The following is referred as the “Brief Version”. NRWA, Inc. will celebrate its 15th anniversary this fall. So much has been accomplished since 1994 including hundreds of volunteers who devoted thousands of hours improving the water quality and riparian habitat of the Naugatuck River and its tributaries. So, the following is not complete by any means, but gives the flavor of why many people now enjoy fishing, observing wildlife and paddling in the river.

The results of the work done by volunteer conservationist are evident in the significant increase in flora and fauna and the reduction of unsightly visual pollutants (debris).
In regard to water quality, greatest improvements have been seen with regard to aesthetics, clarity, ammonia levels, dissolved oxygen levels and chemical constituents.

The Beginning-- NRWA, Inc. was incorporated in November 1994.
Incorporators: The Honorable Judge Frank McDonald, Neil Kingsnorth and
Bob Gregorski. NRWA, Inc. received its 501-C3 status from the IRS in 1995.
The first officers and directors were: Bob Gregorski-president and treasurer,
Neil Kingsnorth-vice president, Anita Gregorski-secretary and
Directors: John K. McDonald Esq., David Leveillee, Robert M. Perrella Jr. and
Christopher Betkoski.

Awards Received
Conservation Awards received by the Naugatuck River Watershed Association, Inc. and Bob Gregorski, NRWA, Inc. president and a director of Naugatuck Valley Trout Unlimited and one of the founders of both organizations.
Awards--Naugatuck River Watershed Association, Inc.
10/1996 -- Outstanding Cooperating Agency for 1996 from
The New Haven County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors.
9/2000 -- The Conservation Award for 2000 from
The Litchfield County Soil and Water Conservation District
10/2000 -- Outstanding Conservation Award from
The Connecticut Association of Soil and Water Districts.
Awards -- Bob Gregorski
11/1992 Housatonic Valley Association -- Conservation Award for the work completed on the Naugatuck River (river clean-ups, plantings, trout stocking, etc.).
11/1996 Naugatuck Valley Chapter Trout Unlimited -- a plaque recognizing his 20 years of dedicated service to TU and Conservation.
5/1997 The Beacon Valley Grange #103 -- Community Citizen of the Year Award for the work done leading restoration efforts for the Naugatuck River and its environs.
10/1997 Environmental Committee of the Waterbury Board of Alderman -- a citation for being the organizer and coordinator of River Keepers for the Naugatuck River and for the outstanding work done in river clean-ups, trout stocking and planting bushes and trees along the river by the River Keepers and hundreds of other volunteers.
9/2000 The Litchfield County Soil and Water Conservation District --The Conservation Award for 2000.
4/2001 The DEP Fisheries Division -- a plaque in recognition for work to significantly improve the state’s aquatic resources and communication to Connecticut anglers.
Advisory Council Memberships
NRWA was one of the 25 member organizations of the Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) to the CT DEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources for the period 2000 - 2004. NRWA president Bob Gregorski was the NRWA representative to CAC.