AABH and a VIP... Governor Patrick!

All Access Boston Harbor took 10 youth and community groups out to Peddocks Island on Thursday.  The youth had a wonderful time swimming, playing intense games of kickball and doublebounce, fishing and crabbing, and engaging in a variety of healthy outdoor activities.  However today was no ordinary AABH trip, as a special guest joined them: Governor Deval Patrick! 

Anthony, Isabelle, and Jennifer from the Jackson Mann Center for Youth and Families from Allston examine their specimens.

The Governor was on the Island for the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Peddocks Island Improvements Celebration, along with the DCR Commissioner Jack Murray, the Secretary for Energy and Environmental Affairs Maeve Callely Bartlett, the Northeast Region Director for the National Park Service Michael Cardwell, and the President and CEO of BHIA Phillip Griffiths.

Nazie from the Idil Learning Center poses before engaging in a fun game of Frisbee.

Governor Patrick spoke highly of the developments taking place on the Boston Harbor Islands, and how it “takes partnerships to make a treasure like this come to life.”  He expressed a desire to make the recreational and educational opportunities offered by the Boston Harbor Islands better known and accessible to people, as they are, in his words, “public treasures meant to be used by the public.”  Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s role in this initiative was recognized by the DCR Commissioner Jack Murray: “Save the Harbor/Save the Bay brought 482 kids out today to enjoy the Islands.”  The Governor then cut the ribbon on the newly finished Chapel, assisted by Chase, an AABH youth from Dorchester.

As it was the Governor’s birthday, Senior Marine Educator Sam presented the Governor with a fish print created by a past AABH youth, using a flounder caught in the clear clean waters of the Boston Harbor.  After thanking the Governor for his continued interest and investment in the Boston Harbor and Islands, the STH/STB staff posed for a picture with the governor, before continuing to enjoy a day of fun with Boston area youth.

The 10 groups were:

BCYF Tobin Community Center, Roxbury
Everett Boys and Girls Club
Greater Generations Greater Kids, Brockton
Idil Learning Centers, Greater Boston

Jackson Mann Center for Youth and Families, Allston
Mission Safe, Roxbury
South Boston TEAM

South Boston Boys and Girls Club

Super Teens from the Boston Center for Youth and Families

Washington Heights Youth Builders from Dorchester

JetBlue Airways Swim and Paddle for Boston Harbor to benefit Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

On Saturday August 9th, 100 swimmers and paddlers will take part in the JetBlue Airways Swim and Paddl for Boston Harbor, a one-mile, chip-timed, professionally staffed, competitive swim followed by a two-mile, chip-timed Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) competition, at the BCYF Curley Community Center at M Street Beach in South Boston to benefit Save the Harbor/Save the Bay.

Bruce Berman, Director of Strategy, Communications, and Programs at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay said, “Ten years ago we were forced to cancel our swim because of water quality concerns on the South Boston beaches.  In fact after several cancellations because of poor water quality, our sponsors pulled out and withdrew their support."

 "Today we are proud to say that the beaches of South Boston are among the cleanest urban beaches in the nation.” said Berman. “We are particularly pleased to announce a new name sponsor for this event, Jet Blue Airways, whose 2500 crew members in Boston share our commitment to promoting  Boston Harbor as a destination for everyone to enjoy.”

Proceeds from the swim will benefit Save The Harbor / Save the Bay, while funds raised from the SUP competition will benefit both the Massachusetts Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and Save the Harbor / Save the Bay.

Online registration at www.swim4bostonharbor.org is open until 5 PM on August 7th.  Participants can also register on-site the morning of the competition on August 9th from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Swim registration is $50, and the race will be capped at 100 participants. Registration for the SUP competition is $25 - and paddleboard rentals are available for an additional $25. The SUP competition will be separated into beginner and experienced heats.

