The newly formed Friends of the Malden River, a community group advocating for improvements to the Malden River, is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 14th at 6:30PM. Come join a working group to establish priorities for the next few months to realize the Malden's potential! (This meeting was rescheduled from the Dec. meeting due to inclement weather)
Please plan on attending this free, public meeting: Tues. Jan. 14, 6:30-8PM, Malden Public Library, 36 Salem St., Malden
Special Presentation: Cambridge's Sewer Separation Work
On Tuesday, January 7th, MyRWA will be joined by Cambridge Engineering for a presentation on the status of the sewer separation work in the Alewife Brook sub-watershed. Perhaps you’ve visited the recently completed constructed wetland – come to learn more about this project at this free public meeting. Please join MyRWA for this presentation as part of the monthly Committee Meeting: Tues. Jan. 7th, 7-8pm, Tufts University, Lincoln Filene Center, Rabb Room.
Arlington Stormwater Awareness Series Hosting MyRWA
The Town of Arlington Engineering Division is hosting a Stormwater Awareness Series open to residents of the Town of Arlington and the general public.
The series is designed to educate residents on Stormwater and the impacts on runoff, water quality, flood control and prevention, erosion and other stormwater related impacts within the Town of Arlington. Information will be provided by stormwater professionals for the purpose of increasing awareness of these issues within the Town and to provide information for residents to help understand how the surrounding environment affects, and impacts, the local water resources and what can be done to reduce these impacts.
The next presentation is scheduled to be held on December 10th 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the Selectmen’s Hearing Room, Arlington Town Hall, 2nd floor. The session will include a presentation detailing the recent Arlington/Belmont 604b Water Quality Management Grant and will be followed by a question and answer session related to the presentation session topics.
Session #10: December 10, 2013
7:00 p.m. – 8:00pm
Title: Arlington/Belmont 604b Water Quality Grant Project Description
Speaker: Patrick Herron, PhD; Mystic River Watershed Association
The presentation will discuss the efforts that the Town of Arlington is making in the recently awarded 604B grant to address stormwater runoff. This planning grant will complete modeling of phosphorus loads, identification of opportunities for green infrastructure within Arlington and completion of conceptual design at three sites for future implementation. There is an opportunity for residents to present ideas on sites that they believe would be amenable to installation of green infrastructure.
Patrick Herron, PhD; Water Quality Monitoring Director, Mystic River Watershed Association.
Mr. Herron received his PhD in Plant Ecology from the University of Connecticut, joined MyRWA in June 2009 as the full-time Water Quality Monitoring Director. Before joining MyRWA, Patrick completed postdoctoral fellowships at the Rowland Institute at Harvard University and Marine Biological Laboratories at Woods Hole. He is responsible for supervising all science, monitoring and restoration projects and publication of technical reports to stakeholders including MaDEP and EPA.
FRIENDS OF THE MALDEN RIVER TO MEET 12/17
The Friends of the Malden River, a newly formed advocacy group, is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Dec. 17th at the Malden Public Library at 6:30pm. This meeting is open to the public and the group is seeking volunteers to help formulate action items for the coming months. The group has heard from local city planners, waterfront developers, and water quality experts. A particular focus of the meeting will be to consider this information and formulate next steps for 2014. Come share your ideas!
For more information see the Friends of the Malden River website.
Internship Opportunities with MyRWA
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is happy to offer several internships for 2014. Please see each listing for more details about the position and how to apply.
Herring Monitoring Program Coordinator
Assist in a scientific study on habitat and river herring populations; coordinate and interact with over 60 volunteer monitors; conduct public outreach and data entry.
Water Chestnut Internship
Assist in recruiting and promoting the Water Chestnut Removal Program to area businesses/partners; coordinate and schedule volunteer groups.
Data Visualization Internship
Assist in the exploration and display of environmental data.
Water Quality Monitoring Internship
Assist in a water quality monitoring program to gather data on Cyanobacteria populations and key water quality parameters from approximately ten water bodies.
Mark Your Calendars for Next Friends of the Malden River Meeting
The Friends of the Malden River – a new citizens group committed to drawing the Malden River back to vibrant, civic life – will meet on Tuesday, December 17, 6:30-8 p.m. in the Maccario room of the Malden Public Library. This meeting is free and open to the public.
Friends of the Malden River have met six times this year in both Everett and Malden, which, along with Medford, are the three cities that ring the Malden River. In May, aided by a team of Tufts graduate students studying water policy, the group inaugurated a website dedicated to all things Malden River – including environmental remediation, public access, local history, resource improvement strategies, and citizen involvement. The site, at www.maldenriver.wordpress.com, includes videos about the river and interviews with community members. The Malden River group is working closely with the Tri-City Community Action Program (Tri-CAP) in Malden, the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), environmental and urban justice advocates, and Tufts University’s interdisciplinary graduate program in Water: Systems, Science & Society (WSSS).
Save the date for #Giving Tuesday!
On Tuesday December 3, global charities, families, businesses, community centers, students and more will come together to create #GivingTuesday. It's a day of giving back and MyRWA is happy to be participating! As part of #GivingTuesday MyRWA is encouraging special donations to support our many programs and projects to protect and restore Mystic River.
Join the #GivingTuesday movement!
