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Mystic River Watershed Association

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Mystic River Watershed Association

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Welcome to the Mystic River Watershed Association. To our knowledge, the watershed is on the colonized lands of the Massachusett, Nipmuc, and Pawtucket tribes.

Contact MyRWA at: 23 Maple St Arlington, MA 02476
(617) 865-6580 (M-F, 9am-5pm) [email protected] www.MysticRiver.org The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) was founded in 1972 to protect and restore natural resources in the 21-community watershed. MyRWA accomplishes this work through the efforts of professional staff and thousands of volunteers working together on a project-by-project basis. MyRWA wishes to honor and acknowledge the indigenous communities native to this region and its past, present, and future. The name “Mystic” comes from the term that these tribes used for the river — “Missi-Tuk,” which means “great tidal river.” As you explore the watershed, we encourage you to learn with us about its past and current indigenous heritage.

11/01/2026

NEXT SATURDAY! Join MyRWA and Doctor of Physical Therapy Students from MGB University of Health Professions for a guided wellness walk along the paved river path at Torbert Macdonald Park. Surrounded by urban forest and the Mystic River, this walk offers a free, accessible opportunity to recharge your body and mind ✨

When: Saturday, November 7th from 10 AM - 12 PM
Where: Torbert Macdonald Park in Medford, meet in the parking lot off Mystic Valley Parkway
Sign Up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-wellness-walk-along-the-mystic-river-tickets-2003794340814?aff=oddtdtcreator

10/31/2026

The combined sewer overflow comment period is closed! We are so grateful to everyone across our broad community who submitted a comment, letting our leaders know that sewage in our rivers is unacceptable, point blank, period.

We know that as of mid-October, over 800 comments were submitted on the Draft CSO Long Term Control Plan, as well as dozens of verbal testimonies both in-person and online. You have made your voice heard. We're excited to keep pushing as the regulators review the plan and your comments.

Stay in the loop about CSOs and what comes next. Subscribe to MyRWA's newsletter at www.mysticriver.org/subscribe.

10/30/2026

14 years ago this week, we woke up to flooded subways, widespread power outages, and tens of thousands of displaced people. But it wasn’t happening here. It was 200 miles south in New York and New Jersey.

Everyone in Greater Boston asked the same question: What if Hurricane Sandy happened here?

We have answers. Within the Mystic, a 500-year coastal flood would displace 49,000 residents, impact over 6,000 structures, and result in $4 billion in loss, at least. Electrical substations, food distribution facilities, grocery stores, buses, trains, tunnels, schools, senior centers, and more would be underwater.

That’s why the Resilient Mystic Collaborative is advocating for major climate resilience investments in the Mass Ready Act, currently in conference committee. So we can wake up, after the storm, and be okay.

If you want to stay in touch about a more climate-resilient Mystic, subscribe to our newsletter at www.mysticriver.org/subscribe

10/29/2026

Last night we said a bittersweet farewell and a heartfelt thank-you to a long-time partner, friend, and co-conspirator, City of Everett Conservation Agent Tom Philbin. From citywide clean-ups to new boardwalks and thousands of trees planted, Tom has been an absolute delight to work with and an invaluable partner to our work.

Thank you, Tom, for your many years of hard work and dedication to the watershed. We hope you enjoy a restful retirement and many outdoor adventures to come!

Photos:
1) Tom canoeing on the Malden River with his mortal enemy - phragmites - in the background
2) Tom's farewell party
3) Tom out planting wetland saplings at Everett's Gateway Park
4) Tom tuning into a Zoom call from the slopes

Photos courtesy of MyRWA and the City of Everett

10/28/2026

It's been a busy fall for the new Horn Pond Fish Passage in Woburn! Check out construction progress at the site through these great drone photos taken by volunteer Tyler Hilliard 🚧

About the Project: Construction crews are working on the pool & weir fish passage system that will make it easier for river herring to reach spawning habitat in Horn Pond. The project, including visitor viewing areas, is aiming to be completed before the river herring return for their next annual migration in April 2027. Follow along for status updates and opening information!

You can learn more about river herring in the Mystic through this storymap >>> https://bit.ly/mysticherring

This project is supported by the Industri-Plex Natural Resource Damages Trustee Council, a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant, a Commonwealth of Massachusetts FFIO's Municipal and Tribal Technical Assistance (MTTA) grant, and a generous $1M gift from an anonymous foundation to the Mystic River Watershed Association.

The City of Woburn https://woburnma.gov/government/engineering/proposed-municipal-projects/horn-pond-fish-passage/

10/26/2026

REMINDER! Public comments on the draft plan to address sewage pollution are due THIS FRIDAY, October 30th!

Submit your comment now >>> https://mysticriver.org/csos

Raw sewage overflowing into our rivers and streams is unacceptable in a 21st-century city. Combined sewer overflows threaten public health; they are an environmental justice catastrophe; and our rivers deserve better.

Over 800 public comments have been submitted so far on the draft combined sewer overflow plan for the Mystic River, Charles River, and Alewife Brook, the vast majority supporting our call to eliminate sewage pollution in our rivers and streams.

If you have not yet submitted a public comment demanding a better plan for our rivers, now is the time to do so. Add your voice today!

10/25/2026

that exposure to nature helps improve mental health, brain function, blood pressure, and sleep quality? Question 6 will create and improve greenspaces close to home to support our overall health and wellness. Everyone in MA deserves access to the benefits of nature—vote YES on Question 6!

Nature For MA

10/24/2026

We aren't the only ones excited about improvements! These two red-tailed hawks were spotted keeping an eye on projects in Somerville last week 😄 .

Photo 1: Draw Seven Park - the revitalization of this important green space is nearing completion! Improvements include a living shoreline of salt-tolerant plants that will provide major flood protection, large areas of planted meadow and woodland, and upgrades to utilities running under the park.

Photo 2: Shore Drive Greenway at Blessing of the Bay Park - this Greenway is undergoing awesome safety and ecological improvements, including expansion of the path to a 12ft width, 1,520 square feet of native plantings, and underground green stormwater infrastructure.

More information about these projects at https://mysticriver.org/greenways

10/23/2026

A milestone day!! 🎉 This morning, volunteers planted our Urban Canopy Program's 1000th shade tree 🌳.

What does it mean to have 1000 more shade trees in the watershed? Over a 40 year lifespan, a single mature tree can sequester 1 ton of CO₂ (Arbor Day Foundation), uptake millions of gallons of stormwater (Green Infrastructure Center), cool the area below by up to 20ºF, provide habitat for wildlife, and provide benefits for our mental wellbeing. Now multiply that impact by 1000!

It takes a watershed-wide community to make this impact in just 3 years - thank you to the many partners, supporters, and volunteers that make this effort possible! DCR, EEA, USDA, Forest Service, Congresswoman Pressley, Takeda, Anonymous private foundation, Communities of Charlestown, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Medford, Somerville, GreenRoots, Everett Community Growers, TreesMedford, Green & Open Somerville, Groundwork Somerville, Earthwise Aware

Learn more about MyRWA's Urban Canopy Program at https://mysticriver.org/trees

📍 Lou Ann David Park, Somerville

Address

23 Maple Street
Arlington, MA
02476

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Website

http://www.MysticRiver.org/

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