December E-newsletter

December 2021

Charles River Conservancy

Support the parks!

Over the past year, marked by ongoing uncertainties of the pandemic, we have worked to center our work in the parks on the people along the Charles. We returned to volunteer work to steward the Charles River parks and continued to invest in unique ecological programs and engage in impactful advocacy. We wouldn't be able to do this work without your help, and we hope you consider supporting our work this holiday season. Take a look at our 2021 Year-End Newsletter and donate today.

Floating Wetland

The Wetland Has Moved

Our floating wetland on the Charles River has been towed to the MIT Sailing Pavilion for the winter! It will "hibernate" at the MIT Sailing Pavilion during the cold weather and return to its spot on the river in the spring. Enjoy a walk or bike ride along the river and stop by for an up-close look at the wetland while it is docked close to shore.

Photo by Taylor Leonard

Conservancy Volunteers

2021 Recap

Thank you to our amazing volunteers for your help this 2021 volunteer season keeping the Charles River parks safe, healthy, and welcoming spaces for all! Almost 1000 volunteers joined us in 2021 to remove litter, rake leaves, weed garden beds, and cut back invasive vegetation. Together they:

donated 2224 hours of labor valued at $54,663
removed 150 bags of litter from the parks and banks of the Charles River
removed 375 bags of invasive plants and organic material

Volunteer with us in 2022!

We're looking forward to scheduling next year's events in Spring of 2022. Consider scheduling a Conservancy Volunteers event for your company or group! Reserve your day and learn more about our event safety protocols by contacting Rachel at rchu@thecharles.org.

EY joined us in early November to rake leaves and remove litter from Herter Park! Photo by CRC Staff.

News

Mass Audubon to run three-season nature center in the historic Powder House at Magazine Beach

Mass Audubon was welcomed to Magazine Beach Park at a ribbon cutting Tuesday, November 23rd to celebrate their five-year tenancy in the Powder Magazine. The CRC welcomes Mass Audubon and looks forward to partnering with them, Magazine Beach Partners, and DCR on nature programming, community engagement, and environmental education events.

Photo by Tyler Motes, Cambridge Day

Bikers celebrate new lane layout on Mass. Ave. bridge

Cyclists rejoice! Thanks to advocates' hard work and a petition by Boston Cyclists Union signed by over 2,500 supporters, MassDOT has put up temporary protected bike lanes on the Mass Ave bridge as a pilot program to evaluate next steps in the spring. This change came soon after the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims as Massachusetts mourned 105 cyclists killed in collisions with motor vehicles since 2009.

Photo by David L. Ryan, Boston Globe

DCR to keep Memorial Drive closed on weekends

MassDCR is extending the closure of Memorial Drive between the Eliot Bridge and Western Avenue to vehicles on Saturdays and Sundays from Saturday, November 20, 2021 and continuing through Sunday, December 19, 2021. Visit Riverbend Park over your weekend to walk, bike, and enjoy open space along the Charles!

Advocacy

DCR Special Commission

On Wednesday, December 8th, the DCR Special Commission, including CRC Executive Director Laura Jasinski, met to review a final report by UMass Donahue Institute (UMDI) containing findings and recommendations on the health, safety, and functionality of Massachusetts' state parks system. This report was unanimously voted through to be submitted to Clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives, and the Senate and House Committees on Ways and Means. It will be an important foundation for the work ahead and our continued advocacy and investment in the agency. Stakeholder groups including the CRC are invested in the results of the final report and will follow the issue to encourage implementation of recommendations and suggestions from the final report.

Instagram Action

Are you following us on Instagram? Make sure to follow us to stay up to date on events, resources, and news about and around the Charles River and its parks!