News/BlogNews/Bloghttp://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013-05-24T14:02:51ZSquarespaceSpecial Guest Presentation June 4http://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013/5/24/special-guest-presentation-june-4.htmlMyRWA2013-05-24T14:02:33Z2013-05-24T14:02:33ZOn Tuesday, June 4th, join the Mystic River Watershed Association for the monthly Committee Meeting to hear from Pallavi Mande, Director of Blue Cities®, at the Charles River Watershed Association. Pallavi will discuss their work in Chelsea in collaboration with MyRWA. The meeting is free and open to the public. June 4, 7-9pm, Tufts University, Lincoln Filene Center, Rabb Room, Medford.

]]>Part Time Summer Office Positionhttp://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013/5/16/part-time-summer-office-position.htmlMyRWA2013-05-16T17:25:29Z2013-05-16T17:25:29ZThe Mystic River Watershed Association is hiring a Part-time Summer Office Manager. Come join us for the summer and learn how to run a small non-profit office to best inform and engage new members and donors. You will work with our team of volunteers and staff to assume responsibilities for general office administration including purchasing, handling incoming phone calls and maintaining paper & e-files. You will also provide administrative support to Water Quality Director, Outreach Coordinator and Executive Director. Regular work hours are Monday through Friday 9-2pm with some possible additional hours over weekend or evening. Basic skills needed: familiarity with web searching, excel, word, calendar management and basic bookkeeping. Ideal candidates will also have skills in timesheet software, HTML, Filemaker, Giftworks and Google Apps.  Please send your resume and statement of interest to jobs@mysticriver.org. Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

]]>Flatbread Pizza Fundraiser Set For June 18http://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013/4/30/flatbread-pizza-fundraiser-set-for-june-18.htmlMyRWA2013-04-30T16:26:03Z2013-04-30T16:26:03ZEnjoy Pizza and Bowling for a Cause!

On Tuesday, June 18  head to Flatbread Pizza at Sacco's Bowl Haven in Davis Square for a MyRWA fundraiser. That’s right, the more flatbread you eat the more money will be raised to support the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and our efforts to protect and restore the Mystic River Watershed!

Eat at or get take-out from Flatbread Pizza, 45 Day Street, Somerville, between 5pm and 11pm and a portion of your flatbread will automatically be donated to MyRWA.

Reservations are accepted for groups of 10 or more.

RSVP to this event on Facebook.

]]>Join Somerville to DePAVE the WAY!http://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013/4/26/join-somerville-to-depave-the-way.htmlMyRWA2013-04-26T14:03:29Z2013-04-26T14:03:29ZDePAVE the WAY!
Please note the corrected address: 88 Bartlett St.
Pasted Graphic 1.tiff
Join Cador & Lenni from Somerville Climate Action: 
Saturday May 11 from 12:30 to 3:00pm 
Steve Langdon's house at 88 Bartlett St. (between Macoun Sq. & Winter Hill)
Rain date: Sunday, May 12 from 12:30 to 3:00pm
If you haven't already, please sign up on this Google Groups form to let us know you'll be there. 
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFFZbE1OS05XblFXYl9EQUc2UzVKcmc6MQ
See "Depaving the Way to a Safer Climate in Somerville"
http://vimeo.com/22830594
In Spanish: ¿Qúe Es Depaving?
http://talkingaboutsomerville.blogspot.com/2011/04/que-es-depaving.html

WHAT WE HAVE

Impervious surfaces prevent rainwater from entering the soil and instead divert it to nearby waterways. Along the way, the rainwater carries pollutants such as oil, antifreeze, plastics, pesticides, and heavy metals from the roads into local streams and rivers, devastating habitats and polluting local waterways.

 

BE A PART OF THE SOLUTION

The removal of pavement allows for the revegetation of land with trees and plants. The benefits of urban vegetation include:

* Storm water becomes purified naturally when water soaks into the soil and returns to the water table
* Climate change is decreased when plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and produce oxygen
* Green spaces reduce the "urban heat island effect" which results when dark-colored asphalt absorbs summer heat, decreasing the need for electricity to power fans and air conditioners
* Shade trees and bushes cool homes and outdoor spaces by shading of the sun’s rays
* Evapotranspiration of rain on the leaves results in further cooling
* Trees and bushes protect against harsh winds
* Green areas provide much needed beauty to urban areas
* Air quality is enhanced when particulate pollutants are removed from the air 
* Trees and bushes provide visual privacy and reduce noise from the street
* Green spaces restore local habitat for birds, insects and other wildlife
* Vegetable gardens provide homeowners with local nutritious food
]]>Three Towns, One Forest Forumhttp://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013/4/24/three-towns-one-forest-forum.htmlMyRWA2013-04-24T13:52:51Z2013-04-24T13:52:51ZThree Towns, One Forest
Thurs. April 25th, 7pm-9pm
Lesley University hall, 1815 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA

Lesley University, Green Cambridge, and Friends of Alewife Reservation are hosting an environmentally timely Forum to save the Silver Maple Forest from 7pm-9pm.
Speakers on the Forum include: Scott Horsley of Horsley and Witten Co., John Reinhardt of the Mystic River Watershed Association, Geophysicist Lucia Lovison, Quinton Zondervan of Green Cambridge, Minka vanBeuzekom, Cambridge City Council, Scott Horsley of Horsley and Witten Co. and David Morimoto, head of Natural Science and Mathematics Dept. at Lesley.

