The River Current || February 21, 2008 || Issue 62

The twice monthly e-newsletter of the Charles River Watershed Association
...bringing our backyard river to your door...

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In this issue: Spring Calendar of Events

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We’re slowly moving towards springtime, which always means lots to do along the river and at CRWA! We have a wide variety of events taking place from now through May – this calendar provides a preview of many of them. If you’d like more information, send me an email or visit our website events calendar at www.charlesriver.org/events/events.html

For a cleaner Charles,
Rebecca Scibek, River Current Editor

Charles River Watershed Association Spring 2008 Calendar of Events:

·        Tuesday, February 26 – 4^th Annual Allston Brighton Green Gathering
6:00 – 8:30pm at EF International Language School, Brighton
Join a yearly convention for friends and advocates of Allston-Brighton’s green spaces! The evening will include a presentation by CRWA’s urban restoration specialist Pallavi Mande on Green Street Guidelines. For more information or to RSVP, contact Kate Jordan at Allston-Brighton CDC, 617-787-3874 x216.

·        Tuesday, March 11 – Brown bag lunch on vernal pools
12:30-1:30pm at CRWA’s office
Come hear about an exciting project on vernal pools in the Charles and Tauton River watersheds. The Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences will be our guests to describe what a vernal pool is, what animals use vernal pools, and talk about how their project intends to improve water quality in the pools. To RSVP, please contact Rebecca Scibek by replying to this email or calling 781-788-0007 x200. For more information about Manomet and the study, visit http://www.manomet.org/programs/wildlife/#vernal pools     

·        Tuesday, March 18 – Zakim North Blue Cities Forum
6:30 – 8:30pm at East End House in East Cambridge
This public forum will feature CRWA's work in the East Cambridge, Somerville, and Charlestown area as part of our Blue Cities Initiative. We will demonstrate ways in which the Zakim North area can be a model for planning, water, green space and infrastructure redevelopment for urban environmental restoration. You can get more information, reserve a spot online, and download a PDF brochure at http://www.crwa.org/projects/ESUD/ZN/ZNbluecities.html

·        Saturday, April 26 – Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup
9:00am-12:00pm at various sites all along the river
The Cleanup involves over 2,000 volunteers helping to beautify the Charles River, picking up trash and cleaning the riverbanks at over 40 sites from Dover to Boston. If you’d like to organize a group to volunteer, or volunteer yourself, please visit www.charlesriver.org/cleanup.html

·        Sunday, April 27 – Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race (all day) and River Science Festival (1:00-4:00pm)
9:00am – 5:00pm at Herter Park, Brighton and various locations
Paddle, volunteer, or watch the fun at North America’s largest canoe and kayak race! Races available for all skill levels, from novices to professionals, and you can even rent a boat for the day. Join the onshore festivities at the Finish Line Festival and River Science Festival at Herter Park in Brighton. Experience a variety of hands-on, child-safe science experiments that will bring environmental science to life for youth and families on shore and on the river. Activities include an eco-boat trip, model watershed, and exhibitions about all aspects of the river.

·        Tuesday, May 6 – Healthy Lawns and Landscape Workshop
6:00-8:00pm at CRWA’s office
Join DEP Consumer Waste Reduction Coordinator Ann McGovern and CRWA Landscape Architect Viola Augustin to learn about how to maintain a beautiful, healthy yard without harming the river!  This workshop is free and open to the public. More information will be available soon on our website.

·       Sunday, May 18 – Progressive lunch on the banks of the Charles in Dover
Save the date, and check our website for more information in the coming weeks