[Please join our FB Group "Hop Brook Protection Association" for up-to-date information on our activities and regularly scheduled meetings - Thank You]

The Hop Brook Protection Association is a volunteer non-profit organization focused on preserving and restoring Sudbury’s portion of the Hop Brook waterway, the longest tributary of the Sudbury River. Hop Brook enters Sudbury at Grist Mill Pond, follows Dutton Road through Carding Mill and Stearns Mill Pond, turns east and runs between Hudson and Pratts Mill Roads to Peakham Road, turns southeast and cuts under Union Ave, crosses Rt. 20 at Station Road, joins with Wash Brook under Landham Road, and continues east to drain into the Sudbury River [see map].​
If you have been lucky enough to hike next to the Hop Brook wetlands or to kayak along it’s meandering path, it would be hard not to appreciate this lovely waterway. Most of the Hop Brook flows in natural sweeping s-curves within a wide flood plain covered in tall grasses. It supports a variety of wildlife. Beavers work diligently to make dams and build their hogans while otters swim in the current and giant eastern snapper turtles lay their eggs on the shore. A plethora of birds inhabit the waterway including red-wing black birds, herons, swans, geese, owls, and hawks. Every season brings its own beauty to Hop Brook.  ​
Unfortunately, this valuable ecosystem is in bad shape. The water chestnuts in particular are overwhelming the Grist Mill (Wayside Inn), Carding Mill, and Stearns Mill Ponds, spreading over most of the ponds’ surface each year. This leads to decreases in water quality, shallower pond depths, a repugnant smell, reduction of fish, birds, and native plants and higher mosquito levels (increasing risk of EEE).​
​The HBPA board has decided that our #1 priority for 2020 is to substantially eradicate, and subsequently control, the water chestnut invasion. We’re working to ensure that we have an effective plan in place for summer 2020. For more information about our ongoing efforts, please visit our Facebook page.
​HBPA is a volunteer organization that always welcomes new members and volunteers. If your backyard contains a piece of this waterway, or if you're just interested in preserving and restoring this valuable natural resource, please:​​
  • Join the Hop Brook Protection Association Facebook group to keep abreast of our activities.
  • Join the Hop Brook Protection Association by making a donation. Your contributions help fund efforts that include remediation tasks as well as ongoing studies of our waterways. 
  • Donate your time. We can always use a little help in our efforts, no prior experience requred. Write us at hbpa@hopbrook.org. ​
We appreciate your support!