Colleges of the Fenway Muddy River Symposium 2014
The Colleges of the Fenway’s 8th Annual Muddy River Symposium, “Adventures in Environmental
Advocacy and Activism” was held on April 17th, 2014 at Wheelock College’s Brookline campus. This
year’s theme provided opportunities to learn about the history and successful organization of social
movements and how these link to current environmental issues. This year’s inclusion of regional
organizations provided information on the numerous ways for participants to engage in environmental
activism and advocacy. The presentation of student projects and initiatives combined with the work of
local community organizations allowed for many networking opportunities.
Sandy McEvoy, Wheelock College Associate Professor of Political Science, gave the keynote address
titled “Creating Social Change: A Practical Toolkit for Activists”. In her presentation, Sandy discussed
activism vs. advocacy and provided listeners with key steps or “tools” needed in creating positive
change, whether that change is for the environment or for social issues.…. She commented, “The Muddy
River Symposium was such a wonderful opportunity to see the ways in which political change and social
justice are so closely linked to the protection of the environment. The experience enhanced my own
thinking, teaching and research and I look forward to attending the event again next year.”
A student panel consisting of Colleges of the Fenway Student Environmental Leaders was also an
integral component of this year’s symposium. Sarah Helen Faulkner (Emmanuel College), Alexandra
Goyette (Wheelock College), Seth Jalbert (Mass Art), and Ethan Sprague (WIT) discussed current campus
initiatives of the student organizations on each of their campuses ranging from sustainable architecture
projects, an Earth Day Carnival, and community service projects such as the Muddy River Clean-up. One
student participant commented that this year’s symposium was “a true COF event with representation
from multiple COF institutions”.
Approximately, 20 student projects were presented, including five COF institutions as well as high school
students from Artward Bound, a college access program at MassArt. Achievement awards were given
out to recognize excellence in student projects. This year’s awards were presented to:
Sustainable Project Initiative
Seth Jalbert and Sam Robertson
Massachusetts College of Art
Developing a Student Lab to Investigate Biodiesel and Bioethanol Production: Integrating Key
Concepts from Plant Biology, Biochemistry, and Organic Chemistry
Paul Brand, Meagan Cherry, Corinne Decicco, Katelyn Guill, Matthew McCarthy, Shayna Miller,
Mariah Ramdial, Andrew Vitolo, Jenna Whalen, Shannon Hogan
Emmanuel College, Department of Biology
Food Waste into Energy Project
John Devlin, Freddie Falcone, Nathan Goldman, and Kristen Houatchanthara
With Dr. Leonard Anderson WIT
Can one policy change smoking habits in Boston's public parks?
Julie Grome, Wheelock College
Posters from the Environmental Forum: Urban Ecology course highlighted service learning conducted in
partnership with organizations such as Bootstrap Compost, Alternatives for Community and
Environment (ACE), the Mattahunt Community Center and Franklin Park Coalition. One student
commented that: “My service learning experience at Bootstrap Compost can be described as
refreshing……. their facility is filled with the food scraps of people that care about the impact of their
actions. Over 700 businesses and residents decided, Yes, I don’t want my organic wastes to go to a
landfill. Yes, I care about methane emissions and climate change. Yes, I want the nutrients of my wastes
to be returned to the soil and reused. It was enlightening and inspiring to witness members of the
Boston community actively seek an alternative to the trash can.”
This year’s symposium also had representation from a variety of local community organizations
including: Brookline Green Space Alliance, Franklin Park Coalition, Juniperks, Mass Audubon’s Boston
Nature Center, Friends of Jamaica Pond and Toxics Action Center. “The 2014 Muddy River Symposium
was an excellent opportunity for me to share with students, parents, and faculty some of the deep,
meaningful work the Boston Nature Center is engaged with in the community. I was also very impressed
with the sustainability initiatives that are underway throughout the Colleges of the Fenway.” Andrew
MacBlane, Teacher Naturalist and Public Programs Coordinator, Mass Audubon’s Boston Nature Center.
In summary, the annual Muddy River Symposium is a great opportunity for the COF institutions to share
their research, service learning and build partnerships within the community.