2015 Annual ReportSCIENCE• Identified key water-
sheds for protection/restoration
• River herring habitat report
• Completed 5 year strategic plan
• Regional watershed collaboratives
WATER TESTING• Trend analysis from
1965-2015• Comprehensive water
strategy for Lawrence
EDUCATION/OUT-REACH• Educated 92 school kids• 2 river cleanups• 3rd annual MerriFEST
ADVOCACY• Opposed Kinder-
Morgan natural gas pipeline
• Commented on draft MS4 permit for Massachusetts
• Combined sewer overflow outreach bill.
• Herring Alliance
BOARD OF DIRECTORSSTAFF
The Merrimack River Watershed Council Annual Year Report
SCIENCESome MWRC science initiatives this year included:
We completed the first year of our three year US Forest Service grant. This grant is focused on protecting and repairing the riparian buffers along the Merrimack River and its tributaries as a vehicle for improving water quality.
As part of the USFS grant, we identified the six most important subwatersheds for restoring and pro-tecting riparian buffers in both NH and MA to benefit water quality, climate resiliency and wildlife habitat.
We removed invasive plants and cleared trails in our urban bird sanctuary in Andover.
We completed a report identifying priority actions for river herring restoration on six East Coast rivers, based on local experts, funded by NFWF.
Our Executive Director helped to develop computer models for restoration of fish habitat for select species as head of the Science and Data Committee for the Atlantic Coastal Fish Habitat Partnership.
We partnered with the USEPA, City of Lawrence, other nonprofits, and state officials on EPA’s Making a Visible Difference in Communities Initiative.
In the summer of 2015, we compiled information from various studies to give an accurate representation of the long term river health, showing how far we have come and how much further we have to go. This information is invalu-able to promoting public awareness of the Merrimack River and how it affects clean water supplies.
We completed a 5 year strategic plan with funding provided by the Jessie B. CLT-Cox Family Fund and the Horne Foundation.
It’s been a busy and productive year here at MRWC! We’ve been working both on the big picture, with strategic planning and regional conservation initiatives with other nonprofits, state, and federal officials, GIS analysis and mapping, and on the ground, clearing trails, removing invasives, and restoring wildlife habitat. We tried new member events, worked more broadly across both states, and established closer connections to our home city of Lawrence, MA. Our mission over the last 39 years has been to protect, improve and conserve the Merrimack River watershed for people and wildlife through science, water testing, education and advocacy.
Volunteers at the Shawsheen River Bird Sanctuary
Community Day Charter Public School - Prospect students planting at our Sanctuary
Kids volunteering at the Hanscom Air Force river clean up
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WATER TESTINGConducted trend analysis of water quality data for the Merrimack River from 1965 to 2015.
Partnered with the City of Lawrence, Groundwork Lawrence, and the USEPA to develop a Comprehensive Water Strategy for Lawrence.
EDUCATION/OUTREACHEducated and engaged 92 school-children with talks on the river and its wildlife, hands-on demonstrations, river cleanups, trail-clearing, and invasive plant removals.
We held our third annual MerriFEST river festival to bring families and businesses together, enjoy a day on the river, and to shine a light on the river’s importance in their lives and communities. This year’s festival was at the Greater Lowell Boathouse and we had around 150 people attend.
Conducted two river cleanups, one at Hanscom Air Force Base, one in Lowell.
Created film and craft beer tasting night for our members and the public.
Sponsored or co-sponsored ten paddling trips.
ADVOCACYMWRC helped shape public policy through advocacy in the following ways:
We partnered with the Harvard Law School’s Emmett Environmental Law
and Policy Clinic in drafting comments opposing the Kinder Morgan pipeline. These comments, submitted to FERC, detail the MRWC’s concerns on the potential impacts to the health of the river. We also spoke at a FERC scoping meeting in Dracut about our concerns.
We commented on the draft MS4 permit for Massachusetts.
We assisted in improving language for a combined sewer overflow (CSO) outreach bill.
The MRWC joined the Pew Herring Alliance to make a difference on migratory and coastal fish abundance and diversity.
Kayakers participating in summer paddling program
STAFFDr. Caroly ShumwayExecutive Director
Josh ChaseLandscape Scale GIS Manager
Dee GuardinoDirector of Development (December ‘14 - May ‘15)
Marcia ReganDirector of Development(May ‘15 - November ‘15)
BOARD OF DIRECTORSKim Goddu - President..................Jack Mabon - VP............................Frank Lahey - Treasurer................Alex DiFronzo - Secretary..............Tom Holt.........................................Maurice Balboni.............................Kimberly Leczynski........................Maureen Sakakeeny......................Paula Kullberg................................Kimberly Nguyen-Lara...................Paul Geoghegan............................
