Water Quality Monitoring Training Announced for June 13

Please join MyRWA on Wednesday, June 13 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!

You have to register for this event.

When: Wednesday, June 13th, 6:00PM – 8:00PM
Where: Mystic Learning Center, 530 Mystic Ave., Somerville, MA

Space is limited! Please register today by emailing Beth@Mysticriver.org or call 781-316-3438.

A Beautiful day for the 16th annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle

5K racers are ready to go!Over 400 people headed to the banks of the Mystic for a beautiful day on the river. The 16th Annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle was held on Sunday, May 20 at the DCR Blessing of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville. Events included a 5K road race, a 3-,9-, and 12-mile paddling race, a bicycle tour, and a play by youth from Somerville's Wild Tales program. The US EPA presented the 2011 Mystic River Report Card at 10am. Thanks to all who came out to support MyRWA and a healthy Mystic!

Mystic Community Earth Day 2012 A Success!

Organizations throughout the Mystic River Watershed came together to organize Earth Day related events on Saturday, April 21st and 28th, including clean-ups, trail clearings, and plantings.  This successful day allowed many volunteers to help revitalize their communities - thanks to all who participated!

Event Details:

Malden

75 volunteers helped clean-up the Malden River Walk, Plaza 188 riverfront trail, and Northern Strand Community Trail areas along the Malden River on both Canal Street and Commercial Street in Malden. In total, the volunteers in the area removed more than 100 bags of trash, brush, and other debris from the area. A group of Malden Youth from the Wah Lum Kung Fu Center and Youth A.C.T. also painted wayfinding signs at the entrance to the Plaza 188 Trail and planted native shrubs at the entrances to the Plaza 188 riverfront trail and Northern Strand Community Trail. At the end of the event, the Malden Department of Public Works disposed of the trash, enough to fill 4 dump trucks. The event was organized by Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP), Bike to the Sea, Groundwork Somerville, and Cambridge Health.

Medford

Medford's Earth Day Celebration and Medford Square Cleanup

Mayor McGlynn and members of the Medford Energy Committee attended the Earth Day celebration and Medford Square Cleanup on Saturday April 28th.  At the event the Mayor announced the creation of the Green Awards program which is being co-sponsored by the Medford Energy Committee and the Chamber of Commerce.  The Green Awards is a program to recognize businesses (non-profits included) and residents who have implemented energy efficient and environmentally friendly initiatives.  The application can be found at www.medford.org/greenawards.  We are accepting applications until June 29, 2012.  If you have any questions contact Carey Duques 781-393-2137 or cduques@medford.org.

The Medford Square Cleanup was a huge success.  Over 100 in attendance, including about 85 volunteers that participated in the cleanup, picking up trash and debris from various places around the Square, and planting the flowers in the large pots located along Riverside Avenue.  Xtreme Ninja Martial Arts & Fitness Center had a large presence at the cleanup with over 30 students and parents helping with activities throughout the morning.  Community service projects are a large part of Xtreme Ninja's curriculum and core values and students are taught the importance of giving back selflessly.  One of the areas that was cleaned up was a municipal parking lot located off of Salem Street in Medford Square.  The group filled approximately 10 bags with trash and debris that was removed from the lot.

Friends of the Mystic River held its 17th Annual Mystic River Spring Cleanup on April 28. Seventy volunteers, ranging in age from Boy and Girl Scouts to senior citizens, picked up trash at Mystic Riverbend Park, MacDonald Park, the Condon Shell Park, and adjacent to the river along Mystic Valley Parkway and Auburn Street in Medford.

Somerville

Groundwork Somerville's Earth Day Farm RaisingIn Somerville, over 50 volunteers including Mayor Joe Curtatone turned out to help Groundwork Somerville and Green City Growers build Somerville's first farm. The Groundwork Somerville Green Team built 13 raised beds, and volunteers filled them with soil and planted melons, lettuce and 12 other vegetables. The group also removed invasives species and prepared existing soil for perennials to be planted later in the month. The Green Team will be maintaining the farm throughout the summer and fall, and the public is welcome anytime to visit this unique site.

