All Entries Tagged With: "Save The Bay"

Save The Bay Welcomes Federal Action Against RI Department of Transportation

PROVIDENCE, RI –  Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a comprehensive enforcement action against the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) to reduce pollution and resolve longstanding Clean Water Act violations related to operations of its stormwater drainage systems. On behalf of Save The Bay and its supporters, Executive Director Jonathan Stone welcomes federal action that will compel the state to make long overdue investments in cleaning up polluted runoff.

“Runoff is a major source of pollution to Narragansett Bay, and we are pleased that RIDOT is finally being held accountable for knowing where its own storm drains are, for cleaning and maintaining its stormwater collection system, and for taking actions that will reduce the flow of contaminants from our state roads into Narragansett Bay,” Stone said.

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) first notified RIDOT of Clean Water Act violations in 2005.  “It is embarrassing that two state agencies have been aware that the state has been violating the Clean Water Act for nearly a decade and that only under federal pressure is RIDOT now taking action. Nearly 10 years of inaction has polluted the Bay and may now cost the taxpayers directly in the form of a $315,000 fine,” Stone said.

“This federal action against RIDOT is a wake-up call. It’s a clear message to invest in keeping the bay clean and that enforcement of environmental law matters,” Stone said. “Investments in clean water and environmental enforcement require political will. We call on the Governor and the General Assembly to invest in upgrading our stormwater infrastructure and to support DEM’s enforcement of laws that protect Narragansett Bay.”

Mystic Aquarium teams up with Save The Bay on select Westerly Seal Tours

PROVIDENCE, RI – On October 18 and 24 and November 15, Mystic Aquarium will join Save The Bay on three special seal tours featuring Mystic Aquarium’s Dr. Allison Tuttle. Save The Bay marine science educators will share fascinating information about the region’s natural history and the seals that live along the coastal waters, while Tuttle, Vice President of Biological Programs at Mystic Aquarium, will talk about Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program, which comes to the aid of stranded marine mammals and sea turtles along 1,000 miles of coastline in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Fisher’s Island, and New York.

Mystic Aquarium is a founding member of the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network along with other organizations from Virginia to Maine and is permitted by NOAA Fisheries to respond to stranded marine mammals. The program consists of more than 250 trained first responder volunteers and maintains a rehabilitation clinic at the Mystic Aquarium particularly designed for managing different seal species during their rehabilitation. Tuttle will share what individuals can do should they find a stranded animal.

“I get to work my dream job at Mystic Aquarium. I embrace the novelty each day brings, from quarantining new fish to performing surgery on an injured animal, but my main medical interests lay in infectious disease and preventative medicine,” said Tuttle.

Save The Bay has been offering seal tours out of Newport for more than 15 years. With the addition of a second education vessel, the M/V Elizabeth Morris, the organization was able to add Westerly tours to its public programming three years ago. And, following a successful trial run last spring, Fall River tours will be offered in March and April.

The Save The Bay/Mystic Aquarium Seal Tours depart from Viking Marina, 19 Margin Street, Westerly, RI.  Tours are $22 for non-members and $17 for Save The Bay members, Mystic Aquarium members, seniors and children aged 3-12. Guests are encouraged to register online atwww.savebay.org/seals, as tours fill quickly.

Save The Bay calls for local artists and jewelers to showcase their creativity at the Art Show Opening Reception

PROVIDENCE, RI – Save The Bay is looking for local artists and jewelers to participate in its annual Artists for The Bay Show and Sale. Art submissions are accepted until Thursday, November 5. Each artist may submit up to eight paintings, photographs, wall sculptures or jewelry. Submissions should be made electronically via photograph for consideration to be included in the exhibit. Media can be oil, watercolor, acrylic, photography, mixed media or jewelry. All content is welcome and does not need to be Bay related. Media must be no larger than 18” x 18” and priced no higher than $500. It must be framed in a standard or high-quality frame, matted around photographs, ready to wall mount with wire installed and secured, labeled and identified with artist and work title on reverse side of each piece.

