Maggie Boyd Intro

Hello!

My name is Maggie Boyd and I have just started my internship at Save the Harbor / Save the Bay assisting both the Communications and Development sides of the organization. I am going into my senior year at Hamilton College, a NESCAC school located in upstate New York. I am studying English Literature and Government, and am interested in both nonprofit organizations and environmental causes, making Save the Harbor an excellent fit.

Enjoying Cape Cod at Wellfleet Harbor.

I just returned from a semester abroad in Dublin, Ireland, where I continued my studies at Trinity College. I loved my time travelling through Ireland and the rest of Europe, and I’m now eager to explore my own home more thoroughly this summer, whether that means a trip to the beach or a walk through the woods. I am from Needham and have always enjoyed taking adventures to surrounding towns and, of course, Boston itself.

Taking in the sights from the other side of the Atlantic, in Ireland’s County Kerry.

In my current positions, as the Communications and Development intern at my school’s Information Services Office, as a Writing Center Tutor, and as an assistant to the Residential Management Office of an apartment complex, I have really enjoyed getting the chance to interact with people and learn more about a variety of fields. I’m excited to get a better look into what Save the Harbor does this summer!

Maggie

Introduction to Christina Balzotti

Hello!

My name is Christina Balzotti and I recently joined Save the Harbor/ Save the Bay as a communications and events summer intern. I have just completed my junior year at Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut, where I am a Government major. Throughout my studies, I have developed an interest in how government systems at all levels can impact how its citizens see and interact with the world and each other. In addition to my academics, I am a senior captain on the varsity women’s lacrosse team and a member of the student group Green Dot, which educates students on dating violence prevention on college campuses.

Exploring the harbor in Bergen, Norway

This past fall, I spent a semester abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, where I attended the Danish Institute for Study Abroad with a focus in Strategic Communications. Over the course of the four-month long semester, I travelled to 15 different cities in 11 different countries, including Spain, Norway, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Italy, and others. It was in Copenhagen that I began to explore my interest in environmental preservation.

Here at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, I hope to gain knowledge and experience in how organizations market and communicate their goals and ideas to the public. Additionally, I hope to learn more about the steps necessary to maintain and protect natural landscapes so that they can be experienced and enjoyed by both current residents and generations to come. I look forward to getting familiar with the work that is done here to better the beaches and islands in the Boston area so that they can reach their fullest potential and be true assets to their respective communities.

Intro to Soph

Hi there!

My name is Sophie Ruehr, and I'm working as an Environmental Science and Policy intern for the summer here at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay. As a rising junior at Yale College studying geology and geophysics, I'm interested in the intersection between social justice and biophysical science.

Last semester, I had the privilege of travelling to Vietnam, Morocco and Bolivia to study climate change. Although there are certainly many contradictions in my flying on planes around the world to learn about how green house gases are affecting both natural and social systems, my understanding of environmental and climate justice as well as political ecology grew enormously. I realized that climate change is not always obvious and that small-scale mitigation and adaptation strategies have a big part to play in shaping a more equitable world.

Working at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay this summer is a wonderful opportunity for me to continue learning about how environmental justice happens on a local level. My internship here will also allow me to understand more deeply how science can serve underprivileged communities.

Growing up in Boston, I fondly remember the time I was able to spend outside with family and friends. Save the Harbor/Save the Bay's mission of empowering new environmental stewards through youth engagement programs on clean beaches makes a lot of sense to me, and I'm very excited to be on the team!

Here's me at the top of Pico Tunari, the 16,500 foot peak towering above Cochabamba, Bolivia, where I lived for a month this past spring.

Intro to Jenny Barrack

Dear friends of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay,

I would like to introduce myself. My name is Jenny Barrack and I am a rising junior at Connecticut College. I am majoring in Anthropology with a focus in Environmental Science and enjoying every minute of it. Although I come from a town without much exposure to the waterfront, I have ventured near and far collecting experiences and memories that together have contributed my love of sea creatures and their incredible habitat.

