Medford's First Environmental Art & Film Festival was a Huge Hit!

More than a hundred people saw the premiere of "The Mystic Herring Run: The Return of 2012 and Beyond" the weekend of June 21. What an amazing film it was: incredible underwater photography of schooling alewives and blueback herrings making their way to the Upper Mystic Lake to spawn, great command of science, and real passion. Congratulations to filmmaker Shervin Ayra, who discussed the long path to this premiere and answered questions from the rapt audience.

And many more people came to the opening reception. Artists Jane Estella, Keith Maddy, Doc Madison, Peg Drummey, Chris Naitza, George McLean, Darlene Stout, Sydney Smith, Bernadette Murah, Susan Altman, Katie Cornog, Henry Olds, Sherry Leffert, and David Mussina won awards for their artwork. Three excellent short films on rivers were screened, and the Hyatt provided a lovely spread.

Enjoy all the photos from the festival on the Mystic Art Gallery's Facebook page. 

Reprinted courtesy of the Medford Arts Center.

A fish ladder in Winchester?

Come hear about the prospect of installing a fish ladder to the Center Falls Dam in Winchester center. We’ll also share preliminary 2014 herring run data and present the results of the 2013 herring habitat assessment. Join us at the next Committee Meeting on Tuesday July 1st, 7-8PM, Tufts University, Lincoln Filene Center, Rabb Room, Medford.

MyRWA Receives "Education and Public Service Award"

MyRWA was awarded the 2014 Education and Public Service Award by the Board of Directors of the Universities Council on Water Resources on June 19. The award “acknowledges with sincere appreciation the vision and leadership in the advancement of water resources education and public service.” MyRWA’s Patrick Herron, Water Quality Monitoring Director, received the award on behalf of the Association. Thank you for your recognition UCOWR!

Asphalt spilled into the Mystic River (updated 6/20/14)

An estimated 2,100 to 10,794 gallons of asphalt were spilled into the Mystic River on June 19, 2014 – this estimate has been revised from 11,000 gallons. The spill occurred from a Sprague Energy vessel at the ExxonMobil facility in Everett, MA. Mystic River Watershed Association staff met with officials from ExxonMobil and Sprague Energy to discuss the incident and learn more about cleanup plans on June 20.

Officials stated the asphalt product solidified upon contact with the water, allowing for efficient removal within a contained area. No one was hurt during the incident and Sprague Energy is reporting that the clean-up is almost complete within 24 hours of the event. MassDEP, NOAA, US Coast Guard as well as Clean Harbors and TMC Environmental were reported to be on site to assess conditions and aid in the cleanup. It was reported that no sheen was observed in the vicinity of the spill or the congealed asphalt mat that covered the river as a result of the spill. A diver investigated the area to determine whether any of the product was present in the water column, on the river bottom or in the sediment.

Paddling Tour July 21

Rick Beinecke leading a paddling tour on the Mystic River.Join the Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) on Monday, July 21st as we explore the Mystic River and hear from author Rick Beinecke about the rich history and natural life of the river. Rick recently published “The Mystic River: A Natural and Human History and Recreation Guide” - for more information about his book click here. The paddling tour will start/end at the Upper Mystic Lake 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 call 781-316-3438.

Mystic River Presentation with Rick Beinecke

You are invited to a presentation by Professor Richard Beinecke of Suffolk University on the history and development of the Mystic River and its environs at the Tufts University Crew Boathouse on the Malden River on June 27 at 5:00pm; 300 Rivers Edge Drive, Medford, MA.

Abundant free parking. Easy access via Route 16 at the Wellington orange line MBTA station.  Modern building in a riverside park.

Event co-sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association and the Massachusetts Association of Consulting Planners.

Proessor Beinecke recently published a book titled “The Mystic River: A Natural and Human History and Recreation Guide” which will be the basis of his talk.  A discussion period will follow the presentation.

Malden River Walking Tour - Industrial Eden Program

Come learn more about the history of Spot Pond Brook and the Malden River! As part of the Industrial Eden Program, Ryan Hayward and MyRWA are leading a walking tour of the Park at River’s Edge.

