Each spring, Charles River Watershed Association looks forward to connecting with you and other river lovers at our Annual Meeting to celebrate our impact, together, for a resilient Charles River.
Join us on Thursday, March 26th at 6PM for an evening full of inspiration! Thank you to our friends at MIT for providing their beautiful space. This year the 60th Annual Meeting takes place at the MIT Welcome Center, 292 Main Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Purchase your tickets at www.crwa.org
The Charles River Watershed Association is excited to announce upcoming screenings of ‘Reconnecting Rivers’, a short film we produced with Turnaround Films.
The video explores ongoing dam removal efforts in the Charles River watershed and beyond, highlighting the importance of dam removal for restoring migratory fish habitat, improving climate resilience, and providing land back to Indigenous communities.
Join us in Watertown (Jan. 8) or Natick (Jan. 28) for a free screening and panel discussion! Tickets are available at https://crwa.org/events
Join the Charles River Watershed Association and Indigenous Peoples Day Newton on June 28 for a leisurely midday paddle on one of the more beautiful stretches of the Quinobequin (Charles River). The course winds through lightly developed residential areas and parks. Starting from Newton’s Historic Boathouse, we will pass Norumbega Park, down river, loop around Fox Island, and land at Auburndale Park, where Chef Mea Johnson, Apache Environmental Justice Organizer, Write, Artist, Speaker, Rest & Wellness Facilitator will provide bagged lunches.
This event will start with a Ceremony conducted by Hiawatha Brown. Hiawatha Jon Brown, is a citizen of the Narragansett Indian Tribe of Rhode Island, a resident of Newton, and a committee member for Indigenous Peoples Day Newton.
Along the way, you will have the chance to hear from guest Steve Peters a citizen of the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe. Also, while on the waters, Bairaniki Mayowakanex (Cito), Taino from Boriken, will be honoring the Water Spirits with songs, and a mindfulness exercise for all. At the Auburndale Park you will hear from special guest Julia Horinek a citizen of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma. Her activism work includes, but are not limited to, Indigenous Rights of Nature and Front-Line Oil and Gas summits. As well as from Members of the CRWA Team about local efforts to undam the Charles River and their recent “Cut the Crap Campaign”. Dr. Darlene Flores will share about the sacred Taíno traditions of canoes and about Indigenous Peoples Newton’s 5th Ceremonial Celebration. We will hear reflections from Melissa Harding Ferretti- Chairwomen from Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe/ Select Board Member/vie Chairwomen for the Town of Bourne and her efforts dealing with the Sand Mining and Silica in Plymouth and other local Native American Culture bearers. In order to attend, all participants must watch a brief safety video and sign TWO electronic waivers here and here WAIVER CRWS
This event is rain or shine. It will only need to be rescheduled in the event of thunderstorms. This stretch of the Charles has very calm waters. Canoes will be provided with life jackets, unless you have your own. Lifejackets are required for all participants. Under 16 requires adult supervision at all times. All skill levels are welcome. Experienced paddlers will be in each vessel. Wear comfortable clothes that can get wet and wear sunscreen. This experience will last about 4 hours. THERE WILL BE NO SWIMMING in the river. Event is free for all Native American participants USE PROMO CODE “NATIVE”
For non-Native participants, we suggest a $100 donation for adults and a $50 donation for youth under 16. Tickets are NONREFUNDABLE.There is also a pay what you can option ($50 minimum) for the adult tickets. Enter promo code “PWYC” at the top of the “Select tickets” page and on the “Add an optional donation” page, enter any additional amount you are able to pay.
Space is limited so sign up today!
Join Charles River Watershed Association on May 18 from 11 – 3 for the 2025 Herring Festival! Come and celebrate the annual migration of Alewife, Blueback Herring, and American Shad from the ocean into the Charles River. There will be a community art build, food trucks, and fun activities for all ages. PLEASE NOTE: To find the Festival space, please navigate to Dealtry Memorial Pool Parking. Free. Reserve a spot at Eventbrite HERE.
Help envision a clean, flowing Muddy River. Join the Charles River Watershed Association and the Emerald Necklace Conservancy on Sunday, March 23 at 1:30 pm at the Brookline Village Public Library, 361 Washington Street in Brookline. Explore options to improve water quality and reduce stormwater pollution in the Muddy River.
The Charles River Watershed Association’s 59th Annual Meeting is coming up fast. Join them on Thursday, March 27th at 6 PM and celebrate our collective impact on the Charles River. Every year, we look forward to this day as a chance to connect with fellow river lovers, hear from expert scientists and advocates, and award those who go above and beyond for the river we love. Food and refreshments will be provided, and all are welcome. The event takes place at the MIT Welcome Center.
It takes a village to remove a dam. From initial reconnaissance to post-project monitoring, learn how to assemble the right team of people to address project coordination, coordinating community engagement, shepherding the permitting process, working with consultants and experts, and other project management issues. We’ll pay particular attention to the role of the Project Manager and talk about how the size of the team should “match” the size of the project. Understanding how to build a dam removal project team is a crucial preliminary step in this crucial work. This webinar on March 12 is part of a continuing series sponsored by the Massachusetts River Alliance, The Charles River Watershed Association, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Division of Ecological Restoration. Register at https://www.massriversalliance.org/dam-busters-201
The Charles River Watershed Association, the Neponset River Watershed Association, and the Mystic River Watershed Association invite you to participate in an effort to make our community more climate resilient. If you see street or sidewalk flooding in Boston, let them know. By visiting bit.ly/floodsurveyboston and completing a brief form with a photo (a less than perfect shot from your phone is just fine!), the City of Boston Office of Green Infrastructure will develop a map of flood-impacted areas to inform policy decisions and design flood mitigation efforts. You may spot a corner drain that always overflows, a dip in the sidewalk that becomes a pond in heavy rain, or something much more significant, but please do report it. Add the link to notes on your phone so you have it the instant you see something.
Join the Charles River Watershed Association on Saturday, December 14 at 11 am in Cambridge for a River Advocates Workshop. This is designed for current advocates and anyone interested in learning more about the program. We will gather to discuss various advocacy issues affecting the Charles River watershed, and explore opportunities to get involved with the CRWA. Lunch will be provided. For details, visit https://www.crwa.org/
Join the Charles River Watershed Association for its Winter River Advocates Workshop, designed for current advocates and anyone interested in learning more about the program. We’ll gather on December 14th at 11 am at First Church in Cambridge, 11 Garden Street, to discuss various advocacy issues affecting the Charles River watershed and explore opportunities to get involved with the Charles River Watershed Association. Lunch will be provided. We hope to see you there!
