EVENTS

CRWA's River Science Festival

Photo by John Wilcox © Boston Herald

On Sunday, April 27, CRWA is transforming Herter Park on Soldier’s Field Road in Brighton into a festive theme park which celebrates and educates about life in the Charles River and in its watershed.   From 1:00 to 4:00pm people of all ages are invited to view exhibitions, board a riverboat for an Eco Boat trip, experiment with a watershed model and celebrate CRWA's work to restore the Charles River.

Charles River Watershed Association is offering a variety of hands-on, child-safe science experiments that will bring environmental science to life for youth and families at  Herter Park and on the river. Join throngs of excited paddlers and spectators, cheering at the 26th CRWA Run of the Charles paddling race finish line for festivities, food, entertainment and fascinating science activities geared to children of all ages.

Be sure to line up in time for one of the Eco Boat Trips departing from Herter Park dock at 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. On board the Charles I Riverboat families and children 6 years and up will experience the work of watershed scientists as you travel on the Charles towards Boston.  Passengers will have an opportunity to conduct water testing experiments with Massachuesetts Water Resources Authority's Meg Tabaskco and also participate in games that encourage environmental stewardship with a team from REI.  On the shores CRWA will present displays explaining our watershed work and a offer youngsters of all ages a hands-on activity that demonstrates the journey that water takes as it travels to rivers when it falls on cities.

Through the River Science Festival, CRWA is inviting thousands to learn more about water quality and quantity issues through the prism of the scientific lens.  Environmental science is a fascinating field.  Through a series of interactive experiences, CRWA will bring the field of limnology to light for over 10,000 people in celebrating our 25th Annual Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak Race and shoreline festival. The exhibitions and activities planned throughout the day will bring pertinent, technical information about the inner workings of water resource planning and urban water design. 

PLANNED ACTIVITIES TO SHOWCASE CRWA'S SCIENCE WORK:

Exhibit: Blue City Planning

CRWA is transforming three highly distressed urban sites with water sustainability techniques. They are Longwood Medical Area, Harvard’s Allston Campus and neighborhoods north of the Zakim Bridge in Somerville and Cambridge.  By entering the planning process in its earliest stages, CRWA is creating a streamlined permitting process, saving developers money and restoring the land – water relationship.

Exhibit: Ecologically Sustainable Water Policies - Maintaining Water for People and for Nature

Sustaining the natural flows of water and precious cycles of life drives CRWA’s work in advancing water policies and conservation approaches.  Displays about our smart growth water resource planning, water banking and other policy initiatives will be displayed.  CRWA’s scientists and legal experts are the forefront of careful planning and management so that human needs for water can be met while minimally altering the natural flow patterns that sustain ecosystem health. 

Exhibit: Restoring Native Plants and Animals to Fresh Water in New England

Twelve percent of known animal species inhabit freshwater environments.  Increasingly, these habitats are stressed.  One-fifth of freshwater fish are either extinct or seriously endangered.  Working collaboratively with the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department and other government agencies, CRWA is restoring native fish to the Charles River.  Learn the distinction between invasive and native plants and animals and why this affects the river’s habitat. 

Eco Boat Trips

While touring the river on the Henry Longfellow Riverboat, passengers will discover how the industrial revolution and construction on the river have affected the riverine native populations.  They will conduct water sample tests and other scientific experiments used at CRWA to measure the river’s health.   A three dimensional topographical model of a watershed will be an activity on board to help demonstrate the land – water relationship.  Passengers will leave the trip equipped with  “Captain Hydro – A Comic Book Water Conservation Workbook” printed compliments of BISCO Irrigation and Plumbing Equipment company.