Spring 2017 | Volume 48 | Number 2 TIDES

A Delicate Balance SAVE THE BAY’S EFFORTS TO PROTECT NATIVE SPECIES ARE ESSENTIAL TO ECOSYSTEM HEALTH.

PLUS: STB’s New Baykeeper | Environmental Law Enforcement | Dam Removal SAVEBAY.ORG 3

FROM THE DIRECTOR

Celebrating Marine Life What’s Inside...

in the Bay 4 Advocacy What’s needed for an effective environmental enforcement program.

One of the signature characteristics 5 STB Action Updates of is its rich diversity Learn about current issues of wildlife. In fact, biodiversity and and how you can take action. abundance of marine life are key indicators of Bay health and ecosystem human impacts. This is the backdrop 6 Who Saves the Bay? resilience. The very nature of the behind our efforts to protect the living Staff Profile:Meet our new Narragansett Bay estuary—the mixing resources of the Bay. Baykeeper, Michael Jarbeau. of fresh and salt water, the delivery of In this issue of Tides, we celebrate nutrients to the Bay by tributaries, the 7 Restoration the critters of Narragansett Bay. We bring diversity of Bay habitats—promotes special focus to our efforts to restore How stricter regulations and dam extraordinary biological productivity. native species, expand riverine habitat removal are helping us restore fish Like any complex system, Narragan- for migratory fish, showcase the extraor- species to the Bay. sett Bay is vulnerable to alterations and dinary diversity of marine life, and honor impacts that can throw the whole system 12 Cover Story our most charismatic and loveable of sea- out of kilter. The health of the Bay— Our Sealia program teaches kids sonal visitors: the harbor seal. measured by biodiversity, species abun- Anyone who has waded through about the seals in our Bay, while dance, and the extent of various habitat schools of minnows, dug for quahogs, citizen monitoring provides 20 types—has been profoundly altered by cast for stripers, held a sea star, or been years of data on these marine generations of human use and abuse. amazed by the hundreds of shore and sea mammals. Thankfully, water quality has improved birds that grace our coastline, can attest dramatically since the early 1970s, our to the beauty and magic of the living Bay. 17 Who Saves the Bay? knowledge of individual species and their We thank all of you—our members, vol- Donor Spotlight: Patrick Rice roles in the Bay ecosystem has grown unteers, and donors—for your help in by leaps and bounds, and important en- 21 Who Saves the Bay? protecting and restoring the extraordi- vironmental regulations have led to the Donor Spotlight: Shawen nary animals that call Narragansett Bay recovery of many iconic Bay species. Williams and Andrew MacKeith home. Still, climate change and other unrelenting human impacts represent 22 Events With thanks, existential threats to these living Mark your calendar for these creatures. We are challenged to strike 2017 fundraisers. the perfect balance in the complex and delicate interactions among species and the interplay between climate change, Jonathan Stone habitat loss, invasive species, and other ON THE COVER: Harbor seals in Narragansett Bay. Photo by Stephen Spencer.

TIDES MAGAZINE | Save The Bay | 100 Save The Bay Drive, Providence, RI 02905 401-272-3540 | savebay.org | [email protected]

Mission and Vision: Save The Bay works to protect and improve Narragansett Bay and its watershed through advocacy, education and restoration efforts. We envision a fully swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Bay, accessible to everyone and globally recognized as an environmental treasure. 4 Tides Magazine Spring 2017 SAVEBAY.ORG 5

ADVOCACY Environmental Enforcement Save The Bay Action U dates

BY TOPHER HAMBLETT, Advocacy The Dire Need for Funding DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY & KENDRA BEAVER, • Legislation: In the R.I. General Assembly, Save The Bay is championing the Climate Change and Political Will STAFF ATTORNEY Coastal Adaptation Trust Fund. Introduced by Rep. Deb Ruggiero (Jamestown-Middle- town) and Sen. Erin Lynch Prata (Cranston-Warwick), the legislation: (1) creates a new $1.75 BAY-Friendly million fund for community projects that preserve and enhance public coastal lands threat- LIVING YARD CARE AND LIFESTYLE TIPS Enforcement of environmental law violations, allows ongoing pollution, nega- Providence Journal, publishing our letter ened by rising seas, erosion and increased storm intensity; and (2) adds $250,000 to the R.I. TO SAVE TIME, MONEY AND THE BAY is critical to our natural resources, public tive health impacts and other environmental requesting enforcement funding. At a Coastal and Estuarine Habitat Restoration Trust Fund for projects to help salt marshes adapt health and safety. However, an effective harm to continue. Further, DEM has failed Statehouse press conference, the Rhode to rising sea levels. Funds would be generated by a five-cent-per-barrel (42 gallons) fee on enforcement program depends on funding to recover penalties sufficient to discourage Island Builders Association joined us in petroleum products shipped into waters. House bill 5808 and Senate bill 442 and the political will of the enforcement others from violating the law. Those who amplifying our call for stronger enforcement. are identical, companion bills. For more information, contact Topher Hamblett, director of agency itself, from the top down, as well violate should be economically penalized. We submitted a petition with nearly 2,000 advocacy, at [email protected] or 401-272-3540, x119. as the Governor and the General Assembly. As it currently stands, violators often enjoy signatures, urging the R.I. General Assembly • Community Outreach: Our updated version of the popular Bay-Friendly Living is hot off Protecting Narragansett Bay and its an economic advantage over those who and Governor Raimondo to increase staff the press! This FREE guide gives simple actions you can take to protect Narragansett Bay and spectacular 384-mile coastline from envi- comply with the law. for enforcement at DEM and CRMC. The our coastal waters at home, in your neighborhood and in your community, all while saving ronmental damage is a core function of the As the citizens’ voice for Narragansett governor responded by adding two DEM money and time. Bay-Friendly Living includes topics on lawn care, gardening, pet waste Rhode Island Department of Environmental Bay, Save The Bay has been working to enforcement positions to her budget management, feeding water fowl (not!) and other actions that will help you and your family Management (DEM) and the Rhode Island fully understand how the taxpayer-funded proposal, but these positions were removed take better care of our precious water resources. To pick up your free copy of Bay-Friendly Coastal Resources Management Council DEM is performing its core function. DEM without comment by the General Assembly Living, contact Save The Bay at one of our three locations: Save The Bay Center, Providence, (CRMC). Timely and consistent enforce- has not updated the Compliance and at the end of its 2016 session. Curiously, 401-272-3540; Exploration Center & Aquarium, Newport, 401-324-6020; or Save The Bay ment action stops the degradation of the Inspection Annual Report since 2013, so the no additional enforcement positions were South Coast Center, Westerly, 401-315-2709. number of cases waiting for enforcement included in Governor Raimondo’s FY2018 in court is not available to the public. In budget this year. Restoration 2016, Save The Bay filed a public records Lack of political will—and the resources • This winter at in Charlestown, sand was pumped onto a degraded marsh to How You request with DEM, seeking the list of cases needed to enforce the law—puts our en- raise its elevation so that the marsh can keep pace with accelerated sea level rise. During the waiting for enforcement in court, so that vironment and health at risk. Some of our stormy month of March, Save The Bay worked with DEM’s Mosquito Abatement Coordinator Can Help we can evaluate the current ongoing harm leaders cling to an age-old mindset that and CRMC to dig small creeks to allow both fresh and salt water to drain from the marsh. to the environment by delay. DEM denied enforcement is anti-business. But when you Plans are underway to plant salt marsh grasses with volunteers in May. Sign up to clean up. the request, claiming the information was think about it, the reverse is true: timely, Now through November, our • On the Narrow River, our partners from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and The protected by attorney-client privilege, consistent and strong enforcement (with volunteers will be heading out to Nature Conservancy conducted a similar project to raise the elevation of the marsh using among other reasons, and was backed timely inspections and penalties) benefits beaches and shorelines through- sand from the Narrow River. In the spring, DEM, USFWS and Save The Bay created a network out Rhode Island to pick up litter. by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter those that comply with the law and penal- of shallow creeks to restore tidal hydrology. Kilmartin. izes those that violate the law. That is good Give as much or as little time as you can; come by yourself or with Without this information, understand- for the State’s economic health because it • Digging continues in the salt marsh in Westerly, with the goal of creating others; lead a cleanup; set a great ing the current risks to our health and the promotes a level playing field for all busi- an area for the marsh to migrate inland. The Town of Westerly used DEM’s excavator to dig creeks that allow drainage of shallow pools where mosquito larvae were found as late as example! Sign up atsavebay.org/ environment is difficult. However, our re- nesses. This is no small matter in a state that November. The Weekapaug Foundation for Conservation and Save The Bay received funding volunteer or contact July Lewis at search of DEM’s online enforcement reports touts its natural resources and aspires to be Save The Bay Executive Director Jonathan Stone for the project from the CRMC’s Habitat Restoration Trust Fund. [email protected]. presents an open letter and petition encouraging from past years reveals glaring examples more business-friendly. Governor Gina Raimondo to increase environmental of delayed enforcement impacting our en- Recent appointments and pronounce- enforcement at a press conference at the Statehouse. vironment, including failing septic systems ments from the new administration in Education discharging sewage that continue for years Washington, D.C. only increase the urgency • School Partnerships: This winter, we expanded our afterschool program into Mystic, without repair, direct discharges of waste- for Rhode Island leaders to demonstrate Connecticut. Over five weeks, our educators introduced students in kindergarten through environment and protects public health and water into rivers, ongoing discharges of pol- that the Ocean State means business when fifth grade to live Bay animals and taught them about the animals’ unique adaptations. With first responders. Conducting and following lutants to the Bay from stormwater and vari- it comes to protecting our Bay and our our new engineering curriculum, students also explored water quality, movement and distri- up on inspections, and keeping the public ous other sources, and wetland violations natural resources. We urge you to contact bution on land through dam building and other engineering activities. informed of enforcement actions, serves as that go on for decades, making it difficult Governor Raimondo, and your state sena- • Habitat Curriculum: At Chariho High School, our educators are teaching students in the Urge the General Assembly a deterrent to environmental violations. to restore damaged wetlands systems. tor and representative today. Let them know Introduction to Agriculture class about salt marshes. The class is growing 120 pots of Sparti- to pass the CLIMATE CHANGE However, the drastic decrease in the In December 2015, Save The Bay called that our environment is important, and that na alterniflora and will plant them at the Ninigret Pond salt marsh in Charlestown this spring. COASTAL ADAPTATION TRUST number of violations issued is evidence of on R.I. Governor Gina Raimondo and the we expect DEM and CRMC to be suffi- Similarly, we’re working with three first-grade classes at Meadowbrook Farms Elementary FUND. Contact your Senator and a marked erosion of environmental enforce- General Assembly to reverse a decade of ciently funded so they can detect and deter School in East Greenwich, where 70 students are growing 70 pots of Spartina alterniflora, Representative today! Need help? ment and actions over the past decade. decline in resources for environmental violations and protect our health, safety and Visit vote.sos.ri.gov which they’ll plant at Goddard Park salt marsh along Greenwich Bay. That, combined with the delay in resolving enforcement. We placed an ad in the Narragansett Bay. n 6 Tides Magazine Spring 2017 SAVEBAY.ORG 7

