Friends of Alewife Reservation Hosts Volunteers to DCR Park Serve Day

Friends of Alewife Reservation (FAR) announces April 16th cleanup!

WHEN

Saturday April 16, 2011, 9AM to 2PM

WHAT

During this statewide day of volunteer service, we will work together to get the Alewife Reservation ready for summer by cleaning the park and clearing the trails! BONUS: At 1PM we will be treated to a wildlife walk guided by naturalist Steve Gillies, who will help us spot birds and various mammals and observe the blooming spring plant growth.

MEET

Alewife T stop at Friends of Alewife Reservation Kiosk. (across the street from passenger pick up)

WHAT TO BRING

  • FAR provides gloves and equipment

  • Wear sturdy shoes and work clothes and consider bringing sunscreen and insect repellent (FAR has some)

  • Bring a water bottle and a snack!

SIGN UP

  • To sign up for Park Serve Day, and to see a list of all the projects, go online to

  • Also register with FAR for desired clean-up sight for you or your group

  • FAR welcomes your participation even if you are unable to sign up


DIRECTIONS & PARKING

New Alewife Reservation Parking Lot at Discovery Park

Driving to the parking
Drive west on Route 2 from Cambridge, to Belmont end of Lake Street. Turn left at underpass and immediate left again on Frontage Road to Discovery Park (large sign). Turn right onto Acorn Park Drive and go to end where there is a 20-space parking lot for Alewife Reservation visitors.
Park (up to 4 hours).

Walking from the parking — to meeting places
Walk across bridge back towards Alewife T stop for meeting places to begin birding walks, educational tours or clean ups.

Dodge Co. Parking Lot — 165 Cambridge Park Drive

Driving to the parking
When coming into Alewife T area from Alewife Brook Parkway, go to red light. Continue down Cambridge Park Drive straight almost to end, to 165 Cambridge Park Drive. Turn right in second Dodge lot where you see cars parked (large willow trees in back). Park in the back of the lot. Your car will be safe. There is a picnic bench to sit. Dodge has been informed that you might be there.

Walking from the parking
From Dodge Co., walk down bikepath to Alewife T entrance, T Passenger Pickup, or Alewife Reservation Kiosk (all within 2 minutes of each other).

Thorndike Field — parking places

Driving to the parking
Take Margaret Street from Lake Street in Arlington.
You can get to Lake Steet from Mass Ave. or Route 2 going west. (Lake Street runs between Route 2 and Mass. Ave.) Drive to the end of Margaret Street (only one way to turn). There are parking places at the athletic fields (Thorndike Field).

Walking from the parking
From Thorndike Field, walk to Minute Man meeting place or Alewife Reservation kiosk or T Passenger Pickup (all within 2 minutes of each other).

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS

MyRWA has several upcoming volunteer opportunities - let's clean up the Mystic together! Please save the date for these fun, single-day events, and check back for more details.

  • Saturday, April 9, Water Quality Monitoring Training

  • 9am - 12pm, 33 Elm Street, Thompson Library, Woburn

  • Saturday, April 30, Earth Day River Cleanup in conjunction with Groundwork Somerville

  • 9am - 12:30pm, Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, Somerville

  • Sunday, May 15, Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle

  • 7am - 3pm, Somerville - more details coming soon!

  • Saturday, June 4, Water Chestnut Community Hand-Pulling Day

  • Time and location to be determined.

Organic Lawns for Homeowners workshop offered on April 9th

On Saturday, April 9th the Northeast Organic Farming Association will offer “Organic Lawns for Homeowners” workshops in Arlington and Stoneham.

The three-hour workshop is recommended for homeowners and anyone who cares for lawns. It will cover all aspects of caring for one’s own lawn organically, including the organic approach to lawn care, soil testing and soil health, growing healthy grass, mowing, seeding, aerating and topdressing techniques and how-to-find organic supplies, compost and materials needed. The workshop will also include a hands-on component including a demonstration of organic lawn equipment and cultural practices on organically maintained properties.

The overall project goals are to reduce the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in the management of residential lawns; to educate and demonstrate the benefits of eliminating toxics in lawns (less exposure to toxins, decreased groundwater pollution, increased air quality, cost savings over time, fewer inputs, healthier lawns); and to provide ongoing support to homeowners and groups requesting this information and education.

Growing public awareness of pesticide use hazards and new legislation mandating least toxic and non-toxic alternatives are fueling homeowners’ concern regarding applying synthetic chemicals. More homeowners are requesting organic products at garden centers and home stores and NOFA Accredited Organic Land Care Professionals care for more of their client’s properties organically year after year.

The workshop fee is $25 ($5 discount for NOFA/MOFGA members). For more information or to register for any of the workshops, please contact Kathy Litchfield at (413) 773-3830 or Kathy@nofamass.org. Online registration is available at www.nofamass.org.

This workshop will cover:
Why Organic? • What is an Organic Lawn? • How is Organic different from
Conventional? • The Relationship between a Healthy Soil and Healthy
Lawn • Soil Testing • Soil Health • The Science of Growing Grass
Cultural Practices • Mowing • Aerating • Compost Topdressing
Fertilizing • Seed Slicing • Equipment • Questions & Answers

Also featuring demonstrations of organic lawn maintenance methods, giving homeowners a chance to try them out on an organic lawn!

