The Coalition for Buzzards Bay To Hold 17th Annual Meeting

February 28, 2005

CONTACT:

Michelle Frey, Communications and Outreach Coordinator

The Coalition for Buzzards Bay

(508) 999-6363, ext. 208

NEW BEDFORD, MA – The Coalition for Buzzards Bay will hold its annual meeting on Friday, March 4 at the Harbor Watch Inn in Onset.  The meeting is open to the public.  A reception begins at 6:00pm with cocktails, chowder and light refreshments followed by the Annual Meeting at 7:00pm. 

“The annual meeting is a time to reflect on the work The Coalition for Buzzards Bay has done over the past year and recognize outstanding stewards in the community who have gone out of their way to help protect our Bay,” said Mark Rasmussen, executive director for The Coalition for Buzzards Bay.

2004 was a landmark year for oil spill prevention and land conservation. The Massachusetts Oil Spill Prevention Act became law in August, putting Massachusetts at the forefront nationally in spill prevention.

The annual meeting will include the presentation of Buzzards Bay Guardian Awards to Members of the Buzzards Bay Oil Spill Commission and U.S. Attorney Jonathan Mitchell.  Mr. Lincoln Rounseville will receive a Guardian Award for his visionary land commitment to protecting land in the Mattapoisett River Valley. 

Volunteer appreciation awards are also given to outstanding volunteers in our community.  This year Coalition staff will recognize New Bedford native, Daniel Vasconcellos.  “Dan is an amazing and talented volunteer.  We have been fortunate to have his artwork and characters at the center of our Celebrate Buzzards Bay event for 17 years,” commented Mark Rasmussen, Executive Director for The Coalition for Buzzards Bay.

The evening will wrap up with Keynote Speaker, Congressman Barney Frank, who will share his thoughts on the status of oil spill prevention, the environmental challenges facing the Buzzards Bay region and clean water protection efforts in Washington.

For more information visit:  www.savebuzzardsbay.org or call The Coalition for Buzzards Bay at 508-999-6363.

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The Coalition for Buzzards Bay is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of Buzzards Bay and its watershed. The organization works to improve the health of the Bay ecosystem for all through education, conservation, research and advocacy and is supported by more than 4,700 members.