Muddy River Cleanup

April 2009

Muddy River Cleanup Photos

300+ volunteers celebrate Earth Day

Bright sun, blue skies and mild temperatures provided a perfect backdrop for the 2009 Muddy River Cleanup. Partnering with the Charles River Watershed Association for the 10th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy conducted a cleanup along the banks of the Muddy River, a tributary of the Charles River that wends its way through the Back Bay Fens and Brookline.

Over 300 volunteers participated in the cleanup, including Emerald Necklace volunteers, area residents and groups from Northeastern University, Boston University, Colleges of the Fenway, MIT, BNY Mellon, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dartmouth Club, Winsor Young Alumni, and Boston Arts Academy. The participants received monogrammed t-shirts commemorating the event.

Special thanks goes to Jason Knerr, Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s project assistant, who planned and organized this mega-event. Jason, recalling highlights of the day, noted the enthusiasm, camaraderie and hard work of the volunteers which helped make the cleanup activities fun. Some of the more interesting items pulled from the banks included a television set and bicycle. Jason estimated that several hundred pounds of trash was collected –proving a successful cleanup and a great way to celebrate Earth Day and kick off the spring season. Thanks to all who helped make the park a cleaner, healthier and safer place.

April 2008

Partnering with the Charles River Watershed Association, the Conservancy participated in the 9th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup, focusing on the banks of the Muddy River, a tributary of the Charles River in the Back Bay Fens. Extensive planning and outreach drew over 300 volunteers including groups from Boston University, Northeastern University, Wheelock College, UMASS, Harvard, Emerald Necklace Martial Arts, Shawmut Springs Church, First Lutheran Church of Boston, Bryn Mawr Alumnae Club of Boston, Dancing Dear as well as many individual and drop-in volunteers. At the end of the day -- rubber gloves long gone and trash bags piled by the dozen -- volunteers had cleaned the banks of the Muddy River from Mother's Rest to Brookline Avenue.

Special thanks to Dunkin' Donuts, Finagle a Bagel, and Starbucks for providing volunteers with coffee and pastries.

A huge thank you to Kate England, then a Northeastern University intern at the Conservancy, for organizing the biggest single one-day volunteer event in our 10 year history.

Planning for this year's Muddy River Cleanup will be managed by the Conservancy's new Project Assistant Co-op, Jason Knerr of Northeastern University.