WHO SAVES THE BAY? STAFF PROFILE RESTORATION

Save The Bay’s mission to protect and commercial and recreational fishing. While improve Narragansett Bay goes well beyond the Rhode Island Department of Environ- Meet Our New Baykeeper BY CINDY M. SABATO, our fight for water quality sufficient to realize mental Management (DEM) Fish and Wild- DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS A FRESH SET OF EYES ON OUR BAY our vision for a fully swimmable, fishable life Division has made strides in recent years Minding Bay. Our mission extends into the realm of to tighten regulations on commercial fish- species protection as well, because native ing in the area, menhaden are persistently Meet your new Baykeeper, Michael Jarbeau. Mike joined the Save believe my education and experience will help me voice their con- many native species play important and overfished by commercial interests in other The Bay team in late March, ready and more than able to take on cerns and keep them aware of what’s happening. I realize that the the interdependent roles in both water quality areas. In the Chesapeake Bay region, for the all-important responsibilities as our on-the-water eyes and ears, Baykeeper is a resource for Save The Bay’s constituency and people and ecosystem health. In recent years, we’ve example, Omega Protein, a single company looking out for pollution and championing public access to the who care about Narragansett Bay. It’s humbling to think that people been focused on four species: the Atlantic shore. As our fourth Baykeeper since we instituted the program will look to me as a resource and expert on Bay issues, and I will do Fisheries menhaden, river herring, American eel and in 1992, he’s part of our advocacy team and will be instrumental my best every day to help those people stay informed and engaged. in fighting for legislation and policy that protect our waters. He’s horseshoe crabs. also the person we ask you to call to report pollution incidents or You attended the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and served as a concerns about water quality in the Bay. commissioned officer. What have been your roles with the The Most Important Fish in the Sea Coast Guard? I served on two ships, USCGC Venturous and The Atlantic menhaden is called the “most What’s your connection to Rhode Island, Narragansett Bay, and USCGC Sanibel. On Venturous, we patrolled mostly in the Florida important fish in the sea.” A member of the our love for our waters? I’m a fourth-generation Rhode Island Straits, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, conducting fisheries, herring family, the species is well known as native, born and raised in Warwick. I spent most of my summer counter-drug, and other law enforcement missions. While serving a critical food source for some of America’s weekends at Buttonwoods Beach on the as executive officer on theSanibel most precious ocean wildlife, including north side of Greenwich Bay, a short walk out of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, BY REBECCA PROULX, humpback whales and osprey. Menhaden from where my grandparents live. I grew our primary missions were search and COMMUNICATIONS INTERN are a key food group for many fish at the in Reedville, Virginia, currently dominates up spending time with family at the beach, rescue and fisheries enforcement. This heart of our local recreational fishing indus- the market, controlling 85 percent of the swimming, fishing and sailing. experience furthered my interest in try, including striped bass and bluefish. But available catch. fisheries and coastal management, and this tiny fish also plays an immense role in By promoting an ecosystem-based Shellfish closures were my first exposure to when I completed that tour, I attended the ecosystems and water quality of Narra- approach to preserving the resources of pollution problems in the Bay, and I remember the University of Rhode Island for a gansett Bay and its watershed. Narragansett Bay, Save The Bay has been being disheartened by the fact that the place master’s degree in Marine Affairs. After A single menhaden can clean up to four I loved so much wasn’t healthy and thriving. grad school, I was assigned as the Fifth pushing for stricter catch regulations gallons of water per minute as it grazes on The Bay played a major role in my develop- Coast Guard District’s Assistant Fisheries to support not only water quality, but algae and other plankton organisms. Called ment, as well as in my education and career Officer and Cutter Operations Manager also predator species up the food chain. choices, which is why I’m thrilled to be able in Portsmouth, Virginia, where I played a filter feeders, menhaden in healthy popula- According to Stone, Save The Bay has to directly advocate for the Bay as Baykeeper role in the development of Mid-Atlantic tions consume large volumes of plankton, “made written proposals to the R.I. Marine and help ensure that future generations can fisheries regulations and their translation helping to remove excess nutrients from the Fisheries Commission, advocating for the continue to enjoy the Bay as much as I do. into Coast Guard enforcement policy. I’m water, preventing excessive algae growth, elimination of all purse-seining in local currently assigned to the First Coast Guard and ensuring the water has enough sunlight waters and an increase in the baseline Why do you consider Narragansett Bay District in Boston as a Reservist. and oxygen to maintain marine life below threshold of menhaden biomass observed worth protecting? Narragansett Bay is a the surface. in state waters before commercial harvest critical piece of Rhode Island’s history and How do you think your Coast Guard Save The Bay advocates for a robust can commence.” We have also taken the character. People and businesses move to career will translate to the Baykeeper and sustainable menhaden population, lest issue to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Rhode Island because of the Bay and how it role? Whether on a ship or in an office, we lose the valuable water quality and eco- Commission, according to Stone. can support their lifestyle. To me, the future of the state is closely there is no such thing as a “typical” day in the Coast Guard. Things system impacts of these tiny fish. “We must Save The Bay has also been working intertwined with the health of Narragansett Bay. The Bay can’t change fast, and success requires flexibility, teamwork and exper- shift the fisheries’ focus from taking just to obtain funding for a research team to speak for itself, and we can’t take it for granted. tise. Similarly, the Baykeeper’s day can change in an instant as Bay- enough menhaden to avoid wiping out the collect updated evidence on menhaden’s related issues arise. My career has taught me to be prepared, expect population, to leaving a substantial popula- What appeals to you about serving as Save The Bay’s next Bay- the unexpected, and stay vigilant. I’ve also seen firsthand the value role in removing and transporting nitrogen tion not only for future harvest but for the keeper? The Baykeeper position allows me to pursue my personal that clean water and healthy ecosystems play in sustaining coastal from the water column. “This study could filtration of our water,” says Save The Bay and professional interests on a daily basis. The activities that so economies and recreational opportunities. As Baykeeper, I’ll be able have profound implications up and down many of us enjoy are only possible if the Bay is healthy and resilient. to continue working for the protection of those resources. Executive Director Jonathan Stone. the East Coast given that menhaden act as For progress to