Mystic Community Earth Day!

Several community-based organizations are joining together for the second year in a row to coordinate  events for Earth Day in the Lower Mystic River Watershed in Medford, Somerville, Malden, Everett, and East Boston. Comprising the “Mystic Community Earth Day,” the events will take place on Saturday, April 30th in honor of Earth Day (April 22nd) and will focus on improving areas along the river, while drawing attention to the needs of the watershed as a whole.  All events are free and open to the public.  Volunteers are needed to complete this important work.

The Mystic River Watershed is the most urbanized and densely populated watershed in Massachusetts, with over half a million people living in its 76 square miles.  Due to its long industrial history and antiquated sewer systems, the water quality of the river is severely degraded and access to the riverfront is limited. Despite these challenges, residents, community groups, and organizations are working to improve the Mystic River, its tributaries, and surrounding communities. 

This year marks the 41st Earth Day, which was first held on April 22, 1970, and featured rallies, protests, and clean-ups across the country with a strong college student presence.  That day is often considered the birth of the modern environmental movement.  Earth Day 2011 will be observed nationwide on April 22 and will be marked by many of the same activities as the original event 41 years ago.      

The Mystic Community Earth Day will include clean-ups, trail clearings, and plantings. Click here for information about Mystic Community Earth Day events! We hope that you'll celebrate Earth Day with us!

Running...Paddling...and now Biking!

That's right, a new component to MyRWA's signature Herring Run and Paddle - although non-competitive in nature!

As part of MyRWA's annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle race, which includes a 5K road race and three paddling races, Bike to the Sea, in conjunction with the Somerville Bicycle Committee, has been invited to lead a ride as part of day's festivities.  The ride will take place along existing paths on both sides of the Mystic River through Somerville and Medford, in addition to the recently completed Park at River's Edge along the Malden River.  Work should be starting on the first Bike to the Sea segment in Everett, which will also be included in the route.  

Plan on one hour's ride with an option for an additional hour.  Steady rain cancels the event. Bring your own bike and helmet.

***PLEASE NOTE***Hybrid bikes (or a very sturdy road bike) are strongly recommended due to some off-road sections that are non-paved.

Meet at Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, 32 Shore Drive, Somerville at 11 a.m. for the 11:15 ride kick-off. 

For more information, contact Pete Sutton at beausutt@hotmail.com

No need to register for this event. Free!

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

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.



De-Paving Guide Available

Are you interested in de-paving part of your property? Removing concrete, asphalt, and other impervious surfaces lowers stormwater runoff and heat absorption while creating new habitat. Somerville Climate Action did just this in October 2010.

Thanks to Somerville Climate Action for sharing their de-paving guide, which was designed by Kathy Gregory.

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.

Education Resource List Now Available

Chelsea High School students enjoy an educational tour of the Mystic.MyRWA has compiled a list of educational resources surrounding water quality, the Mystic River Watershed and environmental topics. Many of these resources are great for teachers. If you have something to add to this list, please contact MyRWA.