Mystic River Watershed Association

MISSION The mission of the Mystic River Watershed Association is to protect and restore clean water and related natural resources in the basin's communities and to promote responsible stewardship of our natural resources through educational initiatives with the goal of making the Mystic River fishable and swimmable. DESCRIPTION The Mystic River Watershed Association (MyRWA) works to restore and protect the natural resources of the most urbanized watershed in Massachusetts. The watershed covers 21 cities and towns near Boston, including many low-income, minority and immigrant communities that bear more than their share of environmental problems. The Mystic River and its tributaries suffer from aging sewer systems, toxic waste sites, storm water runoff, flooding, and limited open space. MyRWA’s work includes (1) volunteer water quality monitoring; (2) promoting open space and improved access to the river, in partnerships with local community groups; (3) improving our scientific understanding of the watershed’s problems, with the help of Tufts University and volunteer experts on our committees; (4) increasing public awareness of watershed issues and promoting stewardship through education and outreach; and (5) representing the watershed’s interests to government agencies. MyRWA was founded in 1970 and incorporated in 1972. Since that time, they have increased the visibility of the watershed, documented the watershed’s problems and potential solutions, and built strong relationships with local groups, municipalities, Tufts University, and others. These investments are now beginning to result in real improvements in the watershed. IMPACT Some of MyRWA’s numerous achievements include engaging thousands of local residents in traditional watershed association activities such as clean-ups, canoe trips, walks and lectures over the past thirty years.