continue, complex scientific and regulatory issues Unfortunately, what seems broadly a primary food source to countless fish and need to be addressed. I am excited to be able to work closely in and You’ve lived in many places. Why come back here? I’ve been Above: Save The Bay docents teach visitors obvious is a daunting challenge, because bird species and also function in the vital around these processes and look out for the Bay day in and day out. lucky to live in and travel to many coastal areas, but something is at the Exploration Center & Aquarium about the menhaden are the most heavily com- role as a filter fish to preserve the cleanliness different about the local connection to Narragansett Bay. The Bay is importance of horseshoe crabs. mercially-fished species in the Atlantic region. of our waters, two jobs that should be of As Baykeeper, you’ll be a face for Save The Bay among our con- more than a background for our daily lives; it’s a part of our lives. I Top right: Atlantic menhaden. They are factory-processed for oil, protein concern to all of us,” said Stone. stituents and citizenry. How do you feel about taking on that really think that relationship is unique, and it’s hard to understand meal, and solubles, and used for bait in both role? I know people are passionate about Narragansett Bay, and I unless you’ve experienced it. n 8 Tides Magazine Spring 2017 SAVEBAY.ORG 9

The Oldest Creature on Earth such as striped bass and osprey. They are Horseshoe crabs are among the oldest catadromous fish, which means they live Left: This fish ladder in Rehoboth, Massachu- unchanged living species on earth and in our freshwater rivers and migrate to the setts, allows river herring and shad to reach culturally iconic to Narragansett Bay. Sargasso Sea in the middle of the Atlantic Shad Factory Pond. Far left, top: Visit Save They are important commercially Ocean to spawn. The juveniles return each The Bay’s Exploration Center & Aquarium to see as bait for eel and conch fisher- spring to repeat the cycle. The anadromous this old horseshoe crab covered in slipper snails. ies, an important food source for river herring, on the other hand, spend their Far left, bottom: An American eel pulled up many migratory shorebirds and lives in the sea and return to our freshwater in a fish trawl during a Save The Bay education program. finfish, and vital to Bay rivers to spawn. As forage fish, river herring and salt pond eco- help keep the Bay clean by consuming systems. plankton, and, like the American eel, are These also a main food group for ospreys, striped prehistoric arthro- bass and other predators. In order to fulfill Our mission is to protect and improve pods also play a significant As it now stands, DEM is enforcing their natural benefit to our ecosystem, Narragansett Bay. Our ecosystem-based role in the biomedical industry, stricter catch limits on crabs per person however, these fish must be able to access approach to doing that means we have because their unique, bright blue blood has and requiring commercial fisheries to report the habitat important to their life cycles. No Bay will be working with the DEM Fish and built three fish ladders that opened up 340 cultivated a rich history in championing the remarkable antibacterial properties used to all their catches. DEM also extended the matter which direction the fish are going, Wildlife Division on the project, using ramps acres of spawning habitat that can support full array of interactions and interdependen- detect dangerous bacteria in intravenous spawning closure period from just a few dam construction, culverts and habitat to collect and count the eels. more then 200,000 herring,” Calabro said. cies within Narragansett Bay that contribute solutions, medical devices and vaccines. days to four weeks, from May 1 to May 31, degradation have taken a toll on both Working with partners in both Rhode Along the , project partners to water quality. Menhaden, river herring, Overharvesting, however, threatens to so the crabs can spawn throughout the herring and eel populations. Island and Massachusetts, Save The Bay has removed the Lower Shannock Falls Dam, American eel and horseshoe crabs are all reverse 450 million years of survival for the month of May without threat of being Save The Bay is conducting an eel endeavored to build fish ladders and remove and in the Taunton River watershed, which important species in our mission to achieve Atlantic horseshoe crab. Its population in harvested for bait. While this isn’t the full six monitoring project this spring at the Rising dams wherever possible to restore these has the region’s largest herring run, we have a swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Rhode Island has dramatically declined since weeks we asked for, “we consider the latest Sun Mills to be vigilant in conserving their historically and ecologically important spe- worked with the Massachusetts Division Bay. We will continue to fight for them as the 1970s and still has not recovered. Nearly regulatory changes an important step in the numbers. While overall, the American eel cies to their natural habitat. “On the lower of Ecological Restoration on several dam strongly as we have fought many battles n 20 years ago, Save The Bay advocated for right direction, but will continue to advocate population in Rhode Island is solid, “the part of the Ten Mile River, for example, we removal projects. since 1970. stricter limits on harvesting horseshoe crabs, for stricter limits in the coming years,” said species is much smaller than it has been in based on strong evidence of overfishing, Stone. years past,” says Save The Bay Riverkeeper and has enthusiastically played an active role Research has found that horseshoe crab Rachel Calabro. Calabro says that Save The in preserving the species ever since. Unfor- spawning appears to be triggered more by tunately, the species failed to recover after water temperature than by the highest tides DEM first imposed conservation measures in associated with the new and full moons. “In 2000. 2014, warmer water temperatures triggered Save The Bay has continued to lobby for horseshoe crab spawning in April, and the stricter horseshoe crab regulations, and this bait quota was exhausted by the begin- winter, the R.I. Department of Environmental ning of May, prior to the existing regulatory Management’s Division of Fish and Wildlife spawning closures. Even the new, longer proposed new changes, to try, once again, closure period will not fully protect spawn- to reverse the decline in population. Our ing crabs from harvest,” Stone said. “DEM team sprang into action, not only to support must extend the closure into April if it is to DEM’s efforts against opposition, but also fulfill its statutory duty to protect the species to call for an even longer spawning closure, and allow it to regenerate.” taking into account new data about climate change impacts on the horseshoe crab Where the River Meets the Bay spawning season. We submitted two letters Further up the watershed, the American to DEM urging tighter restrictions on the eel and river herring populations suffer not horseshoe crab fishery. We met with DEM only from overfishing and poaching, but staff, and participated in a public comment also from loss of spawning habitat resulting meeting, a public hearing, and a R.I. Marine from some 600 dams in Rhode Island and Fisheries council meeting. And we issued more than 3,000 in Massachusetts. a press release drawing media and public American eels are a highly valued attention to the importance of protecting member of the food web, an important this fishery. food source for numerous fish and birds, 10 Tides Magazine Spring 2017 SAVEBAY.ORG 11

