How a Cleaner Charles River Will Yield Safer, More Resilient Communities
Since 1965, Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) has been the leading voice for a cleaner, healthier Charles River. While the river is significantly improved from its “Dirty Water” days, the work is not done. And now we face the growing threat of climate change, bringing flooding, extreme heat, more frequent drought, and more. Join us to learn what further action is needed to achieve a swimmable Charles, and how modernizing our water management practices will make your community better able to withstand the weather extremes of climate change.
Join us for a webinar with Emily Norton, who has served as Executive Director of Charles River Watershed Association since 2018. She directs a staff of scientists and advocates focused on protecting and restoring the Charles River and its watershed communities. During her tenure, the organization has more than doubled in staff and has expanded its work in municipal climate resilience, dam removal, reducing invasive species, and more. Emily previously served as Massachusetts Chapter Director for the Sierra Club, and prior to that, worked in political fundraising in Washington D.C., as a finance director on a Cape Cod congressional campaign, and as a political appointee in the Clinton Administration U.S. State Department.
Emily also served as an elected City Councilor in her hometown of Newton until retiring in 2023. In this role she led on passage of the Newton Power Choice program, banning single-use plastic bags, restricting the use of polluting leaf blowers, and changing the name from the outdated “Alderman” to “City Councilor.”
Emily holds a BA in philosophy from the University of Vermont and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.