|
|
|
|
|
|
What Can We Do About the State of the Bay?
The 2007 State of the Bay Report names nitrogen pollution as the primary culprit contributing to the decline of the Buzzards Bay's health. 
"Our data reveal the worst years ever recorded and the problem is compounded by the fact that there is little to no action at local, state or federal levels to address this crisis. The pollution reduction technology and sound land use planning principles exist to reverse this decline. All that has been lacking is the public will to tackle this problem before it's too late," explained Coalition Executive Director Mark Rasmussen.
The Coalition for Buzzards Bay has appeared on the agendas of Boards of Selectmen explaining the State of the Bay findings and urging action. Meetings have been held in the towns of Westport, Middleborough, Lakeville, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Falmouth, and the City of New Bedford; discussing what individual towns can do to improve the State of the Bay.
Meetings in Gosnold, Carver, Acushnet, Bourne, Dartmouth, Fairhaven, Marion, and Wareham are scheduled in the near future. Contact your town hall for times and dates. Find Out More
|
|
 Fall in the Buzzards Bay Watershed: Autumn Leaves, Apple Cider, Cranberries....
and now The Watershed Ride
The first Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride was held on October 14, raising over $20,000 to support the Coalition's advocacy, research, education, and conservation programs to Save Buzzards Bay and the weather could not have been better.
Please join us in thanking a great team of volunteers, the riders, and their sponsors for a successful first time out.
Mark your calendar for next year's Watershed Ride to be held on Sunday, October 19, 2008. Contact John Vasconcellos at 508-999-6363 ext. 202 for more information.
Purchase the very cool limited edition Watershed Ride Jersey (as seen in photo) at our online store.
Watershed Ride Photos by Bob Hughes, Laurie Bullard, Kristen
Morrissey, and Tally Garfield
|
Coalition Selected for First National Land Trust Excellence Award
 The Coalition's Bay Lands Center has been honored as the first recipient of the National Land Trust Excellence Award. The award was presented at the Land Trust Alliance's annual conference, the world's largest gathering of land conservationists, held in Denver on October 5th.
The award was in recognition of the successful Bay Lands Campaign which forged strategic partnerships with Buzzards Bay watershed's 10 local land trusts, protecting over 3,000 acres of vulnerable land, and creating a Bay Lands Revolving Fund to assist future land conservation efforts.
Coalition Executive Director Mark Rasmussen accepted the award on behalf of the Coalition. Click here to listen to Mark's acceptance speech. Also at the conference were land protection staff, Allen Decker, Heidi Blythe, Jessica Whittaker, and former Board Member, Mary McFadden.
The conference provided Coalition staff with the chance to share ideas with other land conservation professionals, network with federal program funders and foundations, and attend workshops on drafting better conservation restrictions (CRs), finding coastal land protection money, working with volunteers, the importance of regular monitoring of CRs, IRS issues, and audits and program accreditation.
Read more
Photo: Mark Rasmussen and Allen
Decker accept the
Land Trust Excellence Award on
behalf of the Coalition, by Francesca Dalleo, Land Trust
Alliance
|
Thank You to the Bay's Volunteers
 The Coalition hosted a reception in October at its New Bedford offices to celebrate the Baywatchers Program's 16th year of water monitoring, thanking the 141 volunteers for a record setting year of water sampling.
"Long term monitoring is the only way to really track trends in water quality," points out Tony Williams, Director of Monitoring Programs. "The more data we collect, the better we understand what is happening in Buzzards Bay." Compiled results are critical to the Coalition's efforts to educate and advocate for smart and effective public policies on behalf of the Bay.
Find out how your area of the Bay is doing.
Get more information about the Baywatchers program.
Photo: Tally Garfield monitoring water in South
Dartmouth
|
Acushnet Sawmill Fish Ladder Dedication Event
 Representatives from state and federal agencies, local residents, and The Coalition for Buzzards Bay were at the site of the former Acushnet Sawmill on
October 11 for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's
(NOAA) dedication of
three new fish passages on the upper Acushnet
River.
The dedication marked the completion of an innovative series of weirs constructed in stone, each elevating river flow by one foot to make resting pools as the herring climb upstream to spawn in the New Bedford Reservoir. Marine biologists and agency officials commented on the important role the Acushnet River plays in supporting fish stocks. At 200 acres, the reservoir is one of the largest spawning habitats in the state... Read more here
Photo: Acushnet Sawmill fish weirs, Tally Garfield
|
Coalition-Led Effort Completes Conservation Restrictions on Lands
Critical to Bay Health
 Coalition Director of Land
Protection Allen Decker reports conservation restrictions (CRs) were filed for
a 17-acre portion of Douglass Farm on Sconticut Neck in Fairhaven and on
the 38-acre Turtle Rock Farm on the Westport River in October.
The
Douglass Farm includes 17 acres of prime bird habitat, part of an upland
hummock, a freshwater pond, and upland frontage on Goulart Memorial Drive.
The protection increases permanently
protected land on Sconticut Neck
Road, adding to the 53-acre Shipyard
Farm and the 160-acre Winsegansett Marshes property.
Turtle Rock Farm is
located on the East Branch of the Westport River in Westport. The CR was
acquired by Coalition partners the Westport Land Conservation Trust and The Trustees
of Reservations and encompasses saltmarsh and uplands.
Photo: Douglass Tree Farm, Richard Douglass
|
Annual Fund for the Bay 2007
 November 1st is the opening for our most important annual fundraising
appeal-the 2007 Annual Fund for the Bay. The work you read
about each month can only happen
through the generous support of
individuals, families, and businesses who appreciate the value in preserving Buzzards Bay it for future
generations.
Please consider doing your part
to help us raise $305,000 for the Coalition's programs
to Save Buzzards Bay for all to
enjoy.
The 2007 Annual Fund for the Bay supports
the Coalition's efforts to remain:
Please help make this Annual Fund for the Bay successful by making a gift. To donate, watch for the envelope from us in early November or make
your donation on our secure website.
If
you have any questions or would like to make a gift of stock, please contact the
Coalition's Development Director John Vasconcellos at 508-999-6363, ext. 202.
Thank you for all that you do to help us Save Buzzards
Bay.
|
Shop Online and Help the Coalition
With the holiday season close at hand, please take a moment to remember that you can shop online and help the Coalition. Every purchase through Giveline.com generates a substantial donation to the Coalition-an amazing average of 16% of store sales, sometimes as high as 33%.  Throughout the checkout process Giveline will display the exact portion of your transaction-to the penny-which will be paid directly to the Coalition. Giveline sells over a million bestselling products including books, CDs, DVDs, electronics, housewares, and specialty gift items. Their product catalog is constantly growing, so check back often to search for your favorite products. Check out Giveline.com today, and if you decide to buy, remember that the Coalition will earn significant funds towards our work to Save Buzzards Bay!
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