MyRWA and Gentle Giant Rowing Club had over 50 volunteers remove trash from the banks of the Mystic River at Assembly Row. A special thanks to Somerville's Boy Scout Troop #3 and MA Department of Conservation and Recreation. View MyRWA's photos here.

Youth Play At This Year's Herring Run and Paddle

"WHEN FISH RUN: The Story of a Small Fry" is an original play (with music) written by children from the Mystic Learning Center in Somerville. It will be performed at the MyRWA's Annual Herring Run and Paddle to celebrate the return of the alewife and blueback herring fish to the Mystic River and Lakes. The show will be performed on SUNDAY, MAY 20, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse.

The play is about a small herring, named Alberto, who misses the annual herring migration to the ocean because of a terrible storm that separates him from his friends. In order to survive, he is forced to become part of the evil Bass King's gang. (Note: Bass eat herring!) When the herring return in the spring to the Mystic River, they think that Alberto has betrayed them by joining the Bass Gang. Alberto thinks he was left behind because he wasn't strong enough to make the migration. Both are very wrong! And when it becomes apparent that the Bass King's evil ways threaten all of the Mystic, Alberto and his best friend, Beatriz, journey beyond the giant fish ladder to seek advice from a wise creature that no one has seen for over 200 years! Come find out how Alberto and Beatriz save the Mystic River in  "WHEN FISH RUN: The Story of a Small Fry."

"WHEN FISH RUN: The Story of a Small Fry" was produced by Wild Tales with a grant from the Somerville Arts Council. Wild Tales is a free program for all children ages 6 - 12 that teaches youth about urban ecology through creative play.

MyRWA’s Patrick Herron Receives EPA Award

Karen McGuire (EPA), Patrick Herron, Curt Spalding (EPA Region 1 Administrator)Patrick Herron, MyRWA’s Water Quality Monitoring Director, received a 2012 Environmental Merit Award from the Environmental Protection Agency New England Region 1. Under Patrick’s guidance MyRWA put new attention on Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) as a major source of pollution in the watershed, launched the Herring Monitoring Program, and provided leadership on the water chestnut removal project to name a few accomplishments. Congratulations Patrick!

Patrick Herron, Water Quality Monitoring Director of the Mystic River Watershed Association, has improved the lives of more than a half million residents living in Mystic River communities. The Mystic Monitoring Network, which uses volunteers to gather data, has been integral to the association's work for more than a decade. Patrick, a dedicated scientist, has used data collected through the network to raise awareness about discharges that pollute the Mystic River and other resources in its watershed. He drew attention to the problem of sanitary sewer overflows in the watershed because he believed that rain and snow were causing contamination of the river and neighboring waters. With help from university interns and dedicated volunteer monitors, Patrick monitored and calculated the impact of discharges on river ecology and water chemistry. He created an online sewer overflow reporting form that made data collected easily available. This information helped the association inform citizens and helped local officials identify overflow points. His conversations with local water and sewer officials influenced the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to study the pipe system and facilities in the Mystic River district to determine if they could prevent ongoing overflows. Patrick also created a Mystic River Herring Monitoring Network to be launched this spring, and advocated for installation of green infrastructure in the Mystic River Watershed. He has partnered with local officials, community organizations, environmental advocacy groups and a variety of academic partners in the watershed. Through these collaborations, he has brought hope and direction for the concerns of residents and decision-makers in the Mystic River watershed.

MyRWA’s Patrick Herron to Receive EPA Award

Patrick Herron, MyRWA’s Water Quality Monitoring Director, will receive the 2012 Environmental Merit Award from the Environmental Protection Agency New England Region 1. The award will be presented at Faneuil Hall on April 25 at a ceremony held from 1-3pm. Curt Spalding, US EPA Regional Administrator, will be at the program to greet all the honorees. Under Patrick’s guidance MyRWA put new attention on Sanitary Sewer Overflows (SSOs) as a major source of pollution in the watershed, launched the Herring Monitoring Program, and provided leadership on the water chestnut removal project to name a few accomplishments. All are welcome to attend.

Congratulations Patrick!

Come learn about the herring migration!