Wherever I go, the ocean seems to follow. Or maybe its the other way around. Regardless, I have always had salt (and fresh) water in my veins and a true passion for conservation and preservation work. So when I stumbled upon the Environmental Policy internship here at Save the Harbor I knew I had to apply and do everything I could to secure the position. I am thrilled to be working here now and look forward to an experience that is sure to be unforgettable,

My background includes non-profit work, volunteering at various aquariums, teaching at a coastal nature camp, beachfront surf rescue/lifeguarding, and overall animation for all things water related. Although I do not have much experience working in an office setting and navigating through Boston, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to do so at a company with a strong mission I believe in--and is also perfectly situated right on the harbor. I do not think I have ever turned down an opportunity to be near the ocean and certainly do not plan on starting now.

While I am still figuring out my path and learning about myself, I know one thing that is certainly true: I am a sponge. A sea sponge, I might add. And why would I call myself this you ask? Well, not only have I been described as so growing up both in an educational and professional setting, but I also just love being in/on/or around the water. I have a curious mind to thank for my natural tendencies to gravitate towards new experiences and absorbing everything that comes with them. Which is why I am at Save the Harbor: to learn about the environment's place in our community and to advocate for clean water for everyone to enjoy.

-Jenny

Introductory Blog Post

Eileen Dalessandro

Environmental Policy Intern

In September, I didn’t know what to expect when I joined the Save the Harbor/Save the Bay staff. As a part of my Environmental Science Senior Practicum, I needed an internship. Little did I know I would be joining a harbor advocacy group that truly cares about their purpose, staff, and most importantly the community.

Throughout my first few months at Save the Harbor, I attended meetings regarding the condition of Boston’s regional beaches. I collaborated with other interns to create the 2016 water quality report card for the 2015 beach season. These past couple months, I assisted in communal events that Save the Harbor hosted. From phone calls to mailings, I enhanced my interpersonal communication skills, and had the privilege of connecting with several of Boston’s communities. I remain at Save the Harbor because I have witnessed their passion for clean water, as well as their dedication to linking communities with their beaches. 

This fall, I will teach English in South Korea. Although I strive to make a difference in the environment, Save the Harbor has taught me to embrace the unexpected. I learned that unexpected challenges create paramount opportunities to learn something new, and alter my perspective for the better. These next few months at Save the Harbor I look forward to assisting in outreach work, and aiding in community events. 

Marine Mammal Safaris

Staff and guests eagerly waiting for the first cruise.

The Miani family enjoying their time on the third cruise.

On Saturday April 23rd, all of us here at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay headed out on to the water with many friends in hopes of finding some marine mammals hanging out in Boston Harbor! The day started off with some chilly wind rolling off of the water and light rain showers. However, this didn't stop our guests from joining us on the first cruise of the morning! The first trip took off at 9:30am, but all of us had arrived well before then to set up and make sure everything was running smoothly. Before long, we all boarded the boat and despite the gloomy weather were able to see a handful of harbor seals! Since it was quite cold and rainy out, we also all gathered inside the boat to warm up and sing songs together after having seen some seals. As we made our way back to shore after a 90 minute cruise around the harbor, friends and families of the second trip began checking in with some of us that had remained on shore. The weather began to take a turn for the worst, but our guests still persevered through the approaching storm and happily boarded the boat for the second cruise. This trip was also lucky enough to see a number of harbor seals! Finally, all our guests for the third and final trip of the day began arriving. After making sure everyone was checked in, we all boarded the boat one final time. However this time, the weather had finally cleared and our last trip of the day turned out to be a beautiful and sunny afternoon! All three trips were able to see seals! When we docked for the final time that day, we watched all our guests leave with smiles on their faces. After a long, but rewarding day it was time for all of us here at Save the Harbor/Save the Bay to head home.

First Time for Everything

My name is Kharliyah Ortiz, I'm 17 years old, and I attend the John D. O'Bryant. This is my first year working at Save the Harbor Save the Bay and I'm looking forward to every bit of it. I've heard so many good things about this organization and I can't wait to see what this summer has in store for me. So let me explain:

Have you ever been afraid to try something new? This week at Carson Beach was my first time kayaking. It was a fun and daring experience. As we put on our life jackets the instructor explained the rules and what to do out in the water. My heart was racing with fear and my mind with so many "what if's" like, "What if my kayak flips over?" or "What if I fall in the water". I hid my panic as my partner and I carried our kayak down to the shore. We get to the water, hop in, and paddle out. Further and further until I can't see the ocean floor. I was mostly scared but kept it cool, or so I thought. Up until one of my coworkers pulled up in their kayak next to ours and threatened us to jump in or get flipped. By that time I think my fear was pretty visible and audible from my screaming. I was assured that nothing would happen because my life jacket so I toughened up and hopped in. The ice cold water hit my body in a rush that was refreshing and shocking. That was my first time kayaking and it was a blast.

