Rivers are a gift of nature. The world’s first civilizations were developed around rivers, because rivers nourish life and provide wealth. Yet, for many decades our rivers have been neglected and abused. Irresponsible recreation, industrial pollution, and commercial and residential sewage have all contributed to the degradation of the ecosystem. It's time to turn the current by cleaning up our rivers and using them to re-vitalize our ailing local economy. We have already been hard at work on the Mattabesset and Coginchaug tributaries areas in Cromwell and Middletown, while in the rest of the Central Connecticut River Valley the dedicated citizens of Friends of the River are gearing up for the springtime and beginning a concerted fundraising effort.