Have you ever wondered what a journey up the Mystic River would be like? Check out this three minute video created using time-lapsed images to explore the beauty of this urban resource.
Thanks to Emerson College students for making this possible!
Seeking Superfans of the Mystic
What is a Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) SUPERFAN?Volunteers assist at the MyRWA table at Somerville ArtBeat
MyRWA is looking for volunteers that are connected to your community to help spread the word about the work of the Mystic River Watershed Association, including upcoming events and meetings. The Superfan(s) will be the “go-to” representative for their city, and in charge of advertising events, recruiting volunteers for local festivals, and contacting the local media. The time commitment for a Superfan will vary depending on your city or town, but is likely a once a month commitment.
With your insider knowledge, you’ll support MyRWA in several ways:
Help advertise & plan MyRWA events locally.
Hang posters
Send notices to appropriate local email lists
Send press releases to local newspapers, blogs, calendar editors & follow-up
Get to know & work with synergistic “Friends of” organizations
Represent MyRWA at local events and recruit local volunteers.
Become the expert on your town’s drinking water, sewage and storm water systems by making a simple call to your DPW.
Become a resource in your community. Meet with town officials.
What are your ideas for your community?
Why YOU should get involved:
MyRWA can’t reach all 22 communities without your help; please get involved to protect and restore your local environment!
How to get involved:
Contact Beth at 781-316-3438 or Beth@MysticRiver.org.
Friends of Alewife Reservation host Educational Walk Series
The Friends of Alewife Reservation will host an Educational Walk Series.
November 13, Bill Ackerly, long time birder and guide to Eagle Scout bird box building and placing initiative leads a special bird box cleaning project and discussion to start off the Saturday series. Throughout the years, the boxes have been put up by Eagle Scouts and the Department of Conservation and Recreation DCR and other community groups. Boxes to prepare for spring will be cleaned for owls, wood ducks, kestrels, swallows, wrens, and song birds.
On December 18th, Dave Brown, noted professional tracker and wildlife specialist of Quabbin Reservoir, Middlesex Fells, and other large parks teaches docent learners about ecology and habitat of the diverse Alewife Reservation animal and bird species. Dave produced a report, then published into a booklet, "Biodiversity of the Alewife Reservation Area: Species, Habitat, Ecosystems" for sale at the event.
January 15th, Russ Geer, DCR Park Ranger brings flora and fauna education to the series at 1:00 pm.
Call 617 415-1884 for more information and see: http://friendsofalewifereservation.org/events.htm#walks
We will meet at the Alewife Kiosk across from the Alewife T stop.
Most walks will be at 9am. Note Russ at 1pm.
Malden River Film Premier Nov. 22
The Malden River at the Park at River's EdgeThis past summer two Malden youth, Alex Deng and Ngobitak Ndiwane, worked with Tri-CAP's Environmental Justice Community Organizing Coordinator, Nick Cohen, to complete a video about the Malden River. This film, The Malden River: Past Present and Potential, is now complete and will be shown on Monday, November 22nd at 7:30 PM at the Tufts University Boathouse at River’s Edge. A big thanks goes to Tufts University and River’s Edge for hosting the event that will be free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
For More Information Contact Nick Cohen: ncohen@tri-cap.org or 781-322-4125 X237
When: Monday, November 22nd at 7:30 PM
Where: Tufts University Boathouse at 300 River’s Edge Drive, Medford, MA
Directions: The Tufts Boathouse is located at River’s Edge on River’s Edge Drive/Commercial Street in Medford between Wellington T Station and Medford Street.
From Route 16 (either direction), take the Wellington T-Station Exit. From Route 16 East, stay to the right and go under the Route 16 overpass or from Route 16 West, follow the exit ramp to the intersection and make a right turn. This road is River’s Edge Drive. Go straight (away from Wellington) for approximately 0.5 miles. Turn right into the parking lot for River’s Edge. If you get to Medford Street, you have gone too far. Please park in the designated area and follow the signs to the Tufts Boathouse on foot.
View the TRAILER here!
Update
on 2010-12-03 14:39 by MyRWA
SPECIAL FILM SCREENING: "A Sea Change"
State Representative Denise Provost and Somerville Climate Action present A SEA CHANGE followed by a discussion. This free event is open to the public and is co-sponsored by Ocean River Institute and Mystic River Watershed Association.
When: Wed., Oct. 27th, 6:30PM - 9PM
Where:Third Life Studio, 33 Union Square, Somerville
IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT FISH. It seems inconceivable, but top scientists warn that such a catastrophe may in fact play out in coming generations unless widespread awareness is raised to stop
ocean acidification. A Sea Change focuses public attention on this urgent but little-know crisis.
A Sea Change is the first documentary about ocean acidification, directed by Barbara Ettinger and co-produced by Sven Huseby.
