Program areas at CRWA
Climate resilience - crwa is committed to reducing the impacts of climate change and supporting restorative climate adaptation. The organization works every day across all program areas to create River and Watershed resilience to more intense rain events, more frequent summertime droughts and hotter temperatures. It does this through crwa's water-energy nexus work, bringing together municipal staff from across the Watershed as part of the Charles River climate compact, participation in municipal and state climate planning initiatives, educating local elected officials, Watershed- and subwatershed-scale planning, stream, wetland and floodplain restoration, dam removal, legislative lobbying and advocacy. Crwa is also actively working to engage with communities that are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, especially low income and marginalized communities. Crwa is working to develop a greener and more just world that will be more resilient to the changes that are coming.
Advocacy, policy, and law - crwa is involved in every major decision affecting the health of the Charles River and in important statewide water issues. Advocacy includes commenting on all major Watershed development and redevelopment projects, challenging permits administratively and sometimes in court, participating in hearings before local boards and commissions and state agencies, protecting public trust lands and access to parklands, participating in task forces, lobbying on environmental legislation, and working with many partner organizations on issues of national, regional and state significance, such as climate change, smart growth, stormwater pollution, and sustainable water resource policies and regulations. Crwa's strong science is integral to its advocacy and positions the organization adopts.
Education and outreach - crwa's work to promote better Watershed management and River stewardship includes a wide range of outreach and educational programming: educational talks and presentations to schools and community groups; a comprehensive website and online communications; the publication of brochures, plans and reports; trainings and workshops for municipal employees; and participation in many local and regional events and activities. Committed to growing the next generation of environmentalists, crwa trains numerous student interns each year and hosts the rita barron fellow, a one-year position for recent masters' degree graduates, and engages national and international groups for educational and networking purposes.an important component of this program are two signature outreach events:the run of the Charles canoe and kayak race held every april, crwa's run of the Charles canoe and kayak race, which began 38 years ago, showcases the ongoing improvements to the River. This race is one of the nation's oldest and largest canoe and kayak races attracting over 1,000 national and international professionals, amateurs, and corporate teams competing on the 26-mile course.annual earth day Charles River cleanup the annual earth day Charles River clean up brings thousands of volunteers together across the Watershed to make the Charles cleaner, healthier and more beautiful by picking up trash and removing debris. Crwa organizes the cleanup in partnership and collaboration with parkland and environmental groups, communities, and the ma department of conservation and recreation.
River science and restoration - collecting robust water quality data to understand the health of our River, advocate for effective cleanup and restoration strategies, and protect public health. Removing defunct dams, tackling invasive species, daylighting streams, and more to restore natural ecology and build climate resilience.
Stormwater solutions - curbing stormwater pollution with green infrastructure solutions and stronger stormwater regulations to achieve a clean, resilient Charles River for future generations.