The Harpeth River Watershed Association in middle Tennessee is dedicated to preserving and restoring the ecological health of the Harpeth River and its Watershed. Our work leverages the scientific and technical training and experience of our staff and advisors with the efforts of a diverse corps of volunteers who are crucial to every aspect of our programs.

Our board members, volunteer leadership, and hundreds of supporters are county commissioners, local city staff and officials, government agency staff, concerned citizens, farmers, business leaders, scientists, engineers, and community leaders who share our commitment to having an ecologically healthy river.

Our approach involves seeking to understand all perspectives and working collaboratively with a wide range of interests to yield long lasting and practical results. Though we are not confrontational in style, we actively confront roblems with solutions based on scientific studies such as our groundbreaking sediment study and our stream assessment survey.

The HRWA relies on the support of its members and generous individuals and corporations to provide critical funding that supports scientific and technical staff and gives flexibility to program work. With a community effort, we can restore and maintain a healthy and biologically important river in the heart of one of the fastest growing regions of the U.S.

We have three major program areas:

1) River Restoration and Wildlife Protection - Preserving the Balance and Protecting the Ecosystem by:

• Addressing damaging stormwater runoff in high development areas.
• Preventing further erosion, particularly in our rapid growth corridors.
• Conducting watershed studies and assessments of the river's health.
• Identifying pollution sources.
• Preparing watershed restoration plans and implementing them.
• Working with partners to create rural land protection opportunities.
• Safeguarding dozens of unique species that exist nowhere else on Earth. 

2) Water Quality Protection Program - Promoting Smart Solutions by: 

• Conducting ongoing scientific studies of nutrient levels and water quality issues in the watershed.
• Assisting local governments and state-wide agencies in crafting ordinances and regulations.
• Reviewing proposed state and federal permits for activities.
• Assisting citizens to get pollution problems addressed and solved.
• Encouraging collaboration among public and private organizations to gain consensus on shared concerns. 

• Conducting presentations for developers and local leaders on lessening the impact of growth on water quality.
• Teaching residents how they can make their homes and yards more "river-friendly." 
• Creating the Harpeth River Blueway-- a series of paddling access points every 5 river miles along the entire river.
• Offering exciting and educational experiences exploring the watershed to members and the general public.