while trying to accom- bond referenda, but no BY RACHEL CALABRO, modate some lost river dedicated program for Dammed Wildlife SAVE THE BAY RIVERKEEPER function. But these aging riverine habitat restoration structures are becoming a exists in state government. hazard for our communi- Here, local watershed Imagine you are a river fish. To thrive in ties as they reach the end councils and others must your environment, you have a few require- of their functional lives, initiate fundraising and ments. Cool water with enough oxygen will threatening either to manage projects. Save The keep you alert and active. Insects that wash release years of sediment Bay has assisted on several downstream or emerge from the stream that has accumulated dam removal projects in bottom will keep you fed. Sand and gravel in behind them or flooding both Rhode Island and which to lay your eggs and plenty of places downstream towns and Massachusetts, providing to hide from predators are also keys to structures when they fail. country. More than 600 dams still stand technical, fundraising and survival. When rivers function properly, all outreach support. These projects require Climate change is adding to the chal- in Rhode Island, more than 3,000 in these things are in place to support a wide multiple partners, from the federal lenge of managing undersized and Massachusetts, and more than 6,000 in diversity of fish and insects. government to local volunteers, and take outdated dams. Unpredictability in Connecticut. Many of these dams are many years to complete. But when environmental stresses, such as our weather and increasing severity of over 200 years old. Working with vari- low water levels or warm water, are present, both droughts and floods will require ous local partners, as well as partners Of the 496 animal species federally fish need places to go for refuge. Just like on our ecosystems to be more resilient and in state and federal government, Save listed as threatened or endangered, a hot sunny day you might seek the shade of our wildlife to be more adaptive. This The Bay supports dam removal projects nearly half are freshwater species that a tree, fish seek out cold spots in deep pools means allowing for more migration, that aim to create resilient streams with have found themselves living in small and under bits of wood in the stream. Fish more chances to find refuge, and more diverse habitats. habitat “islands” due to the cumulative also need to find mates to increase their diversity in habitat. Mammals and birds Dam removal has really gathered steam effects of dams, roads and development. genetic diversity and species health. A can migrate across the landscape and can in Massachusetts, where more than 50 This makes them extremely vulnerable healthy population of fish will be able to move in response to shifts in tempera- dams have been removed in the last 15 to one-time events such as last year’s migrate up and downstream and into tribu- ture. Fish can migrate only as far as they years. The Commonwealth has an entire drought, which dried up small streams in tary streams to mix and mingle with others newly created habitat, cutting off the upstream habitat from can swim, and for many, that means as Division of Ecological Restoration that the Taunton watershed and killed many of their species and to find new habitat. These are all parts of the fish living in the river below. As a result, genetic diversity far as the next dam upstream. We are works not only on dams, but on culverts, localized populations of rare freshwater a healthy stream ecosystem. suffers, and less food comes downstream. The community of seeing major shifts in ocean fish related stream flow and wetland restoration. mussels. to changing ocean temperatures, so we Dams, culverts and other physical changes to a stream can river fish changes as well. The state has made a concerted effort to Diadromous fish—those that migrate expect populations of freshwater fish to support these projects through capitol cause harm not only to the species living there, but also to the Humans have caused many changes to our surrounding envi- between fresh and salt water, like change as well. authorizations and grant programs. quality of the water and habitat for other wildlife and sur- ronment, but few of our changes to streams and rivers have herring, shad, sturgeon, smelt and rounding ecosystems. Dams change the dynamics of a stream had as much consequence as dams. Although beavers have Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, Rhode Island also has a small habitat eels—have all suffered population by slowing the water, allowing fine sediment to deposit rather made dams for thousands of years, altering the landscape in New England has a larger density of restoration fund and supports river declines to less than five percent of than flow downstream, and changing both temperature and many ways, these dams are temporary and an important part of small dams than any other place in the restoration projects through state historic levels, and many rivers lost nutrients in the water. Warm water holds less oxygen. Gravels creating a constantly changing set of diverse wetland systems. these species completely. In addition, are covered over by fine silts and sands. In essence, a dam turns Our wildlife adapt and thrive with these changes. Most of our only about five percent of historic a river into a pond. Fish that thrive in ponds move in to the man-made dams no longer serve their original purpose of brook trout populations remain and are providing power for mills. They have become icons of industrial extremely vulnerable to temperature and community heritage with lasting negative effects on river stress. We have seen many gains in water and stream ecosystems. quality in the last few decades, but we still must remain vigilant in the protec- Efforts to restore migrating fish populations with fish ladders tion of our most vulnerable freshwater have allowed us to leave the dams and preserve their legacy species. The Narragansett Bay watershed depends on us. n

Left and Above: The Hopewell Mills dam was re- Left: An historic photo of Pawtuxet Bridge and falls before the dam was moved in 2012 to restore the Mill River in Taunton, removed in 2011. Above: The Kickemuit River Fish Ladder was built on the Massachusetts. Three dams on this river are being Warren Reservoir to give migrating river herring access to the pond. removed. 12 Tides Magazine Spring 2017 SAVEBAY.ORG 13

