25th Annual Charles River

Earth Day Cleanup

We're Ready to Go!

We’re proud to celebrate our Earth Day Cleanup for 25 years in a row. We were blown away by the enthusiasm of this year’s volunteers; our event is at capacity and we are no longer accepting new registrations. However, there are still ways to volunteer for Earth Day, including DCR’s Park Serve Day and Charles River Earth Day Cleanups hosted by our partnering organizations. We believe any day is a day to celebrate the Earth, so volunteering with CRC throughout the year is always a great way to give back. We’ll see you on the river!

Annual Report 2023

Our Year in Review

Just in! We’re proud to release our Annual Report 2023. Take a peek if you’re curious on what we’ve been up to in the last year. We’d love to hear what’s most exciting to you.

Volunteer Season is in Bloom

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

March was the official start of our volunteer season, and we kicked things off with a productive and fun community volunteer event in Herter Park. Our enthusiastic volunteers worked hard picking up branches and sticks and raking leaves. Together we removed over 75 bags of vegetation, and had a massive pile of branches for DCR’s wood chipper. What a wonderful way to start the 2024 season! Thank you to all who attended.

Open Volunteer Event

Register now!

Come out to volunteer and meet fellow community members! Spots are limited so register soon. Please email Sasha at svallieres@thecharles.org to register and for more details.

• Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10am-12pm: We will be working in Cannalonga Park in Watertown through Watertown Helps Out. Volunteers will assist with park spring cleanup projects, including litter and leaf removal, as well as invasive plant management.

We're Hiring!

Development Manager

The CRC is seeking a team-oriented individual who is eager to grow their skills and career in development to increase the CRC’s capacity and impact. Our Executive Director will be offering 30-minute info sessions:

• Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 12-12:30pm
• Friday, April 19, 2024, 9-9:30am

Click here for details on the position and information on how to register for an info session. Deadline to apply is May 6, 2024.

Floating Wetland

Bringing STEAM Activity Kits to Local Schools

The CRC is thrilled to continue our partnership with Cambridge Public Schools by delivering floating wetland activity kits to complement the sixth grade River to the Sea curriculum for the third year! Developed in partnership with MIT Sea Grant, the kits allow students to build their own mini wetland, grow plants on it, hatch zooplankton, and explore the dynamic conditions that contribute to a healthy water body. In addition to the kit materials, an activity booklet, video resources, and informational leaflet for families (available in 6 languages) provide for an engaging and immersive experience.

Here's what's inside!

Advocacy

Speak Up for the I-90 Riverfront!

With the announcement that the Allston Multimodal Project will receive $335 million in federal funding from a Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods grant, MassDOT is accelerating planning to meet an aggressive environmental permitting schedule. They will hold a riverfront-focused design meeting to present shoreline alternatives that will impact the Paul Dudley White pathway and adjacent parkland. Join the CRC and make your voice heard at this upcoming meeting to advocate for more innovative design solutions to improve river health, to maximize park space, to create a welcoming active transportation corridor, and to support recreational use of the river:



• Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 6-8pm: Cambridge Boat Club, 2 Gerrys Landing Rd, Cambridge, MA 02138

Riverbend Park and Memorial Drive Task Force

There is momentum growing for a task force focused on the Charles River: Read Representative Marjorie Decker’s email calling for a community-based task force. The CRC looks forward to participating with a priority on community safety, access, equity, and engagement—especially with proposed improvements on Memorial Drive Greenway and impending impacts from the Allston Multimodal Project. We are committed to ensure the concerns of residents and visitors of Riverbend Park and the Riverside community are sustainably addressed.

Supporter Spotlight

Charles River Earth Day Cleanup Sponsors

Earth Day is an incredible opportunity to galvanize support and resources for our important natural resources, and our cleanup sponsors answered the call! We are incredibly grateful for the time they will be spending in the parks to keep litter from the river and for the financial support they have provided to help us bring the Earth Day ethos and impact throughout the year.

Instagram Action

Did you know Downy Woodpeckers (male shown in the photo) stay in New England all winter long? We’re excited to hear more of their drumming as they mate and build nests throughout the spring.

This photo by Michael Bryant is from our Hell’s Half Acre Bird Guide, a resource that highlights migratory and non-migratory birds that you can see in Hell’s Half Acre, Cambridge. The guide also features information on bird habitats, climate threats, and native plants.