May 2016
 
A couple enjoying river views on a beautiful spring day.
Photograph by Aaron John Bourque.
Underpasses Advocacy

ACTION ALERT: Help us secure funding for the construction of a  pedestrian/bicycle underpass at the Boston side of the Anderson Memorial Bridge. The deadline is tomorrow, so write your letter TODAY! Learn more and see a draft email here.


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Parkland Renewal: A Spring Appeal

A sincere thank you to all of the generous donors who contributed to the Conservancy's Spring Appeal. Your donations allow us to continue our work to make the parklands more active, attractive, and accessible for all. In case you have not had a chance yet to make a donation, you can renew your support of the urban River Parklands, by clicking here
Conservancy Volunteers       
 
Thank you to everyone who volunteered with the Conservancy in April! Gann Academy students picked up litter and debris in Herter Park, Harvard Kennedy School faculty picked up litter in JFK Park in Cambridge, and MIT staff painted railing along Memorial Drive. Great work everyone!

To volunteer with the Conservancy or to schedule a work day for your group or business, contact Conservancy Volunteer Coordinator Sasha Vallieres at [email protected].

Earth Day
The 17th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who volunteered on April 30! The Conservancy had over 500 people participate and thanks to their efforts, hundreds of pounds of trash were removed from the river parklands! Thank you to our partners at the CRWA and MassDCR for helping to organize the event. View photos from the cleanup here

Raymond Street alumni having fun while working at Magazine Beach during the 17th Annual Earth Day Charles River Cleanup. 

Open Volunteer Events
Saturday, May 28th 
We will be working in Herter Park from 9AM - 12PM working to clean up the Herter Park Amphitheater area with the Friends of Herter Park. Email Sasha at [email protected] to RSVP. 

Lynch Family Skatepark            

Skatepark Press
Pick up the latest copy of Scout Cambridge or click here to get an update on the Lynch Family Skatepark! Now that the weather is warming up, so is the action at the skatepark! Thank to our partners at DCR, Vans, and the Lynch Foundation and hundreds of supporters for helping to make the skatepark a reality. 

Skateboarding for Good
In April, the Conservancy partnered with Youth Enrichment Services (YES) to offer a second season of the collaborative program Skateboarding for Good. Through this ten-week program, middle school and high school aged youth will work alongside the Conservancy's Volunteer Coordinator, to complete parkland landscaping projects. After volunteering with the Conservancy, students will receive free skateboarding lessons and equipment.
Skateboarding for Good participants getting ready to skate the Lynch Family Skatepark. Photo by YES staff. 
Parkland News

Seal Sightings
Last month, a harbor seal made quite a splash when it swam through the Charles River Dam locks and into the river! For a few days in April, Boston and Cambridge residents were able to catch a glimpse of the visiting seal as it bobbed in the river, feasted on fresh water fish, and sunned on the Esplanade dock! Read more about the seal's adventures here.  

Yawkey Gallery on the Charles River Opens 
at the Museum of Science
The Museum of Science's newest permanent exhibit, the Yawkey Gallery on the Charles River is now open! This exciting exhibit features a living wall, two "habitats" with native animals, and interactive activities that encourage observation and engagement in the engineering and design process of watershed management. And don't forget about the amazing view of the river! Learn more and buy tickets here.

Memorial Drive Sunday Closures
A reminder that DCR has started to close Memorial Drive, between Western Avenue and Mount Auburn Street, on Sundays from 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM until the second Sunday in November. Mark your calendars and get ready to recreate! Perfect for biking, inline skating and more!
It's Coming! City Splash 2016

Swimming in the Charles will return in 2016 with our annual City Splash event on the Esplanade! Stay tuned for details arriving in early June. You can also visit our Swimmable Charles Initiative webpage for updates.
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Upcoming Events

THANK YOU
 
Anonymous 
  
   
Carol and Paul Fremont-Smith
  
 
 
  
  
for your generous and visionary support!
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Thank you to


Paul and Carol Fremont-Smith

for their generous leadership gifts given in the month of April.
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Thank you to the Mass Cultural Council for their support of our High School Volunteer Program
                            
  
To see a full list of foundations, business partners,and leadership corporate sponsors, please visit our website.
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