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Monthly e-news made for advocates.
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Charles River Watershed Association is delighted to announce the release of A River Interrupted, a long-form exploration of dam removal in the Charles River watershed with a focus on the Watertown Dam. We hope you will spend some time with A River Interrupted and join our movement for dam removal in the Charles River watershed.
A River Interrupted tells the full story of the Watertown Dam: beginning with a free-flowing river stewarded by Indigenous Massachusett and Nipmuc people; diving into the construction of the dam and its stark consequences for migratory fish populations, water quality, ecosystem health, upstream sustenance fishing populations, and climate resilience; and concluding with our vision for the future of a clean, healthy, free-flowing Charles River. With interactive maps, historical and current research on Watertown Dam, findings from the final draft of the Watertown Dam Removal Feasibility Study, video, and photography, A River Interrupted makes a compelling, comprehensive argument for the removal of Watertown Dam.
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Celebrating Black History Month |
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In honor of Black History Month, we invite you to celebrate the rich history, contributions, and triumphs of past & present Black environmentalists with us.
The environmental justice movement is rooted in Black History. Black leaders, who are often overlooked, shaped the modern environmental movement we know today, and we owe gratitude for their considerable efforts and sacrifices to bring the not-so-radical assertion that all people, regardless of income, race, nationality, citizenship, and ability deserve access to clean air, water, unpolluted land, green space, and opportunity to the mainstream. We feature three leaders who had a long-lasting impact on the environmental movement; Dr. Robert Bullard, Hazel M. Johnson, and Rev. Ben Chavis.
The legacy of Black environmentalists championing protections for our communities continues today right here in Massachusetts. Here are several Black leaders who are rising to the challenge of our changing climate with bold action; Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, Sen. Lydia Edwards, Kalila Barnett, Rev. Vernon K. Walker, and CRWA's own Board Vice President Lance Campbell and Board of Directors member Matt Jasmin.
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Flood Predictions Become Flood Solutions! |
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At the start of the month, we hosted a kick-off meeting for the second phase of the Charles River Flood Model, our interactive flood planning tool created in collaboration with twenty communities in the upper and middle watershed and Weston & Sampson. Deputy Director Julie Wood discussed how the model was developed and presented initial findings, Marianne Iarossi, Open Space Planner from the Town of Natick, brought the municipal perspective of flood mitigation planning efforts, and Leigh Meunier from Communities Responding to Extreme Weather (CREW) presented strategies for strengthening our communities in light of climate change. Watch the webinar online to learn more.
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February brought a wave of good news from the legislature! Several of our priority bills, including the Dark Sky Bill (H.3306/S.2147), the Drought Management Bill (H.898/S.530), and the Invasive Species Bill (S.563/H.999) are moving forward. Thank you to all of the legislators who supported these bills, especially the bills’ sponsors: Sen. Creem and Rep. Garballey, Sen. Eldridge and Rep. Dykema, and Sen. Jehlen and Rep. Dave Rogers, respectively. We will continue advocating for these important bills to be passed this session!
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Last week, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) presented their latest update on efforts to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to the Charles and Mystic Rivers and Boston Harbor. Despite much progress, in 2021, forty-eight reported CSO events released over 124 million gallons of untreated sewage into the Lower Basin of the Charles River, carrying E.Coli bacteria, pharmaceuticals, trash, and more directly into the river in an area heavily used by boaters and rowers. Over ninety people attended to listen in and offer comments. Thank you very much if you followed our call-to-action and attended the meeting. Keep an eye out for future opportunities to tell MWRA that we need to put an end to this threat to public health by eliminating sewage discharges once and for all!
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Deputy Director Julie Wood was featured in a national story about daylighting buried rivers and streams alongside Jenny Hoffner of American Rivers. Daylighting has numerous benefits, including improving water quality, restoring habitat and expanding connectivity, building beautiful public parklands to expand open space and keep our communities cool, and more. “It brings rivers back to life,” says Julie Wood.
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In honor of World Wetlands Day, a photo of the beautiful NVSA wetlands in Medfield! Wetlands provide vital flood mitigation, water filtration, wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, and recreational opportunities. Learn more about the Natural Valley Storage Area.
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Get excited to learn about how we plan to chart our path forward to a clean, climate-resilient Charles for all as we launch our five-year Strategic Plan! While registration is FREE, we hope you will consider a $50 gift, the minimum level of a CRWA membership, in lieu of a ticket to support a healthy and clean Charles River.
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These Towns Are Fighting Climate Change at the Local Level
Receive $50 off an eligible $100 purchase at the Outside Shop, where you'll find a selection of brand-name products curated by our gear editors, when you sign up for Outside+ today. Jonathan Schechter, the town council member who developed the...
Read more
www.outsideonline.com
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“So many communities have these very ambitious goals—like to be net zero by 2050—but they’re not putting resources toward it,” Wilson-Martin says. “Where else would you set a goal like that and not fund it? Just imagine if we did that with road paving.”
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Farewell to Jennie & CRWA is Hiring! |
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We are bidding farewell to our Stormwater Program Director Jennie Moonan, who is leaving CRWA to join Weston & Sampson as a Senior Project Manager. We are grateful for the leadership role Jennie played in the construction of green infrastructure in Milford Town Park, helping our communities reduce phosphorus pollution, and supporting Allston residents in achieving more open space and climate resilience in the Harvard Enterprise Research Campus project. Best of luck in your next adventure, Jennie!
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We were saddened to hear of the passing of longtime supporter Frederick Abernathy. Our condolences go out to the Abernathy family, and we are grateful for the many donations we have received in honor of Frederick.
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Shape Massachusetts' understanding of climate impacts to help plan for the future! Join a statewide conversation on climate change impacts– such as extreme heat and flooding– affecting you, your families, and your community with MA Executive Office of Energy and Environment. Register for one of four upcoming conversations here.
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Did you know we rely on individual donations from river lovers like you for over sixty percent of our budget? Your contribution goes directly towards helping CRWA achieve its mission of protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Charles River and its watershed through science, advocacy, and the law.
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If you would like to unsubscribe to a specific email list, please email charles@crwa.org. If you click on Unsubscribe below, you will unsubscribe from all CRWA emails moving forward.
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