Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and the Museum of Science, Boston (MOS) are working together to prepare the Boston area for increasingly hot summers.
On August 12 and 13, 2021 more than 80 volunteers took heat and air quality temperatures along 17 car routes and 2 bike routes, at 4 different times in the 21 cities of the Mystic River watershed. This data will provide the data necessary to identify, prioritize and reduce the worst urban heat islands, especially those that affect vulnerable population.
YOU CAN STILL BE INVOLVED
Collect data on your own time with iSeeChange! It’s easy. Just post your photo of how the heat is affecting you when you’re out and about and you’ll help inform regional climate and social resilience planning. Learn about iSeeChange app, and the Wicked Host Mystic by watching our most recent webinar hosted by MyRWA and MOS on June 16th. It featured iSeeChange staff who provided an overview of the app, how to post, and how to submit structured data about heat impacts.
Want to learn even more about the intersection between heat and health, watch From Snow Days to Heat Waves: Climate Impact on Heat & Health in the Boston Area webinar that was hosted on Monday, May 24. It featured a panel from MAPC, Museum of Science and the City of Boston and explored the intersection of climate change, heat and health. It also introduced the Wicked Hot Mystic Project. The full slide deck is here.
More information about Wicked Hot Mystic:
Data collected by volunteers in the 21 cities of the Mystic River watershed will be used to create a map of heat islands and places people can go to cool off. The map will then inform regional social resilience efforts in the years to come, as we partner with municipalities to implement policies and interventions to address the heat issues.
Supported by the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Program. In partnership with Mystic River Watershed Association, Resilient Mystic Collaborative, and the Town of Arlington.
