Arlington Marine Wildlife Project Awarded State Grant

ARLINGTON, MA – An environmental protection project in Arlington was awarded funding by the Baker-Polito Administration on Thursday. The administration announced over $540,000 in grants for 16 projects working to restore and improve aquatic habitat, rivers and watersheds, and protect endangered marine animals, including at-risk sea turtles and the North Atlantic right whale.

The grants are funded by the Massachusetts Environmental Trust, which has awarded more than $20 million since its founding in 1988. Funding for the program comes from the sale of the state's three environmentally-themed specialty license plates: the Right Whale Tail, the Leaping Brook Trout, and the Blackstone Valley Mill.

Arlington-based Mystic River Watershed Association received $25,000 to educate municipal leaders and residents on phosphorus monitoring and impacts on water bodies, as well as approaches to reducing nutrients and developing a control plan for phosphorus pollution in the watershed.

"The Massachusetts Environmental Trust continues to have a meaningful impact on the Commonwealth’s environmental resources and natural habitat," Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. "Funding projects that aim to preserve and protect marine wildlife and environmental resources is consistent with our Administration’s commitment to working closely with local partners around the Commonwealth to improve natural habitats and promote environmental stewardship."

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