The Mystic River Watershed Association (or MyRWA) was founded in 1972 with a mission to restore clean water in the Mystic River watershed, protect water and related natural resources, and establish relevant public information and education programs. For the majority of its history, MyRWA functioned as a volunteer-run organization, mobilizing activists on a project-by-project basis.

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC), one of 13 regional planning agencies in the Commonwealth, serves MetroBoston’s 101 cities and towns. It provides analytical, planning and mapping services to its municipalities and their community-based organizations, and maintains a MetroData Center offering statistical profiles, US Census and other data, and projects population, household and employment trends.

The Boston Indicator Project's award-winning website, coordinated by the Boston Foundation, Greater Boston’s community foundation, in partnership with the City of Boston and MAPC, offers interactive overviews and indicators of change and progress in ten sectors for Boston, its neighborhoods and the region: Civic Health, Cultural Life and the Arts, Economy, Education, Environment, Housing, Public Health, Public Safety, Technology, and Transportation.