Title: Merrimack River Watershed Advocacy
Description: As the "voice of the Merrimack,” Watershed Advocacy is integrated into everything that MRWC does. Advocacy includes such projects as Environmental Education; MRWC Earth Day events, Socials and Annual Meetings; and Dam Removals.
Environmental Education projects include teaching watershed science to K-12 students in after-school programs.
Earth Day Events, which include the State of the Merrimack Address, are held annually and seek to educate the public on issues within the Merrimack River Watershed and what MRWC does to help. MRWC Socials have recently been held every other month at various locations within the Watershed. Socials and Annual Meetings are times to share Watershed issues with the public and to learn from them what issues they find important.
Dam Removals are becoming popular in Massachusetts as a method of ecological restoration. MRWC has begun attending dam removal training sessions, presentations, and public meetings to educate ourselves and show our support.
Objectives and goals: Protect the Watershed community, educate and learn from others, networking, and memberships.
Justification: Advocacy is explicitly part of the MRWC mission.
Cost: $25,000 (budgeted - staff time)
Funding Source: Membership and grants
Required Resources: MRWC and public participation, and outreach materials
Start/completion date, anticipated duration: Environmental Education, 1976-ongoing; Earth Day events, annual, 2007-ongoing; MRWC Socials, 2009-ongoing; Annual Meetings, 1979-ongoing; Dam Removals, late 2009-ongoing (may be 3-5 years for a removal project)
Milestones: 3 Earth Day Celebrations; Certificate of Appreciation from EPA Regional Administrator (2002)
Deliverables: Memberships/donations, partnerships
Internal Approvals Needed:
Status: Environmental Education is ongoing, but limited; there is currently a grant proposal outstanding. Earth Day events, Socials, and Annual Meetings are recurring. Dam Removal is ongoing; we are currently following Shawsheen River projects, and looking into a potential dam removal in Merrimac, MA.
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