'Mystic Community Earth Day' Events Announced

Article, info, and text provided by Nick Cohen of TRI-CAP and the city of Somerville.

Several organizations are joining together for the third consecutive year to coordinate numerous events for Earth Day in the Lower Mystic River Watershed in Somerville, Medford, Malden, Everett, Chelsea, and East Boston. Comprising the “Mystic Community Earth Day,” most of the events will take place on Saturday, April 21 and Saturday, April 28 in honor of Earth Day (April 22nd) and will focus on improving areas along the river, while drawing attention to the needs of the watershed as a whole. All events are free and open to the public.  Volunteers are needed to complete this important work.

The Mystic River Watershed is the most urbanized and densely populated watershed in Massachusetts, with over half a million people living in its 76 square miles. Due to its long industrial history and antiquated sewer systems, the water quality of the river is severely degraded and access to the riverfront is limited. Despite these challenges, residents, community groups, and organizations are working to improve the Mystic River, its tributaries, and surrounding communities.

This year marks the 42nd Earth Day, which was first held on April 22, 1970, and featured rallies, protests, and clean-ups across the country with a strong college student presence. That day is often considered the birth of the modern environmental movement. Earth Day 2012 will be observed nationwide on April 22 and will be marked by many of the same activities as the original event 42 years ago.

Mystic Community Earth Day will include clean-ups, trail clearings, and plantings. For more information about any of the Mystic Community Earth Day events, please contact the respective coordinator from each organization (see below).  

Events in Somerville:

Groundwork Farm Raising: Anyone can join the Groundwork Somerville Green Team on Saturday, April 21st, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for a “farm raising” at Somerville’s first urban agriculture site at 111 South Street.  We will be building and laying out the beds, filling them, mixing soil, and planting the first crops of the spring with Green City Growers. Celebrate Earth Day by adding your hands to the creation and clean-up of new open space in Massachusetts’ densest city!

• For more information, contact www.groundworksomerville.org or 617-628-9988.

Let's Grow Somerville, Urban Agriculture Workshop: (From the city of Somerville) "10:00 A.M.-Noon, Mudflat Studio, 81 Broadway in East Somerville. Join expert and novice gardeners and farmers to share information about growing food in the city. Short presentations will be given by city planning staff, Green City Growers, Groundwork Somerville and Cuisine en Locale."

Somerville Reads Celebration, A Community Potluck: (From the city of Somerville): "1:00- 3:00 P.M., Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Avenue
Bring a dish to share (please list ingredients), and vote for your favorite. Celebrate the City’s third “One City, One Book” campaign, Somerville Reads 2012—a project that promotes literacy and community engagement by encouraging people all over the City to read and discuss books on the same theme. This year’s theme is food—local, sustainable, and delicious! Enjoy music by the Michael J. Epstein Memorial Library Band and children’s activities for the wee ones." 

Events nearby:

In Medford, On Wednesday, May 2nd from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. the Medford Boys & Girls Club will hold a GreenFest Earth Day event.  The event will include a Green Art activity and a Green Art competition, a science activity related to the environment, information about recycling and reducing one's carbon footprint, and tables with information from local environmental groups.  Open to everyone, we hope you will bring your kids and come celebrate the earth with us!  The Medford Boys & Girls Club is located at 30 Forest Street in Medford Square.

• For more information, call 781-391-3619 or write kholt@kidsclubs.org.

In Malden:

On Tuesday, April 24th, at 7:00 p.m., there will be a presentation on the Malden River to the Malden City Council at City Hall, and the public is welcome to attend the meeting. 

In addition, Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP) is partnering with Bike to the Sea, Groundwork Somerville, and Cambridge Health Alliance for the third year in a row to organize a clean-up around the Malden River, focusing on the Malden River Walk, Northern Strand Community Trail, and Plaza 188 riverfront tail from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on April 28th rain or shine.  Volunteers should meet at Cambridge Health Alliance at 195 Canal Street (behind Anthony’s).  Supplies will be provided, but additional tools and gloves are welcome. Light refreshments will be available for volunteers at a riverfront picnic.  

• For more information on either event, contact Nick Cohen, Tri-CAP Environmental Justice Coordinator, at ncohen@tri-cap.org or 781 322-4125 x 237.