We're in the middle of a remarkable renaissance on the Mystic River. As we prepare for even more success for the Mystc in 2020, we’re looking back at our seven biggest wins of 2019:
1) This fall we wrapped our biggest stewardship season yet—more invasive plant removal events than ever before and more money raised for the Mystic! Learn More.
Removing bittersweet at Macdonald Park | MyRWA
2) We all know that Encore Boston Harbor brought millions to the Mystic. What is less obvious is that many other waterfront parks and walk/bike paths involving tens of millions of dollars of new investment are also underway. Learn More.
Baxter Park at Assembly Row, Somerville | Chris McIntosh
3) 2019 was an exceptional year for the Resilient Mystic Collaborative (RMC). We received $1.1 million in funding specifically for climate work & welcomed more RMC members. We now have membership in 19/21 watershed communities! In October MyRWA hired a fantastic climate resiliency manager—Melanie Garate—to ensure that we reach communities in the Lower Mystic and our climate work is equitable and inclusive. Learn More.
Resilient Mystic Collabroative memebrs | MyRWA
4) Another big win—A team from the Friends of the Malden River, City of Everett & MyRWA secured funding and project partners to complete an independent and comprehensive health risk assessment for the river. The results show that the Malden River is safe for boating! Learn More.
Riversedge on the Malden | Grieg Cranna
5) The Mystic River and the Mystic Lakes continue to have clean water, earning grades of A- and A in this latest report card. This is the fifth year in a row that the river and lakes have earned A-range grades. We only have this data because of our baseline volunteer program and great volunteers who collect samples each month. Learn More.
Water quality monitor, Emily, taking samples | MyRWA
6) This one speaks for itself—BIGGEST YEAR EVER! More than 3/4 million river herring made it to the Mystic Lakes this year. This was also a record year for the number of herring monitors participating: over 160 volunteers joined the count this year. Learn More.
Monitors attending the training | MyRWA
7) Lastly, Malden River Works, a coalition working to improve the Malden River and waterfront access, was awarded the prestigious Leventhal Prize—along with $100,000 to support their work! Learn More.
Malden River Works Team | MyRWA
We hope you will join us for another year of wins in 2020!
