Earth Day Events Planned for Mystic River Watershed
The following is an announcement from Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc:
This 2007 photo of the Mystic Lakes was taken by Medford resident Dave Adams and was one of the winners of the “Picture the Mystic” contest.
Nine organizations are joining together to coordinate several events for Earth Day in the Mystic River Watershed near Boston.
Comprising the “Greater Boston Mystic River Clean-Up,†the events will take place on Saturday, April 17, and Saturday, April 24, and will focus on improving areas along the river, while drawing attention to the needs of the watershed as a whole.
The Mystic River Watershed is the most urbanized and densely populated watershed in Massachusetts, with over half a million people living in its 76 square miles. Due to its long industrial history and antiquated sewer systems, the water quality of the river is severely degraded. Yet residents, community groups, and organizations are working to improve the Mystic River, its tributaries, and surrounding communities.
The Greater Boston Mystic River Clean-Up will include trail clearing, open space and river clean-ups, and community beautification. Events will include the following:
The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) will lead a river clean-up beginning at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on Shore Drive in Somerville, Saturday, April 17, 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Supplies and light refreshments will be provided. As part of this event, a predetermined team of volunteers will also remove shopping carts from the river. Contact: Beth Meserve, (781) 316-3438 or beth@mysticriver.org.
Groundwork Somerville and Bike-to-the-Sea will co-host a clean-up of the Northern Strand Community Trail between Medford Street in Malden and the Madeline English School in Everett, Saturday, April 17, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. This event is the first of a series of Volunteer Trail Days along the Malden and Everett section of the trail. Volunteers should bring sturdy footwear and work gloves. Contact: Brad Arndt, (617) 455-1127 or brad@groundworksomerville.org.
Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP) and Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) will coordinate a riverfront clean-up and planting at CHA’s trail area at 195 Canal Street in Malden, Saturday, April 17, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This event may connect with the work along the Northern Strand Community Trail, and will conclude with a riverfront picnic. Contact: Nick Cohen, (781) 322-4125 ext. 237 or ncohen@tri-cap.org.
The City of Everett, with support from Energize Everett (the city’s public health and wellness campaign), will hold its annual citywide Earth Day clean-up, Saturday, April 17, from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Participants will meet at Glendale Park, break into teams, and clean up different areas of the city. Lunch will be provided by RecycleBank to volunteers at the end of the day. Participants should bring sneakers and work gloves. Contact: Kathleen O’Brien, (617) 389-3365 or Kathleen.O’Brien@ci.everett.ma.us; Matt Laidlaw, (617) 394-2270, Matt.Laidlaw@ci.everett.ma.us.
The Chelsea Creek Action Group (CCAG), a partnership between Chelsea Collaborative and East Boston’s Neighborhood of Affordable Housing, will lead the annual citywide clean-ups in Chelsea and East Boston, Saturday, April 24. Chelsea residents will meet at City Hall at 9 AM; East Boston residents will meet at the Condor Street Urban Wild from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Breakfast will be provided at the Condor Street Urban Wild, and lunch will be provided at the Creekside Commons. After the events, there will be canoeing on the Chelsea Creek and other family-fun activities for participants of all ages. Contacts: Melinda Alvarado-Vega, (617) 567-5882 or mvega@noahcdc.org; Christopher Pazos, (617) 889-6080 or chrisp@chelseacollab.org.
The Friends of the Mystic River will hold their 15th annual Mystic River Spring Clean-Up, Saturday, April 24, 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM. Volunteers will meet at the west end of the Hormel Stadium parking lot, and tools will be provided. Contact: (781) 391-2604 or Mystic02155@hotmail.com.
Groups such as La Comunidad, Inc. in Everett and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Medford, Everett, and Somerville will also participate in coordinating the Earth Day events. Contacts: Maria Alamo, (617) 387-9996 or lacomunidadinc@yahoo.com; Bruce Barrett, (781) 391-3619 or BBarrett@kidsclubs.org.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, which was first held on April 22, 1970, and featured rallies, protests, and clean-ups across the country with a strong college student presence. That day is often considered the birth of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day 2010 will be observed nationwide on April 22 and will be marked by many of the same activities as the original event 40 years ago.
For more information about any of the Greater Boston Mystic River Clean-up events, please contact the respective coordinator from each organization.