A Civil Action Event A Success

Photo Credit: David Mussina

Photo Credit: David Mussina

Thank you for attending the A Civil Action event on Thursday, March 10th. The successful event drew over 200 people, and brought attention to important water quality issues and a powerful local story. We started the evening by hearing from MyRWA’s Executive Director, EK Khalsa, who provided an introduction to the event and guest speaker lawyer Jan Schlichtmann.  Jan provided an engaging and informative overview of his experience working on A Civil Action – an experience that changed his life and the lives of many others.  We were thrilled to be joined by several of the Woburn families represented in the case.  Jan called on the audience to get involved with MyRWA to make safer, healthier communities.

Special thanks to the Regent Theatre, Sustainable Arlington, Woburn Residents’ Environmental Network, Aberjona Study Coalition, Inc.,  Friends of the Mystic River, and  of course, Jan Schlichtmann!

Sanitary Sewer Overflows Reported

Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) can occur during heavy or prolonged rain events and discharge stormwater mixed with untreated sewage.

Three known SSO discharges were active on March 7, 2011:

  1. Wedgemere Station in Winchester on the Aberjona River

  2. Overflow at Horn Pond in Woburn

  3. Mystic Valley Parkway in Arlington to Lower Mystic Lake

Discharges from SSOs contain levels of bacteria, viruses, raw sewage and other pollutants that may pose health risks to people who come in direct or indirect contact (e.g. contact with pets swimming in contaminated water). Contact with SSO-contaminated water should be avoided. Additional information on SSOs in the Mystic River Watershed can be found at http://mysticriver.org/sso/. 

Based upon ten years of water quality data collected on the Mystic and its tributaries, MyRWA recommends that whenever it rains people should revise their water-based recreation plans such as boating, fishing, or swimming on the Mystic.  In general “wet weather” conditions are a high level predictor for poor water quality in the Mystic watershed from various pollutant sources.  These poor water quality conditions can occur whenever it rains regardless of an SSO or CSO event due to stormwater runoff and local plumbing problems (illicit connections).  Bacterial contaminants typically last for 48 hours.  Community boating programs should post flags or other visual indicators to inform citizens that water quality does not support active recreation at that time.

Fish Consumption Advisory

It should also be noted that the MA Department of Public Health has issued a fish consumption advisory for several rivers and ponds in theMystic River watershed against consuming fish caught in these waters For more information, contact MDPH Bureau of Environmental Health at 617-624-5757. Please advise people you see fishing in the Mystic or its tributaries that fish caught should not be eaten.



Citizen Scientist Training Workshop Announced

Please join MyRWA on Saturday, April 9th for a Citizen Scientist Training Workshop. This Workshop allows interested volunteers to learn about water quality monitoring methods and concepts. By completing this workshop, you’ll be prepared to join MyRWA’s Baseline Monitoring Program. The Baseline Monitoring Program requires a monthly commitment between 6am and 8am. No experience is necessary - all are welcome!

When: Saturday, April 9, 9:00am-12:00pm

Where: Thompson Memorial Library, 33 Elm St., Woburn, MA

Space is limited! Please register today by emailing Beth@Mysticriver.org.

A Civil Action Film and Discussion March 10

The Mystic River Watershed Association is pleased to present

A Civil Action screening and discussion with Jan Schlichtmann, the trial lawyer depicted

in the film by John Travolta.

Thursday March 10that7:00PM

The Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St., Arlington, MA

The 1998 film A Civil Action is based upon a true story that took place in the Mystic River Watershed. This legal thriller details the case surrounding the contamination of the Woburn City water supply.  We will be joined by Jan Schlichtmann, the lawyer who stood up to corporate interests in order to protect a community's water supply. Hear about his experience and thoughts on environmental law and why individuals must remain vigilant.  This event is sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association, Sustainable Arlington, Friends of the Mystic River, Woburn Residents’ Environmental Network, and Aberjona Study Coalition, Inc.

The event is free but a tax-deductible donation of $10 or more to support the Mystic River Watershed Association would be appreciated. Payments may be made in cash or by check at the door or by mailing to: 20 Academy St., Suite 306, Arlington, MA 02476.

Sustainability: Through the Lens of Water

MyRWA's Patrick Herron will be presenting at the The 2nd Annual Sustainability Symposium and Public Conversation; Sustainability: Through the Lens of Water. An exploration of global and local issues that connect business, society, and the environment.

Friday, February 11, 2011
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Boston College - Yawkey Athletic Center, Murray Room

This public conversation will embrace the unique perspectives of business leaders, community members, policy-makers and attendees to gain a deeper understanding of sustainable management.

Guests include:

  • Elisa Speranza, CH2MHill

  • Sally Yozell, National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration

  • David Brooks, Friends of the Earth, Canada

  • Patrick Herron, Mystic River Watershed Association

  • Andrew DeSantis, City of Chelsea, MA

  • Ted Tye, National Development

  • Dan Driscoll, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

  • Leadership for Change Facilitators Kenneth Mirvis and Peter Crawley

A $50 seminar fee includes lunch.
Leadership for Change Alumni, Boston College Alumni, Grad Students, and Faculty, and SBN Members fee is $35.
RSVP to lc@bc.edu by February 6th.

Leadership for Change is a program affiliated with the Winston Center for Leadership and Ethics at Boston College.

TOGETHER FOR THE MYSTIC RIVER Photo: Mystic River after fresh snow Credit: Brett Hausler
COMBINED SEWER OVERFLOW Photo: Alewife Stormwater Wetland, Credit: Stantec

Mystic River Watershed Association, 23 Maple Street, Arlington, MA, 02476(617) 865-6580
Website Design & Development by: JOHN HALL DESIGN GROUP, Beverly, MA
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