COVER STORY

Providence. Some locations only occasionally have seals, while others boast a steady popula- Harbor Seals in tion of more than a hundred seals at the peak of the season. Some of the most popular sites we Citizen Science: monitor today are Brenton Point and Citing Rock in Newport; Rome Point in North Kingstown Narragansett Bay (Graph 2); and Hope Island and Providence Point on Prudence Island. When Do the Seals Visit? BY JULY LEWIS, Once our seals’ favorite sites were identified, volunteers began observing them regularly at VOLUNTEER AND INTERNSHIP MANAGER GRAPH 1 low tide to learn when they come into our local waters and how long they stay. Over time, we’ve learned that, save the occasional random seal that turns up in summer or early fall, harbor seals begin arriving in September and steadily reach a peak population in mid-to-late In the early 1990s, Save The Bay Habitat Manager Wenley Fergu- March. At that point, they begin to migrate north, and by May, they have left the area. The son had an idea. She knew that harbor seals had recently made a big two graphs of Rome Point, one of our most well-documented sites, illustrate this pattern. comeback in Narragansett Bay. For the previous two decades, she’d be lucky to see a handful of seals in the Bay all winter. But since the How Many Seals Visit Narragansett Bay? passage of the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 made it illegal Because we only count the seals we can see when they’re hauled out, we can’t say for sure to hunt or harass these marine mammals, their numbers had slowly how many seals are swimming beneath the surface. But in 2009, we introduced our Bay- returned and the seals were now thriving. But that’s all we knew. wide seal count (Graph 3) to help us make a minimum population estimate. Wenley’s idea was to establish a volunteer seal monitoring pro- We pick a day at the peak of the seal season and send volunteers out to visit every gram to get more information about these animals and their activity haul-out site in the Bay at low tide—even those that are difficult to access and can’t be in Narragansett Bay. regularly monitored. The Environmental Protection Agency’s Atlantic Ecology Division and the “When we started this program, we were looking for ways that Above: Rome Point in North Kingstown is one of our most long-term and Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve help us to monitor these trickier areas, frequently observed monitoring sites. This graph shows the maximum community members could be our eyes and ears on the Bay. Seals including sites that can only be seen by boat. Our final count that day is a minimum estimate number of seals observed for each year from 1994-2016, and the date of were a recent environmental success story, and are a top predator of the seal population. That is, we can say there were at least that number of seals in the Bay. that sighting. Below: The number of seals sighted on observations at Rome in the Bay. It made sense to find out more about them,” Wenley Point for the 2015-2016 season. On March 9, said. Volunteer monitors stepped forward and proved to be one of 2016, a record 603 seals were spotted and counted at 26 sites GRAPH 3 the most faithful teams of volunteers at Save The Bay. Monitoring throughout Narragansett Bay, surpassing a previous high in 2011. The GRAPH 2 protocols changed as we answered some questions and asked new count is always dependent on viewing conditions, and conditions that ones. Now, more than 20 years later, the program is still going strong day were perfect—warm temperatures, low winds, calm waters and and has just issued a report synthesizing thousands of observations. high visibility. But the high number does not necessarily indicate a di- rectional trend in the seal population. Seal populations fluctuate year Where Are the Seals? to year, as do monitoring conditions. As you can see from the graph This was the first question we asked. Seals like to haul out onto at right, our counts show no obvious population trend. However, with rocks at low tide to rest and/or regulate their body temperature. This future monitoring, we hope to be able to spot any significant changes is where they are most visible to us. “We knew about seals hauling in the number of seals visiting Narragansett Bay. out at Rome Point (Graph 1) and some of the other big sites,” said Seals are compelling, fascinating creatures and an integral part of Wenley, “but where else?” the Narragansett Bay ecosystem. We will be keeping our eyes on them Early monitoring focused on identifying these sites. Years of for many years to come! n data tell us that seals haul out at locations from the mouth of the The number of seals observed on Bay-Wide Seal Counts, 2009-2017. Bay at Brenton Point in Newport, to as far north as Fields Point in

Seal Watching Tips

Many people enjoy watching seals at haul- Follow these tips to get the most out of a telescope for close-up views. And, keep predators. When watching seals from a seemingly insignificant disruption can seals also encourages them to approach out sites. However, observers can put a lot your seal-watching experience and keep your puppy leashed by your side, so Fido boat, maintain a parallel course at least 50 cause seals to abruptly leave their haul- boats, which increases their likelihood to of stress on the seals and frighten them off seals safe. doesn’t run off and scare the seals. yards away, which is less threatening than out sites and flee into the safety of the be injured or killed by boat propellers. their resting spots, causing them to lose a direct approach. Avoid sudden changes water. If you see the seals stretching their Seals also bite, carrying infectious diseases. precious energy they need for survival. WHEN TO WATCH: Seals start arriving in the FROM A BOAT: The most common distur- in course or speed, or circling the animals. necks, moving toward the water, looking What might seem like a minor disturbance fall, but the best times to spot them are bance of seals is from recreational boaters, at you, or increasing their vocalization, LEAVE STRANDED SEALS ALONE: If you find may be one of many they experience February through early April. Seals haul especially those exploring the Bay by BE ALERT FOR SIGNS OF DISTURBANCE: back away immediately. These are signs a seal that is dead, being harassed, or throughout the day. Onlookers who out on rocks around low tide. Check the kayak or canoe. Ironically, these seem- Even though seals seem curious about that the seals are preparing to flee. stranded in the same area for more than cause seals to leave their haul-out site are weather forecast. If it is very windy, seals ingly unobtrusive boats can be the most everything, including us, they are actu- 24 hours, please contact Mystic Aquari- considered to have breached the Marine are less likely to haul out. disruptive and cause the seals to panic, ally very sensitive to human disturbance. DO NOT FEED THE SEALS: Feeding wildlife um’s Marine Mammal Stranding Program Mammal Protection Act, which prohibits even up to a half-mile away. Hauled-out While agile in water, seals are clumsy on is always a bad idea, because it can make at 860-572-5955. HOW TO WATCH: Stay at least 50 yards disturbing, feeding or harassing seals. seals may interpret the low silhouettes of land and are much more vulnerable when them too dependent on humans and can away (it’s the law), and use binoculars or kayaks and canoes as stalking behavior of they are hauled out on rocks. The smallest, lead to sickness and malnutrition. Feeding 14 Tides Magazine Spring 2017 SAVEBAY.ORG 15

What does a hands-on education but combining the in-classroom learning with an on-the-water seal program do when winter rolls around watch takes it to an entirely different level. Just a short ride out from and the environment gets cold? We go our dock in Newport is one of Narragansett Bay’s best seal haul-out outside, of course! sites. There, we can reliably find seals throughout the seal season from Types of Seals in Nature doesn’t take the winter off, so November to April, but it is not a zoo. Students see seals resting on Oh, neither do we. Many plants are dormant. rocks. They see them bottling or swimming in the water. They count the Narragansett Bay Many animals migrate south for warmer seals as part of our monitoring program. This is a brand new experience See Sealia climes. By late fall, our trawls come up for almost all of them, discovering a new animal practically in their cold and empty. Salinity and oxygen lev- backyard. HARBOR SEAL SAVE THE BAY’S els in the water become less stratified. A prime goal of environmental education is to link classroom Size: Males: 5 to 6 feet, 250 lbs. Females: 4.5 SEAL SWITCH Plankton becomes scarce. But luckily learning to the real world. Our seal program does that in just two hours. to 5.5 feet, 175 lbs. for us, while some animals migrate out Students learn about camouflage, then see it in action. They learn about Most common marine mammals in New PROGRAM of our area in the winter, others migrate England. in. Schools of herring travel down from Maine and the Canadian coast to make Coloration: Color ranges from tan to dark the Bay and their gray with fine dark spotting on the back. As winter home. Harbor seals follow this From the start, we paired our seals dry, their coat changes color; seals molt plentiful food source and have become a school seal watch trip with our “Sealia” once a year. prime focus of our outdoor winter educa- outreach program. Sealia is our life- Description: Harbor seals have small heads tion program. sized, anatomically-correct seal model, Save The Bay’s education arm, and large eyes. From a profile view they have complete with a zipper for exploring a short muzzle and a concave forehead; much also known as Explore The Bay, began her internal anatomy. Together, our like a dog’s head. developing our seal program 15 years educators and students investigate the ago, soon after a gift from the Alletta adaptations that harbor seals use in Pupping: Occurs from May to June along the Morris McBean Charitable Trust gave order to survive and thrive in cold water. coasts of Maine and New Hampshire; pups us our first education vessel, the M/V With pelts on loan from the National nurse for 4 to 6 weeks. Alletta Morris. With Alletta, we had a way Marine Fisheries Service, students can Behavior: Haul out on rocks off shore; BY ERIC PFIRRMANN, to show our students real seals in their see and touch actual seal fur, discovering commonly seen resting on their side in a FLEET CAPTAIN AND natural habitat, without having to trudge what it means to have fur so dense it is “banana” shape; harbor seals can remain EDUCATION SPECIALIST a mile through the snow. Departing waterproof. Using everyday objects to from Newport, we can easily reach the underwater for up to 28 minutes and reach mimic seal adaptations, such as swim speeds up to 15 knots. seals and return to the dock in an hour, fins for flippers, sweaters for blubber, keeping our students warm in all but the ponchos for waterproof fur and goggles Diet: A variety of fish, such as herring, smelt, coldest conditions. We call it our Seal for the mucus layer that allows seals to squid and crustaceans. Seals get fresh water Switch program. see clearly underwater, students get to through their prey. “dress like a seal” to learn both the similarities and the differences between humans and seals. Local elementary school students explore Narragansett Bay and look for harbor “Sealia” has always seals aboard Save The Bay’s M/VElizabeth Morris. been a staple of our in- school outreach programs, the insulating properties of blubber, then experience it in person with a “blubber glove” and a bucket of cold Bay water. They feel the cold air and water, yet they see another mammal living and thriving in it thanks Above: Save The Bay’s Celina to adaptations we humans lack. Direct classroom-to-real-world connec- Segala introduces our life-sized tions. seal model, Sealia. Left: Sixth- But beyond great teaching methodology, the seal program is just and seventh-graders from The full of wonder. No one can forget the first time they see a seal. Big, cute, Rectory School in Pomfret, Con- sometimes funny, seals spark something in all of us. For our students, necticut learn about harbor seals they make a real connection with the Bay. And for us educators, the joy from Save The Bay’s education continued on page 16 > > > > and excitement our students feel is infectious. n team during a visit in March. 16 Tides Magazine Spring 2017 SAVEBAY.ORG 17

