On May 28th the Mystic River Watershed Association participated in Andrews Middle School's annual Mystic River Day festival. The event brought together local groups to teach youth about their environment, health, job opportunities in the environmental field and more. MyRWA presented on herring and how herring are impacted by water quality in the Mystic. MyRWA was pleased to have been a part of the successful event.
Reel Paddling Film Festival a Success
The Mystic River Watershed Association is proud to be the recipient of the Reel Paddling Film Festival held in March 2010. This Film Festival was co-sponsored by REI and Charles River Canoe and Kayak. MyRWA received $1,381. from the successful event that drew over 50 people. Thank you sponsors and all who attended!
Dane from REI, Beth from MyRWA, and Mark from Charles River Canoe and Kayak
Malden River Festival Announced
A Malden River Festival at the new River's Edge Park in Medford is scheduled for Saturday, June 19. This free community celebration of Tri-City Parks (Malden, Everett, Medford) will be held from 11am - 3pm. Free food, family fun activities, informational tables by local groups and live performances will make the day.
This event is being planned by a collaboration of Mystic River Watershed groups and businesses.
For more information contact Nick at 781-322-4125.
River's Edge Park is located on River's Edge Drive/Commercial Street in Medford between Wellington T Station and Medford Street.
MyRWA presents at National River Rally
MyRWA and collaborative partners presented at the River Networks's 2010 National River Rally held in Utah last week. The workshop was presented collaboratively by: MyRWA's executive director, EkOngKar Singh Khalsa, the Charles River Watershed Association's executive director, Bob Zimmerman, Tri-Cap's Environmental Justice Community Organzier Coordinator, Nick Cohen, the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH)'s Community Organizer, Melinda Alverado-Vega and the Chelsea Collaborative's Community Organizer, Chris Pazos. The workshop, Urban Transformation: the River as Community Organizing Tool, explored the collaborative approach utilized to address watershed issues in the Mystic River Watershed.
Water Chestnut Removal Day: June 5
Volunteers Needed! Join MyRWA and the Friends of the Mystic River on Saturday, June 5 from 9am-12pm to help pull out water chestnuts. These invasive weeds are choking the river and it's time to fight back. Please contact the Friends of the Mystic River if you have a boat, or are willing to help with removal (via hand pulling). RSVP is REQUIRED: 781-391-2604 or e-mail Mystic02155@hotmail.com.
New Mystic River Initiative video
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released a new video outlining the work of the Mystic River Initiative. The video includes footage with MyRWA's Executive Director, EkOngKar Singh Khalsa.
"The Mystic River Watershed Initiative is a collaborative effort with a goal to improve water quality and environmental conditions as well as create and protect open space and public access to the Mystic River and its tributaries through safe public pathways and access points. The Initiative is guided by a steering committee composed of 22 organizations including not-for-profit community groups, local, state, and federal governmental agencies." - U.S. EPA
2010 EPA Report Card: Mystic Receives Grade of C-
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the 4th public reporting on the condition of the Mystic River at the 14th Annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle event on Sunday, May 16th. MyRWA's John Reinhardt, Association President, and EkOngKar Singh Khalsa, Executive Director, were joined by collaborative partners, community members, EPA staff, and the MWRA for this special announcement.
EPA's Curt Spalding addresses the crowdCurt Spalding, EPA New England’s regional administrator, stated, announced the grade of "C-". This grade is based on the percent of time the Mystic River met swimming and boating standards in 2009. Curt Spalding further elaborated that, "By pulling together, we hope to make the Mystic River Watershed one of the most vital, most usable and most valued watersheds in the country.” Fred Laskey, MWRA executive director also attended the event, adding that the MWRA is moving forward on several major projects that will benefit water quality.
We hope that this grade will improve in the future!
Thanks for attending!
14th Annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle
On Sunday, May 16th MyRWA hosted a very successful 14th annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville. The sun was shining and the weather was perfect for running and paddling. We had a record number of racers this year - over 300! Click here for the RUNNING RESULTS. Music, children’s activities, and educational exhibits by local advocacy groups added to the festivities as well as food generously provided by Whole Foods Market of Medford. Click here for the draft PADDLING RESULTS.
Congratulations to all those who ran, walked or paddled, and to those who volunteered to help make the day a success!Participants at the 14th Annual Mystic River Herring Run & Paddle
The U.S. EPA announced the 4th public reporting on the condition of the Mystic River during the Mystic River Report Card event and we are thankful to all who attended. The Mystic River received a grade of "C-" for water quality in 2009, the same grade as 2008. The grade is based on the percent of time the Mystic River meets swimming and boating standards.
MyRWA thanks our sponsors for their generous support, including: Charles River Canoe and Kayak, IES, Federal Realty Investment Trust, Exxon Mobil Pipeline, Gold's Gym, Distrigas, Winchester Savings Bank, ERM, Boston Line & Service Co., Inc, and Schnitzer Steel.
EARTH DAY RIVER CLEANUP A SUCCESS
On Saturday, April 17th over 50 volunteers spent the morning cleaning the Mystic River in Somerville despite the cold and damp conditions. MyRWA would like to give a special thanks to the Gentle Giant Rowing Club, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and ExxonMobil for providing materials and groups of volunteers. Over five truck loads of litter, shopping carts, and other debris was removed. Interesting cleanup items included: over a dozen shopping carts, a computer monitor, a hub cap, tires, a trash can and a goose decoy. Thanks again to all those that came out to lend a hand - your efforts made this day a success!
MyRWA would also like to thank Costco, Qdoba, Stop and Shop, Dunkin' Donuts, Adams Pizza, Leone's Pizza, Market Basket, the MWRA and Home Depot for donating products for the cleanup.
MyRWA RECEIVES FUNDING TO CONTINUE WORK IN CHELSEA AND EAST BOSTON
The Boston Foundation awarded MyRWA $16,400 to continue our work as part of the Lower Mystic Initiative in 2010. The Lower Mystic Initiative works in Chelsea and East Boston. Thank you for your continuing support Boston Foundation.