July 2014 - PresentJuly 2014 - October 2015July 2014 - PresentJuly 2014 - July 2015July 2014 - PresentJuly 2015 - PresentJuly 2014 - PresentJuly 2014 - June 2015July 2014 - June 2015July 2014 - June 2015July 2014 - June 2015
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Merrimack River Watershed Council
60 Island Street, Suite 211-E
Lawrence, MA 01840(978) 655-4742
www.merrimack.org
Craft Table at MerriFEST 2015
Los Sugar Kings performing at MerriFEST 2015
Woman kayaking during MerriFEST 2015
Photographed by The Eagle Tribune
Cash and EquivalentsRestricted CashAccounts ReceivablePrepaid ExpenseLand, Buildings, Equipment (Net)Total Assets:
22,153127,252
42,4662,645
476,783671,299
3,534127,570
39,2411,241
477,325648,911
ASSETS 2015 2014
Currient Liabilities (Accounts Payable, accrued expenses, deferred revenue)
Unrestricted Net AssetsTemporarily Restricted Net AssetsPermanently Restricted Net AssetsTotal Liabilites & Net Assets:
LIABILITIES51,197
434,40059,819
125,883671,299
16,614459,963
46,451125,883648,911
GrantsMembershipsContributionsInvestmentsTotal
128,14911,05517,666
2,042158,912
73,13612,33313,693
1,641100,803
PUBLIC SUPPORT & REVENUE 2015 2014
Program ServicesGeneral and AdministrativeFundraisingTotalGain/(Loss) From Operations
147,45823,094
555171,107
12,195
70,19115,099
8,56593,855
6,948
EXPENSES
Funders, Sponsors, Members, and Volunteers 2015
OUR FUNDERS
FY’15
US Forest Service Horne Foundation Jesse B. Cox CLT-‐Cox Family Fund National Fish and Wildlife Foundation New Horizons Foundation MA Department of Conservation and Recreation
ANNUAL FUND
Sponsor ($250 and up)
Alan Sherburne Ann Jones Clarke Esler Eleanor Baker Flavia Cady Jean Soucy Larry Smith Maureen Sakakeeny Param Singh
Sponsor ($100 and up)
Anne Weber David Eikenberry Elizabeth Baker Frank Pizzuto James Milinazzo James Van Bokkelen Linda Smith Robert Birnbaum Robert Faiman Roger Bradford Sen. Sue Tucker Victor Barbosa
Other
Alan Cormier Arvind Kumar
Daniel Brown Deanne Guardino Eileen Berube Elizabeth Townsend Evelyn Lacroix Frank Stevens Gloria Mirick Helena Strykowski James Marin Judith Tighe Kenneth Myers Kincade Webb Krishna Ambati Larry Olasky Linda Berger Maureen Smith Nancy Hurlin Philip Nyman Rama Vaddi Ryan Fucella Yvonne Topping
Donations in Memory of Edward Byrne
Anna Papleacos Barbara and Bob Nealon Brenda and Tom King Eileen Berube Elizabeth Frappier Elizabeth Townsend Frank Grady Helena Strykowski James Quale Marilyn Gallardo Nancy Byrne Param Singh Phil and Barbara Claudy Philip Nyman Rose Pisari Steven Connell Yvonne Topping
Corporate Support Merrimack Miles Sponsors
Charles River Canoe and Kayak (1/4 Mile) Construction Engineering (1/4 Mile)
Enterprise Bank (1/2 Mile) Horsley Witten Group (1/2 Mile) Normandeau Associates (1/2 Mile) Pentucket Bank (1/4 Mile) SAK Environmental, LLC (1/4 Mile)
Other Corporate Sponsors
Bristol-‐Myers Squibb Foundation Services Charles River Recreation, Inc. Double C Racing French Foundation Greater Lowell Community Foundation Worthen Industries
MerriFEST2015 Sponsors
AAA Northeast DCU Enterprise Bank Lawrence General Hospital Normandeau Associates Club Contributors
Andover Garden Club Crescent Yacht Club Hanscom Air Force Base Lowell Motor Boat Club Tewksbury Rod and Gun Club
MEMBERS
Welcome to our newest members!
