About WCES

WCES was founded in 1979 after the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island, to enpower local citizens to monitor the local environment. Since the decision was made in 1987 to close the Watertown Arsenal, WCES has worked with Army representatives and local and state health officials to ensure the site's cleanup. Today, the Arsenal bustles with commercial, cultural, and artistic activities for Watertown residents and the general public.

In the early 1980s, we became Watertown's nuclear freeze group. We hold an annual commemoration of the bombing of Hiroshima. After the events of September 11, 2001, WCES became part of the Boston Area United for Justice with Peace Coalition. In 2005, our efforts resulted in the Patriot Act Resolution ballot question. This resolution, which calls on federal lawmakers to oppose those portions of the Patriot Act that violate citizens' civil rights, passed by a two-to-one margin among Watertown's voters.

We are a member of the Massachusetts Climate Action Network (MCAN) and we often support projects of Mass Peace Action, MassPIRG and the Toxics Action Center.

Prominent local agencies and organizations — the Watertown Recycling Center, the Watertown Energy Committee, Trees for Watertown, the Watertown Bicycle Committee, and El Tremedal-Sister City — all began as projects of WCES.