Governor McKee has selected six nominees to join the volunteer CRMC Council, nearly 3 months after the March 1 deadline. Critics are underwhelmed by the choices, which include the current chairman. “Anything short of removing the council is not going to improve Rhode Island’s coastal program,” said Topher Hamblett, executive director for Save The Bay. Save The Bay has thrown its weight behind pending legislation that would merge the CRMC into DEM, handing over decision-making power to expert staff. A new, 10-member community advisory board appointed by the governor would include local government leaders and public representatives who could offer input and hold public hearings. But unlike the existing, appointed council, it wouldn’t have final decision-making power. “There’s nothing redeemable about this slate at all,” Hamblett said of the list of nominees. “Under Mr. Coia’s leadership, the council has wound up in court and had its decisions remanded. That’s a big problem. I don’t know why the governor would see fit to reappoint him.” Read More: rhodeislandcurrent.com/2026/…

We're Hiring! If you share our passion for protecting and improving Narragansett Bay, join our team at Save The Bay! South County Coastkeeper The South County Coastkeeper is a member of Save The Bay’s Advocacy Team and leads the organization’s Coastkeeper program. As Save The Bay’s on-the-water advocate and watchdog along Rhode Island’s south coast, the Coastkeeper serves as a knowledgeable and credible voice on water quality, pollution, coastal ecology, and resource management. This role responds to environmental threats and emergencies, supports broader advocacy initiatives, and builds public engagement and constituencies to advance the protection, restoration, and science-based management of the Little Narragansett Bay watershed and adjacent coastal waters—from Point Judith to Little Narragansett Bay. Learn More & Apply : savebay.org/jobs

Tickets are on sale for Save The Bay's Taste of the Bay! On Thursday, June 18, Save The Bay’s annual Taste of The Bay fundraiser will highlight the flavors, sights and sounds of Narragansett Bay. The event, which follows Save The Bay’s annual meeting at 5:30 p.m., takes place from 7-9 p.m. at our coastal Bay Center headquarters in Providence. Attendees will enjoy tastings of locally created, grown and harvested food and beverages from 40 restaurants, fishermen, bakeries, breweries and caterers, as well as live music and a raffle. Taste of the Bay is a 21 event. SaveBay.org/Taste

TAKE ACTION! Show your support for CRMC Reform! This Thursday, the RI House Committee on State Government & Elections will hear proposed legislation that would reform the state's Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) by eliminating the controversial, politically-appointed Council and merging CRMC into the Department of Environmental Management by creating a new Bureau of Coastal Resources Management. Let the committee know that you support real, meaningful CRMC reform and vote yes on House Bill 7996. Email your comments, or join Save The Bay in person at the State House. votervoice.net/SaveTheBay/Ca…

Today, U.S. Senator Reed (@SenJackReed_RI), along with U.S. Senators Whitehouse, Warren, and Markey, introduced the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Authorization Act. It would permanently authorize SNEP and put $150 million on tap for public-private efforts to safeguard local watersheds in RI & southern New England. Save The Bay is proud to be one of 16 partner organizations in the SNEP Network, which includes environmental organizations, academic institutions, regional planners, and consultants who have local expertise in the watersheds of Southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. “The Southern New England Program (SNEP) has proven to be a vital source of support for a wide range of projects that help Narragansett Bay and the communities that depend on it. Bay. SNEP has enabled public and private investments to advance wetlands restoration, water quality improvements, climate resilience, and public access to our coastline and rivers. Save The Bay thanks Senator Reed for his leadership in creating SNEP, and we strongly support Congressional authorization of the program.” - Topher Hamblett, Executive Director of Save The Bay. Press Release: reed.senate.gov/news/release…

The 2026 Save The Bay Seal Count results are in! 🦭 Learn More: savebay.org/annual-save-the-…

Interested in volunteering at Save The Bay's Hamilton Family Aquarium? 🐟 Learn More & Apply: volunteer.savebay.org/aquari…

