This past year, we have been celebrating the 50th anniversary of the movement to restore the Bronx River — and just last fall, our movement got a big update.
Working with over 100 stakeholders, we have updated our Intermunicipal Watershed Management Plan, outlining a shared vision for improving the ecology, biodiversity, and climate resiliency of the river and the many communities through which it flows in the 56 square miles of the Bronx River watershed.
The original Watershed Plan was created in 2010, and included 53 priority restoration projects — 85% of which have been completed — to improve the river and the land around it.
The updated Plan outlines 169 new target projects, policies, and strategies to guide short- and long-term restoration efforts. It is ambitious, but our work to make the Bronx River fishable and swimmable is far from finished.
And on September 25th, you can support this bold new plan to make the river fishable and swimmable while improving climate resiliency for our watershed communities at our Upstream Soiree.
The updated Plan also addresses:
- A multi-jurisdictional approach to reduce raw sewage in the river;
- Restoring riverbank ecosystems to enhance resilience to inland flooding and improve biodiversity;
- Incorporating climate resiliency priorities that protect Bronx and Westchester communities from storm surges, extreme heat and rainfall, and other ongoing and increasing impacts of climate change;
- Centering community education and involvement to improve the health of the watershed, to counter the loss federal support by pivoting to rely on local residents.
This work is vital to the health of the Bronx River, and to the municipalities, local businesses, and residential communities living alongside it. We are excited to implement this roadmap and continue bringing the river back to life, but we canno do it without you.
Will you join us at our biggest fundraising gala of 2025 to support our programs next year? Celebrate the river with us as we recommit to its preservation with the community who has led these efforts since the 1970’s.
If you are not able to join us for Soirée, you can also support our work on the river by donating here. Every little bit helps.
Thank you for your commitment to NYC’s only freshwater river.
About the Bronx River Alliance
The Bronx River Alliance serves as a coordinated voice for the river. We work in harmonious partnership to protect, improve and restore the Bronx River corridor. Our goal is to make a healthy ecological, recreational, educational, and economic resource for all communities through which the river flows.
The Alliance works in close partnership with the New York City Parks as well as dozens of community-based partners, regional nonprofits, businesses and all levels of government.
