Mystic River Watershed Association

06/02/2026

🌎️ Watch Climate Stories: The Mighty Mystic on YouTube!

In April, we shared an exciting collaboration with the Museum of Science, Boston - the short film, Climate Stories: The Mighty Mystic at the Mugar Omni Theater. We are thrilled to announce that the film is now available to view for free on YouTube.

Narrated by "son of the Mystic River," Terry E. Carter, this film tells the story of the Mystic River and how its history has shaped the present and future challenges that it and the communities around it are facing due to climate change.

The Mystic River Watershed Association and the Museum of Science, B...

06/01/2026

This morning we celebrated Mystic Champions - partners in our shared mission of regional collaboration towards healthier and more climate resilient communities!

We were thrilled to present U.S. Congresswoman Katherine Clark with the Mystic Champion Award for her longstanding support of MyRWA's work and the many cities and towns across the watershed that she represents. Rep Clark’s advocacy is visibly woven into the landscape of this watershed. She has secured over $39M in Community Projects Funding to drive clean water initiatives and climate-resilience projects for Mystic River watershed municipalities. We have immense gratitude to her and her team for bringing this support to essential local projects.

We were also delighted to highlight the The City of Woburn as our 2026 Mystic Leadership Award recipient. Captained by Mayor Mike Concannon, the City of Woburn is taking on some of the watershed’s most ambitious projects - a state of the art fish passage, heat and flood resilient Hurld Park, and multiple interventions to protect communities from stormwater. The teamwork between municipal departments and the spirit of community service that emulates within Woburn and to their watershed neighbors inspires us every day.

Thank you Mystic Champions!

05/31/2026

This week, we had a great time with a group of intrepid volunteers, conducting a trash audit in the City of Chelsea Massachusetts- Gov. We walked from City Hall all the way down to Island End River, observing the ways trash moves and collects in streets, alleys, and property.

We're doing this work as part of the Chelsea Community Cleanup and Beatification Project, and we have two volunteer clean-ups coming up later this month! Sign up at the links below!

June 6th at Voke Park - https://mysticriver.org/events/2026/6/6/chelsea-spring-trash-cleanup-voke-park
June 21st at Marginal St. - https://mysticriver.org/events/2026/6/21/chelsea-spring-trash-cleanup-marginal-st

05/30/2026

Hosted by the Somerville Museum, come out to Blessing of the Bay Park in Somerville for a unique outdoor history program on Saturday, June 6th, from 10AM - 12PM!

RSVP >>> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blessing-of-the-bay-three-voices-one-shore-tickets-1989318234390?aff=oddtdtcreator

Three Voices, One Shore: The Untold Stories of Ten Hills brings together song, dance, storytelling, and family activities to honor the layered histories connected to Ten Hills and the Blessing of the Bay. Together, we’ll explore the stories of Indigenous peoples, European settlement, and Africans brought here through slavery — histories that are deeply intertwined on this shore.

Featuring performances by Morning Star Singers, De Ama Battle’s Art of Black Dance & Music Ensemble, Anna-Celestrya Carr, and storyteller Aimee Ledwell!

05/27/2026

THANK YOU to all our Herring Run and Paddle sponsors for supporting a clean and healthy Mystic. We loved seeing your teams of runners, paddlers, volunteers, and tablers at our 30th annual event. With you, this work is possible!

Photo credits: Julian Feshbach-Meriney, Daria Clark Santollani

05/26/2026

🚲 Do you care about safe streets? Do you live north of Boston? (If you live in the Mystic River watershed, you do!) Are you up for a 25-mile, advocacy-oriented bike ride 99% on shared-use paths? Come join us for our Advocate Bike Ride on May 31st from 10:30am-2:30pm!

REGISTER >>> https://www.eventbrite.com/e/north-of-boston-advocate-bike-ride-tickets-1985155166542

This event is co-hosted by the Everett Active Transportation Advisory Committee, the Somerville Pedestrian & Transit Advisory Committee, Medford Bicycle Advisory Commission, and the Somerville Bike Kitchen!

05/25/2026

Gearing up for some boating, swimming, or fishing? Check out our Mystic water recreation guide for helpful tips including:

💧 How to check water quality
🏊️ Safe swimming recommendations
🔥 Fire safety while grilling

https://mysticriver.org/news/2025/7/29/safe-summer-water-recreation-in-the-mystic?rq=safe%20summer%20recreation

Thank you DCR and municipal park staff for all you do for these open spaces we love!

It’s hot hot hot this summer, and safe places to cool off and recreate can be limited. Here’s what you need to know before you get out on the water!

05/24/2026

There's still time to paint a fish for the Arts Arlington GoFish! Project 🐟️ . Public art curator Cecily Miller will be hosting another painting workshop on Sunday, June 7th from 10AM-12PM at the Mystic Open Studio in Arlington.

All supplies provided - just bring your imagination and love for river herring! 🎨

GO FISH! The Mystic River Herring Mural In Spring 2026, ArtsArlington and our partner, the Mystic River Watershed Association, invite the community to co-create public art project celebrating the return of the herring to the Mystic River and our local creative spirit. Introducing GO FISH! GO FISH! i...