During the virtual annual meeting, MyRWA highlighted some of the amazing work being done by our staff, volunteers and partners for the benefit of all our community members. From donating, to volunteering to educating the new generation to providing vital expertise—everyone at the meeting is helping their local community. Though we are a small watershed—76 square miles—we are mighty!
Awards were presented to:
Ripple Award: Jada Simmons Ononeme, 4th grade teacher at the George Keverian School, Everett
Volunteer(s) of the year: Iris and Jasmine Zhao
Municipal Partner: Ale Echandi, Inland Ecologist at Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
MyRWA water quality monitors were recognized for years of service including the following:
5 year award: Katie Moore
10 year awards: Moira Ashleigh, Jack Beusmans, Karen Buck and Kimi Ceridon
15 year award: Bob Knippen
20 year award: Tracy Olson
Read more about these amazing awardees here!
The membership voted in three new first-term board members including Terry E. Carter, Erga Pierrette and Julie Ing Stern, as well as two second-term board members including Barbara Kessner Landau and Karl Touet. Read about these new members here.
Charles Holley, board treasurer, also highlighted audited financials for 2020, and projections for 2021, which ends December 31. MyRWA brought in just over $2.5m in revenue and had approximately $1.7m in expenses. The difference between revenue and expenses reflect capital costs that are occurring in 2021.
MyRWA expects to raise $3.2M for 2021, which ends December 31—therefore keeping our strong trajectory of growth. Our growth and annual audits reflect the careful fiscal management at the organization and the ambitious programming we have ongoing. This additional funding is used for on-the-ground projects—like the 100+trenches coming to the watershed, as well as some additional funding for staff capacity.
Audited financials for the Mystic River Watershed Association
We also said farewell to Kimberly Provo, office manager, who after 15 years will be leaving the Association, and welcomed formally our three newest staff members—Daria Clark, Elo Deneus and Sushant Bajracharya.
To close out the meeting, Patrick Herron, Executive Director, asked attendees what was on their bucket list for 2022—as MyRWA turns 50. Check out what the attendees had to say:
Open river swimming!!
Plant more trees
More education - engaging students in the classroom and along the river
Get to that 25 miles of greenways!
More representation!
More open space, less development!
Time to improve the wildlife habitat in the watershed.
Learn from herring about how to help other species bounce back
Greenways connection from north to south
New beach in Mary O’Malley Park
More bike /walking paths
Straight-A report card!
Swimming in the Mystic River
Continue with fish ladders and culverts that allow fish access
Host a mystic marathon!
Bringing new voices to our work!
More coastal resilience/greenways/rain gardens
More urban forests
Herring in the Malden River
More access
A green and resilient and equitable collective of riverfront communities
Trash Free Mystic!!!
Inspiring a greater reflection of the Watershed's human diversity at all stations along the river!
A great new office space!
More rare birds mating along the river (multiple eagles nests!)
Contiguous path encircling north of Boston, a fourth pump at the Amelia Erhart Dam
A resilient Amelia Earhart Dam!
More Swimming!
Continue working on the integrity of the ecosystem as a whole. Lots of times the connections between people and all of life support systems isn’t always obvious.
Major engagement in projects which address climate change
Better river access in lower Mystic
Set an ambitious goal to connect with even more people this year.
More wildlife habitat more native plants along banks
Mill Brook and Meadow Brook wetland in Arlington
Multiple osprey nests!
Pedestrian bridge
A real salt marsh in Everett
Pontoon boat for fun and trash removal
BIPOC on the water, everywhere