Local artists and jewelers whose work is chosen will be on display in the Save The Bay Providence Journal Charitable Foundation Gallery at 100 Save The Bay Drive in Providence between December 3, 2015 and January 30, 2016. Fifty percent of the proceeds will benefit Save The Bay.

Richard Harrington, a past contributing artist, said there are several reasons why he participates in the Artists for The Bay Show and Sale. “Getting the work out to the public and having it be seen by a variety of people is important to an artist. Positive and negative feedback from the general public and other artists is often the stimulus for further work,” he said.

To submit artwork, contact Leanne Danielsen at ldanielsen@savebay.org or 401-272-3540 ext.140. For more information, visit savebay.org/art or e-mail Leanne.

The opening reception will be held on Thursday, December 3, from 6-8:30 p.m. The closing reception will be on Saturday, January 30, 2016 from 1-3 p.m. Between these dates, people can come to the Save The Bay Center in Providence to look at and purchase artwork during normal business hours or by appointment. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at savebay.org/art. The opening reception will feature local food, deserts, beer, wine, and cocktails.

“This is an opportunity to share my success with Save the Bay. Much of my inspiration comes from having lived in Rhode Island all my life and appreciating the atmosphere, light and serene

landscapes that have found their way into much of my artwork. The audience and patrons who purchase the work are like-minded in their appreciation and concern for the environment,” said Harrington.

Other well-known artists who have contributed their artwork in the past include Anthony Tomaselli, Elina Nanikova, Amy Bartlett-Wright, Tom Martino, Jonathan Small, Nick Mayer, Onne van der Wal, Richard Benjamin, Tom Deininger, Craig Masten and many more local artists.

Save The Bay Seal Tour Season Kicks off in Westerly on October 10

PROVIDENCE, RI – Save The Bay will kick off its 2015 seal tour season in Westerly, R.I. on October 10. Called nature cruises because of the beauty of the fall foliage, Westerly tours consist of a 90-minute ride down the scenic Pawtucket River and into Narragansett Bay. Enjoy peaceful views and a glimpse of winter harbor seal visitors as they rest on rocks and shorelines on Saturdays, Sundays, and public school vacation days from October 10 – December 31, 2015.

Dr. Allison Tuttle, VP of Biological Programs at Mystic Aquarium, will be on board and giving information on the seals during the tours.

For the first time ever, Save The Bay is partnering with Mystic Aquarium on October 18th, 24th, and November 15th. Mystic Aquarium is a founding member of the Greater Atlantic Region Stranding Network, and is permitted by NOAA Fisheries to respond to stranded marine mammals through a Stranding Agreement. Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program consists of more than 250 trained public First Responder volunteers who act as the “first response” to animal stranding reports. Mystic maintains a rehabilitation clinic at Mystic Aquarium that is specifically designed for managing different seal species during their rehabilitation.

“I get to work my dream job at Mystic Aquarium,” says Tuttle. “I embrace the novelty each day brings from quarantining new fish to performing surgery on an injured animal, but my main medical interests lay in infectious disease and preventative medicine.”

Save The Bay’s seal tours have taken place for more than 15 years throughout the months of October and April since the seals come into the harbor to feed during those months. Binoculars are provided to participants of the seal tours along with an educational view of winter marine seals in their natural habitat by Save The Bay’s expert guides.

“I have been doing the seal tours for two years now. Last year we saw a lot of seals but overall it’s a very scenic tour because it’s around the time the leaves are changing. There are not just seals – there’s lots of birds, and other animals,” Dan Blount, Education Spet and Boat Captain said.

Prices for the Westerly nature cruises are $22 for non-members and $17 for Save The Bay members, seniors and children aged 3-12. The Seal Cruises depart the Viking Marina at 19 Margin Street, Westerly, R.I. For more information and to purchase tour tickets, visit Save The Bay’s seal tour website at www.savebay.org/seals.

Save The Bay’s seal tours have taken place for more than 15 years throughout the months of October and April since the seals come into the harbor to feed during those months. Binoculars are provided to participants of the seal tours along with an educational view of winter marine seals in their natural habitat by Save The Bay’s expert guides.