November E-newsletter

November 2020

Charles River Conservancy

Giving Thanks

In an unprecedented year, we are more grateful for you than ever. Your engagement and support--whether as a volunteer, donor, advocate, or visitor--has enabled our continued stewardship of the Charles River and its parks, an essential public resource that so many rely on for mental and physical well-being. This Thanksgiving, which may look different than others, we hope you will accept our heartfelt thanks. And if you are grateful for our efforts along the Charles, we hope you'll consider making a gift in honor of #GivingTuesday on December 1st.

Advocacy

Public Comments in Support of the All At-Grade Allston Multimodal Project

Thank you to everyone who submitted public comments to MassDOT in October! Your voice goes a long way in ensuring this project is the best it can be for the river, the parks, and our communities. The CRC also submitted a comment letter and signed a coalition letter, both in support of the "Modified All At-Grade" design option, which would reconnect the Allston neighborhood to the river and parks.

Riverfront Restoration Strategies

Over the summer, CRC Board Member Gautam Sundaram of Perkins&Will and urban designers from CBT developed riverfront restoration strategies that work in tandem with the community-supported "modified all at-grade" design. These strategies have helped build important consensus among community members, transportation advocates, and environmental groups, including the CRC.

Floating Wetland

The Wetland Moved for Winter

If you pass by Cambridge Parkway today and notice that the floating wetland is not in its usual spot, that's because it has moved for the winter! To avoid the season's harsh conditions, we've towed the wetland upriver to a protected location. In the spring, we'll tow it back to its mooring along Cambridge Parkway, where we'll continue research and engagement. Check out footage from the move on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Online Education & Engagement

Though you won't be able to visit the floating wetland in the coming months, our website now features a collection of education & engagement materials related to the project! Check it out for information on the plant species featured on the wetland, the science driving the research, and additional installments of our floating wetland video series.

Conservancy Volunteers

October Recap

Thank you to all the wonderful community volunteers who worked with the Conservancy in October! There is always a lot of work to be done in the parks in preparation for the winter months and we couldn't do it without the dedication of our volunteers.

Community volunteers refreshed mulch rings around young trees, cut back aggressive bittersweet vines, and removed litter from Riverbend Park.
Participants in our Mask On, Litter Gone initiative removed over 4,000 pieces of litter from the parks.
Students and staff with Meadowscaping for Biodiversity cut invasive plants and removed litter along Memorial Drive.

Open Volunteer Events

Our open volunteer events are free and welcome community members to participate in vital park maintenance. To register, email Sasha at svallieres@thecharles.org at least 3 days prior to the event.

Saturday, November 21, 9am-12pm: We hope you can join us to rake and bag leaves in the Herter Park Amphitheater in Allston. Limited spaces available.

Schedule a Volunteer Event

Looking for a way to see friends, enjoy fall weather, and do some good for the community? Consider scheduling a Conservancy Volunteers event for your company or group! Reserve your day and learn more about our event safety protocols by contacting Sasha at svallieres@thecharles.org.

Volunteer Spotlight

In celebration of the CRC's 20th anniversary in 2020, we are highlighting some of the groups and individuals who have made our Conservancy Volunteers program such a success!

Youth Enrichment Services

We are grateful to work with Youth Enrichment Services (YES), a nonprofit organization which provides affordable and impactful sports-based youth development and leadership programming for Boston children and teens. Our partnership began in 2015, when YES youth volunteered with the CRC over the course of the fall in return for skateboards and safety gear that they could use at the Lynch Family Skatepark. Today, YES youth volunteer in the parks during the summer and fall. "Our youth learn so much about conservation on these trips, they feel a deeper connection to the river and the city. They're always excited for the next opportunity to volunteer with CRC,” says Ethan George, Volunteer & Adventure Programs Manager.

Instagram Action

The first snow of the season came in October, and made for some magical views.⁠ Catch this snowy scene and other fall beauty shots on our Instagram feed (@charlesrivercrc).

Park News

Proposed FY 2021 Budget Increases DCR Funding

On November 5th, the Massachusetts House Ways and Means Committee released its budget for the remainder of FY 2021, which seeks a $2.3 million increase in DCR's operations account. This is fantastic news and acknowledges the essential role of DCR's parks for our collective mental and physical health. Learn more from the Massachusetts League of Conservation Voters.