This year's prizes include round-trip tickets on Jet Blue Airways and great gifts from Harpoon:

•     Top fundraisers (over $500) entered into raffle for one round trip JetBlue Airways ticket
•     First place swimmers (male and female) each win 1 round trip JetBlue Airways ticket
•     Top two SUP finishers (male and female in the experienced race) each win 1 round trip  JetBlue airways ticket
•     EVERY person who makes a pledge is entered into a raffle to win 1 round trip ticket on JetBlue Airways.
•     Beginner SUP winners will receive gift cards

Every person who makes a pledge or a contribution to support this event will be entered into a raffle to win a round trip ticket on JetBlue Airways as well.  Swimmers, paddlers, supporters, and sponsors are all welcome to join us on the beach for an icy cold Harpoon beer and treats from Tasty Burger after the swim!

Those wishing to join the party without competing are asked to make a contribution of $25 to support Save the Harbor/Save the Bay's work to restore and protect Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay for residents and visitors to enjoy.

To register for the JetBlue Airways Swim and Paddle for Boston Harbor - or to make a pledge to support a participant - visit: www.swim4bostonharbor.org

JetBlue Airways Swim and Paddle for Boston Harbor Schedule:
8:30 - 10:00am Registration
10:00 - 11:00am Swim Competition
11:00 - 11:30am SUP Competition for Beginner participants
11:30 - 12:00pm  SUP Competition for Experienced participants
12:00pm and later Beach Party and Awards Ceremony

About Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is a non-profit, public interest, environmental advocacy organization, whose mission is to restore and protect Boston Harbor, Massachusetts Bay, and the marine environment and share them with the public for everyone to enjoy.

For more information about Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, please visit: www.savetheharbor.org

About the Massachusetts Chapter of Surfrider
The Massachusetts Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation was founded in 1996.  They are an all-volunteer chapter composed of local New England surfer/environmentalists dedicated to the preservation of the New England coastal environmental, elimination of pollution, and open access to our beaches.

For more information about The Surfrider Foundation, please visit: www.surfrider.org

To register for the JetBlue Airways Swim and Paddle for Boston Harbor - or to make a pledge to support a participant - visit: www.swim4bostonharbor.org

See you on the beach!

All Access Boston Harbor- July Trip

All Aboard for All Access Boston Harbor!

Last Thursday July 10^th over 150 youths and supervisors from six different Boston area community organizations and youth groups ventured out into the Boston Harbor for a day of fun at Spectacle Island.  For some, this was their first time experiencing the Harbor and Islands.  For others, the All Access Harbor Cruises are an annual summer activity they look forward to all year.

The Harbor trips are all about combining recreation and education. Prior to boarding the Provincetown II for the Island, youth were treated to a discussion of the history of Boston Harbor/Islands and Boston’s water supply by maritime historian David Coffin.  Spectacle Island used to be a landfill and major contributor of pollution to the Harbor, but is now part of the Boston Harbor Islands National Park.  Following David’s explanation of how water travels from Quabbin Reservoir to Boston and is then thoroughly treated and cleaned without emitting any pollution, the children and young adults no longer held the misconception the Harbor and its Islands were dirty.  They then had the opportunity to see it for themselves, as they voyaged out to Spectacle Island for a day of fun. 

The youths could participate in various activities led by Save the Harbor staff, such as outdoor sand art, crabbing, fishing, swimming at North Beach, playing kickball and other sports, and hunting for sea glass.  For many, the experience was made all the more enjoyable knowing that just a few decades ago, the very beach they were currently swimming and fishing in was covered in trash.  One young girl from Winthrop said it was “cool that it used to be so gross” and was now such a fun place.  Another young boy from Dorchester said swimming was his favorite activity, because “even though the water’s cold, it’s clean!”  The beach, grassy fields, picnic tables, and docks were filled with the sounds of laughter and exclamations of “wow that’s so cool!” and “can I try?”.  David Coffin made the request that each and every participant try something new that day; it was clear that everyone did so while having a great time in a beautiful part of Boston’s natural world.

These free youth environmental education programs are made possible with Leadership Grants from Bay State Cruise Company, Distrigas/GDF SUEZ, The Coca-Cola Foundation, Ludke Foundation, and the Yawkey Foundation II.

