Plan (QAPP): Bronx River Water Pollution Monitoring Program QAPP
With volunteers like you, Project Water DROP detects certain pollutants at 15 locations along the river. This snapshot of health helps stewards investigate clean water violations to protect the environment.
A Closer Look
Trash on streets is annoying, but it’s dangerous when it gets to wildlife habitat. Project WASTE has removed over 7 TONS from in and around the river. We’ve also stopped trash from entering at sources.
Check out the types of waste we’ve found, and sign up to help. We need it!
Note! Check <Link?> about return of Project Water DROP after Covid restrictions.
A Closer Look
A Closer Look
What happens when NYC’s combined sewer system gets overloaded in heavy rains? Yep, the raw sewage (ew!) and polluted storm water flows into places like our Bronx River.
But Green Infrastructure (e.g., green roofs, permeable pavement, bioswales) absorbs that excess water, filters pollutants, and makes the city more livable.
Using innovative methods, this pilot study successfully collected and assessed microplastics in the river. These tiny pieces of plastic affect the health of wildlife and humans. Now a long-term project is being planned—keep an eye out for volunteer opportunities.
The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river and works in harmonious partnership to protect, improve and restore the Bronx River corridor so that it can be a healthy ecological, recreational, educational and economic resource for the communities through which the river flows.
The Alliance works in close partnership with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and with over one hundred other partners to reclaim the Bronx River.
