Gain environmental science experience through a MyRWA internship! We are looking for a Herring Monitoring Program Coordinator to assist in a scientific study on river herring populations from March to July. We are also seeking several Invasive Species and Water Quality Interns - allowing the candidates to be a part of several programs MyRWA has underway this summer.
Alewife Sewer Project Complete!
The $100-million Alewife Sewer Separation Project is complete, marking a significant step forward in efforts to clean up local rivers.
Rainwater and sewage discharged into the Alewife Brook will now be reduced from 50 million to seven million gallons per year, according to Cambridge officials.
Congratulations to the City of Cambridge and MWRA for completing this project!
Read more at the Cambridge Chronical & Tab.
Where do eels go to mate?
Where American eels mate has long been a mystery. For the first time, scientists have tracked American eels migrating to their legendary spawning grounds in the Atlantic Ocean. Read the NY Times article.
Did you know that MyRWA counts American eels at the DCR Upper Mystic Lake dam? In 2015 we counted 4,801 eels who migrate from the Atlantic Ocean to freshwater to mature - they are catadromous fish. Read more about MyRWA's Eel Monitoring Program.
3rd Annual Mystic River Champions Breakfast Held
MyRWA Executive Director EK Khalsa provides a presentation about 2015 accomplishments.
On December 1st representatives from more than 25 local corporations joined Mystic River Watershed Association staff and Board of Directors for the 3rd annual Mystic River Champions Breakfast. The event celebrated the generous corporate support received to date and provided an opportunity to share work underway to protect the Mystic River Watershed. We were joined by Heather McMann, Executive Director at Groundwork Lawrence, to hear about the successful urban river restoration of the Spicket River. Heather shared lessons learned that can be applied here in the Mystic.
The event was hosted by John Preotle at the River’s Edge development along the Malden River in Medford.
Thanks for all who attended!
MYRWA TO WORK WITH MEDFORD ON COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT GRANT
On December 3, 2015 the Baker-Polito Administration announced $400,000 in grants to support local efforts to assess and treat nonpoint source pollution from roadway runoff and boat waste. The grants, provided by the Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), were awarded to Fairhaven, Fall River, Kingston, Medford, Milton and Salem.
“Pollution in Massachusetts waters affects not only the natural resources, but the economy and quality-of-life in our coastal communities,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “These grants will help local officials assess nonpoint source pollution issues and fund on-the-ground projects to improve coastal water quality.”
The City of Medford will partner with MyRWA to perform an assessment of opportunities for placement of stormwater best management practices (BMPs) in a single catchment area (429-acre drainage) to the Mystic River to address roadway-related pollution. This subwatershed area was identified in a prior Urban Waters project as having an overlap of high phosphorus loads and high feasibility for installation of BMPs. The proposed work will include desktop GIS analysis, field assessment, identification of best opportunities for BMP’s and development of ten conceptual designs.
The Mystic River is a critical passage and spawning area for migrating Alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus) and Blueback (Alosa aestivalis) river herring. And yet this important diadromous fish habitat is significantly impaired by stormwater pollution, leading to eutrophication and reduced-quality spawning and juvenile habitat. This project aims to address stormwater pollution in order to improve herring habitat conditions.
MyRWA Gift Memberships Available!
MyRWA is happy to offer gift memberships as a meaningful, year long gift for your friends and family. The recipient will receive a customized membership certificate and the bi-annual Mystic Messengernewsletter. Membership begins at $35. Email contact@mysticriver.org for more information today!
Giving Thanks to YOU!
Thanks to everyone who participated in a day of giving back - #GivingTuesday! We are happy to report that we achieved our $4,000 challenge match from the MyRWA Board of Directors and raised a total of $10,965 on #GivingTuesday!
Special Presentation: How do you value ecosystem restoration?
From 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on December 1st, MyRWA will be joined by Nick Wildman, Restoration Specialist with the MA Dept. of Fish & Game, Div. of Ecological Restoration. Mr. Wildman will present a synopsis of the Report on the Economic Benefits of Ecological Restoration. We will learn more about the concept of ecosystem service valuation and its application in the context of the state’s restoration activities.
This special presentation is part of the monthly Mystic River Watershed Association Committee Meeting. After the presentation the Committee will break into two groups: the Policy Committee and the Clean Water Campaign Committee. Please join us for this free, informational meeting!
Mystic River Watershed Association Committee Meeting, 7-9PM
Tufts University, Lincoln Filene Center, Rabb Room, 10 Upper Campus Road, Medford
#GivingTuesday December 1st
MyRWA has joined #GivingTuesday, a first of its kind effort that will harness the collective power of a unique blend of partners – charities, families, businesses and individuals – to transform how people think about, talk about and participate in the giving season. Coinciding with the Thanksgiving Holiday and the kickoff of the holiday shopping season, #GivingTuesday will inspire people to take collaborative action to improve their local communities, give back in better, smarter ways to the charities and causes they support and help create a better world.
This #GivingTuesday, MyRWA is thankful for our many volunteers, members, and supporters. We are launching the start of our End of Year fundraising in conjunction with #GivingTuesday on Tuesday, December 1st. Please make a special donation on December 1st in support of a healthy Mystic River watershed!
New Water Quality Sampling Efforts
MyRWA is collaborating with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MA-DEP), United States Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA), Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and the United States Geologic Survey (USGS) to develop a stronger understanding of flow conditions and nutrient loads in the Mystic River watershed.
