$1 MILLION DEDICATED TO IMPROVING THE LOWER MYSTIC

Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Ian Bowles announced $1 million in grants for four projects aimed at improving conditions in the lower Mystic River. Serving the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford and Somerville, these projects will improve water quality and wetland areas of the lower Mystic River.

The Mystic River Watershed Association is among the recipients of the grants, receiving $325,000, funded by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust (MET). MyRWA’s efforts will include an integrated water quality monitoring and improvement program in the Lower Mystic River Watershed. The grant will support and expand upon two existing MyRWA programs, "Find-it and Fix-it" and Baseline Monitoring, and extend the monitoring work to address harmful algal blooms, nutrient loading and the impacts of large storms.

MyRWA thanks MET for their generous support!

Other recipients include Groundwork Somerville, the Mystic Valley Development Commission and the Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA).

MyRWA works with Prospect Hill Academy, Groundwork Somerville

On Friday June 5th, MyRWA partnered with Groundwork Somerville and students from Prospect Hill Academy to remove water chestnuts, an invasive plant, from the Mystic River.

A group of ten students from Prospect Hill Academy have been working with MyRWA over the course of the last year as part of their Enrichment Term. Their community service project includes assisting in removing water chestnut, as well as creating educational materials about this invasive plant. These materials will be available soon.

Pulling water chestnuts Groundwork Somerville's National Park Preservers crew, in addition to an Americorps group, assisted in the days efforts, resulting in over 60 baskets of water chestnuts removed from the Mystic River in Somerville. The teams will be back on the river on Friday June 11th.

WORLD PREMIERE SCREENING OF THE DOCUMENTARY “MARION STODDART: THE WORK OF 1000”

On Saturday, June 12, at Lawrence Academy’s Richardson-Mees Performing Arts Center, the documentary film “Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000”, will have its first public screening. The evening will begin at 6:15 pm for mingling with Marion Stoddart, the filmmakers, crew, musicians, and guests. At 7 pm, the film will be screened. And at 8 pm, all are invited to a celebration party, held across the street at the Old Groton Inn’s Carriage House. Tickets to the pre-premiere mingle and the screening are FREE but must be reserved. Tickets to the celebration party are $25.

The documentary film tells the inspiring story of Marion Stoddart, a citizen leader committed to a lifetime of grassroots organizing and coalition building, and how she led the charge in the 1960s to clean up the Nashua River. The Nashua, once named as one of United States’ ten most polluted rivers, is now an internationally recognized environmental success story and a locally celebrated natural resource.

In recognition of her work, Stoddart has received many awards including the United Nations Environmental Programme’s Global 500 Award. She was profiled in National Geographic and in an award-winning children’s book; she was a 2009 National Women’s History Project Honoree as “One of the Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet”; and she has just published an essay in Written In Water by the National Geographic Society.

Celebrate Marion Stoddart’s tremendous success at the premiere with an opportunity to meet Marion Stoddart and the filmmakers, a catered natural food buffet, a cash bar, and fantastic live music featuring the musicians from the film.

To reserve or purchase tickets by June 1, please visit http://www.workof1000.org/screenings or call Marea at 617-834-7315 or email marea@workof1000.org. 

Support MyRWA- Donate at Whole Foods in Medford in July

For the month of July, Whole Foods Market of Medford will have donation coupons at all registers that benefit MyRWA. If you are interested in volunteering to assist with this month long effort, please contact Beth at 781-316-3438 or beth@mysticriver.org.

Thank you Whole Foods Market of Medford for your ongoing support!

Rain Barrel Program a Success

Over 50 Rain Barrels were purchased through MyRWA's program in conjunction with New England Rain Barrel Company. Rain barrels are a great way to conserve water and reduce storm water runoff. Thanks to all who purchased rain barrels through MyRWA's program!

Special thanks to Whole Foods Market of Medford, where the rain barrel pickup was hosted on June 3.

MyRWA Participates in "Mystic River Day"

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.