When: Saturday, June 21, 10am - noon

Where: meet at 200 Rivers Edge Drive, Medford, MA

Free and open to the public!

Learn more by visiting www.preservation-collaborative.com/haywardville

The Industrial Eden Program is funded in part by a grant from the Medford, Malden, Melrose and Stoneham Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency; in partnership with: The Preservation Collaborative Inc., The Historic Connection, and the Mystic River Watershed Association.

It's a bird, it's a plane...it's a drone!

Above Summit provided aerial drone videography and photography at the 18th annual Mystic River Herring Run and Paddle. Their work covered the 3, 9 and 12 mile paddling races as part of this event on Sunday, May 18th in Somerville, MA.

Mystic River Herring Run & Paddle from Above Summit on Vimeo.

Additional video coverage of the paddling races was captured by Trevor O'Brien.

MyRWA is THRILLED to have both videos to document the day and promote the races in the future. Thank you Emilie, Jovan and Trevor!

Mass Oyster Project Presentation 6/3

On Tuesday, June 3rd we'll hear from Andrew Jay or the Mass Oyster Project from 7-8pm as part of MyRWA's monthly Committee Meeting. Mr. Jay will discuss the Project goals and history as well as the prospect of a project in the Mystic River Watershed. This meeting is open to the public and we encourage all to attend.

Join us on June 3rd, 7-9PM, at Tufts University, Lincoln Filene Center, Rabb Room.

Art and Film Festival to Celebrate Mystic River June 19-22

The Mystic River will be celebrated in multiple forms during the “Into the Mystic” Environmental Art and Film Festival in Medford Square on June 19-22.

Four film showings, a juried art exhibit, and a river park cleanup will be among the activities during the first-year event, being organized by Medford Arts Center Inc. (MACI) and four environmental groups.

Festivities will begin on Thursday, June 19, with a “sneak preview” at Circle the Square from 4 to 8 p.m. The Into the Mystic booth will be near the Salem Street Burying Ground entrance on Riverside Avenue, where samplings of the winning art entries will be on view, along with an informational display on the headstone artwork at the historic cemetery. The trio of Arlington singer-songwriter Chris Nauman, Kenny Selcer and Steve Gilligan will provide musical entertainment from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

The festival officially gets underway Friday evening with an Opening Night Reception and three short films at the Hyatt Place hotel, 116 Riverside Ave., from 6 to 9 p.m. The films to be shown are:

• “The Mystic Unseen,” produced by Emerson College students, about sanitary sewer overflows in the Mystic River

• “Re-Storying the Anacostia River,” produced by the American University Community Voice Project, about engaging a community in river stewardship

• “Hidden Rivers of Southern Appalachia,” produced by Freshwaters Illustrated, on celebrating the precious creatures who make their homes in our rivers

On Saturday afternoon, Grace Church of Medford’s GreenUp CleanUp will bring its volunteers to Clippership Park along the Mystic for a cleanup from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants should meet at the Mystic Art Gallery at 14 Main Street (behind Citizens Bank facing Clippership Drive).

Saturday evening, the festival’s feature film, “The Mystic Herring Run: The Return of 2012 and Beyond,” will be given its premiere at 7 p.m. at the Hyatt. The documentary, by independent filmmaker Shervin A. Arya, explores the past, present, and future of the Mystic River through the story of the blueback herring. Each spring, tens of thousands of the small fish journey from the inner Boston Harbor to the Upper Mystic Lake to spawn before swimming back out to sea. Arya, founder of Illuminating Minds Media, a cloud-based media production company focused on quality science-based films, will be on hand to discuss his film and take questions.

Meanwhile, the top 20 entries in the Into the Mystic art competition will be displayed festival weekend at the Hyatt all day Friday and Saturday and until 5 p.m. Sunday. The pieces include found art sculpture, photography, mosaic, painting, drawing and mixed media creations.

Admission to all of the festival events is free. Due to limited seating for the film screenings, RSVPs are requested for the Saturday night feature film at this web page.

In addition to MACI, co-sponsors are the Mystic River Watershed Association, Green Medford, the Friends of the Mystic River, and the City of Medford’s Office of Energy and Environment. The festival is also supported in part by a grant from the Medford Arts Council, which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.