A. Joseph Dibiase Aaron Marsh Adam Nylen Alex DeFronzo Amanda Duvall Andrew Elkind Ann Jones Ann Manson
Anne Weber Anthony Grassi Balaji Musaboyna Brijeshkumar Rami Bruce & Susan MacDougall Bryan Williams Chad Moffat Chakrapani Mayakuntla Chris Watson Christine Geoghegan Christopher O’Brien Christopher Barrett Clarke Esler Corey Lincoln Cynthis Davidson Daniel Bernstein Daniel Brown Daniel Cwalinski David Smith David Peng David Sweeney David Garrett Diane Butts Donna Mayo Douglas Waitt Earnest Pearson Elizabeth Baker Elizabeth Jones Ernandes De Souza Fernando Neto Flavia Cady Francis Foley Frank Pizzuto Frank Lahey Fred Scheer Gary Crago Gaurav Rastogi George Edmonds George Kattar Herbert & Doris Noyes Jagdish Gadde James Marin James Milinazzo Jason Buchanan Jeffrey Ziegler Jeffrey Haavisto Jesse Meyer-‐Mino Jessica Lundstrom
Joan Kulash Jocelyn Clark Jody Reynolds John O’Connell Joseph Gallant Joseph Czapski Judith Tighe Julia Maloney Justin Dube Kathryn Bailey Kathryn Valente Kenneth Myers Kincade Webb Krishna Ajjampur Krista Witt Kristen Gauthier Kyle Cahoon Larry Smith Larry Olasky Lee Basna Linda Arnow Lisa Lambert Logan Robinson Malcolm Brown Mark Hutchings Mark Duvall Mark Rodrigues Matthew Dallett Maura McNult Maureen Lagasse Maurice Balboni Maxine Simpson Mitchell Keamy Modestino Conte Mohammed Khan Nancy Hurin Nancy Silvernale Neil Buckley Nicole Nanai Pamela Giannatsis Paul Cronin Paula Kullberg Peter Jandrisevits Praveen Polika Preetam Kalathuru Raghavendra Iyyer Rajesh Arora Rama Vaddi
Ravinder Malela Richard Claytor Richard Girard Richard Winters Richart Cartee Robert Bussewitz Robert Birnbaum Robert Groskin Robert Wisniewski Robert Gilman Robert Faiman Ryan Fucella Sam Shay Scott Sheehan Sen. Sue Tucker Stephen Fink Stephen Avery Steven Nezer Syed Badi Uz Saman Syed Tavares Hambrick Thomas Holt Victor Barbosa William Lincoln William Dunlay
CURRENT MEMBERS
Individual Memberships
Andrew Erickson Anne Anderson Arnie Kerzner Carol Drapeau David Barker David Miller Denise Hurt Donna Pignone Doris Parthum Edward Harnden Edward Stokes Elizabeth Janeway Frederick Kettenring Gary Comins Gene Porter George May Gerald Kenney Gilbert Gagnon James Deadder James & Patricia Critchlow
Jane Beane Jeffrey Alexander Joan Wiggin Joan Zardus John Fitzgerald John MacKenzie Joyce Pelrine Kim Goddu Kristine Irving Linda Demerjian Marcy Stanton Mary Eysenbach Myrna Livingstone Nathan Tufts Pamela Parkinson Patricia Cronin Paul Dishong Paul DeGagne Peter Haack Phyllis Duffy Richard Kinnal Robert Reich Robert Brown Robert Guaraldi Sarah Boehm Steven Brennan Timothy Thomas William Keaney
Family Memberships
Alan Cormier Allen Beebe Anne Frantz Brian Wells Bruce Willard Carl Popolo Carol Grueneich Christopher Foran Daniel Edson Donald Ratliff Edward Fowler Henry Marsh Jerry Klima Joda WormHoudt Kathleen Hutchins Lawrence Budreau Margaret Keck Maureen Sakakeeny
Peter Hoyt Raymond Noel Richard Howe Stephen Loring Stephen Anderson Susan Burkhardt Ted & Terry Bailey William Bartol William Cook William Lowenthal William Lewis
Extended Family Memberships
Alan French Benedict Andreozzi Christopher Chen Darrell Scott David Lambert Guy Berube Joshua Boger Nancy Soulette Nina Talayco Peter Bundschuh Peter Frotten Richard Kallery
IN-‐KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
Greater Lawrence Community Boating Program, Jed Koehler, Joan Kulash, Jericho Road, Craig Gibson, Paul Prue, the band SIX, Northern Essex Community College, Whole Foods, EMS Sports, UMass Lowell Recreation Center, Eastern Mountain Sports
VOLUNTEERS/INTERNS
FY’15
Alexander de Jesus Alyssa Donovan Alyssa Lash Amy Berggren An Nguyen Angie Hernandez
Annie Marsh Anton Zemba Bonnie Mace Brendan Healy Caroly Shumway Charissa Rigano Chris Rice Chris Williams Chuchy Vilorio Conor O’Shaughnessy Dan Jaffe Deanne Guardino Doris Peterkin Dustin Yang Ellie Baker Emmie Cutler Francisco Burgos Fred Earnshaw Genesis Lopez Gerry Plante Glen Aspesiash Glen Hartford Hannah Farrell Henjol Sanchez Jake Golan Jeff Kasputis Jennifer Chan Jennifer Lara Jevan Rosado Jim Petty Joe Bernard Joel Espinal John Cuneo John Jannetti Jonnely Ovalles Justin Damon Kevin Blanchette Kim Goddu Kirk Marshall Laurie Cusack Lisa Ferrisi Maeve Grady Mark Cutler Martha Owen Maureen Aversa Maureen Sakakeeny Melanie Cutler Melissa Bates