Seeking Two Water Quality Monitoring Interns for Summer 2012

The Mystic River Watershed Association seeks two Water Quality Interns to assist in a water quality monitoring program from June through early September. Since 1972, MyRWA has played a unique role in the whole of the watershed by its science, advocacy, and outreach efforts. Among these efforts MyRWA characterizes water quality problems in the Mystic River Watershed, informing stakeholder efforts to reduce pollutant inputs and thereby improve water quality.

Water Quality Interns will gather data on Cyanobacteria populations and key water quality parameters from approximately ten water bodies to safeguard the public health of residents who live in the watershed. The data is shared with all interested stakeholders including the public, municipalities, Department of Public Health and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Interns will work both in and out of the office, and must be able to work independently and as a team. This is a part-time position that requires a commitment of two days a week during the Monday through Friday work week that are agreed upon between the two interns. Primary duties include monitoring local water bodies, collecting water samples (training provided), analysis of samples and data entry. Additional duties may include assessment of habitat for anadromous fish. Interns will learn about the scientific tools applied to monitor water quality and the efforts that a watershed association undertakes to advocate for water quality improvements based on this information.

An interest in science, the environment and advocacy is encouraged. Having reliable transportation is preferred and mileage will be reimbursed.

Candidates must be 16 years of age or older.

Exact dates can be flexible depending on the candidate. These are unpaid positions.

The Mystic River Watershed Association is based in Arlington, MA and is accessible via several bus routes. The Mystic River Watershed Association is an equal opportunity employer.

If interested, please send your resume to WQInternship@MysticRiver.org. No phone calls please.

Flatbread Pizza Fundraiser Set For March 13

On Tuesday, March 13 head to Flatbread Pizza at Sacco's Bowl Haven in Davis Square for a MyRWA fundraiser. That’s right, the more flatbread you eat the more money will be raised to support the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) and our efforts to protect and restore the Mystic River Watershed!

Eat at or get take-out from Flatbread Pizza, 45 Day Street, Somerville, between 5pm and 11pm and a portion of your flatbread will automatically be donated to MyRWA.

We'll have a RAFFLE as well!

Enjoy bowling at 2 lanes from 5-9pm!

Reservations are accepted for groups of 10 or more.

Polar Plunge Kicks Off 40th Anniversary

Over 55 people attended the first-ever Mystic Polar Plunge, held at Constitution Beach in East Boston on Saturday, January 28th, 2012. 21 people braved the icy waters on the mild winter day to kickoff MyRWA's 40th Anniversary year - a year to celebrate and promote the recreational opportunities of the Mystic as well as the water quality testing and environmental policy efforts that MyRWA has led over its forty year history.

Annual Mystic Winter Bird Walk Announced

Annual Mystic Winter Birding Walk with Friends of the Mystic River and the Menotomy Bird Club

Saturday, February 4, 2012,  10:00 a.m. - Noon

Take a two-hour trip along the Mystic Lakes and Upper Mystic River to discover what birds can be found in the middle of winter. Each year hundreds of birds winter on and around the Mystic River and Lakes, as long as open water is available. We'll be looking for raptors, such as a possible eagle or Red-tailed Hawk; waterfowl, including Common and Hooded Mergansers; and much more.

Dress appropriately for the weather. (In very cold weather, this means in layers with hat or cap, gloves, water resistant boots with tread.) Meet on Saturday, February 4 at 10 a.m. in front of West Medford Congregational Church at 400 High Street (Route 60), Medford. Canceled in case of rain or icy conditions; will go in snow as long as parking is open at the Mystic Lakes. Bring a birding field guide and binoculars if possible; there will be car pooling and limited walking. Co-sponsored with the Menotomy Bird Club.

For more info call Paul Roberts at 781-483-4263 or email phawk254@comcast.net or mystic02155@hotmail.com

6 Mystic communities receive a total of $2.9 million for park upgrades

According to the Boston Globe article (1/19/2012) the following Mystic River Watershed communities will receive grant monies derived from two initiatives of the state’s energy and environment department:

• Chelsea -- Washington Park Redevelopment Project — $500,000 for the introduction of active recreation opportunities to the site, additional seating and gathering areas throughout the park, a linear trellis, additional plantings, new walking paths, retaining wall repairs, lighting, an irrigation system and the addition of 4,500 square feet of open space.

• Medford -- Hormel Stadium Athletic Field - $500,000 for the installation of new, high quality and well-draining soils, storm water management systems, high performance synthetic turf system and field markings.

• Revere -- Gibson Park Renovation Project — $140,000 for the addition of two new tennis courts, resurfacing of two existing courts, addition of an ADA accessible ramp from the parking lot, installation of ADA compliant sidewalks, replacement of fencing around tennis courts, replacement of a baseball backstop and the addition of a half basketball court.

