Workshops

Communities Connected by Water

Biodiversity & Stewardship Plan

Greenways Plan & Greenprint for Growth

River Visions 2007

SuAsCo Award Recipients

The SuAsCo Watershed Community Council annually holds a watershed-wide conference called the River Visions Forum. The Forum attracts a large audience from all across the watershed representing a diversity of interest groups from businesses to environmental groups, from state and federal government to municipal officials, and from academia to concerned citizens.

The River Visions 2007 Forum was hosted by Clock Tower Place in Maynard on November 10. The Forum was a tremendous success with over 100 registrants, dynamic speakers, excellent presentations, informative exhibits, and valuable networking. As with every year, attendees gave the Forum rave reviews. The 2007 agenda is posted below.

Please click here for details on the tenth annual forum to be held on December 6, 2008.

River Visions 2007: "Promoting Blue Waters and A Green Economy in the SuAsCo Watershed" Forum Agenda

8:00	Registration, Continental Breakfast, Exhibitor Tables
8:45	Welcome to Clock Tower Place & SuAsCo Council: Joseph Mullin, Council Chair
9:00	"New England Rivers in the 21st Century: Challenges and Opportunities": U.S. EPA Region 1 Administrator Robert Varney
9:30	SuAsCo Watershed Awards
9:45	"Creative Approaches to Building Consensus": Attorney Michael Last
10:30	Networking Break
10:45	"Collaboration in Action: Stormwater Matters Program":Nancy Bryant, Council Executive Director
11:00	State of the Watershed Panel: Moderator Rep. Jamie Eldridge "Drinking & Flushing in the SuAsCo": Paul Hogan, MA DEP "NYANZA Superfund Update": Dan Keefe, U.S. EPA "Stormwater Solutions": Charlene Johnston, AMEC Earth & Environmental "Beating Back Invasive Species": Peter Alden, Lecturer/Author/Naturalist "Making Your Organization Carbon Neutral": Tina Woolston, Earthwatch/Tufts Office of Sustainability
12:15	SuAsCo Kayak Raffle Drawing
12:30	Adjourn

River Visions 2007 Exhibitor Tables:

AMEC Earth & Environmental
Clock Tower Place
ENSR|AECOM
Holeb Outdoors
Massachusetts Association of Lawn Care Professionals
Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Norfolk Ram Group
Organization for the Assabet River
Patriot Resource Conservation & Development Area Council
PC Doctor House Calls
SuAsCo Watershed Community Council
Sudbury River Watershed Organization
Sudbury Valley Trustees
THINK Marketing
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Woodard & Curran

SuAsCo 2007 Award Recipients

In bestowing these awards, the Council not only honors the special achievements of these award recipients, but we also celebrate similar efforts on the part of businesses, towns, and volunteers throughout our Watershed's 36 communities.

Community Council Chair Joe Mullin and Executive Director Nancy Bryant were joined by U.S. EPA Region 1 Administrator Robert Varney in presenting the SuAsCo Watershed Awards at the River Visions Forum on November 10, 2007.

Volunteer of the Year Award: Kathy Barry Bartolini

The Volunteer of the Year Award is given in memory of its first recipient, Barbara Mudd of Concord, one of the founders of the SuAsCo Watershed Community Council. Barbara set an outstanding example for us all and our 2007 award winner, Kathy Bartolini, lives up to that high standard.

In her professional and volunteer capacities, Kathy Bartolini has devoted untold hours to the SuAsCo Watershed. As Director of Framingham's Division of Planning and Economic Development, and previously as Executive Director of the MetroWest Growth Management Committee, Kathy constantly served above and beyond the call of duty.

Kathy brought her commitment to watershed protection, smart growth, and economic development to her volunteer affiliations with the SuAsCo Watershed Community Council and the 495/MetroWest Corridor Partnership. Serving on the Steering Committee and Executive Committee of both organizations, Kathy's work emphasized the interconnectedness of the environment and the economy.

Kathy retired from her professional and volunteer capacities in August, leaving us to miss her far-reaching knowledge and experience. Many of us are wondering, however, just how long Kathy can still her passion for community service and actually stay retired!

Outstanding Municipality Award: Town of Acton

The 2007 SuAsCo Watershed Community Council Outstanding Municipality Award goes to the Town of Acton for its leadership in protecting and enhancing the town's water, land and other natural resources.

Examples of Acton's many initiatives include:

• A state of the art wastewater treatment plant that recharges 100% of the water it treats into the aquifer.
• New quarterly billing rates to encourage water conservation.
• Innovative stormwater management technologies including rain barrels, "water-wise" gardens, and infiltration swales.
• Completion and implementation of its Comprehensive Wastewater and Water Resources Management Plan.
• Environmental education programs for school children and adults that encourage resource conservation and discourage the use of toxic chemicals.
• Application of green building techniques in town buildings and infrastructure.

Outstanding Business Award: Genzyme Corporation

The 2007 SuAsCo Watershed Community Council Outstanding Business Award goes to Genzyme Corporation in recognition of their commitment to the environment of the SuAsCo Watershed.

Since it's founding in 1981, Genzyme has grown from a small start-up to one of the world's leading biotechnology companies, with more than 9,500 employees worldwide. As they have grown, the company has retained core commitments to patients, employees, and the communities they work in. Genzyme was selected by FORTUNE magazine in both 2006 and 2007 as one of the "100 Best Companies to Work for" in the United States, and they are a leader in waste-reduction and recycling efforts at their sites around the world.

Genzyme's headquarters in Cambridge is LEED certified platinum, and they are included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index of companies that excel in economic, environmental and social performance. It is, therefore, no surprise that their new Science Center in Framingham has been built to the highest environmental standards, and may become the first scientific research building to be LEED certified.

For their leadership and commitment to innovation, to the community, and to the environment, the SuAsCo Watershed Community Council is proud to present our "Outstanding Business Award" to Genzyme Corporation.

Special Recognition for Outstanding Support: Holeb Outdoors

We are pleased to honor Holeb Outdoors with this Special Award for their outstanding support of the SuAsCo Watershed Community Council.

Jeff Roy, owner of Holeb Outdoors, reached out to the Council this summer, donating one of his handcrafted wood-core fiberglass composite kayaks for us to raffle. Jeff even branded the boat with the SuAsCo logo, making it truly unique to the watershed. The kayak has been a wonderful fundraiser and public relations boost. This beautiful boat just lures people in wherever it goes! And in just a little while, a lucky individual will win this special kayak!

Jeff loves the rivers and often kayaks the Sudbury near his home in Framingham. But the name of his company comes from a small pond in northwestern Maine that inspired Jeff to design outdoor products. As a businessman and outdoors enthusiast, Jeff identified with the Council's collaborative mission to protect the Sudbury, Assabet and Concord Rivers.

We are extremely grateful for Jeff's generosity. In recognition of his outstanding support of the SuAsCo Watershed Community Council, we are proud to present this award to Holeb Outdoors.