The Forum is moderated by Amy Mertl, biology professor at Lesley.

http://www.friendsofalewifereservation.org/2013-04-25-Silver-Maple-Forum-Poster.pdf

]]>Arlington DPW offers discounted rain barrelshttp://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013/4/22/arlington-dpw-offers-discounted-rain-barrels.htmlMyRWA2013-04-22T15:12:31Z2013-04-22T15:12:31ZThe Arlington DPW has partnered with the Great American Rain Barrel Company in Hyde Park, MA to offer recycled barrels to residents as part of a community wide water conservation program.  

Each UV protected polyethylene rain barrel is manufactured in the USA from a recycled shipping drum that stands 39" tall by 24" wide and weighs 20 lbs. empty with a wall thickness of 3/16", resulting in a rigid, heavy duty rain barrel that will last virtually forever. The barrel comes complete with overflow fittings, drain plug, screw on cover, and a threaded spigot with a choice of two ports to use with either a watering can or a garden hose. The rain barrel arrives with simple instructions for fast and easy installation. For additional water storage simply link two and three barrels together.

Arlington is offering the Great American Rain Barrel in three colors; Forest Green, Earth Brown or Nantucket Gray at the low cost of $69 versus the retail price of $119.  

To take advantage of this community program discount please visit www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com, email info@tgarb.com or call (800)251-2352, or call (800)251-2352. Purchase online at  www.greatamericanrainbarrel.com look for “Shop Local Programs” left side bar and find “Arlington”.

Barrels will be available for pick up on Saturday, May 4th between 9:00am- 11:00am at the Arlington Public Yard, 51 Grove Street. Deadline for ordering is Friday, April 26th


Don't forget to sign up to help plant two rain gardens May 4 & May 11!!

]]>Join the next Malden River Advocacy Meeting!http://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013/4/18/join-the-next-malden-river-advocacy-meeting.htmlMyRWA2013-04-18T14:15:12Z2013-04-18T14:15:12ZCommunity leaders and members from Everett, Medford, and Malden are joining together to improve the future of the Malden River. This new group is looking for people to get involved! Please join the next community meeting on Thursday, May 9th in Everett. This meeting is free and open to the public.

May 9
Malden River Advocacy Meeting, 6:30-8pm
Everett City Hall, 484 Broadway, Keverian Room (3rd floor), Everett, MA

Stay tuned for a meeting agenda!

For more information please contact Beth or Patrick at the MyRWA offices at 781-316-3438.

]]>ACTION ALERT: Support the Mystichttp://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013/4/18/action-alert-support-the-mystic.htmlMyRWA2013-04-18T14:08:42Z2013-04-18T14:08:42ZTwo important amendments to the State Budget have been filed that will bring great benefit to Mystic River communities. MyRWA encourages you to contact your State Representative to ask them to support and co-sponsor House Budget Amendment 126, Water Chestnut Removal on the Mystic River filed by Representative Paul Donato and House Budget Amendment 187, Mystic River Master Plan filed by Representative Jason Lewis. Now is the time to insure that your State Representative signs onto these amendments as a co-sponsor. Your State Rep must act NOW as co-sponsors must be filed by the end of this week (Friday April 19th!) Thank you for your call or email to your State Rep!

View a Fact Sheet about these two amendments for more information.

Look-up contact information for your Representative or Senator here.

]]>Bike ride as part of the Mystic River Herring Run and Paddlehttp://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013/4/15/bike-ride-as-part-of-the-mystic-river-herring-run-and-paddle.htmlMyRWA2013-04-15T13:58:30Z2013-04-15T13:58:30ZAs part of the Mystic River Watershed Association's annual road and boat race (Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle), Bike to the Sea, in conjunction with the Somerville Bicycle Committee, has again been invited to lead a ride as part of day's festivities. 

The ride will take place along existing paths on both sides of the Mystic River through Somerville and Medford, in addition to the wildly popular Park at River's Edge along the Malden River.  The ride will also feature the brand new Wellington Greenway as well as the first Bike to the Sea segment in Everett.  

Plan on a 90 minute ride with an option for an additional hour.  Steady rain cancels the event.  ***PLEASE NOTE***Hybrid bikes (or a very sturdy road bike) are recommended due to some off-road sections that are non-paved.  This is a family-friendly ride. 

Route Map: http://goo.gl/maps/0eTFA

Meet at Blessing of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville @ 11 a.m. for the 11:15 ride kick-off.  For more information, contact Pete Sutton at beausutt@hotmail.com

]]>Seeking volunteers to plant rain gardens in Arlington!http://mysticriver.org/myrwa-blog/2013/4/4/seeking-volunteers-to-plant-rain-gardens-in-arlington.htmlMyRWA2013-04-04T18:13:20Z2013-04-04T18:13:20ZTime to dust off your work gloves... and help plant a rain garden (or two!) Please mark your calendars for the following events, and please RSVP here.
 

Hurd Field Rain Garden - Drake Road
Planting date: Sat. May 4th, 10am-1pm (or until it's complete!)

Hardy School Rain Garden - 52 Lake St.
Planting date: Sat. May 11th, 10am -1pm (or until it's complete!)

Learn more about rain gardens here.

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