Mechanical harvester near the Condon Shell in MedfordHave you seen bright orange machines navigating the Mystic? They are mechanical harvesters working to remove the invasive water chestnut from the Mystic River. This project is part of a three year effort by Groundwork Somerville, Friends of the Mystic River, & Riverside Yacht Club, Winter Hill Yacht Club, Mystic Wellington Yacht Club. Mechanical harvesting is just one component in the effort that includes extensive hand harvesting of the water chestnut by community members, Green Teams and Americorps. Local conservation group, Friends of the Mystic, has been working on the water chestnut problem for a number of years and is currently an active partner with MyRWA in supporting Groundwork Somerville efforts. The mechanical harvesting is expected to last 6 to 9 days.
Everett Mystic River Festival a Success
On Saturday, August 7th community members and organizations participated in the the second annual Everett Mystic River Festival at Village Landing Park in Everett. Activities included music, free food, family activities, and much more. The Mystic River Watershed Association hosted an informational table at the event, engaging watershed residents. The event was sponsored by La Comunidad, Inc.
We are pleased to report that Officer Officer Patrick Johnston receives award of recognitionPatrick Johnston was recognized at the event for his energy, intelligence, dedication and service to the Everett area, including as a Marine Officer on the Malden and Mystic Rivers. Johnston serves on the Mystic River Watershed Association's Board of Directors, and we are proud that he was recognized for his efforts! Congratulations Patrick!
EPA New England Announces Urban Waters/Mystic River University Collaborative
EPA New England recently announced the selection of University of Massachusetts Boston for its Urban Waters/Mystic River University Collaborative. Earlier this spring, EPA New England solicited proposals
from Boston area colleges and universities to develop a collaborative relationship in support of its urban waters/Mystic River Watershed Initiative, beach and nonpoint source programs.
Anamarija Frankic, Ph.D., Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental, Earth, and Ocean Sciences and her colleagues at UMass Boston will be heading up the Collaborative work on urban waters/Mystic River over the coming years.
water 2020: a shared vision for Massachusetts
The Nature Conservancy has collaborated with more than 50 watershed groups, including MyRWA, to create a shared plan for achieving sustainable water management in Massachusetts by the year 2020.
What is sustainable water management?
Managing water sustainably means meeting current needs without compromising the needs of future generations. Sustainable water management is essential to the health, safety and economic development of Massachusetts communities and to the health of fish and other native wildlife—now and in the future.
Sustainable water management also takes into account the predicted effects of climate change, such as increased frequency and severity of droughts and floods, helping to ensure the resiliency of our rivers, streams and water supplies.
The environmental community has come together to create Water 2020—a shared vision for water and rivers in Massachusetts. The vision highlights shared priorities and actions that will help us work together to achieve sustainable water management in the Commonwealth by the year 2020.
What is Our Vision for the Year 2020?
Enough clean water for current and future generations.
We must ensure that there is enough clean water to meet the needs of people, our growing economy and wildlife into the foreseeable future.
Clean rivers that support a growing economy.
The rivers, streams and wetlands of Massachusetts must
continue to provide ecological services critical to our health, safety and economy.
A healthy river flows through it.
We envision healthy rivers flowing through vibrant, sustainable communities. Every river in Massachusetts should be an asset to the communities through which it flows. Rivers and streams
provide family time and habitat for fish and other wildlife, while adding natural beauty to our landscapes.
HESS SITE DISCUSSION HOSTED BY CHELSEA CREEK ACTION GROUP
Come discuss a proposal for wetlands habitat restoration on the former Hess Site on Condor Street! Join the Chelsea Creek Action Group on August 11th from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Maverick Landing Community Center (31 Liverpool Street, East Boston, MA). Pizza and refreshments will be served! Child care will be provided. The Chelsea Creek Action Group is part of the Neighborhood of Affordable Housing (NOAH) in East Boston. Questions please email mvega@noahcdc.org.
MyRWA works with Everett Green Team
Beth Meserve, MyRWA’s Outreach Coordinator, provides environmental education for Everett’s youth Green Team. The Green Team consists of 15 youth employed by the City of Everett for the summer. They work alongside City Services staff primarily spending their time beautifying the City of Everett. MyRWA compliments their work by providing hands-on environmental education, allowing the youth to look more closely at their surroundings. Explorations of local flora and fauna, the Mystic River Watershed and water quality of the Malden and Mystic Rivers are conducted as part of this program. This program is funded by Exxon Mobil Pipeline in Everett.
Video internship offered for the fall!
Education and Outreach Internship: Video
The Mystic River Watershed Association seeks a volunteer intern to complete an educational video project. The project entails interviewing volunteers and members and taking and editing video. The goal is to have several short video segments highlighting the work of the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and the volunteers and members who help MyRWA in our efforts. Must be an independent worker and have good communication skills. Experience conducting interviews preferred. Experience taking and editing video is a plus!
The Mystic River Watershed Association is an environmental advocacy non-profit that works to protect and restore the Mystic River and its watershed lands.
For more information please contact Beth at 781-316-3438 or beth@mysticriver.org.
Application deadline: Rolling.
Asian Long Horned Beetle Alert
Photo credit: ag.umass.edu
As you may be aware, the invasive Asian Long Horned Beetle was identified in Jamaica Plain earlier this month. While this is not in the Mystic River Watershed, it is of concern.
For more information on the Asian Long Horned Beetle, including how to identify them click here.
Spy Pond Elizabeth Island protection agreement reached
Arlington Land Trust is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement, with the assistance of Massachusetts Audubon Society, to permanently protect Elizabeth Island in Arlington’s Spy Pond. The purchase and sale agreement for the Island calls for Arlington Land Trust (ALT) to purchase the Island by December 31, 2010 from its long-time owner, Elaine Sacco of Arlington.
Water Chestnut Event Successful
Photo Credit: David Mussina
On Saturday June 12, nearly 25 volunteers from Friends of the Mystic River, Groundwork Somerville, Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) came together to pull the invasive water chestnut from the Mystic River.
The combined efforts resulted in 250 baskets of water chestnut hauled from the river filling two dump trucks. Along with the water chestnut, a few unlucky eels were brought up before ultimately being returned to the water unscathed. Credit goes to many people for the success of the event including the MWRA which assisted with trucks, boats and manpower to support the event. Fred Laskey, Executive Director of the MWRA attended the event ready to work and pledged the commitment of the MWRA to improving the Mystic.
Update
on 2010-07-02 15:42 by MyRWA
