Our Vision
A healthy, vibrant, and resilient Mystic River watershed for the benefit of all our community members.
Our Work
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) builds solutions so that all people across the watershed, no matter who you are or where you live, have safe and easy access to nature and a healthy environment. MyRWA is rooted in science and the understanding of environmental injustices. We believe access to information and opportunities to learn about the natural world empower us all to work together for a better future in the Mystic.
Our Watershed
The Mystic River watershed is a network of rivers, streams, and ponds that all flow into the Mystic River and ultimately Boston Harbor.
The watershed encompasses 21 cities and towns and is home to 600,000 people, including the highest density of environmental justice communities in New England.
Communities within the Mystic River watershed
Arlington | Belmont | Boston | (Charlestown & East Boston) | Burlington | Cambridge | Chelsea | Everett | Lexington | Malden | Medford | Melrose | Reading | Revere | Somerville | Stoneham | Wakefield | Watertown | Wilmington | Winchester | Winthrop | Woburn
Strategic Plan
MyRWA’s strategic plan provides a roadmap to improve our watershed to benefit all residents—no matter who you are or where you live. This plan explicitly outlines how we are integrating equity into our programs and organization, and it builds on our 50+ year history of strong initiatives that are rooted in science, collaboration, and innovation.
Within all our programs, we are becoming more inclusive, bolder, and more effective to have a greater impact for all our residents. Programs like water quality—which has grown from monitoring and advocating for improvements to piloting regional green infrastructure—to our newest initiative that is focusing on building climate resilience at a watershed-wide scale to protect people and places. We are committed to connecting all residents to the watershed through stewardship, events, educational programming—and, of course, 25 miles of connected paths and improved parks.
Our Values
Prioritize equity, inclusion, and justice in our organizational practices and programs, while understanding the historical inequities and present day barriers communities of color face in the environment.
Collaborate with residents, agencies, municipalities, legislators, and community based organizations to hear and learn from others, share knowledge, and create change through programs, policies and projects.
Apply a science-based and data-driven approach to addressing environmental and climate challenges.
Use flexible, innovative, and problem-solving approaches to address environmental and related social challenges impacting the river, watershed, and our residents.
Our Progress
For more than 50 years the Mystic River Watershed Association has been protecting and restoring our watershed — for the benefit of both the people and wildlife that call the Mystic their home.
Our Financials
For financials prior to 2017 please email MyRWA at Contact@MysticRiver.org.
