Does your office need to get some sun?

Volunteers remove water chestnuts from the Mystic River in Somerville.

Come tackle the invasive water chestnut with MyRWA!

MyRWA has Community and Corporate Event opportunities for groups of up to 100 people this summer! Volunteers hand-pull water chestnut from canoes during this fun and rewarding stewardship event.  A four hour event has tremendous impact, visibly clearing the river of the invasive weed. By sponsoring a corporate event, your company will participate in a major green initiative while providing a great team-building opportunity on the river for your employees. We have worked with many organizations and companies over the past six years, and supply all the materials and expertise necessary.

Are you interested in hosting a corporate water chestnut event? Please contact Veronique at waterchestnut@mysticriver.org or 781-316-3438.

Celebrate Earth Day with the Mystic River Watershed Association

Calling all volunteers!

Join together with Mystic River communities in the celebration of Earth Day (April 22nd) by cleaning up litter and removing invasive plants in Medford's Torbert MacDonald Park, part of the Mystic River Reservation. This event is also part of DCR Park Serve Day - MassParks annual statewide day of volunteer service during Earth Week.

WHO: Community volunteers - please RSVP

WHAT: Earth Day River Clean Up to improve DCR's Torbert MacDonald Park sponsored by the Mystic River Watershed Association

WHERE: DCR Torbert MacDonald Park, Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford, MA
*Meet in the parking lot by the Medford State Police barracks

WHEN: Saturday, April 30, 9:00AM-12:00PM

Addressing stormwater to cleanup our rivers

In response to the Boston Globe's 2/22/2016 article, EPA forcing towns to clean up Charles River, By David Abel, MyRWA's Executive Director, EkOngKar Singh Khalsa offers the following response:

Stormwater pollution is a real problem for rivers, lakes and streams throughout the Commonwealth. 

he Mystic River Watershed Association applauds US EPA's determination to address these problems in the Charles River. Thi represents an important step to eliminate significant impairmen to the local natural environment. 

the Mystic River, as in other urban rivers throughout the country, water quality is significantly impacted by untreated runoff from city streets and municipal stormwater systems. 

As the negative impacts of this runoff become more eviden, the need for a more effective and sophisticated approach to stormwater management becom more apparent. 

Maintaining healthy, clear and free flowing waterways is ell orth the costs.

Volunteer as a Fish monitor this spring!

Photo by Patrick Herron

Did you know there is a fish that lives in the ocean and swims all the way to the Mystic Lakes in Arlington to lay its eggs each spring?

Help document the river herring’s migration by volunteering to be a fish monitor! MyRWA will begin the 5th year of the Herring Monitoring Program to monitor river herring at the Mystic Lakes Dam fish ladder in April.We need volunteer fish monitors to count herring and support our data collection so that we can estimate run size. No previous experience or knowledge is required. Volunteers should commit to attending a two hour volunteer training on March 19thand to counting for at least one ten-minute period per week from early April to mid-June. Monitors must be at least 18 years and able to swim. Youth aged 12 to 17 may assist under the direct supervision of a guardian.You must register for the training.

Saturday, March 19th 10:00 a.m. - noon: Herring Monitoring Training
Medford Boat Club, Mystic Valley Parkway, Medford
Register here (required)

Special Presentation: EPA Water Quality Buoy

Have you ever noticed the buoy in the Mystic River near the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse in Somerville? While deployed, this solar-powered buoy takes water quality measurements every 15 minutes and sends this information to the EPA website, allowing public access to near real-time conditions. On Tuesday, March 1st, hear from Tom Faber, Water Quality Environmental Engineer, US EPA, about the results of this program to date. This presentation is part of the Mystic River Watershed Association’s monthly Committee Meeting. The meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. on March 1, 2016 at Tufts University, Tisch College of Citizenship & Public Service, Lincoln Filene Hall, Rabb Room, 10 Upper Campus Road, Medford.

Will Your State Representative Support the Green Budget?

