|
|
|
|
|
|
Reversing the Trend - Agawam River Shows Signs of Improved Health
 The Agawam River, notorious for its poor water quality due to excessive nitrogen pollution, is slowly but surely showing proof that if the right actions are taken, it is possible to revive the health of Buzzards Bay. According to recent data collected by the Coalition's Baywatchers Water Quality Monitoring Program, water quality measured downstream from Wareham's Wastewater Treatment Plant has noticeably improved over the past couple of years.
The revival is largely a result of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) limit on the amount of nitrogen the facility can discharge into the river, and thanks to continuous advocacy efforts by the Coalition... Read more here
|
|
 Spring to Action!
If you read the story above about the Agawam River, you know we can turn the Bay around. And with Spring being a time for renewal, it's a perfect time to take action to restore the health of Buzzards Bay.
Remember last year when the 2007 State of the Bay Report made its debut and the Coalition met with boards of selectmen around the Buzzards Bay Watershed to discuss key actions each town can take to improve the health of the Bay?
Why not make this Spring a time to revisit those recommendations and ask your Selectmen, Conservation Commissioners, Planning Board members, Health Agents and other town officials what actions they are taking in 2008 to restore Buzzards Bay?
For a list of recommendations for your town, click here.
|
Creature Feature - The Osprey Heralds Spring
 The arrival of spring in Buzzards Bay would not be the same without the arrival of its namesake bird, the osprey. The brown and white fish hawks are hard to miss soaring high above Buzzards Bay with their five-foot wing span and signature kamikaze-like dives, plummeting feet-first towards the water to snatch a single fish at the surface. Each March the magnificent raptors return home to Buzzards Bay to mate and raise their young after a long winter migration.
While there has been a resurgence of osprey populations throughout the region since the ban of DDT in the early 70s, it was through the diligent and endearing efforts of Westport residents that brought ospreys back to the Westport River - one of Buzzards Bay's most essential resources. Today, Coalition partner, Massachusetts Audubon's Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, monitors more than 80 osprey nests dotting the salt marshes that line the edges of the East and West Branches of the river... Read more here
|
Swimmer Spotlight: Kayley Marsh
 Having recently experienced the loss of a childhood best friend, Cape Cod resident Kayley Marsh decided to adopt a new outlook on life - live each day smiling and enjoying every minute surrounded by family and friends, both old and new.
Which is why for Kayley, Swim Buzzards Bay is quickly evolving into a summer tradition. It's a day for her to have fun, do something she loves for a great cause, and make lasting memories with family and new-found friends.
"As a child, my parents gave me and my brother the opportunity to spend our summers on Cape Cod. They made sacrifices so we could have the best summers possible," said Kayley.
Her family spent each and every summer vacation swimming and sailing the splendid waters of Buzzards Bay... Read more here
 Join Kayley this summer and Swim Buzzards Bay on July 19!
Hurry and register online before July 1 for $10. After July 1, registration is $15. Click here to for a registration form and Swim details.
This 1.2-mile open water swim through the beautiful waters of Buzzards Bay is one of the Coalition's important fundraising events of the year. So jump in and join us and make the statement that clean water and a healthy environment are important to you.
Photo: Robert Hughes
Illustration: Daniel Vasconcellos
|
Is Your Coalition Membership Up to Date?
June is right around the corner which means it's time to renew your commitment to the Bay. Our membership is as diverse as the population that calls Buzzards Bay home-from cranberry growers in Carver to college students in South Dartmouth to organic farmers in Westport-you are the foundation of the Coalition for Buzzards Bay.
Without the support of individuals, families and businesses, the Coalition would not be able to do the work it does to improve the health of the Bay ecosystem for all through education, conservation, research and advocacy. Each one of us benefits from a clean and healthy Buzzards Bay-help us keep it that way and be one of 5,000 to Save Buzzards Bay.
Remember, aside from the confidence that you are helping to protect Buzzards Bay for your family and future generations, member benefits also include:
- A subscription to The Buzzards Bay Current newsletter
- A subscription to The Bay Buzz monthly e-newsletter
- Discounts on Coalition merchandise
- Invitations to all Coalition events
- Free Admission to our annual lecture series
- Acknowledgement in our Annual Report
Click here to renew or join.
|
Woods Hole Office Now Open - Visit Us on Luscombe Avenue
Looking for a fun part-time position this summer in one of the most beautiful places in the Buzzards Bay watershed? If so, the Coalition has the perfect job for you! We are in need of a Summer Outreach Assistant to staff our Woods Hole office during the months of July, August and September. Click here for details.
|
 Land and Water License Plates - Reserve Yours Today!
The Massachusetts Environmental Trust is launching a new "Land and Water" license plate program to support conservation of land critical to the protection of the Massachusetts' water resources.
To reserve your plate today make checks payable to Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles for $40.
Download a form here.
|
 Help the Coalition -
Join Our Staff or Become a Volunteer
Employment Opportunities
Advocacy Specialist
The
Coalition is seeking a highly-motivated, talented, and articulate
Advocacy Specialist to provide policy and legal support to help save
Buzzards Bay. If you have the right skills, the right experience, and
especially the right commitment, check out the job description and contact Korrin Petersen.
Development and Finance Assistant
Do
you have the star qualities it takes to be part of a fundraising team
for the most successful non-profit environmental organization in the
region? If so, then this Coalition position may be the one for you!
Join our staff and help support all efforts of the Development
Department, including campaigns, fundraising events, and membership
renewals and acquisitions. This position also provides some accounting
and finance support. For a complete job description, click here.
Advocacy Specialist R/V Baykeeper Boat CaptainThe Coalition for Buzzards Bay is looking for a dependable, self-motivated, and confident individual who has leadership, navigation and boat-handling skills to captain the 27-foot R/V Baykeeper. This is a part-time position with a schedule that varies between 3 - 5 days per week during the summer, mid June through mid September. The position also includes limited planning, maintenance and management responsibilities during the off season. The Baykeeper is docked in Fairhaven, Massachusetts and is used as a
platform to take water quality samples in several Bay locations and
provide pumpout service in Cuttyhunk Harbor. For a complete job description, click here. Summer Outreach AssistantThe Summer Outreach Assistant will be responsible for weekend staffing of the Coalition's Woods Hole office (located in the village at 21 Luscombe Avenue, near the Steamship Authority) during the months of July, August and September. This part-time (six hours each Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.) position reports to the Development Director. Some additional hours may be available. For a complete job description, click here. Volunteer OpportunityJoin Our Baywatcher Volunteer Team
Baywatchers are volunteers that monitor water quality and long-term ecological trends in the Buzzards Bay's harbors and coves from Westport to Woods Hole. Each year approximately 130 volunteers measure water quality at 200 locations Baywide. Come to the Riggs Lab at the Coalition for Buzzards Bay office in New Bedford for our last "group" training session. Training will be held on Wednesday, June 4 at 5:30 pm. To learn more, click here or contact Coalition Director of Monitoring Programs, Tony Williams at 508-999-6363 ext. 203.
|
Events of Interest to CBB Members
|
CBB in the News
Much of the Coalition's work puts us at the
forefront of the region's top environmental issues.
Here are a few recent stories that mention our efforts. |
|
|
|
|
