Save The Harbor Extends the Summer With 3 Free Trips To Peddocks Island For Local Youth And Community Groups

With a new visitor center, miles of walking trails, sandy beaches and a historic fort
and chapel to explore, Peddocks Island is a great place to spend a summer day with
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay will extend the summer season and add 3 free trips to Peddocks Island in the Boston Harbor Islands National Park for youth and community groups during the last week of August as part of their free All Access Boston Harbor program for area youth, teens and families. If your organization would like to join them on August 27, 28, or 29, email your group size, preferred date and contact information to: info@savetheharbor.org

Peddocks Island, which opened to the public last year, is the newest destination in the Boston Harbor Islands National Park. On the island participants can explore the new visitor center and the remains of Fort Andrew, walk the trails around the island, see historic summer cottages and fish shacks from the early 20th century, fish for striped bass and flounder off the dock, or play a round of Frisbee Golf on the Boston Harbor Islands only Frisbee Golf course! 

Take a hike, enjoy the beach, explore the island or even play a
round of Frisbee Golf on Peddocks Island with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

So far this summer Save the Harbor’s free island excursions have connected a record number youth and teens from area community organizations and youth groups to Georges Island and Spectacle Island. By summer’s end the group expects to share the Boston Harbor Islands with more than 6,500 young people from groups from every neighborhood in the city of Boston and many other cities and towns across the region including Lynn, Revere, Everett, Chelsea, and Quincy.

 “We are proud to say that Save the Harbor / Save the Bay has become the “Boston Harbor Connection” for a generation of young people” said Save the Harbor President, Patricia Foley. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, this year we will be able to extend the summer season, visit a new island and share the harbor with even more youth and teens.”

Since 2002, Save the Harbor’s free youth environmental education programs have connected more than 75,000 youth and teens to Boston Harbor, the Boston Harbor Islands and the region’s public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket. Though many of the participants return year after year, for others these trips mark their first time on Boston Harbor and sometimes their first time on a boat.

All Access Boston Harbor starts at Boston’s Bank of America Pavilion, where children learn about Boston Harbor, the harbor islands and the marine environment before embarking on the Provincetown II for a day of recreation, education, and exploration to Georges Island, Spectacle Island and this summer to Peddock’s Island in the Boston Harbor Islands National Park.

This summer Save the Harbor/Save the Bay will host 24 free trips
to the Boston Harbor Islands for thousands of local youth and teens
 including this group from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

"These island adventures are a wonderful way for young people to learn about Boston Harbor's unique history and our marine environment," said Bruce Berman, Director of Strategy, Communications and Programs for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. "We are glad to add these three trips to Peddocks Island to the 21 trips we have already scheduled to Georges and Spectacle this summer. They should be tons of fun."

In addition to their All Access Boston Harbor island excursions, Save the Harbor also offers their free Boston Harbor Explorers program at the Courageous Sailing Center in Charlestown, the Piers Park Sailing Center in East Boston, the McDonough Sailing Center in South Boston, Community Boating on the Charles River, Blacks Creek Sailing Center in Quincy, the Boston Children’s Museum and Camp Harbor View. To help lead and manage these free programs, Save the Harbor / Save the Bay employs a summer youth environmental education program staff of 32, including six teachers, college students and 18 urban teens from area high schools.

Save the Harbor’s youth environmental education programs are made possible with Leadership Grants from Bay State Cruise Company, Distrigas/GDF SUEZ, The P.I. Garden Fund, The Coca-Cola Foundation, The Ludeke Foundation, and Yawkey Foundation II.

Save the Harbor is grateful for Partnership Grants from The Andus Baker & Rowen Murphy Family Fund, Forrest Berkley and Marcie Tyre Berkley, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Jay Cashman Inc., The Chiofaro Company, Circle Furniture, The Dolphin Trust, Fan Pier, a development of the Fallon Company, John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., HYM Investment Group, Lee Kennedy Company, Inc., Massachusetts Bay Lines, Massachusetts Port Authority, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, National Grid Foundation, P&G Gillette, William E. and Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust, and The Clinton H. and Wilma T. Shattuck Charitable Trust.

Save the Harbor also appreciates funding support from Arabella Insurance Group Charitable Foundation, Inc., Bank of America Pavilion, Boston Centers for Youth Families, Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Carnival Foundation, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Lovett-Woodsum Family Charitable Foundation, Inc., The Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, BOMA, Boston Bruins Foundation, Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Community-Suffolk Inc., DeMarco Produce, Thomas & Lucinda Foley, Goulston & Storrs, Matthew J. & Gilda F. Strazzula Foundation, Mobile Beacon, Reebok Foundation, South Boston Community Development Foundation, Sovereign Bank Foundation, Stuart Vidockler and Lynda Clare and hundreds of individual donors.

