My Nonprofit Reviews
rob7
Review for Merrimack River Watershed Council Inc, Lawrence, MA, USA
The Merrimack River Watershed Council is one of New England's first watershed councils. MRWC was competently tending to the river while other watershed were being neglected. The Merrimack is the backbone to New England and MRWC stewards the riverscape masterfully. I particularly like the opportunities to canoe with others and the updates of the latest challenges. I have worked with youth in Lowell and Lawrence, and in local schools. From getting to know the river, to becoming engaged in river preservation, to marveling over the wildlife, the Merrimack River Watershed Council is the finest organization.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
seeing bald eagles return to the Merrimack from Salisbury up to perch outside of Lowell Hospital windows. Through active citizen-science monitoring the river, the river is now cleaner than ever before.
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
hold more celebratory gatherings with wonderful natural history notes in both MA and NH. More presentations of the good work of youth and volunteers. Annually bring the glory of river to people at different locations, while maintaining the best meetings.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
knowing that it all helps conserve and preserve the wonder of the Merrimack
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
The staff are to be commended for taking time for all my questions. Volunteers have wonderful enthusiasm and deep knowledge.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Put in fish ladders in Lawrence, Lowell, maybe more, that would permit short-nose and Atlantic sturgeon to return along with the salmon and herring. Build an eagle, osprey, heron observation tower.
Ways to make it better...
There is no way my experiences could be better with MRWA!
In my opinion, the biggest challenges facing this organization are...
Financial
One thing I'd also say is that...
MRWA may struggle financially, MRWA excels as the watershed council. MRWA has only just begun to realize its potential. As the Merrimack improves so to do opportunities for MRWA. What the Colorado is for the West the Merrimack can be for New England.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About once a year
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Review for Ocean River Institute Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
ORI has successfully mounted campaigns to protect the rivers, marshes and bays in the locales that I care about. I work seasonally in both the US Virgin Islands and on Cape Cod, where water quality and its affect on the environment are constant concerns. In the 20-something years I've lived on St John I've seen environmental consciousness slowly rising as run-off and pollution accelerates. And in my 40 years of life on Cape Cod, I've seen the ecology learning-curve rise sharply, but perhaps too late. ORI addresses local issues, like mine, and brings my concerns, including the illegal dumping of ocean dredged materials and dumping of demolition debris, to a much larger audience. It helps me to stay at it when our local concerns are shared by people living far away. I am glad to know ORI is there and to be networked with so many other concerned citizens.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
ORI always responds promptly to my communications.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
Review for Ocean River Institute Inc, Cambridge, MA, USA
The Ocean River Institute listens locally and then assists local groups or addresses local environmental/wildlife challenge by networking through the internet. I learned that the British Virgin Islands, which I had visited many years ago, was being threatened by three of the world's largest developers. They were told by BVI government that they could disregard all environmental regulations to expedite building. I was heartened to learn that Islanders had rallied, created the Virgin Island Environmental Council (VIEC) and stood up to the largest developers in the world to protect the last remnants of wildness. The London-based barristers agreed to work probono, but needed their travel expenses paid. For not a whole lot of money I was able enable VIEC to have the legal defense they deserved, and stop developers from buying their way to ecological destruction. Winning in Court has established the VIEC as the environmental conscience that developers would be wise to consult to be sure that natural treasures are not destroyed. ORI let me be a big fish in a small pond and perhaps leave a lasting legacy. Thanks to weekly ORI eAlerts I can keep informed of new challenges and opportunities to make a difference, events and letter writing campaigns. Most often a small donation is all ORI needs, small donations made by many quickly.
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I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
helping to protect environments and save wildlife by seeing my own written remarks delivered with others to national decision-makers.
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
being part of vast network of environmentally concerned individuals and of grassroots groups working on issues in their neighborhoods.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Staff and volunteers really enjoy what they we do. The quality of individuals I met in the British Virgin Island, the relationship built are more fullfilling than are the incremental, never ending, environmental work.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
assist a great number of grassroots, place-based groups who are currently struggling to do much with little-a fund to overcome episodic setbacks and opportunities.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every week
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
