Champions of the Charles
Fall 2020
Fall 2020
© Dominique Joseph
For eight years, Charles River Watershed Association has been celebrating the “Champions” who have helped protect and preserve the Charles River. These top environmental leaders are people who advocate and create change on behalf of the river and its watershed communities.
The Champions of the Charles Gala celebrates these leaders and champions, while gathering like minded citizen activists together to fight for and support a clean Charles. The Charles River is cleaner than it was decades ago, but new challenges loom. Climate change is bringing heavier rainstorms interspersed with more frequent droughts, worsening water quality and the resources that reside along and within the river. In the face of these new threats, CRWA’s innovative science, engineering, advocacy and education are needed more than ever.
We hope you will join us for this elegant, fun-filled evening to raise funds to protect the Charles River for wildlife, recreation and future generations. You understand the importance of the river for our community. We hope you’ll “Champion” the Charles as a sponsor or attendee of this event to support CRWA’s continued work in science, advocacy and law.
The Champions of the Charles Gala celebrates these leaders and champions, while gathering like minded citizen activists together to fight for and support a clean Charles. The Charles River is cleaner than it was decades ago, but new challenges loom. Climate change is bringing heavier rainstorms interspersed with more frequent droughts, worsening water quality and the resources that reside along and within the river. In the face of these new threats, CRWA’s innovative science, engineering, advocacy and education are needed more than ever.
We hope you will join us for this elegant, fun-filled evening to raise funds to protect the Charles River for wildlife, recreation and future generations. You understand the importance of the river for our community. We hope you’ll “Champion” the Charles as a sponsor or attendee of this event to support CRWA’s continued work in science, advocacy and law.
2019 Honorees
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Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu
@Wutrain For our 2019 Champions of the Charles we honored Michelle Wu for her tireless advocacy for environmental equity and leadership on climate change. Councilor Wu believes that the strongest policies and the most effective change comes from civic engagement and partnership with the community. With this mindset, she has helped make Boston more livable and sustainable. CRWA has worked closely with Councilor Wu in her capacity as Chair of the Planning, Development, and Transportation Committee, where she convened a hearing on the future of Widett Circle and Frontage Road. CRWA advocated for the area to be restored as a wetland, so it can act as a natural flood barrier, thereby building “climate resilience.” In the face of significant political pressure to support more development in that area, Councilor Wu invited advocates representing low-income residents, public transit riders, and affordable housing, as well as CRWA, to share their visions for the site. As a representative from City Life/Vida Urbana noted, “We support affordable housing, but not to be built on a site that won’t be there in twenty years.” Councilor Wu has been a voice for Boston’s future through inclusion, innovation, and transparency. Her key values include ensuring economic mobility, racial equity, and climate justice. |
WBUR Earthwhile
@EarthwhileWBUR Earthwhile is WBUR’s environmental team, dedicated to reporting on climate change, energy, ecology, and the environmental issues that affect us all. Their team of experienced journalists are starting new conversations to help listeners and readers see the connections between the environment and topics that may seem unrelated, like public health, business, and infrastructure. Earthwhile’s coverage of issues related to water quality and climate resilience is especially meaningful for CRWA. In July 2019 Senior Producing Editor Barbara Moran covered a story about the cyanobacteria blooms in the Charles River Lower Basin. Ms. Moran joined CRWA for one of our weekly cyanobacteria sampling events to speak with our scientists about algal blooms, their toxicity to people and pets, and the steps people can take to prevent them. The team’s environmental reporting goes above and beyond to cover the far-reaching, interconnected impacts of environmental issues, making Earthwhile an invaluable source of information as we face the unprecedented challenge of climate change. |
Questions?
Audrey Wallace, Development Manager
awallace@crwa.org
(781) 788-0007 x222
awallace@crwa.org
(781) 788-0007 x222
