Volunteers Will Build Living Fence to Heal Massachusetts River

Volunteers in Middleboro, Massachusetts are gearing up to build something remarkable: a fence that gets better at its job the more it grows.

On March 14, community members will gather at Oliver Mill Park to construct a living willow fence along the Nemasket River. Instead of hammering nails or mixing concrete, they'll weave flexible willow rods together into a beautiful barrier that will take root and flourish for years to come.

The project tackles a serious environmental challenge with an elegant solution. The fence will anchor the riverbank to prevent erosion while the growing willows naturally filter pollutants from the water. As the plants mature and spread, they'll create an increasingly effective shield for the river's health.

The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and organizers welcome volunteers for the full day or just a few hours. Free pizza will fuel the effort, and families with children ages 8 and up are encouraged to join. Registration is required through the event website.

The collaboration brings together the town of Middleboro, Commonplace Landscape and Planning, and the Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District. Their partnership shows how local governments and organizations can create meaningful environmental improvements through community engagement.

The Ripple Effect

This willow fence represents more than erosion control. It transforms environmental restoration from a technical project into a shared experience that strengthens community bonds while healing the landscape.

The hands-on nature of weaving willow rods together creates a tangible connection between people and the river they're protecting. Volunteers will literally build the solution with their own hands, watching it take root and grow in the seasons ahead.

The self-renewing design means this single day of work will deliver benefits for years. As the willows grow and spread, they'll continue improving water quality without requiring constant maintenance or replacement.

Projects like this demonstrate how nature-based solutions can be more effective and sustainable than traditional engineering approaches. The living fence costs less than concrete barriers while providing habitat for wildlife and beauty for park visitors.

Every volunteer who shows up on March 14 becomes part of the river's recovery story.