Collaborating for the thriving of all life in Connecticut’s Mystic River Watershed
About the Alliance
Collaborating for the thriving of all life in Connecticut’s Mystic River Watershed.
Who We Are
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A tribally co-led, youth co-led community-based alliance of organizations, municipalities, and individuals.
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Rooted in collaboration, care, and justice for the Mystic River Watershed and its ecosystems.
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A network dedicated to stewardship, resilience, and regeneration across the lands and waters of Mashantucket and Eastern Pequot homelands.
Mission
To support the flourishing of all life within Connecticut’s Mystic River Watershed.
Vision
We are co-creating and implementing a Watershed Regeneration Action Plan (WRAP)—a living plan that weaves together culture, economy, society, ecology, and infrastructure. The WRAP is rooted in:
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Collaborative education and engagement
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Coordinated science and data gathering
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Shared planning, implementation, and evaluation.
By serving as an EPA approved 319 plan for our watershed and as a plan for bioregional regeneration, the WRAP will guide millions of dollars of private and public investment into projects meeting our needs today while supporting the success of future generations.
We envision a regenerated watershed with clean and plentiful water, abundant local food systems, thriving businesses and civic institutions, healthy, affordable, and high-performance housing, abundant clean energy, and equitable transportation systems. All of this is rooted in values of reciprocity, respect, and recognizing the mutual benefit of effective collective action.
By working across generations and communities, we harness the power of our collective creativity and wisdom—securing the resources we need for a just, viable, and flourishing future. Our WRAP is a living plan—growing and evolving alongside our knowledge and relationships with this place.
We believe that resilient communities grow from connection—connection to one another, to the land and waters we share, and to the responsibilities we hold as neighbors and ancestors.
Together, we’re committed to regenerating equitable and abundant life throughout the Mystic River Watershed—for generations to come.
What It Means to Be an Ally
To be an Ally in this watershed means you or your organization are ready to commit your expertise, time, space, and/or resources to:
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Collaborate across boundaries
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Protect and restore life from headwaters to Sound
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Center justice, care, and long-term well-being for all life
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You don’t need to pay to join us—participation is open to all. What matters is your heart and your willingness to show up for this place.
Why We Say "Our" Watershed
When we say our watershed, we don’t mean ownership.
We mean belonging—the same way we would say our family.
We aspire to care for the Mystic River and all beings who live in its basin with that same level of concern, accountability, and love.
What We Believe
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Resilient communities involve everyone in the shared purpose of collective well-being.
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Collaboration across cultures and differences—especially across generations—makes us all stronger.
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We have much to learn from the river and the lands we live on.
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Being good neighbors and good ancestors means showing up for justice and regeneration.
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Everyone belongs. No one is excluded from participating in the future of this place.
How We Build Opportunity Into Everything We Do
Co-Governance
Our by-laws guarantee that the Alliance is co-governed by:
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Mashantucket and Eastern Pequot tribal members
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Local youth
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Representatives from each watershed town
Cultural Learning
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We honor the full cultural tapestry of this region.
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Alliance Gatherings (like Oyster Culture, Paddle Culture, Honor the River, and Seeqanamâhsak Springfest), the Blog, and the newsletter invite shared learning.
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Our Cultural Learning Advisors help guide us in expanding our awareness and respect.
No Barriers to Belonging
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No membership fees
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A dedicated advisor ensures equity and access in every project
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All meetings and learning spaces strive to be open, welcoming, and inclusive
Relationships Beyond the Human
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We recognize the river, wetlands, forests, fish, and oysters as kin.
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We are dedicated to advocating for the well-being of all life in the watershed.
Youth Leadership
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Young people are not only welcome—they’re essential.
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We co-create programming with the Youth Council, Marine Science Magnet High School, and other local schools to build a civic action cycle that is healing, hopeful, and hands-on.
Our Commitments
We are actively working to:
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Raise awareness and correct injustices around food access, water quality, and historical representation
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Build new maps and narratives rooted in truth
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Explore co-stewardship and regenerative design
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Create infrastructure for youth participation in environmental and policy decisions
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Re-root our actions in Indigenous knowledge and long-term care
