The first year of MyRWA's Herring Monitoring Program has come to a close, with final count figures surpassing 21,000 fish at the Mystic Lakes dam. MyRWA is currently reviewing the data and working with the model, but early estimates of the herring run are in excess of 150,000 in the Mystic River! Stay tuned for more information. Many thanks to our dedicated fish monitors for a terrific first year!
Tour of the Mystic Offered
Join the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) on Wednesday, July 18th as we explore the Mystic River and hear from Rick Beinecke about the rich history and natural life of the river. Trip will start/end at the Mystic Lakes Dam, Mystic Valley Pkwy, Medford. 6:00PM – 8:00PM. Limited to 15 people. Bring your own boat and PFD. Heavy rain cancels the event.
RSVP (required) to Beth@MysticRiver.org or 781-316-3438.
Solstice Canoe & Kayak Celebration on the Mystic
Join the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) on Wednesday, June 20th as we explore the Mystic River and hear from Rick Beinecke about the rich history and natural life of the river. Trip will start/end at the Mystic Lakes Dam, Mystic Valley Pkwy, Medford. 6:00PM – 8:00PM. Limited to 15 people. Bring your own boat and PFD. Heavy rain cancels the event.
RSVP (required) to Beth@MysticRiver.org or 781-316-3438.
Shop to save a River!
On Tuesday, June 5th the Whole Foods Market in Woburn will donate 5% of the day's sales to the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA). The funds will support the Mystic River Watershed Association’s water quality monitoring programs, land and water use advocacy, as well as outreach and education in the Mystic River Watershed. Stop by the MyRWA table at Whole Foods to learn more about our work and the condition of the Mystic River.
On June 5th, 2012 from 8am to 9pm support the Mystic River Watershed Association at:
Whole Foods Market-Woburn, 400 Cambridge Rd, Woburn, MA 01801
Does your office need to get some sun?
Come tackle the invasive water chestnut with MyRWA!
MyRWA has Community and Corporate Event opportunities for groups of 5 to 85 in June and July. A 4 hour event with 40 volunteers can remove nearly an acre of plants from the Mystic River! MyRWA coordinates the day, while volunteers are hand-pulling water chestnuts from canoes and kayaks and helping out on land as well.
Water chestnut (Trapa natans) in the Mystic River causes a deterioration of value in the river for recreation and habitat.
Are you interested in hosting a corporate water chestnut event? Please contact Patrick Herron at patrick@mysticriver.org or 781-316-3438.
Read more about the Water Chestnut Removal Project here.
MyRWA Receives Cambridge GoGreen Award
On May 22, the City of Cambridge awarded MyRWA a 2012 GoGreen Award for Community Sustainability (Stormwater Management). Starting in 1998, the annual GoGreen Awards have recognized the environmental sustainability initiatives of Cambridge businesses and organizations in the areas of transportation, waste reduction/recycling, energy, storm water management, climate protection, and initiatives by community organizations. MyRWA’s Executive Director, EkOngKar Singh Khalsa, accepted the Award, presented “in recognition of MyRWA’s outstanding contribution to environmental protection.” The event was hosted by the MIT Museum.
Thank you City of Cambridge!
The official proclamation is as follows:
PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS: The City of Cambridge is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a more sustainable city; and
WHEREAS: It is important to recognize outstanding community-based efforts that have a significant positive impact on reducing Cambridge's greenhouse grass emissions; and
WHEREAS: The mission of the Mystic River Watershed Association is to protect and restore the Mystic River, its tributaries, and watershed lands for the benefit of present and future generations and to celebrate the value, importance, and great beauty of these natural resources; and
WHEREAS: The Mystic River Watershed Association works to protect and improve environmental conditions for the more than one half million residents within the twenty-two-community Mystic River Watershed, which includes parts of Cambridge around Fresh Pond, North Cambridge, and Alewife Brook; and
WHEREAS: The Mystic River Watershed Association tracks water quality in the Mystic River and its tributaries, including Alewife Brook, monitors storm water discharge and combined sewer overflows and other water quality threats, playing a key role as it watches over the river; and
WHEREAS: The Mystic River Watershed Association trains citizen scientists to perform water quality sampling and count herring as part of the Herring Monitoring Program (new this spring), along with water chestnut removal efforts, environmental education, rain garden implementation, and a herring habitat assessment of Alewife Brook; now therefore be it
RESOLVED: That I, Henrietta Davis, Mayor of Cambridge, go on record as awarding the 2012 GoGreen Award in the community sustainability category to the Mystic River Watershed Association.
Mystic River Receives "D" Grade For 2011 Water Quality
Lynne Hamjian, US EPA, and EkOngKar Singh Khalsa, MyRWAThe Mystic River Watershed received a grade of "D" for water quality conditions for the calendar year 2011 as part of the US EPA's annual Mystic River Report Card. The announcement was made at the 2012 Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle held at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville. The grade is based on bacterial contamination, and the monitoring data is collected by MyRWA’s trained water quality monitors as part of the Baseline Monitoring Program. This grade indicates that water quality met swimming standards only 46 percent of the time, while boating standards were met 87 percent of the time.
“This year’s grade shows that persistent impairment of water quality caused by ancient sewer and stormwater systems continues to bedevil the Mystic River Watershed,” said EkOngKar Singh Khalsa, Executive Director of the Mystic River Watershed Association. “These water quality problems will be severely compounded by the increased flooding and larger numbers of severe storm cycles that are anticipated to occur as a result of New England’s changing climate. Fortunately the solutions to the problems we face are well understood and implementation of these solutions will produce honest work and good jobs for local residents. The Mystic River Watershed Association, through its Monitoring Network, is working to develop a clear understanding of the watershed’s current physical and environmental conditions. This understanding will insure that precious financial and human resources engaged to restore our area infrastructure and the local natural environment will be deployed effectively.”
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.