WHO SAVES THE BAY? VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

He’s Got Designs BY ANDREW GORHAM, Types of Seals in Narragansett Bay continued from page 15 COMMUNICATIONS INTERN on the Critters GRAY SEAL Size: Males up to 8 feet and 800 lbs.; females up to Every year, more than 4,000 volunteers help Save The Bay in animals that now populate the walls of the aquarium, alongside 7 feet and 400 lbs. many ways. One of these unique volunteers is Patrick Rice. If you’ve their real-life counterparts, bring a new sense of liveliness and a pop Description: Very large seal; long and broad snout been to Save The Bay’s Exploration Center & Aquarium in Newport of color to the space, making it all the more welcoming. resembles a horse head. Juveniles can be confused recently, you may be familiar with some of his work. with harbor seals. Their coat is brown, gray or black After graduating from Johnson & Wales University with with spots and blotches on the neck and sides. a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and digital media, Males are darker than females. Patrick first applied for an internship at Save The Bay in 2015, looking to put his design skills to use. His offer could Behavior: Live in colonies on sandy island beaches, not have come at a better time, occasionally seen on Rhode Island’s south shore. as Save The Bay was looking to solve the ongoing problem of consistent and attractive signage HARP SEAL at the Exploration Center & Size: At weaning, 65 to 80 lbs. Adults 5-6 feet, Aquarium. “We asked Patrick 250-400 lbs. to help us generate a cohesive Description: Juveniles are gray to dark tan with dark spots; silver-white coat with irregular black spots, which the graphic look and professional juvenile seal retains for a year. In older harp seals, the black spots converge into a “harp”-shaped design, which is com- appearance for signage at the posed of two black lines that run up the dorsal side of the seal’s flanks, starting at its pelvis and curving and converg- Exploration Center. We hoped ing between the shoulders. Also, adult harp seals develop a black head and may have black markings where the hind all aspects of the center would start to feel connected and flippers meet the body of the seal. Some harp seals retain their spotted pelage (spotted harps), some have dark gray help us reach a wider audience through interesting visual streaks, creating a completely gray pelage (sooty harps). aids that are not so text-based,” said Save The Bay Outreach Coordinator Celina Segala. Behavior: Brilliant white pups born on pack ice in the Before long, Patrick’s internship transitioned into a long- Canadian sub-Arctic; some adults and juveniles may term volunteer role with Save The Bay, extending his project into the Patrick says he “never really was a beach person,” but this has wander south of their range into New England during Aquarium’s monthly themes. “When I got to working with Save The not kept him from learning about and making connections to the winter. Occasionally seen on beaches and shoreline in Bay, I loved the job so much, and I loved the people so much,” says Bay through his work. He believes that people who are not inclined and around Narragansett Bay. Patrick, who now works full-time for a North Kingstown marketing to get their hands dirty should realize they can still help Save The agency yet still manages to find time for creating posters for Save Bay. “When we hear Save The Bay, we think, ‘I have to go out in my HOODED SEAL The Bay. galoshes in the water and clean some rocks,’ but that’s not the case Before Patrick’s designs went up, Aquarium at all,” Patrick jokes. Correct you are, Patrick. Size: At weaning, 110 lbs. Adult males up to 9 feet signage was a disjointed assortment of hand- There are very many ways volunteers can and 900 lbs.; females smaller. drawn whiteboards, warped foam board, and contribute that do not involve such activities, Description: Juveniles are called “blue-backs” for the steel-blue color of the top half of their back. Adult hooded seals sheets of printer paper, not to mention street-side but they are all equally important. “We rely have blue-gray pelage with black spots over the body. The front of the face is black, and this coloration extends poste- A-frames that were incredibly weathered from the heavily on our volunteers to help us spread riorly to just behind the eyes. Their limbs are rather small in proportion to their bodies. Hooded seals get their name oceanside environment they had to withstand. our love of the Bay—staffing touch tanks, from the inflatable “hood” on the top of the heads of males. The hood is not present until males are about four years Now, from Memorial Boulevard to the rotunda to doing outreach events at local hotels, walking old. When the hood is deflated, it hangs down over the upper lip. Males the fish ID tags on each exhibit, Patrick’s whimsi- on the beach, inviting people into the center, inflate this red, balloon-like nasal septum until it protrudes out of one cal designs are nearly as exciting as the animals aquarium maintenance, and so much more,” nostril. they depict. Segala said. With vibrant colors and intricate details, they Come check out Patrick’s great work at Behavior: Born on pack ice in the Canadian sub-Arctic; juveniles may “bring a sense of flow to the signage around the Exploration Center & Aquarium the next wander south of their range into New England after weaning; nurse for four the Aquarium. Inside the aquarium, visitors see time you have a chance, and discover the days (shortest nursing period of any mammal). informational tags that match in design and style, many ways you can also help Save The Bay at connecting one exhibit to the next. His outdoor savebay.org/volunteer. signage is both eye-catching and informative, Thanks for all you do, Patrick! n Hooded seal pup by NOAA Fisheries via Wikimedia Commons. and has successfully directed new visitors into the center,” Segala said. Thanks to Patrick, the 18 Tides Magazine Spring 2017 SAVEBAY.ORG 19