FRIENDS OF THE MALDEN RIVER TO DISCUSS RIVER PLANS
The Friends of the Malden River – a new citizens group committed to drawing the Malden River back to vibrant, civic life – will meet on Tuesday, November 12, 6:30-8 p.m. in the basement conference room of the Immaculate Conception Church, 489 Broadway, Everett (across from City Hall) with Everett city planner James Errickson. Mr. Errickson will discuss Everett's planning initiatives that could have an impact on the Malden River. This meeting is free and open to the public.
A particular focus of the meeting will be to consider the effect that plans for protecting and preserving key riverfront parcels, accompanied by broad public access – on foot, by bicycle and by public transit, can have on people’s perception of the Malden River as one of the next great urban spaces for preservation and recreation. In addition, the Friends of the Malden River’s four committees – which focus on water quality, public access, outreach, and youth involvement – will continue to develop public engagement agendas for the coming months.
Friends of the Malden River have met five times this spring and summer in both Everett and Malden, which, along with Medford, are the three cities that ring the Malden River. In May, aided by a team of Tufts graduate students studying water policy, the group inaugurated a website dedicated to all things Malden River – including environmental remediation, public access, local history, resource improvement strategies, and citizen involvement. The site, at www.maldenriver.wordpress.com, includes videos about the river and interviews with community members. The Malden River group is working closely with the Tri-City Community Action Program (Tri-CAP) in Malden, the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA), environmental and urban justice advocates, and Tufts University’s interdisciplinary graduate program in Water: Systems, Science & Society (WSSS).
Annual Meeting draws a crowd - and check out our award recipients!
On Thursday, October 24th MyRWA hosted the 2013 Annual Meeting along the Aberjona River at Winchester Town Hall. Julie Wormser, Executive Director of The Boston Harbor Association, gave the keynote address. Ms. Wormser spoke about climate change predictions to the Boston area, noting that much of Boston will be impacted by rising tides and storm surges. She also provided examples of smart design to plan for these scenarios. Over 70 people attended the meeting and also heard from MyRWA staff about successes over the past year and voted for the 2014 slate of Board of Directors. Thanks to all who attended the meeting!
Thank you Whole Foods Market of Woburn for donating food for the meeting!
The Five Year Monitoring Award recognizes volunteers who have participated in MyRWA's Baseline Monitoring Program for five years. This year, MyRWA was happy to recognize Robin Watkins, Damian Musello, and Pete Howard for their dedication and service!
David Mussina of Medford received the Volunteer of the Year Award for his dedication to MyRWA this year and for the past several years. David donates his professional photography skills to the association throughout the year, attending most of MyRWA’s events. These high quality images are used in MyRWA publications both online and in print, and are a valuable asset in telling the Mystic’s story. David also serves on the Policy Committee where he has taken a lead role in our advocacy efforts surrounding herring.
The Ripple Award of dedication and appreciation was awarded to Maria Simoneau. This award highlights the work and impact of an individual to their community, where they “send out ripples” for the greater good. Maria became involved with MyRWA in 2007 as a water quality monitor and shortly thereafter served on the Board of Directors for four years. Maria transformed the outreach efforts of the Association, helping with the annual Herring Run and Paddle, assisting with membership communications and strategies, developing communications and PR best practices, and serving as Outreach Committee Chair. Maria is now an active member of MyRWA’s Clean Water Campaign Committee. Maria is also an engaged community member and no stranger to grassroots activism. Beyond the river, Maria is also involved with Sustainable Arlington, climate change and peace organizations.
EkOngKar Singh Khalsa and Mayor McGlynn at the 2013 Annual Meeting.Mayor Michael McGlynn of Medford received the Mystic Municipal Leadership Award. Mayor McGlynn received the award due to his consistent support of making improvements to the river, including securing additional funding to combat the invasive water chestnut. The Mayor has been instrumental in making improvements at the Condon Shell and Clippership Drive Park and promoting path connectivity. During the Mayor’s tenure, he has brought to the forefront the importance of embracing the Mystic River which flows through Medford center.
Alewife Constructed Wetlands Unveiled
Alewife Constructed WetlandsOn Tuesday, October 15, 2013, over 100 people gathered at the new amphitheater in Cambridge’s Alewife Reservation for the grand opening of the Alewife Constructed Wetland. The 3.4 acre wetland is one of the largest constructed wetlands in New England and will store and treat stormwater runoff and improve water quality in the Little River and the Alewife Brook.
This construction project is a key element of the Alewife Sewer Separation Project that will separate the combined sanitary wastewater and stormwater infrastructure in the Huron Ave and Concord Ave neighborhoods east of Fresh Pond as part of the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority’s (MWRA) Long Term Combined Sewer Overflow Control Plan for the Alewife Brook. The overall project cost more than $150 million and will result in the reduction of 86% of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to Alewife Brook. Project partners include Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), City of Cambridge, and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The project is associated with the cleanup of Boston Harbor.
The wetland includes plant and wildlife habitat, natural flood control, and wetlands treatment as is consistent with DCR’s Alewife Reservation Master Plan. The site also provides recreational amenities, including a boardwalk and scenic overlooks, environmental education opportunities, interpretive signage and links to the Alewife Greenway Extension’s bike and pedestrian paths – connecting to the Minuteman Bike Path as well.
Check out the new park! The wetland is located behind the MBTA’s Alewife Station. Exit Alewife Station to Alewife Station Access Road and turn right going north under the parking structure overpass, approximately 500 feet. Turn left to cross Alewife Station Access Road heading west to the Alewife Greenway Extension.
Read the full press release here or view photos of the opening ceremony.