Herring as seen from the viewing platform at the Mystic Lakes Dam, 4/18/12.MyRWA staff and volunteer Herring Monitors will be present to allow visitors access to the fish ladder at the newly renovated MA DCR Upper Mystic Lake Dam to (hopefully) see the migrating herring! Come learn about the incredible journey this fish makes. MyRWA staff will also have the American Eel monitoring box open for viewing. Free and open to the public. Drop by anytime during the time indicated.

Mystic Lakes Dam Open Houses

Thursday, April 26, 3-7pm
Sunday, May 20, 12-3pm
Thursday, May 24, 3-7pm
Upper Mystic Lake Dam, Medford (Head to the dam between the upper and lower Mystic Lake)

Spring Bird Walk Announced For May 5th

Magnolia WarblerEver wondered what birds are in the Mystic River Watershed?

On Saturday, May 5th from 8am to 10am MyRWA Board Member Michael Fager will lead a bird walk in DCR Torbert MacDonald Park, paying special attention to migrating birds. Please join us! All levels of birders are welcomed. Bring your own binoculars and a bird book if you have them. Please wear comfortable shoes. Meet in the parking lot.

Tufts University Student Presentation 4/3

  Join MyRWA for the monthly Committee Meeting, from 7pm to 8pm on Tuesday, April 3rd, for a special presentation.  The interdisciplinary team of eight Tufts graduate students is working with MyRWA and four watershed communities to identify optimal locations for best management practices (BMPs) to effectively control polluted stormwater runoff.  The team -- part of the Water: Systems, Science and Society (WSSS) certificate program -- is creating dynamic maps using geographic information systems (GIS) analysis, while also surveying and documenting the views of residents and local experts.  The team consists of grad students from the planning, engineering and nutrition programs, as well as three advisors -- including a Ph.D. student and two Tufts instructors.

Free and open to the public!

When: Tuesday, April 3, 7-8pm

Where: Tufts University, Lincoln Filene Center, Rabb Room, Medford, MA (http://campusmaps.tufts.edu/medford/?fid=m015). Parking is available on campus, on Boston Ave. and in Dowling Hall.

MyRWA brings acclaimed film Bag It to Somerville Theatre

When: Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - Bag It film screening

5:30PM, 7:00PM & 8:30PM, Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, Somerville, MA

Reserve your seat here - space is very limited!

Please join the Mystic River Watershed Association, in collaboration with Somerville Climate Action, for a free screening of the award-winning documentary film Bag It at the Somerville Theater on April 11th. Space is limited – please reserve your seat today!

Produced by Reel Thing Productions in association with the Telluride Institute, Bag It is a powerful look at the impacts of plastics on society.  The film focuses on plastic as it relates to our throwaway mentality, our culture of convenience, our over consumption of unnecessary, disposable products and packaging – things that we use one time and then, without another thought, throw them away.  But where is AWAY??  Away is over flowing landfills, clogged rivers, islands of trash in our oceans, and even our very own toxic bodies.

Featuring interviews with scientists and experts from around the world, Bag It is a first-person documentary in the style of Michael Moore, asking how we can incorporate healthy, more environmentally friendly practices into our lives, our cultures, and our communities.

“I didn’t expect a movie about plastic bags to change my life in such a deep and profound way.  Gripping, funny, intelligent, and sure to change your life.”  - Louie Psihoyos, Director of The Cove

This event is co-sponsored by Groundwork Somerville, Ocean River Institute, Surfrider Foundation, The Herring Alliance,Preserve, Sustainable Arlington, Mass Sierra Club and Eagle Eye Institute.

Why:  The Mystic River, a beautiful resource for many local communities, faces many environmental challenges.  The Watershed Association is working hard to create a healthier river for the future and presents this movie to alert the twenty two communities in the watershed to potential river hazards. With Earth Day on April 22nd, this film inspires us to look more closely at the use of plastic in our lives, as well as the impact it has on our local waterways. The event is followed by Earth Day cleanups throughout the watershed on April 21st and April 28th.

This is the fourth in a series of events to celebrate Mystic River Watershed Association’s 40th Anniversary year - a year to highlight and promote the recreational opportunities of the Mystic, as well as the water quality testing and environmental policy efforts that the Mystic River Watershed Association has led over its forty year history.