Being in the smallest state in the country, Rhode Island, you may have heard of Save the Bay. Save the Bay is a non-profit organization based right here in the Narragansett Watershed. This organization’s mission is to have “a fully swimmable, fishable, healthy Narragansett Bay, accessible to all.” (Save the Bay). Part of Save the Bay’s strategy for this is their Hamilton Family Aquarium located in Newport, RI. At this aquarium Rhode Island residents and beyond can visit and learn about the Narragansett watershed. The many fish, sharks, skates, turtles, and invertebrates at the aquarium show the biodiversity of the bay and the Rhode Island sound. By educating the general public on species in the bay as well as threats posed to them the Save the Bay aquarium brings awareness to people about how their choices may impact the environment. One of the main exhibits at Save the Bay is the Freshwater Exhibit. Here there are many different turtles species, some native and some invasive. This exhibit stands out from others because many people feel at home with it. Many people have seen such species in their backyards. By learning about these species and how important they are to the environment they feel a sort of empathy for it. The ability to get up close with animals in Save the Bays multiple touch tanks also builds up peoples empathy for the watershed. When people have empathy, people care more and more about the Bay and the ocean as a whole. After a visit to the aquarium someone might reflect on their choices and how they could potentially hurt or benefit the environment. This effort by Save the Bay is an excepted yet accomplishing way to bring awareness to things like climate change and plastic pollution. By using environmental education Save the Bay is taking the steps to a healthier watershed, bay, and ocean as a whole.
Rhode Island, the smallest state in the US. With a land area of only just over 1,000 squared miles you’d never expect the little Ocean state to make such a big impact. Despite its small size, Rhode Island has over 400 miles of coastline. A large portion of the state is occupied by the Narragansett Bay. As the largest estuary in all of New England, Narragansett Bay makes a name for itself by being one of the focal points of RI. With its scenic views, extraordinary diversity, stellar beaches, and thousands of exciting activities, its no wonder that millions of tourists flock to the bay every year. However, there’s something going on beneath the waves of the bay. Human actions have decreased the quality of the bay and Rhode Island sound for many different species. Sewage pollution from Providence, the states capital, one contained the waters. Sea level rise as result of increased carbon emissions have devastated eelgrass habitats, an essential ecosystem for many species. Coastal overdevelopment has prevented salt marshes and other essential estuary communities from migrating inland as the tide creep closer towards them. These are just a few of the issues that threaten Narragansett Bay, but luckily, there’s people to protect it.
Beginning in 1970, the people of Rhode Island decided they had had enough. Save the Bay began as a community of Rhode Islanders who wanted to see a change in the way the bay was treated. Their advocacy has turned Save the Bay from a small community to one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in New England. Over the years Save the Bay has expanded their mission to many areas. Not only is the organization doing active restorations, but also much of their work is done through education and advocacy. One such example of this is the Hamilton Family Aquarium. Tucked into one of the most visited tourist areas of Rhode Island, the Save the Bay aquarium in Newport focuses on educating the general public about all the different organisms that live and use the bay daily. This unprecedented approach to environmental education and advocacy brings guests closer to the bay and gives them reason to care for it. Exhibits at the aquarium include multiple touch tanks, interactive kiosks, and fresh, salt, and brackish water tanks. This variety