EDUCATION

Stream orphan BY ADAM KOVARSKY, species will affect Tropical Travelers AQUARIUM MANAGER our Bay and its na- WHAT GULF STREAM ORPHANS TELL US ABOUT tive inhabitants as newcomers arrive. A NARRAGANSETT BAY OF THE FUTURE When species’ native ranges shift along the coast, a Narragansett Bay is rich with hundreds stranded in Narragansett Bay. They exist Tropical travelers are nothing new. myriad of interac- of species of flora and fauna. The native in our waters for the remainder of the The warm Gulf Stream current has been tions are created species have existed here naturally for warm summer months, only to perish in displacing marine life on earth for as that are relatively millions of years, perfectly intertwined our cold New England waters in winter, long as it has existed, circulating as part untested, unob- in a symbiotic ecosystem suited to save the few lucky larger adults that of the constantly moving global ocean Figure 1: Global ocean conveyor belt. Image by Thomas served and the Bay’s natural habitat and water make it back to their native ranges— conveyor belt (Figure 1) controlled by Splettstoesser via Wikimedia Commons. unpredictable. conditions. Invasive species have been or those that make it to our Exploration temperatures and salinities in our plan- brought to Narragansett Bay from vari- Center & Aquarium. We have a strong et’s oceans. These currents control the “Blue crabs have always populated Narragansett Bay, but in recent years we ous parts of the world strictly by way of partnership with many local fishermen planet’s climate and weather patterns have seen a noticeable increase in their density when trawling and surveying human intervention and give Earth the amaz- intertidal areas,” said Save The Bay Captain Eric Pfirrmann. As these blue crabs and have thrown off the ing ability to support life find the warming waters of the Bay desirable, they migrate northward. delicate balance nature as we know it. The ocean has honed for millions is like the brain of our Likewise, the American lobster, which prefers waters cooler than 60 degrees, of years. At Save The planet, regulating climate has begun to migrate north as well, to places such as Maine coastal waters. Bay, we work to restore and weather. But today’s “This has been the best several years for lobster fishing in Maine in a long time. native populations and Gulf Stream orphans We think that because so many lobsters are moving their range northerly, they educate communities are telling us things are are congregating in Maine in large numbers,” said a lobster fisherman from Maine who asked to remain anonymous. about the potential changing. As waters continue to warm, will we see more Gulf negative impacts of the Stream orphans like the permit and smooth trunkfish As our water tempera- While these sound like positives for lobster commerce in Maine and the poten- invasives. We are also tial for a stronger local blue crab fishery, we must consider broader impacts of (above)? And will blue crabs eventually replace American tures have warmed by lobsters (below)? Smooth trunkfish photo by Nhobgood particularly interested spatial and temporal issues. As species migrate north, they can travel only so 4º F in the past 50 years, Nick Hobgood via Wikimedia Commons. in a third, lesser-known these tropical fish are far until there are no more northern portions of our planet with the tem- category of life in the arriving earlier each sum- peratures they require. Species that live at the poles are already feeling these waters of Narragansett mer and surviving later effects. The most charismatic of mega-fauna that we all know and love are Bay, because they may into the fall and winter the plighted polar bears, which no longer have territory further north toward paint a picture of the seasons each year. This which to migrate and may soon be extinct due to lack of frozen ice cap habitat. marine life in a Nar- poses the question to Will lobsters one day arrive at the poles with no suitable habitat remaining? ragansett Bay of the local scientists: What will not-so-distant future. Another potential negative impact of species range shifts is how the animals the Narragansett Bay of will interact with one another. Many Gulf Stream orphans have survival ad- I’m talking about spe- the future look like? Will aptations, or “novel weapons,” to which Narragansett Bay native species have cies we call tropical cool water species such as never been exposed, posing the potential for outcompeting our native species. strays, or Gulf Stream lobster, winter flounder, An example is invasive plants that produce a toxic chemical that acts as an orphans, which na- Striped burrfish at Save The Bay’s Exploration Center & Aquarium. tautaug and dogfish still herbicide against native plant species. When looking at the collection of novel tively occur in warmer reside in Rhode Island weapons possessed by all potential Gulf Stream orphans, Narragansett Bay will tropical waters along the years from now? Or will have a lot to deal with as its population shifts. North American Eastern our year-round Bay com- who bring us spotfin butterfly fish, coast, usually between the Carolinas munity consist of such critters as crusty The mission of Save The Bay is to protect and improve Narragansett Bay; we triggerfish, striped burrfish, crevalle south to the Bahamas. These tropi- blue crab, spikey striped burrfish, toxic need to take action to educate the public, inform lawmakers and adapt our Bay jack, and others caught in their nets and cal travelers—typically either recently trunkfish and aggressive permit, all now to an uncertain future. It will be the civic responsibility of all Rhode Islanders traps, knowing they won’t survive our hatched juvenile fish or unhatched found far south of here? Only time will to find innovative ways to reduce the effects of climate change to protect the winters. At the aquarium, we use them eggs—get displaced by the Gulf Stream tell as changing climate conditions con- native life in Narragansett Bay in the years to come. n to teach our guests about warming water current and washed 25-75 miles per day tinue to warm the waters of our Bay. The temperatures and how they can help northward along the coast, becoming question I ask myself is how these Gulf slow the process of climate change. 20 Tides Magazine Spring 2017 SAVEBAY.ORG 21