All Summer 16 

Kharliyah

Always a blessing to be back on the Harbor

Hi everyone,

 My name is Andrea Lopes. I am 19 years old and a rising junior at Bridgewater State University. I was born in Cape Verde (country on the West Coast of Africa) and moved to the United States 10 years ago. Ever since then, I have been living in Dorchester. This is my third summer with Save the Harbor / Save the Bay and the first summer as a Lead Harbor Explorer. As you all can see, I love this non-profit organization more and more as I keep returning. Being with this organization has helped me develop as a leader and it has also made me realize the type of individual that I am as I have served thousandths of kids now ever since since my first summer. Whenever I am with all of the wonderful Save the Harbor staffs, they never fail to make me feel like I'm not at home. This is a place that I call home away from home in the summer because it is where I spend most of my time. I have been truly blessed to be a part of this organization because not too many teenagers get to experience what I have experienced and continue to experience with the opportunity I have been given. When I first started working here, I did not know anything about the Harbor or the sea creatures. I remember being scared to hold a crab or not knowing how to cast/work with a fishing rod. After the first few days, I can tell you for sure that I became a "fisherman expert" (something Ms. Ryan would call me). Being able to serve all of these thousandths of kids for 3 summers now from different communities and teaching them about the harbor only makes me feel much better.

First week  last summer out on Spectacle Island with All Access Boston Harbor

I had a spectacular week during orientation because this was actually the first time that I was able to attend all 4 days. Being at Georges Island on Wednesday was amazing with a lot of the new summer staffs this year. Being able to teach the other staffs fishing techniques and how to cast a rod as soon as we got off the boat was great because they all learned really quick. Afterwards, David Coffin had a couple of us racing up a stair flight at the Fort to touch a wall but I don't quite remember who was the first person that went. All that I can remember was being the winner and making it up the stairs and touching the wall in 2 seconds beating Sedny as she was leading with 3 seconds. I was shocked because I did not know I would have made it up the stair flight in 2 seconds. The whole day out on Georges on Wednesday was really fun.

Save the Harbor / Save the Bay Summer Staff Orientation 2016

Thursday was another fun day at Carson beach (one of my favorite sites after All Access Boston Harbor). Kayaking with a group of some of the old and new Junior Program Assistants was great and probably the best part of my day at Carson that day. There was about 5 kayaks racing and once we were further out, we all tied our kayaks together and most of us jumped into the water. The water was so cold but once I was in, it felt so good because it was really hot out that day. Overall, orientation was a great way to start off the summer. I can't wait to be back out on the Harbor exploring and serving all of these kids and teaching them new things. 

Until next time,

- Andrea Lopes :)

Amanda Leyton-Nolan Intro Blog

Hello, my name is Amanda Leyton-Nolan. I am 16 turning 17 on August 18th and I'm going to be a senior at the O'Bryant School. I play three sports: soccer, softball, and I run indoor track. I love staying active rather than just sitting around all day, but in my spare time I enjoy relaxing and playing video games too.

I'm looking forward to a summer of being out in the sun all day and helping younger kids enjoy their summer. I look forward to teaching someone how to do something that they never knew they could do. I'm also looking forward to making a lot more friends this summer and connecting with people from all over Boston.

Another Spectacular Summer on Your Beach!

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) awarded more than $215,000 in Better Beaches Program Grants to support over 80 free beach events and activities on the Boston Harbor region’s public beaches in a ceremony on Boston’s Fish Pier on Saturday, June 11^th, 2016.

This year’s recipients include 43 organizations in 9 waterfront neighborhood neighborhoods and beachfront communities from Nahant t Nantasket, including Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull.  

This year’s Better Beaches Program Grants will fund concerts and sand sculpting competitions, beach festivals, movie nights, free paddleboard, kayak and swimming lessons, storytelling by the sea and art on the shore on public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket. 

More than 600 kids took part in the Kids Beach Bash & Splash at DCR’s Carson
Beach in South Boston in 2015. This year’s Better Beaches Program Grants will
support expanded free programs for kids and families on beaches from Nahant to
Nantasket this summer.