Save the Harbor is grateful for Partnership Grants from Forrest Berkley & Marcie Tyre Berkley, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, The Chiofaro Company, The Fallon Company, Hampshire House Corporation – Cheers for Children, John Hancock Financial Services, Inc., Massachusetts Bay Lines, Massachusetts Port Authority, National Grid Foundation, P&G Gillette, William E & Bertha E. Schrafft Charitable Trust, and the Clinton H. & Wilma T. Shattuck Charitable Trust.

Save the Harbor also appreciates funding support from Lawrence J. & Anne Rubenstein Foundation, Arbella Insurance Group Charitable Foundation, Blue Hills Bank Foundation, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, Boston Center for Youth and Families, Breckinridge Capital Advisors, Carnival Foundation, Circle Furniture, Clippership Foundation, Department of Conversation and Recreation, Paul & Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, HYM Investment Group Inc., Lovett Woodsum Family Foundation, Massachusetts Water Resources Authority, South Boston Community Development Foundation, Reebok Foundation, Santander Bank Foundation, Boston Bruins Foundation, Thomas & Lucinda Foley, Red Sox Foundation, TD Charitable Foundation, Goulston & Storrs, Rowan Murphy & Andus Baker, Matthew J. & Gilda F. Strazzula Foundation, BOMA, Community-Suffolk, Inc., Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation, and hundreds of individual donors.

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is a non-profit, public interest, environmental advocacy organization working to restore and protect Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay.  Each year Save the Harbor/Save the Bay runs free youth environmental education programs, including the All Access Boston Harbor, that combine recreation and hands-on education to bring the Harbor alive for thousands of Boston area young people.  To find out more about our All Access Boston Harbor trips and other youth activities, visit our website at http://www.savetheharbor.org, our youth blog “Sea, Sand and Sky” at http://www.blog.savetheharbor.org and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/savetheharbor. 

Pictures:

1.     Group- Friends of Adam St. Library:

 

2.     Group- Girls Inc. of Lynn:
 

 

3.     Group- Charlestown B&G Club:

 

4.     Action- Girls Inc., me, and Sam fishing:

 

5.     Action- David with Friends of Adam St. Library:

 

6.     Action- Brookline High School with green crab:

 

7.     Action- Anthony from Kathy’s Place playing kickball:

 

Share the Harbor!

Katherine Worden

Having spent the last six months studying abroad in London, I am ecstatic to return home to Boston, and to spend my summer helping protect and share its beautiful harbor and beaches.  I grew up in Easton, Massachusetts (about 45 minutes south of Boston), a perfect distance away from many beautiful beaches.  For as long as I can remember, I have spent many enjoyable hours during the summer going to the beaches of Boston and Cape Cod with my family and friends.  Whether it be swimming, boogie boarding, sailing, walking the beach, or just relaxing with a good book, I have many fond memories of the Boston and Cape Cod beaches.  As a new Communications and Policy Intern for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, I am so excited to share the organization’s wonderful activities and events that enable Boston residents to truly experience and enjoy the harbor.

The happiness I personally get out of the natural beauty Boston has to offer is just one aspect of my passion to preserve and share it.  I gained an appreciation for the importance of a balanced and healthy aquatic ecosystem from my father, a limnologist (pond water specialist) for the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.  He was one of many people involved in ensuring the drinking water of Boston remained clean and safe, and impressed upon me the necessity of preserving and protecting the natural environment; not just for our own benefit, but for the other inhabitants (birds, fish, trees, etc.) as well.

During past summers I have worked at summer day camps such as Easton Rec, and College Gate/College Academy.  I am currently pursuing a Biology and Society degree from Cornell University, with minors in Policy and Law.  I also spent a semester studying Biology at University College London.  Having worked in a biotechnology lab last summer, and spent time on policy issues and papers while working as a teaching assistant at Cornell, I am excited to have this experience at such a successful organization.  Having been fortunate enough to grow up with an appreciation and understanding of the Boston Harbor, I am excited to share this with anyone and everyone interested in experiencing it!