To find out more about Save the Harbor/Save the Bay's All Access Boston Harbor trips, visit their website at http://www.savetheharbor.org, their youth blog, “Sea, Sand and Sky”

at http://www.blog.savetheharbor.org, and their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/savetheharbor.

The Cruise Before the Storm

With the impending approach of Hurricane Sandy to the Eastern Seaboard, many people spent the end of this past week stocking up on water and batteries and making sure they were prepared for whatever the storm may bring.

Saturday, October 27, provided a brief respite from storm preparations for some, as Save the Harbor / Save the Bay ventured out to Spectacle Island for its second and final fall “Treasures of Spectacle Island” cruise of the year. More than 200 treasure hunters joined us aboard Bay State Cruise Company's Provincetown II this time, and on our quick cruise, we were even treated to a harbor seal sighting! So cool!

Visitors on the lookout for marine mammals
aboard the Provincetown II!

Just as on our last trip, grey skies cleared shortly after we docked at Spectacle. A quick thank you to DCR for opening up the island for us and this trip (it officially closed on Columbus Day!), as well as Boston EMT Felicia Mohammed for joining us to ensure everyone's safety. We also were treated to a visit from maritime historian David Coffin, who shared a little bit of his knowledge about Spectacle Island.

Before heading out to explore the island, Baywatcher Bruce Berman let the group know that the tide was falling, so it would be best to do any hiking early on, and then explore the beaches later in the day when more treasure would be exposed. Per his advice, a group of us ventured to the summit of the north drumlin, taking in sweeping vistas in rich greens and blues, as well as many a smile from the island's visitors.

Time together on the north drumlin

Groups enjoy the stunning view of Boston Harbor

Admiring the view from the top!

When we headed back down to the foot of the island, instead of hunting for treasure, we were treated to something slightly more outrageous than the beautiful sea glass and artifacts we found last time...

Several hearty explorers had brought wet suits and flippers with them, and went snorkeling, yes SNORKELING, off Treasure Beach. In October. Brrrrr! David Coffin joined them for a brief dip. All referred to the swim as “refreshing” though it was a tad bit chilly for my taste!

(L to R) Laura Fawcett, maritime historian David Coffin and
Barbara Krasinski go for a swim!

Self-described “Friends of the Harbor” and “Beach Creatures,” Laura Fawcett and Barbara Krasinski strapped on their black and neon yellow flippers in the hopes of finding some extra special treasure a little bit farther out than the edge of the exposed shoreline. They found a variety of crabs and even some jellyfish, as well as some pottery shards and sea glass. Earlier in the day, however, Barbara, a North End native, found a blue marble and was entered into our “Simply Marble-ous”contest! Congratulations, Barbara!

City of Boston EMT Felicia Mohammed
chats with Kurt Vonseekamm, Mike Nichol
and Katherine Fawcett, while Laura and
Barbara swim off Treasure Beach

Photographer/videographer extraordinaire Mike Murowchick had the chance to interview Laura and Barbara, as well as David Coffin, Bruce Berman and Linda Grenfell of Dorchester. Keep an eye out for his videos, coming soon!

It was truly a treat to be able to enjoy a day of sun and friends (and even snorkeling!) on Spectacle before Sandy headed north – thanks again to all those who made it possible and those who joined us.

For now, batten down those hatches, and stay safe!

Until next time,

Megan

Megan Rawson

Development, Communications and Operations Intern

25 Years - $25,000 in Beaches Grants, 25 Free Island Trips and the Cleanest Urban Beaches in America!

Boston, MA - June 23, 2011 – This year, the harbor advocacy group Save the Harbor / Save the Bay celebrates its 25th Anniversary as the region's leading voice for clean water and the restoration and protection of Boston Harbor the waterfront, our region's public beaches, the Boston Harbor Islands and the marine environment.

As part of the celebration, this morning Save the Harbor will award $25,000 in small grants to support free events on the region's public beaches in nine waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities this summer, including Nahant, Lynn, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull.

The group will also announce 25 free island trips for area youth groups this summer, which they expect will connect more than 5,000 young people from 125 organizations around the city and across the region to Boston Harbor and the Boston Harbor Islands National Park.

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay will announce this year's grant recipients at the McDonough Sailing Center at Castle Island in South Boston. The presentations will immediately follow the formal opening of the South Boston CSO Tunnel that will make the beaches of South Boston and North Dorchester Bay the cleanest urban beaches in America. The group will also honor the many individuals who have helped transform Boston Harbor from an embarrassment to a source of opportunity and pride for the city and the region.