  

Funds for the Better Beaches Program include the proceeds of the Harpoon Helps Shamrock Splash and a legislative appropriation made to DCR to support summer programming on the region’s public beaches, as recommended by the Metropolitan Beaches Commission.

In 2015, Save the Harbor and DCR awarded grants to 35 organizations in nine waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities from Nahant to Nantasket. Last year Better Beaches Program grants leveraged nearly $650,000 in cash and in-kind support from local businesses and local government, including over 8,500 volunteer hours that supported the 70 free beach events and programs. More than 500,000 people attended Better Beaches Program events in 2015.

“It’s a great investment and a terrific partnership,” said Save the Harbor’s spokesman Bruce Berman. “The Commonwealth appropriated $190,000 this year and we are giving away more than $215,000 to support another spectacular summer of free events ad activities on these great urban beaches.”

“All of these great events have one thing in common,” said Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s President Patty Foley. “They bring people together to strengthen their communities and enjoy our region's most stunning natural resources, the 19 miles of DCR’s public swimming beaches that connect us to each other and to Boston Harbor, Mass Bay and Broad Sound.”

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation looks forward to working with Save the Harbor to deliver another summer full of fun, free events and programs at our beautiful public beaches for people of all walks of life to enjoy,” said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “The Baker-Polito Administration remains committed to fostering such partnerships to protect, promote, and enhance our state’s resources for generations to come.”

 “At public hearings from Nahant to Nantasket we heard how important free events and programs are to the region’s residents, who really love our beaches,” said Representative RoseLee Vincent, Co-Chair Metropolitan Beaches Commission, Revere and Saugus. “Thanks to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and DCR for working together to strengthen our beachfront communities and waterfront neighborhoods.”

"Our waterfront and our beaches are remarkable assets with the power to connect our communities. We have heard again and again how modest investments in free events and programs have put these beaches to work and have provided expanded opportunities for residents, businesses and tourists," said Senator Thomas M. McGee, Co-Chair Metropolitan Beaches Commission, Lynn and Nahant.

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From left to right: Representative Dan Hunt of Dorchester, Metropolitan Beaches Commissioner Barbra Bishop, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Board Chair Joseph P. Newman, President of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Patricia A. Foley, Metropolitan Beaches Commissioner Paul Nutting (back), Metropolitan Beaches Commissioner and Director of Mass Parks Operations for the Department of Conservation and Recreation Samantha Overton, Director of Strategy, Communications and Programs for Save the Harbor/Save the Bay Bruce Berman, Metropolitan Beaches Commission Co-Chair Representative RoseLee Vincent, Senator John Keenan of Quincy (back), and Metropolitan Beaches Commissioner Carol Haney presented Samantha Overton with an award for her service and commitment to urban beaches and our communities on Saturday.

“As an urban mom I know just how important these urban beaches and parks are to the region’s kids and families,” said DCR’s Director of Mass Parks Operations and Metropolitan Beaches Commissioner Samantha Overton, who received an award from Save the Harbor and the Metropolitan Beaches Commission at the ceremony. “I’m proud of DCRs partnership with Save the Harbor and the Metropolitan Beaches Commission. My family and I really love these beaches.”

Better Beaches Program Grants ranged from $500 - $20,000, with a typical grant of $3,500. This year’s programs include concert series, sand- sculpting competitions, campfires, art festivals, neighborhood beach parties, and family reading and movie nights on the beach, art on the shore and storytelling by the sea.

Save the Harbor would like to thank our foundation funding partners The Boston Foundation, the Richard Saltonstall Charitable Foundation, the Harold Whitworth Pierce Charitable Trust, and Mass Humanities, our corporate sponsors Harpoon, JetBlue, Comcast and National Grid and the hundreds of participants and donors to the Harpoon Shamrock Splash for their support.

We would also like to thank Metropolitan Beaches Commission Co-Chairs Senator Tom McGee and Representative RoseLee Vincent and the legislative and community members of the Commission, the Baker-Polito Administration and our partners at the Department of Conservation and Recreation for making this great program possible.

Follow this link for a list of this year's Better Beaches Grants recipients.

Follow this link for a calendar of Better Beaches events and programs,

To learn more about the Better Beaches Program visit Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s blog, Sea, Sand & Sky at www.blog.savetheharbor.org, or follow savetheharbor on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can make a contribution to support our work here.

