The Charles River flows through Needham and nearby communities, defining and enhancing our lives. Once a fetid waterway clogged with trash and polluted with industrial discharges and raw sewage, this iconic natural feature today is hailed as one of the cleanest urban rivers in America. Still, keeping the river healthy is an ongoing challenge.

Emily Norton, executive director of the Charles River Watershed Association, will present a talk at the Needham Free Public Library entitled “The State of the Charles River.” She will give an update on the river’s ecological health, climate change resiliency, dam removal, public access and the impact of riverside development. She will also discuss legislation aimed at protecting the river.

As director of the Charles River Watershed Association, Ms. Norton oversees a staff of 18 scientists and advocates focused on protecting and preserving the Charles River and its watershed communities. She previously served as Massachusetts chapter director for the Sierra Club. Prior to that she was an environmental consultant and fundraiser for political groups and candidates. Ms. Norton served for 10 years as an elected city councilor in her hometown of Newton. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

This Program will be preceded by the Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Needham Public Library. Registration is required, as we have a current capacity limit of 100.  Click here to register.

***IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE A CONFIRMATION E-MAIL AFTER REGISTERING, PLEASE CALL THE REFERENCE DEPARTMENT (781-455-7559 X2) TO CHECK REGISTRATION STATUS***