The Mystic River Watershed Association is pleased to be an endorser of the Fiscal Year 2017 Green Budget, produced by the Environmental League of Massachusetts. Right now your State Representative is waiting to hear whether funding for environmental programs is important to you. 

The Massachusetts House of Representatives is in the midst of making funding decisions for state programs. YourState Rep can make a difference by prioritizing one of our Green Budgetrecommendations in his/her requests to House Leadership. Our funding recommendations focus on state programs that are essential to fostering healthy communities, great parks, and clean, abundant water. 

Will you call your State Rep to ask him/her to select a Green Budget line-item (see below) to include as a budget ask to House Leadership? We encourage you to place the call by Friday, February 12.

TAKE ACTION 

Every State Representative has received the Green Budget. It can also be viewed at www.environmentalleague.org/greenbudget. 

What To Say: 

Hello. I live in your district and I'm calling to ask you to support the Environmental League'sGreen Budget funding recommendations. I urge you to select a Green Budget line-item to include in your budget request to House Leadership. Thank you!

Malden River as Top Priority for Everett Mayor

In the January 28th Everett Independent article, Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria names the Malden River as an area of focus for the next two years. Specifically, Mayor DeMaria mentions the creation of a public canoe and kayak launch near BNY Mellon Bank and pursuing a cleanup of the river’s sediments. Read the article here.

Mystic River Watershed Association's 2015 - 2020 Strategic Plan Now Available

The Mystic River Watershed Association’s Strategic Plan 2015-2020 builds upon our history of sound scientific practice and community engagement. The Plan places special emphasis on increasing our role in climate resilience and determining impacts and possible solutions to these new conditions. Since our founding in 1972 we have utilized volunteer efforts to achieve our goals. Grassroots community support and engagement is essential to our work and we look forward to expanding our community connections and partnerships to improve environmental conditions in the Mystic River Watershed.

Our vision is for a Mystic River Watershed where:

• There are opportunities for safe boating and swimming

• Rivers, lakes, and streams host abundant fish and wildlife habitat

• Well-designed and accessible parks and open spaces along the Mystic River allow pedestrians and bicyclists to move easily and safely in connected spaces along the waterfront

• All local, state, regional and national stakeholders – from local municipalities to federal regulators – take seriously and ambitiously their role as stewards of the watershed, and value and invest in its future.

While seeing water quality improvements takes time, we are confident in our approach outlined in the Plan. Together with our members, donors, partners, volunteers and state, federal and local policy-makers we will protect and restore the Mystic River for future generations.

Read the Strategic Plan.

Please note, if you would like a more detailed version of our 2015-2020 Strategic Plan please contact us.

Winter Bird Walk with Paul Roberts

Information courtesy of Friends of the Mystic River

MYSTIC LAKES AND RIVER WINTER BIRDING WALK

with Paul M. Roberts

Saturday, February 6, 2016, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Take a two-hour birding walk along the Mystic Lakes and the upper Mystic River to discover what birds can be found in the middle of winter. Each year hundreds of birds winter on and around the Mystic River and Lakes as long as open water is available. We'll look for raptors, such as Bald Eagle, Merlin, Cooper’s Hawk and Red-tailed Hawk; waterfowl, including Common and Hooded Mergansers; Red-bellied Woodpeckers and more.

Dress appropriately for the weather. In very cold weather, this means in layers with hat or cap, gloves, and warm water resistant boots with good tread. Meet on Saturday, February 6 at 10 a.m. at the Mystic Lakes Dam. Park at the Medford Boat Club parking lot in Medford directly off the Mystic Valley Parkway. (The parking lot is your first left about a half mile north of the Rte 60 bridge crossing the Mystic.) Canceled in persistent rain, icy conditions, moderate+ snow falling, or if the parking lot is unplowed from previous substantial snowfall. Will go in light snow flurries as long as parking is open at the Mystic Lakes. Bring a birding field guide and binoculars if possible; there will be car pooling and walking short distances from the cars. Led by Paul M. Roberts. Co-sponsored by the Friends of the Mystic River and the Menotomy Bird Club.