DEVELOPMENT WHO SAVES THE BAY? DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Save The Bay is a member-based, non-profit organization. For nearly 50 years, we have relied on the generosity of our members to carry out our mission “to protect and improve Narragansett Bay.” Membership dues and donations go directly to work supporting important Saving the Bay From the Beginning Strength in programs and services in all areas of the organization, from the Baykeeper, Coastkeeper and Riverkeeper positions as “Watchdogs of the Bay,” to educators teaching the next generation BY JOAN ABRAMS, of Bay stewards, to the restoration team helping to restore and improve the coastal habitats of MAJOR GIFTS OFFICER Numbers Narragansett Bay and its watershed. Members also keep our aquariums running, our critters alive and healthy, our boats on the water connecting community members to our Bay, and our Since 1970 team of dedicated staff in the business of advocating for our natural resources. In nearly 50 years, Save The Bay has grown from the small group of members who got Shawen Williams can clearly remember protecting the land and waters of Rhode architecture and science, that children us started, to the thousands of loyal families, and generations of families, who keep us going. when she first became aware of Save The Island, the Williams-MacKeith family has become advocates by watching their What’s more, our members come from not only the Narragansett Bay region, but from around Bay. As a child, her parents, Janice and been what they refer to as “modest yet con- own parents’ actions and interests. Their the country and even the globe. Dudley Williams, sent her down to the rocks sistent” Save The Bay donors for more than daughter Hope, now a 21-year-old junior We couldn’t do what we do without our members. And that’s why we are happy to offer in front of their eastward-facing Bristol 40 years, particularly appreciating the fierce at Smith College, has researched issues that member-only benefits, from discounts on Save The Bay merchandise, to member-pricing on home in early spring to scrape the blobs of defense of the waters that mean so much affect Prudence Island salt marshes. And Seal Tours and BayCamps, to discounts with local businesses and partners who appreciate our oil that had washed up on the shore from to them. “I often credit Save The Bay with son Arthur, a freshman at the University BY JACKIE CARLSON, the oil tankers that travelled across Mt. Hope the increase in property values around the of Chicago, pointed out in his high school MEMBERSHIP AND Bay to Fall River. The oil had to be removed water’s edge in our state, since the Bay is thesis that nearby development in Bristol INDIVIDUAL GIVING MANAGER before the weather warmed, lest it spread not the cesspool it was when I was a child,” could cause irreparable damage to the across the rocks and cause damage to the Shawen said. “No one really sought to live watershed. property and their pet dogs. “I recall my by the water around here back then, as we father telling our family that he’d heard that do today.” a group of people was coming together to On the other hand, she notes, a new Honoring Our Members help clean the water. Although I didn’t really threat to our local waters is the increasing understand what these Tiverton people presence of “sea plastic” on our beaches It takes a community to save a Bay, were going to do, I know that my father where “sea glass” used to be. “My son and our partners at Corvias help was quite excited about this organization Arthur actually pointed this out to me when us to pay it forward by sponsoring called Save The Bay,” she said. he was only about four years old, when I Member Days at our Exploration took him and [daughter] Hope for a sea glass hunt on Prudence. Hope was older Center & Aquarium in Newport. and had the patience to sift for the glass, One of our most popular member “I often credit Save The Bay but Arthur saw the brightly colored plastic benefits is made possible by their with the increase in property bits and decided to pick that up instead. At generous support. This year more values around the water’s edge the end of the day, his bag was far fuller and than 25,000 people visited the more colorful than his sister’s. The plastic Exploration Center & Aquarium, in our state, since the Bay situation is so out of control,” Shawen said. and nearly 5,000 of those were is not the cesspool it was Seeing their own children develop an members who received free admis- awareness of the precious environment around them is one of the family’s greatest sion thanks to Corvias. “Without The Exploration Center & Aquarium is a favorite place for our family members to spend an afternoon. when I was a child.” points of pride, and why they are also the members of Save The Bay, a enthusiastic supporters of Save The Bay’s clean and healthy Narragansett members and their commitment to the Bay as much as we do. Thanks to one of our partners, After finishing college in 1983 and education program, which provides Bay Bay wouldn’t be possible,” said Corvias Solutions, Save The Bay Family Members also enjoy free admission to the Explora- returning to Rhode Island, Shawen met experiences for tens of thousands of Corvias founder John Picerne. “A tion Center & Aquarium in Newport, where visitors can learn all about the critters found in London-born-and-raised Andrew MacKeith, schoolchildren and adults throughout the strong membership is vital to Save Narragansett Bay and get an up-close experience with many of these marine animals. Since when they were both spectators (rooting for watershed. “Children learn by example The Bay’s mission, which is why we July 2016, 4,225 family members have taken advantage of this benefit at our aquarium. opposing teams) of the infamous America’s and experiences,” declared Andrew, “and You don’t have to be an individual or a family to be a member. Business Memberships choose to sponsor admission for Cup Race in Newport the year Australia so we are very supportive of Save The Bay’s are an essential piece of our membership base, because small and large company members upset the American team. The two avid approach to offer a range of opportunities members to the Exploration Center educate their customers about the important work Save The Bay is doing and expand our sailors and swimmers married in 1986, for children to be in, on and near the Bay.” And at the same time, thinking back & Aquarium,” he added. membership base by reaching new audiences on our behalf. Our Business Members help us settled permanently in Bristol near Shawen’s Having been exposed to Save The Bay on her own childhood in Bristol and aware- continue to make the Narragansett Bay region a great place to live and work. childhood home in 1991, and began to and other forms of environmental activism ness even at a very young age of the threats As we reflect on the first nearly 50 years of Save The Bay and look to the future, we can spend summers on the family property on by her father when she was a young child, to what had been pristine waters, Shawen confidently say that our members are essential to our success. From our first members, many Prudence Island’s west side. Shawen shares the belief with Andrew, muses, “What condition would the Bay be of whom still support us today, to our new members who have just joined—we are thankful Caring deeply about and supporting who was raised by his pediatrician father, in now, if it hadn’t been for an organization for each and every one, and we look forward to continuing to work with you to protect and many of the environmental organizations Dr. Ronald C. MacKeith, to revere history, like Save The Bay so many years ago?” n improve Narragansett Bay. n 22 Tides Magazine Spring 2017

Board of Directors Michael Keyworth Cynthia J. Butler Kate Kilguss President John Laramee SAVE THE DATE Justin DeShaw Brooke Lee Vice President Raymond T. Mancini Gail Ginnetty Brad Miller Annual Meeting & Taste of the Bay Vice President Raymond F. Murphy, Jr. Thursday, June 15, 2017 • 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. Cheryl Nathanson Joop and Ria Nagtegaal Vice President Alice M. Nichols Save The Bay Center, Providence Aidan Petrie Elizabeth Prince de Ramel Vice President Jeffrey Rasmussen 41st Annual Save The Bay Swim Eugene McDermott, Esq. Michael Rauh Saturday, July 29, 2017 • 6:15 a.m. Secretary Sarah Beinecke Steve Geremia Richardson Start: Naval War College, Newport, Treasurer Marty Roberts Finish: Potter Cover, Jamestown Nancy Safer Board Members Robert Savoie Laura Bottaro, Esq. Laura Turner Seydel George Coleman George and Gilbert Conover, Jr. Stephanie Shuster Joseph “Bud” Cummings Jeffrey Siegal Stephen Gerencser Eric R. C. Smith Jenn Harris Hon. O. Rogeriee John Kaplin Thompson Howard Kilguss Philip Torgan Chris Lee William Vareika F. Paul Mooney Kenneth W. Washburn Alan Nathan Ellicott Wright Warren Prell George Shuster Executive Director Alisson Walsh Jonathan Stone Board of Trustees Staff Joan C. Abrams Joan Abrams Trudy Coxe Kendra Beaver Kate Kilguss Dan Blount Sarah Beinecke Rachel Calabro Richardson Tammy Camillo International Coastal Cleanup Dr. Vincent Rose Jackie Carlson Saturday, September 16, 2017 H. Curtis Spalding Kaitlyn Cedergren Locations all over Rhode Island Ellicott Wright Joshua Cherwinski Gráinne Conley President’s Leanne Danielsen 4 Bridges Ride Leadership Council Nicole Delos September 17, 2017 Joan C. Abrams Stan Dimock North Kingstown to Bristol Ruud Bosman Katharine Estes Nick and Wendy Bowen Lauren Farnsworth Timothy Burns Wenley Ferguson Artists for the Bay Show & Sale Duncan and Maureen Fogarty Barbara Chapman Opening Reception Topher Hamblett Thursday, November 30, 2017 • 6:00 p.m. Jemma Craig Stephany Hessler Denise Dangremond Michael Jarbeau Save The Bay Center, Providence Elizabeth M. Delude-Dix Meghan Kelly Joseph DiBattista Jennifer Kelly Bradford S. Dimeo Mary Klimasewiski Patrick Driscoll Adam Kovarsky Anne G. Earle July Lewis Jonathan D. Fain Leslie Munson Michael Foley Eric Pfirrmann Mark J. Formica Bridget Kubis Prescott Connect with Us Leslie Gardner David Prescott Thomas P. I. Goddard Michael Russo Save The Bay is on social media, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Blogger. Bob and Robin Hall Cindy Sabato Follow along, share your stories and pictures, plan a visit and spread the word about Peter Hallock Celina Segala Alan G. Hassenfeld Matthew Vieira the importance of a healthy Narragansett Bay. C. Michael Hazard David and Susan Hibbitt Tides Editor: Like us on Facebook at: facebook.com/savebaynarragansett Mr. and Mrs. Richard Cindy Sabato Higginbotham Editorial inquiries to: Follow us on Twitter at: twitter.com/savethebayri Jennifer Hosmer [email protected] Follow us on Instagram at: instagram.com/savethebayri Read our blog at: http://tides-blog.blogspot.com

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