• Somerville -- 15-25 Cross Street East Park Construction — $500,000 for the development of a new park that will include a social gathering space, play structures for older and younger children, a water play feature and a half-court basketball court.

• Woburn -- Whispering Hill Woods — $500,000 for the development of a new park that includes a multi-purpose natural turf field, a parking area and the restoration of an existing garage into a storage facility.

• Everett -- Glendale Park Renovation — $500,000 for the installation of a new synthetic field, athletic and pedestrian lights, irrigation and drainage systems, benches and trees, the rehabilitation of the walking paths, reconstruction of the entrance and tot lot.

• Everett — Northern Strand Community Trail -- $235,000 for the production of design and construction documents for the trail from the Malden line to Route 16 in Everett and a conceptual plan for the remainder of the path to the Everett-Chelsea line.

MYRWA BUILDS RAIN GARDENS IN ARLINGTON AND EVERETT

MyRWA is working with the Town of Arlington, City of Everett and local community groups to design and build one to two rain gardens in each city. Community involvement is key to the success of these gardens - please plan on attending the next Community Meeting!

Arlington

• Community Meeting #1 - Tuesday, January 17th at 7pm, Robbins Library community room, 700 Mass. Ave. (Introduction to the rain garden project & what is a rain garden?)

Everett

• Community Meeting #1 - Date to be determined

The goal of this work is to restore water quality and habitat by raising awareness of stormwater and implementing rain garden structures. Rain gardens reduce stormwater runoff which carries significant levels of pollutants into the river system including nutrients. The rain gardens that will be built in this program will contribute to the reduction of pollutant loads from two sources - impervious surface runoff and failing sewage/stormwater infrastructure. The high percentage of impervious cover allows fertilizers, pet waste, and vehicle detritus to be picked up by rainwater and quickly transported to the river. In the case of failing infrastructure, a significant amount of rainwater is leaking from the surface into the sewer system causing the sewer system to overflow and introduce pollution to the Mystic River or other bodies of water. The rain gardens will allow rain water to be directed to areas that will permit the rainwater to infiltrate into the ground. The infiltrated water thus will not flush pollutants toward the river nor enter the sewer system at capacity.

Funding for this project courtesy of National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's 5 Star Restoration Program.

Polar Plunge Scheduled for Sat. January 28

Start the new year with a splash!

MyRWA invites you to the first-ever Polar Plunge, featuring Association staff, volunteers and others to be recruited, to dive into the Mystic River as the kickoff for MyRWA's 40th Anniversary year - a year to celebrate and promote the recreational opportunities of the Mystic as well as the water quality testing and environmental policy efforts that MyRWA has led over its forty year history. Come take the plunge or to spectate. Hot drinks will be served. Shoes are required.

This event is at your own risk.

Please PRE-REGISTER here (recommended).

January 28, 2012 - Polar Plunge in the Mystic!

1:00PM at Constitution Beach, Coleridge Street, East Boston *Updated 1/19/12

Make your end of year donation today!

Support your watershed association with a tax-deductible end of year donation today. MyRWA works hard to document and improve environmental conditions for the 76 square mile Mystic River Watershed - but we can't do it without your help! A donation of any size is greatly appreciated.

Now is a great time to donate through PayPal or Network For Good.

Benefit and Celebration Performance - Save the Silver Maple Forest

A benefit concert will take place on February 4th, 2012 to celebrate the Belmont Uplands Silver Maple Forest in Belmont and to help raise funds to preserve the threatened Massachusetts small river floodplain forest in Cambridge, Belmont, and adjacent to Arlington, for community health and well being.

Event Details:

Saturday, February 4, 2011 - 7:30 pm

First Parish Arlington

Unitarian Universalist Church

630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA

corner of Pleasant Street, Arlington Center

Get your TICKETS and find out more here.

Featuring The Jim Scott Ensemble

Former Winter Consort guitarist, composer Jim Scott

Jose Piensacola, bass and Mark Kohler, percussion

Special Guests Jazzman Extraordinaire Stan Strickland, sax, flute

Celebrated Songwriter Rev. Fred Small

Native American Flautist Elke Johns

Tickets are $20 at the door, children under 12 are free, students $10.

Proceeds will be used by the Coalition to Preserve the Belmont Uplands.

Sponsored by: Coalition to Preserve Belmont Uplands, Cambridge Climate Emergency Group, Green Cambridge, The Friends of the Alewife Reservation, Arlington Land Trust, Belmont Land Trust, Sustainable Belmont, Sustainable Arlington, First Parish Green Sanctuary, GreenPort Cambridge, Mystic River Watershed Association.

Save the Date for Work of 1,000 film

MyRWA is screening "The Work of 1,000" on March 22, 2012 at the Capitol Theater in Arlington. We will be joined by Marion Stoddart to hear about her journey in cleaning up the Nashua River first hand.

Work of 1,000 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.

Learn how Marion's story can be used here in the Mystic River Watershed!