I am a designated estuary of unparalleled beauty and national significance. Estuaries—where fresh water from the rivers meets salt water from the sea—are among the most diverse and biologically productive ecosystems on earth, surpassing tropical rainforests. Yet I have become the final resting place for sewage, oil, chemicals, fertilizer and other pollutants. Your contribution helps Save The Bay to oppose destructive coastal development projects and to advocate for better laws and regulations toward keeping me clean.
I am spawning ground, nursery and habitat for more than 60 species of fish and shellfish, more than 200 bird species, plus marine mammals such as seals, dolphins and sea turtles. Due to human pollution, some of my most important marine species have declined dramatically, including winter flounder, scallops, lobster, cod and tautog. Where more than 1,000 acres of eelgrass once covered my floors, today, less than 100 remain. Your contribution helps Save The Bay to restore productive eelgrass beds, which are the nurseries and spawning grounds for threatened fish and marine life. I provide recreational opportunities to millions of people in Rhode Island and Massachusetts who live, work and play within my watershed. I welcome more than 100,000 fishermen each year, and over 32,000 recreational boats cruise my waters. However, my beaches close too frequently due to high levels of pollution. Every summer, I take in too much nitrogen from wastewater and polluted runoff; it robs me of oxygen, leading to fish kills and foul odors. Your contribution helps Save The Bay to fight for tougher limits on pollution from wastewater treatment plants so you can continue to enjoy my waters. 
I offer wetlands and marshes that help shield my shorelines from storms and act as the most effective defense against flooding. They also serve as giant pollution sponges that prevent harmful contaminants from entering drinking water supplies. Approximately 40% of my wetlands have been eliminated and more than 60% of the remaining coastal wetlands are degraded, thereby eliminating thousands of acres of critical wildlife habitat. Your contribution helps Save The Bay to identify, plan and fund the restoration of degraded salt marshes so that property is protected and drinking water is safer. I am a living classroom and my future is in the hands of the next generation of Bay users and policymakers. Thousands of kids meet me through Save The Bay's classroom and shipboard programming where they discover endless possibilities for exploration. Your contribution helps Save The Bay to continue educating your children and grandchildren so that all future generations can enjoy a well-cared-for, healthier Bay. 
I provide a quality of life that attracts businesses, industries and more than 12 million visitors each year, generating thousands of jobs and billions of dollars for the regional economy. For commercial fishermen, I am a way of life, producing about 8 million pounds of quahogs annually, with a value of $6 million. Unfortunately, over 40% of my waters are closed to shellfishing either permanently or on a conditional basis because of bacterial pollution. Fish can reach their spawning grounds in only 21 of the 45 historic fish runs in my watershed. Your contribution helps Save The Bay to restore habitat by building fish ladders that allow fish to reach their native rivers, which helps to keep our marine economy strong. I am an environmental treasure. Narragansett Bay connects all of Rhode Island's and Southeastern Massachusetts' communities together and to the Ocean. I am the staple of the area's tourism industry, the greatest public asset and the symbol of the region's history and culture. I need your help. 40 years ago, a swimmable and fishable Narragansett Bay was laughable. With the help of our members and volunteers, Save The Bay has made tremendous progress in working for the Bay people want. Conventional pollution from wastewater treatment plants has been reduced by more than 60% since the 1980s, and toxins in wastewater have been reduced by more than 90%, resulting in the return of marine and wildlife as well as clearer, better-smelling water for some. But we still face daunting challenges. Pollution from wastewater, stormwater and power plants continue to put these gains in jeopardy. We need your help. |