CHARLES  RIVER  PARKLANDS  UPDATE
November 2004
Archives—Table of Contents

Advocacy

The Conservancy would like to welcome the newly appointed Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Stewardship Council whose mission includes oversight and strategic planning for all Commonwealth parks.

The CRC is working with State Representative James Marzilli, in collaboration with other environmental groups, on legislation ensuring stronger protection of parkways.

Programs and Projects

Swimming in the Charles—Send Us Your Stories
Thank you and congratulations to Christopher Swain for swimming the entire Charles River to raise awareness for clean water and to Organic Valley for sponsoring this inspirational effort. We would love to hear your stories about swimming in the Charles (feel free to pass along your grandparents' stories). View photos and learn more about Chris' swim.

Skatepark Fundraising Continues
The Conservancy has raised over $600,000, thanks to a $100,000 gift from the Boston Redevelopment Agency-efforts on many fronts continue. On December 1st the T.T. the Bear's Place at 10 Brookline Street in Cambridge will host a fundraising concert; for more info go to www.ttthebears.com. Remember, any donations by skaters will be quadrupled.

Service Learning Program—Strong and Growing
We are pleased to announce that during the program's first year, over 300 students learned and served with us in the Parklands! Kindergartners and high school seniors alike learned about ecology, landscape design, local history and Parklands' stewardship while performing community service projects.

For more information, please contact Evan Moss by phone or email: edm@thecharles.org. Thanks to all the students, teachers and athletes who participated in the program.

Conservancy Volunteers

Most of the leaves are down and the temperature is dropping. That means it's once again tree pruning time. Learn the basics while enjoying the Parklands. Your work will ensure healthy trees come springtime. Click here to see volunteer dates and times. The Conservancy Volunteers schedule is filling up fast—now is the time to set up a service day for your group. Contact volunteer coordinator Evan Moss by phone or email: edm@thecharles.org.

CRC Five Year Anniversary—2005

Yes, it's true . . . we're almost five years old and the Conservancy is planning to celebrate the occasion. If you're interested in assisting with our anniversary event, email crc@thecharles.org—help make this event an unforgettable experience!

CRC Annual Appeal

Donate now and your gift will be doubled by a foundation!

For those of you who have already given to the 2004 Annual Appeal, thank you, we greatly appreciate your commitment. Your investment strengthens the Conservancy's ability to renew and steward the Charles River Parklands. If you haven't given yet, please consider supporting the Conservancy. A new or increased donation made before December 31st will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, by a Boston-area foundation.

You can donate online or send a check to our mailing address, shown. in the column to the left.

Your donation makes a difference!

• $1,000 supports a 30 person volunteer work crew for a full day of invasive plant species removal, riverbank erosion control and lawn reseeding.

• $500 sustains a hands-on service-learning program for 50 public school students.

• $100 enables publication of this monthly e-newsletter so that you can remain up-to-date on Parklands happenings!
  

CRC Calendar

From guided tours, to group runs and bike rides there are plenty of ways to enjoy the Charles River Parklands this fall. For a list of upcoming events, visit the CRC Calendar.

Picture of the Month

On November 11th, Christopher Swain was joined by Renata von Tscharner, President of the CRC; John DeVillars; Robert Zimmerman, Executive Director of the CRWA; and other clean water and swimming advocates for the last leg of his Charles River Swim.

If you have a picture you'd like to submit for a future picture of the month, please contact us at crc@thecharles.org.

To see previous pictures of the month, see the archives page.

The Charles River Conservancy takes as its mission the renewal and stewardship of the Charles River Parklands and their surroundings, particularly parks, parkways and bridges. The Conservancy engages in numerous Parklands restoration and improvement initiatives, including access and safety, education and outreach, and planning and maintenance programs, and relies heavily on individual contributions. To support the Charles River Conservancy, click here. Thank you!

If you know someone who would enjoy this newsletter, please feel free to pass it along. Interested readers can subscribe to the e-newsletter by clicking here and following the directions on the subscription page.

If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, click here and follow the directions.