“The region’s 19 miles of sandy public beaches have the power to connect a million people with the Harbor we have worked so hard to restore and protect,” said Patricia A. Foley, President of Save the Harbor / Save the Bay. “We are proud to support our partners in the city's waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities as they work to bring the regions kids and families to their beaches and the harbor.”
Save the Harbor's "Better Beaches" program was launched in 2008 partnership with The Boston Foundation, whose early support helped make it a success. In the past three years, local community partners in Nahant, Lynn, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy, and Hull have leveraged $91,500 in small grants from Save the Harbor with $278,500 in cash and in-kind donations from local government and small businesses for a grand total of $370,000 to support 100 free beach events and activities for everyone to enjoy. 
 “I am impressed by the way that Save the Harbor / Save the Bay has leveraged the investments that the Boston Foundation has made over the years and has created a sustainable program that strengthens our waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities,” said Paul Grogan, Boston Foundation President and CEO. "It is an important asset to our city and the region as we look for new ways to put Boston Harbor to work for our community."

Funds to support this year's grants came from the 1st Annual Spring Splash (AKA CUPID SPLASH!) cold-water plunge and pledge fundraiser held on public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket in April, with additional support from Save the Harbor's "Better Beaches Program" funding partners at The Boston Foundation, Comcast Massachusetts, the Department of Conservation & Recreation, Harpoon Brewery, JetBlue Airways, National Grid and the Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust.

"More than 2000 JetBlue crewmembers call Boston home, and we are focused on giving back to the communities we serve through the support of great programs like Save the Harbor, Save the Bay," said Ronda Ivy-McLeod, Northeast regional marketing manager for JetBlue Airways. "We are lucky to have such a great harbor - and proud to support such a great cause."

Thanks also to our 25th Anniversary partners at The Boston Foundation, The State Street Foundation, John Hancock, P&G Gillette, and Distragas of Massachusetts / GDF Suez for their generosity and support.

In addition to the Better Beaches Program, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay also runs two free youth programs that combine recreation with hands on environmental education to bring the Harbor alive for the region’s youth. Since these programs began in 2002, Save the Harbor / Save the Bay has connected more than 50,000 youth and teens from more than 125 youth and community groups to Boston Harbor and the Boston Harbor Islands National Park.

As part of the group's 25th Anniversary celebration, this year Save the Harbor will host 25 free boat trips to connect the region's youth to the Boston Harbor Islands.

 “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished over the past 25 years, and especially proud of the difference our free youth programs have made to the kids of our city and the region,” said Bruce Berman, Director of Strategy for Save the Harbor / Save the Bay. "They are the corner-stone of our work to create the next generation of Boston Harbor stewards, by connecting communities to the Harbor we have worked so hard to restore and protect."

Founded in 1986, Save the Harbor / Save the Bay is the region’s leading voice for clean water and the restoration and protection of Boston Harbor, the waterfront, our region's public beaches, the Boston Harbor Islands and the marine environment.

 To find out more about Save the Harbor / Save the Bay's Beach and Youth Programs, visit their website at http://www.savetheharbor.org

Marine Mammal Safari

April 30th was a great day for the Marine Mammal Safari boat trip hosted by Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. As part of our free family events this spring and summer, over the course of the day we brought more than 600 people to the Boston Harbor Islands National Park to see the seals and porpoises that visit the Harbor and the Bay each spring. I assisted on all three boats for the whole day as part of my internship. I woke up quite early that day and went to the Rowes Wharf to meet our staff, ready to work to make sure that all our guests had a good time on our first great boat trip. The weather was kind of chilly and cloudy in the morning, which made us concerned that the weather may affect the trip. Fortunately, it turned out to be sunny right before our first departure, which was great!

Bruce was there narrating about all the Boston Harbor, the islands and marine mammals along the way Everybody on the boat enjoyed the trip so much; all the kids were especially so exited when they found harbor seals swimming around our boat. The porpoises were kind of shy that day and we didn’t find a lot of them. However, it didn’t affect the whole trip a lot and everyone had a good time on the boat trips including all of our staff! We took so many pictures of families from around Boston and even some from all around the world. In those pictures, the smiles and laughs really make us proud of what we are doing as a team at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

After the whole day’s work I felt a little bit tired, but I spent quite a wonderful day and had tons of fun there. It was such a great experience having interned at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, which is filled with a lot of fun events and passionate people in our team. Now we are getting ready to host more awesome events this summer as part of Save the Harbor's 25th Anniversary, and we hope more and more people and families can join us and enjoy our great harbor together!

Best,

Fred Zhao