Check out our highlights from this fall! We were excited to see progress across all of our programs from greenways to climate resilience, water quality, education, and more. Thank YOU for being a part of the Mystic and helping us work towards a vibrant, healthy, and resilient watershed for all.
1) Our water quality team hosted two trainings for new volunteers to learn the ropes of our baseline water quality monitoring program. Baseline monitors collect data that informs the EPA grade for the Mystic River. Credit: Jennifer Delgado.
2) Along with the Town of Stoneham and Horsley Witten Group, we hosted a site walk of the Stoneham High School Wetland Restoration project. Credit: Isaiah Johnson
3) Wilderness Inquiry’s Canoemobile brought over 250 students out on the Mystic and Charles Rivers to learn about science, history, geography, and culture. Thank you to the many great partners that made these programs possible, including: Wilderness Inquiry, Mass Audubon, U.S. Forest Service, Urban Waters Federal Partnership, Charles River Watershed Association, Somerville Parks & Recreation Virtual Activities, City of Cambridge, Groundwork Somerville, Carolynlcreative, Paddle Boston - Charles River Canoe & Kayak, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, E inc., and the Charlestown Resident Alliance. Credit: Daria Clark & Sushant Bajracharya
4) We hosted a boat tour with state Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness staff and Mass ECAN to showcase climate adaptation projects along in the Lower Mystic River. Credit: Marilyn Humphries
5) The Malden River Works Workshop brought community members together for a blessing of the water by Thomas “Spirit Tree” Green, building a model fishweir, and learning about invasive species. Credit: Marissa Zampino and Ranida McKneally
6) MyRWA outreach staff and River Rep volunteers were out at many fall community events to share the wonder of the watershed. These photos are of Wicked Cool Mystic Ambassadors, Clara and Elise, at Arlington Town Day and of Belle Isle Marsh Fall Fest. Credit: Marissa Zampino and Cat Pedemonti
7) We hosted our annual meeting — Meet the Mystic — at Tufts Breed Memorial Hall to celebrate the accomplishments of the past year, give cheers to volunteers and partners, and elect new members to our board. Credit: Isaiah Johnson & Daria Clark
8) We hosted 7 trash cleanups this fall, collecting 96 bags of trash from riverside parks. Credit: Marissa Zampino & Harvard CBE
9) The Department of Conservation and Recreation repaved the Wellington Greenway from Route 28 to the Wellington MBTA parking lot. Check out these before, during, and after shots. Credit: Amber Christoffersen
10) We were excited to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the Clippership Connector. This path will run for a half mile between Riverbend Park and Medford Square, connecting more than 10 miles of contiguous greenways. Credit: Isaiah Johnson
11) Along with TreesMedford, the Cities of Medford and Malden, and awesome volunteers, we planted 54 new trees that will help keep communities cool, improve air quality, reduce soil erosion, support wildlife, and more. Credit: Daria Clark
