At 95,072 residents as of the 2010 Census, the city of New Bedford has Buzzards Bay’s largest year-round population. New Bedford’s land area covers 20 square miles, and nearly all of that is located within the Buzzards Bay watershed. The city is sandwiched between Dartmouth to the west, Acushnet and Fairhaven to the east, and Freetown to the north. New Bedford’s shoreline extends for 18 miles along Buzzards Bay, Clarks Cove, the Acushnet River, and New Bedford Harbor.

Top Stories in New Bedford

BBC completes cleanup of Riverside Auto Junkyard on Acushnet River

Thanks to efforts led by the Buzzards Bay Coalition, the former auto salvage yard has been fully cleared of all junkyard waste and toxic pollution from half a century’s worth of industrial activity. 

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Marsh Island Salt Marsh Restoration Celebrates Major Milestone

The Marsh Island Salt Marsh Restoration Project’s first phase of construction is now complete, revitalizing six acres of the salt marsh at the site.

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Buttonwood to Bay Project Secures Over $3 Million to Clean Up Pollution from New Bedford Streets

Buttonwood to Bay Project Manager Dan Goulart shares exciting updates on the project’s latest initiative along Kempton Street and the north end of Buttonwood Park.

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Upcoming Events in New Bedford

Buzzards Bay Swim – Registration Now Open!
Sat, June 22
6:30AM - 10:30AM
Fort Phoenix State Reservation,
Fairhaven
Falmouth Road Race
Sun, August 18
Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights,
Falmouth
Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride
Sun, October 06
Sakonnnet Point to Woods Hole,
Falmouth

Places To Go in New Bedford

Fort Taber Park

With a sandy beach, bike path, and fishing pier, Fort Taber Park offers sweeping Buzzards Bay views steeped in history.

Flora B. Peirce Nature Trail

A natural oasis hidden in the North End of New Bedford, Flora B. Peirce Nature Trail takes visitors on a tour of forest life.

Buttonwood Park

Known as the “crown jewel” of New Bedford, Buttonwood Park is an oasis of nature and recreation in the city.

Current Issues

Toxic Pollution

Among all of the pollution threats to Buzzards Bay, toxic contamination has seen the greatest reductions in the past several decades. But toxic pollution is still a problem in parts of the Bay. Through strong, dedicated advocacy, the Coalition is working to make toxic pollution a relic of the past.

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Working to Save Buzzards Bay

The Buzzards Bay Coalition is a membership-supported organization dedicated to improving the health of the Buzzards Bay ecosystem for all through education, conservation, research, and advocacy.

We work to protect clean water on the Bay and on the land: