Save the Harbor/Save the Bay

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is a prominent nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration, protection, and public enjoyment of Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay. Founded in 1970, the organization has been a leading force in transforming the harbor from one of the most polluted in the nation into a vibrant public resource. Through persistent advocacy, community programs, and partnerships with government agencies, it has championed significant environmental improvements and increased public access to the region's waterfronts.

History and founding

The organization was established in 1970 by a coalition of concerned citizens, scientists, and civic leaders alarmed by the severe pollution of Boston Harbor. During this period, the harbor was notoriously contaminated with untreated sewage and industrial waste from the Greater Boston area, leading to widespread beach closures and degraded marine ecosystems. Key early figures included environmentalists and legal advocates who successfully pressured the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the United States Environmental Protection Agency to take action. The group's founding was galvanized by public outrage following reports from institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution detailing the harbor's ecological crisis. This advocacy was instrumental in the eventual legal actions against the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority and the landmark court order mandating the cleanup.

Mission and advocacy

The core mission is to restore and protect the environmental health of Boston Harbor and Massachusetts Bay and to share these resources with the public. Its advocacy work focuses on enforcing clean water laws, promoting sustainable development policies, and opposing projects that threaten water quality. The organization works closely with agencies like the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and the Boston Planning & Development Agency to influence regional planning. It also engages in public education campaigns to build a constituency for the harbor, emphasizing its value to the economy and quality of life in communities from Quincy to Revere.

Key campaigns and projects

A defining early campaign was the relentless push for the construction of the Deer Island Sewage Treatment Plant, a massive public works project that became operational in the 1990s. The organization also championed the removal of the polluting Nut Island primary treatment plant. Its "Better Beaches" program partners with coastal communities like South Boston, Lynn, and Nantasket Beach to fund cleanups, events, and water quality testing. Another major initiative is the free "Youth Environmental Education Program," which takes thousands of children from Boston Public Schools and community groups on sailing trips and fishing derbies. The organization also advocates for the completion of the Harborwalk and public access improvements on islands like Spectacle Island and Georges Island.

Environmental impact and achievements

The environmental impact of its work has been transformative, contributing directly to the dramatic improvement of water quality in Boston Harbor. Key achievements include the significant reduction of combined sewer overflow events and the virtual elimination of sludge dumping in the bay. These efforts have led to the recovery of marine life, including the return of species like striped bass and the reopening of public beaches such as Carson Beach and Wollaston Beach for swimming. The cleanup, often cited alongside successes like the Clean Water Act, has spurred economic revitalization along the Boston waterfront and in the Seaport District. The organization's monitoring and reporting continue to hold entities like the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority accountable for maintaining these hard-won standards.

Organization and leadership

The organization is governed by a board of directors comprising leaders from the business, legal, academic, and environmental communities. It operates with a professional staff of policy experts, educators, and community organizers from its offices in Boston. Funding is derived from a mix of private foundations, corporate partnerships with entities like JetBlue and Harpoon Brewery, and grants from public sources such as the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The group also relies on membership dues and fundraising events like the annual "Shamrock Splash" to support its operations and programs throughout the harbor region.

Category:Environmental organizations based in Massachusetts Category:Organizations based in Boston Category:Boston Harbor Category:Organizations established in 1970