Save The Bay releases history book documenting the cleanup of Narragansett Bay
“Saving Narragansett Bay: How People, Passion, and Perseverance Made All the Difference”
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – July 15, 2020 – Save The Bay is excited to announce the release of, “Saving Narragansett Bay: How People, Passion, and Perseverance Made All the Difference.” The 10-chapter, hardcover book—written by Todd McLeish and featuring both historic and present-day photographs by Onne van der Wal, Salvatore Mancini, Carmel Vitullo and others—knits together the stories of both the organizations and individuals that have been part of the cleanup of Narragansett Bay.
Discover the story of how the book came to be in this video interview with Save The Bay Executive Director, Jonathan Stone, and book author, Todd McLeish.
“As Save The Bay commemorates 50 years of advocacy for Narragansett Bay, we’re releasing ‘Saving Narragansett Bay’ to celebrate and acknowledge the many individuals who made a difference in the improvement of this treasured natural resource,” said Executive Director Jonathan Stone. “We hope that it will inspire people to look forward and to double-down on their commitment to the Bay.”
With over 100 pages and photographs, “Saving Narragansett Bay” captures the pivotal battles, rulings and turning points that helped Narragansett Bay improve and recover in the last five decades—from defeating ill-sited energy plant proposals to advocating for improvements to wastewater treatment, restoration of lost coastal habitat, and more.
The publication of “Saving Narragansett Bay” is the result of a three-year effort that began with funding from the Heritage Harbor Foundation, which allowed Save The Bay to hire local environmental writer, Todd McLeish, to research and author the narrative.
“‘Saving Narragansett Bay’ was a different kind of project for me,” said Todd McLeish. “I’m typically working on current, natural history topics, and my writing is often based on interviews. Going back in time so many years was challenging, because there simply aren’t many people around from the earliest days, before Save The Bay or other environmental groups began advocating for Narragansett Bay.”
“This project involved more research, and I spent the first three months reading 50 years of Save The Bay newsletters and archives, getting a sense of the arc of the story, before starting interviews and crafting the final narrative.”
“I hope people who read this book will be proud of the work that has been done to protect Narragansett Bay and recognize that the work isn’t finished. We all owe a great debt of gratitude to everyone who has stood up to polluters and fought to restore and preserve Narragansett Bay,” said McLeish. “I hope people will be motivated to get involved, stay vigilant, and follow in the footsteps of the advocates featured in this book. I know I will.”
“Saving Narragansett Bay” is currently on sale for $30 on Save The Bay’s website at savebay.org/savingnb. Save The Bay is offering shipping as well as curbside pickup at their Providence Bay Center at 100 Save The Bay Drive, Providence, R.I. For more information about the book, contact Katy Dorchies, Save The Bay’s director of communications and marketing, at [email protected].