2015 Annual Report - Merrimack · 2015 Annual Report SCIENCE ... Horsley#Witten#Group## (1/2#Mile) Normandeau#Associates# ... Lee#Basna# Linda#Arnow# Lisa#Lambert# Logan#Robinson#

2015 Annual Report

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

Page 2

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

Page 3

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  

Michael  Schlosser  Paul  Brown  Paula  Kullberg  Robert  Medaglio  Richard  Barry  Rick  Elias  Ruth  Garcia  Sarah  Lopez  Sharon  Dubois  Sophie  Cutler  Stephen  Fink  Steve  Regan  Steven  Witt  Sue  Sanborn  Susan  Hegarty  Ted  Curtin,  Sr.  Terry  Chan  Tin  Chan  Tom  Hert  Van  Shrestinian  Yensy  Cepeda