Celebrating 490 Years of Anniversaries on a Sunset Cruise to Boston Light with Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

Summer Sunset and Boston Skyline off Boston Light. Photo by Jeremy D’Entremont

June 8, 2016, Just Off Boston Light: On Wednesday evening, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay hosted a sunset cruise to the oldest manned lighthouse in America as they celebrated 490 Years of Anniversaries at Boston Light on Bay State Cruise Company’s flagship, Provincetown II.

378 people were onboard for the celebration, which took place on a beautiful summer evening despite predicted squalls and storms. 

“Save the Harbor/Save the Bay was founded in 1986, so it’s our 30^th Anniversary this year,” said Save the Harbor’s spokesman Bruce Berman, who was married 16 years ago to Save the Harbor's President Patty Foley just off Boston Light. “So rather than celebrate alone, we chose to honor our federal, state and non profit partners whose support has been so important to our success to join us, many of whom are also celebrating milestones this year.”

2016 marks the 300th Anniversary of Boston Light, the National Park Service’s Centennial, the 30th Anniversary of Cruiseport Boston, the 20th Anniversary of the creation of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, and the creation of a new group, Boston Harbor Now.

Honored guests included U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston Commander Captain Claudia Gelzer, Giles Parker, Superintendent of the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, DCR Deputy Commissioner Matthew Sisk, Executive Director Fred Laskey of the MWRA (which celebrated its 30^th anniversary in 2015), Metropolitan Beaches Commissioner Joan Meschino of Hull, Kathy Abbott, new president of Boston Harbor Now, Walter Hope, Chairman of the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands and Save the Harbor’s President Patricia Foley and Directors Tom Cox, Paul Foster, Jim Jensen, Rick McKenna, Judy Pederson, David Spillane, and Joe Savage.

“Coast Guard Sector Boston along with our other port partners was honored to join Save the Harbor/Save the Bay on Provincetown II to celebrate a summer of anniversaries,” said U.S. Coast Guard Sector Boston Commander Captain Claudia Gelzer. “It was a beautiful night to witnesses Boston Light and the Harbor Islands, and a good time was had by all.”

"This sunset cruise was an incredible way for our partners to launch the 20^th Anniversary of the Boston Harbor Islands as a State and National Park,” said NPS Superintendent Giles Parker. Save the Harbor and all our partners on board are looking forward to connecting with the next generation of island explorers and harbor stewards this summer and into the fall.”

 

Boston Light Keeper Sally Snowman narrated the cruise, and shared stories of her life on Little Brewster Island. Hear more about Boston Light from Sally at on YouTube

Save the Harbor’s Song Leader David Coffin sang "Let the Lower Lights Be Burning" while Save the Harbor’s storyteller Norah Dooley shared stories from Boston Harbor’s past as the Pirate Mary Read. Listen to David's song on YouTube or visit his website at www.davidcoffin.com Norah's website at www.norahdooley.com/

Bestselling author Eric Jay Dolin signed copies of his new book “Brilliant Beacons: A History of the American Lighthouse”, while photographer Jeremy D’Entremont signed prints and posters of his stunning photographs of Boston Light. Visit Eric's website at www.ericjaydolin.com and Jeremy's website at http://www.newenglandlighthouses.net/

“This cruise brought together a wonderful collection of great people to celebrate the harbor and all the organizations who work so hard to support it,” said Kathy Abbott of Boston Harbor Now.

--> “Its great to be back on the Harbor.”

That sentiment was shared by Michael Glassfeld and Julie Pagano of Bay State Cruise Company, which hosted the celebration on board their flagship Provincetown II. “Kudos to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay for bringing all these great people together. We are really looking forward to working with Save the Harbor to bring 10,000 kids to the islands this year as partners in their free All Access Boston Harbor program.”

“It is going to be a terrific summer on Boston Harbor, the beaches and the Harbor Islands” said Save the Harbor’s President Patricia Foley. “We look forward to celebrating our 30^th Anniversary all summer long, as we connect 30,000 young people and their families to Boston Harbor with 30 free island trips and scores of free events and celebrations on the region’s public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket. We hope to see you all on the harbor soon!”

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

For more information about Save the Harbor’s free 30^th Anniversary events and activities, visit “Sea, Sand & Sky” at www.blog.savetheharbor.org or follow savetheharbor on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can make a contribution to support our work here.