For more info call Paul Roberts at 781-483-4263 or email phawk254@comcast.net or mystic02155@hotmail.com

Employment Opportunity: Director of Development

POSITION  

Director of Development (posted 1/15/2016)

DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) has need of an energetic and dedicated development professional to build on our current success and to develop sustainable funding for our growing organization. To date, MyRWA has had success in securing broad, diversified support from members, corporate partners, private foundations and government grants.  Since 2008, revenues have increased five-fold and our programs continue to expand. The Director of Development will be called upon to create and execute an effective and systematic approach to fundraising while cultivating deeper relationships with existing and potential funders. This new position represents a unique opportunity for an experienced professional to leverage their skills in development, strategic planning and relationship-building to take our organization to the next level of impact and visibility.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with the ED and Executive Committee to set and achieve annual funding goals

• Develop and implement strategies to increase funding

• Identify and develop corporate, community, foundation and individual prospects

• Institute practices that monitor and make transparent the success of the fundraising plan

• Lead the development of a “wealthy individuals” program – research and coordinate the “ask” both personally and by assigning various board or staff to each ask as appropriate

• Develop and maintain relationships with major donors including acknowledgement letters and other correspondence, premiums, newsletters, special mailings, telephone and in-person contact

• Coordinate the design, printing and distribution of marketing and communication materials for development efforts

• Oversee organization of special fundraising events

• Write grant proposals and budgets and reports for foundation and corporate fundraising

• Assist in integrating the Board of Directors directly into fundraising efforts

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• 3+ years experience in development (fundraising/donor relations), including highly developed fundraising research and messaging of fundraising requests.

• Experience in grant writing and proposal development.

• Proven track record with NGOs and demonstrated ability to raise funds, make presentations, organize direct mail activities, prepare foundations requests and coordinate an energetic professional staff.

• Superior project management and organizational skills, interpersonal skills, flexibility, and the ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks effectively and efficiently.

• Energetic and self- directed work style.

• Capacity to collaborate with others in a working team.

• Strong commitment to protecting the environment and passion for the MyRWA’s objectives.

• Experience with donor database and fundraising software.

• A good sense of humor.

ABOUT THE MYSTIC RIVER WATERSHED ASSOCIATION

The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1972 that has worked for over forty years to protect and restore the Mystic River, its tributaries and watershed for the benefit of present and future generations. MyRWA is engaged in scientific research, water quality monitoring, habitat restoration, greenways and park rehabilitation and environmental advocacy. We accomplish our mission by forging links with citizens’ groups, universities, businesses, and government agencies. MyRWA employs five staff, has 500 members and engages 1,200 volunteers annually. The organization has an annual budget of approximately $700,000. MyRWA’s dedicated staff performs outstanding work that is widely respected in the environmental community. MyRWA’s current trajectory presents an extraordinary opportunity for the right development professional to make significant impact - on the natural environment and on the future of our organization. 

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT MyRWA

 - Opportunity for impact: MyRWA is the only environmental organization focused exclusively on transforming the urban 76 square mile Mystic River Watershed into a healthy, sustainable environment.

-  Entrepreneurial spirit: As a small organization, we welcome innovation and are continuously improving. We encourage constant learning, honest feedback and ideas that challenge.

-  Collaborative work environment: We work closely on a daily basis to realize the potential of the organization.

-  Healthy work/life balance: We support every staff member in maintaining a wise balance between meaningful work, professional growth and a healthy personal life.

COMPENSATION

Salary: Commensurate with experience. Health insurance, flextime and professional development opportunities also provided. 
Start Date: April 2016 (negotiated).

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to jobs@mysticriver.org. Please indicate “Development” in the subject line.  Application deadline is February 22, 2016 or until a suitable candidate is found. No phone calls please.  Applications will be reviewed as received.