2016 Alison J. Walsh Award for Outstanding Environmental Advocacy Winner
Dave McLaughlin of Newport, R.I.
Co-Founder of Clean Ocean Access
Dave McLaughlin, co-founder of Clean Ocean Access, has successfully inspired a community to come together to work on environmental issues. The Newport resident led the 2006 grassroots movement and 2013 formalization of the non-profit Clean Ocean Access, which works to eliminate marine debris from shorelines, improve water quality from watershed to marine ecosystem, and protect, preserve and maintain shoreline access for residents and visitors.
Formerly in information technology at Hasbro, McLaughlin credits Hasbro’s core values of community service, giving back and social responsibility for positioning him to transition his career and focus on advancing Clean Ocean Access’s efforts for Aquidneck Island. He also serves as vice chair for the organization’s wastewater and stormwater committee and is a member of the City of Newport’s cliff walk commission.
“It is truly an honor to receive this award. It means so much because it reinforces the finite nature of our time here, and that each of us needs to find the courage to act, to make this a better place,” McLaughlin said of his award.