Welcome to the MRWC Program Page! MRWC has a variety of projects that we have been developing both in the past and present. A few examples of these projects are the Volunteer Environmental Monitoring Network (VEMN), VEMN-Youth Division (YD), MRWC Bird Sanctuary, EOEA Green Roof Project and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit reviews in the Merrimack River watershed.

All of these projects are tied into improving water quality to different degrees. VEMN is a volunteer program that tests water quality in the Merrimack River. VEMN-YD is a middle and high school program that trains middle school teachers to incorporate watershed education into their school curriculum and develops high school clubs to help students practice what they learned. The MRWC Bird Sanctuary is located in an urban area as a wildlife oasis and encourages water quality by fostering a healthy ecosystem in the area. The EOEA Green Roof Project will help decrease stormwater runoff into the Merrimack River with the use of a vegetative roof cover. Lastly, MRWC reviews permits as a third-party independent reviewer of discharge permits in the watershed.

A source of pollution can disrupt and be detected by any one of these projects. Pollution can be a result of illegal dumping and discharge or even drainage from stormwater. In the case of the Green Roof Project, stormwater is collected and filtered through the plants which evapotranspirate the water to decrease the stormwater load. The permit reviews help regulate the discharge of waste water into the river and keep dischargers accountable. VEMN and VEMN-YD both test water quality as a way to determine overall ecological health of the river. In summary, our programs are designed to improve and protect the water quality of the Merrimack River.

If you are interested in getting involved in any of these projects, please contact the office at 978-275-0120.