Chock full of scientific information, the feature-length film is also a beautiful paean to the ocean world and an intimate story of a Norwegian-American family whose heritage is bound up with the sea. The film debuted in March 2009 to a record-breaking, standing room-only audience at the Smithsonian Museum, which then gave it a standing ovation. Since then the film has screened at festivals in North America, Europe, and Latin America, garnering multiple awards.
Citizen Scientist Training Workshop Announced
The Mystic River Watershed Association will host a Citizen Scientist Training Workshop for interested volunteers to learn about water quality monitoring methods and concepts. By completing this workshop, you’ll be prepared to join MyRWA’s water quality monitoring program.Patrick Herron, Water Quality Monitoring Director provides a training.
When: Saturday, November 6, 9:30am-12:30pm
Where: Boston Public Library, 276 Meridian St., East Boston
Space is limited! Please register today.
Sustainable Arlington Windows on Water Event
On Thursday, October 21st, join Sustainable Arlington for Windows on Water - a free evening event with displays, short films, discussion, refreshments and door prizes. The event runs from 7:00 - 9:00 pm at 27 Maple Street, Arlington, MA.
This community conversation provides residents the opportunity to learn about how our watershed functions, and ask questions about Arlington's water: Is there enough? Is our water safe and clean? Why do we experience floods and what can be done to prevent them? How can I save water (and money) at home?
Massachusetts State Representative Will Brownsberger and Arlington Selectman Clarissa Rowe will participate alongside residents as we learn from each other and share our questions and concerns about water availability, safety, infrastructure, conservation, and recreation.
The event will begin at 7pm with refreshments and displays that encourage thought and conversation. At 7:30 there will be a welcome by your hosts from Sustainable Arlington and the Arlington EcoFest Committee, as well as a short film on the Mystic River Watershed. Next, guests may choose a water display topic that piques their interest and about which they would like to talk more. At 8:30 we'll gather one more time to share new thoughts and ideas that come out of the evening's discussions, all while enjoying snacks, baked goods and beverages donated by local businesses.
We have much to learn from each other, and suggestions and ideas generated on October 21 will contribute to the planning of future activities throughout the year, as Sustainable Arlington and the Arlington EcoFest Committee continue to host a year-long focus on water sustainability.
MyRWA hopes to see you there!
Help De-Pave Somerville on October 11
DE-Pave the Way to a Safer Climate!
Monday, October 11, 2010 10:00 to 4:00
a 350.org Global Work Party
and Somerville Climate Action event
co-sponsored by Mystic River Watershed Association and Groundwork Somerville
Next Monday, October 11th from 10:00am to 4:00pm, we will be De-Paving the Way to a Safer Climate! We invite you to join us in what we hope will be the first of many "de-pavings" in Somerville. This event is part of the 350.org Global Work Party. As the planet heats up and the world awaits for heads of state to pass a science-based climate treaty that will bring us back to the safe 350ppm atmospheric CO2 concentrations as soon as possible (we reached 392ppm this summer), citizens across the globe will be rolling up their sleeves and getting to work in their communities, sending a message to world leaders that they, too, need to get to urgently get to work on climate change.
In Somerville, we will be de-paving the backyard of 24 Maple Avenue (and possibly another site TBA) from 10:00am to 4:00pm in two hour shifts and will finish off the day with food, music, and cheer!
Please let us know if you can participate (we need an exact head count to make this run smoothly!) by emailing vanessarule@gmail.com, and what shifts are best for you (10 to 12; 12 to 2; or 2 to 4).
Update on 2010-10-13 17:43 by MyRWA
Work of 1,000 Coming to Brookline, MA
Marion Stoddart's "The Work of 1,000" will be shown on Thurs. October 14 from 7pm-8:30pm at the Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline. The film will be followed by a panel discussion on "The Future of Urban Environmentalism."
Panelists include Marion Stoddart, who led the cleanup of the Nashua River and stars in "The Work of 1000"; former Fitchburg Mayor Bill Flynn; current Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong; and Colin Durrant, the former Communications Director for the Conservation Law Foundation. Introductory remarks by Work of 1000 director/producer, Susan Edwards. The panel will be moderated by Work of 1000 director/writer Dorie Clark.
Work of 1000 is a documentary about the parallel journey of two characters, one a young woman discouraged at her future as a suburban housewife, the other a river - once beautiful and teeming with wildlife - now a hopeless, toxic sludge pit.
Chronicling an important episode in U.S. environmental history, this inspirational story examines the human side of acclaimed environmental pioneer Marion Stoddart.
Marion Stoddart proved that with vision and commitment, an "ordinary" person can accomplish extraordinary things. This film will reveal the secrets of her success and her methods for inspiring change.
2010 Annual Meeting October 28
MyRWA is pleased to announce our 2010 Annual Meeting on Thursday, October 28th. Please join us at the Tufts University Boathouse at 300 River's Edge Drive in Medford at 6:00pm for appetizers or at 7pm for the start of the meeting. We will be joined by guest speaker Curt Spalding, Regional Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) New England. Mr. Spalding will address the Green Economy and Urban Waters. More information coming soon!
