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STAFF
"I love both rivers and people, so bringing people together to protect our rivers is a dream job for me. I'm constantly inspired by what our small staff, together with our wonderful board, our volunteers, and our growing group of member organizations are accomplishing together. We are so fortunate in our people - and in our rivers! If you're having a meh day, get out on a river and I guarantee it will lift your spirits."
Julia Blatt
Julia Blatt
Sarah Bower
"I love rivers for the extremely vital and integral role they play in our ecosystem — serving as homes for diverse and endangered wildlife, as well as providing livelihoods, drinking water supplies, and cultural services for communities worldwide. They are ever changing, threatened systems that both nature and society rely on so heavily. That’s why I’m beyond excited to work with the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance to help protect our local rivers, restore them to their natural integrity, and create a more sustainable future for water use in the Commonwealth."
Executive Director
Senior Technical Specialist
"Rivers play a huge role in making ecosystems resilient in the face of climate change, and also are often the backbone of a community. I'm thrilled to be able to work for an organization whose mission I feel so passionately about, especially with so many great watershed associations and colleagues who share that passion."
Katharine Lange
Senior Policy Specialist
"Growing up in California, rivers, and the relationship between rivers and the ocean, has always made a place feel like home. Rivers are transformative - whether calming or thrilling, ever changing - they change us - and what we do changes them."
Gretchen McClain
Gretchen McClain
Operations & Membership Manager
BOARD
Paul Beaulieu
Secretary
“I grew up on rivers. They are my refuge and provide me solace during both good and trying times. I am proud to work with Mass Rivers Alliance- helping to ensure that our grandkids can also grow up on clean, healthy rivers.”
Granby, MA
Wayne Castonguay
Ipswich, MA
Rivers and watersheds are the lifeblood of our communities, supplying our drinking water, providing great ways to have fun outdoors and one of the best places to get respite from our busy lives. More than anything though rivers are marvels of the natural world where their variability, vulnerability and magnificence is on display everyday making me want to help protect them now and for the future.
Ian Cooke
“Ever since I was a kid, I've been fascinated by rivers as wild spaces that cut through, connect and reflect our communities whether those communities are out in the countryside or right in the city. With so many of us working to protect these places one river at a time, the Alliance keeps its eye on the big picture, bringing people together to advocate for things that all the rivers need to be healthy and vibrant.”
Acton, MA
Belmont, MA
Chris Doyle
“I grew up on a polluted creek that drains into Lake Ontario. My friends and I swam in Irondequoit Creek regardless, but I always hoped to learn how the Creek might become safe for swimming. Mass Rivers brings science and advocacy together to restore and preserve essential waterways and communities that depend on them. The whole Commonwealth benefits from the work of MRA and the Alliance is a model for similar progress in other parts of the country (Listen up Irondequoit Creek community!).
Monica Driggers
Winchester, MA
"I've walked along rivers my whole life; I've looked across their waters to wonder about their journeys and to think about my own. In Massachusetts we are truly fortunate to have a spectacular variety of rivers, each an indispensable resource for everything from commerce to agriculture to spiritual sustenance. We at the Massachusetts Rivers Alliance work for these rivers so that they, in turn, can continue to sustain our people and our environment."
Andrea Franz
Treasurer
"As an avid kayaker I love all kinds of water - rivers, lakes, and the sea. Being on or near water is where I feel the most joy. As a Massachusetts Rivers Alliance Board member my passion for water and the connectivity all the miles of rivers that flow through MA into the ocean is translated into actionable work. It is important to me to ensure our rivers are healthy and accessible for everyone for generations to come and I hope to bump into other river and clean water advocates during one of my many walks along the harbor riverfronts or from my kayak."
Charlestown, MA
Mary Griffin
"I really enjoy working with the MA Rivers Alliance because it is a key voice in advocating for our rivers, the wildlife that depend them, and the needs of the fabulous people and watershed associations that work so hard to protect them."
Hingham, MA
Nancy Hammett
“I love rivers and streams -- large and small, rural and urban. I particularly love our urban rivers -- the lifeblood of the cities and a valuable resource for the people and wildlife who live there. I'm so impressed by the amazing work Mass Rivers has done to preserve and further those gains.”
Watertown, MA
Kwabena Kyeiaboagye
"Rivers are the only natural resources that connect communities, cultures, and countries. Rivers don't know political and legal boundaries. I am involved with Mass Rivers Alliance because we need such an organization to protect, restore, preserve, and conserve our natural resources. I am delighted to be a board member."
Stoughton, MA
Nagesh Mahanthappa
Cambridge, MA
"I love being both in and on the water, and marvel at how rivers connect us to each other in myriad ways. Serving on the Mass Rivers board is a source of great pride for me because we have become not only the leading advocate on Beacon Hill for rivers and streams, but we punch way above our weight in positively influencing legislation for the environment at large!"
Deirdre Menoyo
Manchester, MA
"As a state environmental official, I realized that there was no statewide voice for the rivers. So many small (and sometimes large) groups seemed to be fighting their own lonely, David-and-Goliath battles, reinventing complicated wheels, to protect their cherished local streams. In 2008, three of us (including our president Mark Smith) teamed up to get this Alliance going. The integration and coordination that we imagined could happen IS happening. We have been written into legislation and we have gotten legislation passed. I love the community we helped create — people come to our events to meet folks from across the state. Our rivers are cleaner and better protected. And really, doesn’t everything depend on water?"
E. Heidi Ricci
“I feel lucky to live in a state with so many beautiful streams, from little headwater rivulets to wide mainstem rivers. The Squannacook is my favorite - with native trout, emerald damselfies, and a clear flowing water over small rapids. I'm proud to be part of the Mass Rivers Alliance and to continue to contribute to the work of its many member organizations protecting our precious waterways.”
Shirley, MA
Emily Scerbo
President
“As a water resources engineer, I know how human activities can have a major impact on rivers. When people are careless with trash, use too much water, or replace forest with pavement, you can see the effect on the river. But there is hope! As a direct result of Mass Rivers Alliance’s work, we have seen that rivers can be healed and brought back to life. This inspires me to keep working for change.”
Westminster, MA
Colrain, MA
Ellen Smith
Mark P. Smith
"All life depends on water. Rivers are the window through which we see
and understand the health of the waters in our state – and therefore the health of our communities and our environment. Rivers are both fragile and resilient. Making sure rivers remain clean, healthy and able to meet the needs of our communities is one of the biggest challenges and biggest opportunities we face. Mass Rivers is the catalyst for bringing together groups and individuals across the Commonwealth helping to meet these challenges and make the most of these opportunities – which is why I’m proud to help lead this organization."
Belmont, MA
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Jackie Stone
"Growing up along a coastal marsh I came to learn about and enjoy the diversity of wetland life. From fish to plants, bird life, crabs to mollusks; salt water, brackish, fresh, ocean, rivers, streams and ponds; these ecosystems blend into each other naturally. Mass Rivers supports both human communities and the abundant life within and along our waterways."
Tewksbury, MA