Celebrate the Annual Newport Winter Festival! ❄️ Save The Bay is once again participating by offering discounted Aquarium admission and Seal Tour tickets to bracelet holders. Plus, we're offering daily seal tours throughout the entire festival. 15% off Aquarium Admission $2 off Seal Tours newportwinterfestival.com

Save The Bay has submitted a letter to CRMC Chairman Coia with a clear message: no more delays in Westerly's Spring Ave Right-of-Way designation. "The proposed Westerly Spring Avenue Extension (SAE) coastal Right-of-Way (ROW) is one of the most consequential public access cases in recent years. On November 4, 2025, nearly 5 years after CRMC began to consider the designation of Spring Avenue, CRMC finally began the evidentiary hearing. However, since last November, no further hearings have been held, and to date, CRMC has not scheduled any further hearings after the cancellation of the January 6, 2026 hearing a month ago." "Public beach access is not an abstract policy goal—it is a legally protected right that requires active stewardship by the agency entrusted to protect it. When hearings are indefinitely postponed, the effect is to deny the public a forum to vindicate those rights, while effectively rewarding inaction and delay." - Topher Hamblett, Save The Bay's executive director. Read Article: thewesterlysun.com/daily-new… Read Letter: savebay.org/save-the-bay-let…

Save The Bay's Hamilton Family Aquarium is open daily during School Break, including President's Day! Plus, we've added daily seal tours all week long. SaveBay.org/Aquarium SaveBay.org/Seal

Have you visited Save The Bay's Hamilton Family Aquarium? Leave us a review on Google! Thanks to Jane P. for your 5-star review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Find us at share.google/J4s9tkeuDiNBVQi…

Meet swimmer Judy Stone! 🏊‍♀️ "I have been swimming the Bay since 1994; I swam for the 28th time this year, as I missed a couple of them along these 31 years! Raising funds for Save The Bay just makes sense for helping to keep our Bay clean and my constant supporters agree!" Save the date, the 50th Annual Swim is Saturday, August 8, 2026! Registration for the Swim will open on Monday, March 2, 2026.

We're Hiring! Save The Bay is accepting applications for a Seasonal Captain/Education Specialist to join our team! Learn More & Apply: savebay.org/seasonal-captain…

Save The Bay is excited to offer scholarships for our 2026 BayCamp season! Learn more & apply: SaveBay.org/Camp We have a limited number of full scholarship opportunities for families seeking financial aid for their child to participate in one of our public BayCamps. Each scholarship application is for a single camper for one week of BayCamp. If you would like to apply for multiple children, you will need to complete a separate application for each child. Scholarships are available to those who receive SNAP/EBT benefits and a copy of your card will be required for eligibility. Scholarship selections are made through a computer-generated randomized process to ensure each qualified applicant receives equal consideration. After the application deadline closes, scholarship awardees will be notified to accept the scholarship and complete all required paperwork to register their child for camp. Please note that a completed scholarship application does not guarantee a spot for your child in BayCamp this summer. Our scholarship dollars are limited. If you want to guarantee your child attends a week of BayCamp this summer, you will need to register for a BayCamp session.

Winter Special! ⛄ Book your birthday party at Save The Bay's Hamilton Family Aquarium by March 31 and enjoy a $100 discount! Learn More & Book: savebay.org/birthday

Save The Date! Save The Bay's 50th Swim is Saturday, August 8, 2026! Registration for the Swim will open on Monday, March 2, 2026. Learn More: savebay.org/save-the-bay-ann…

Check your inbox for the February 2026 Currents! 📩 Sign up for our monthly e-newsletter for news and updates about Save The Bay's work around Narragansett Bay!

Did you know Save The Bay's Hamilton Family Aquarium is a net positive aquarium, not just by caring for animals, but by giving back to the Bay? We breed little skates, northern lined seahorses, and chain catsharks, which support local populations. In early January, we released 60 little skates back to local Rhode Island waters. Our Aquarium Curator, Adam Kovarsky, and part-time Aquarist Emma Scheibl, carefully released the juveniles back to the Bay!

It's time for Creature Feature Fridays at Save The Bay's Hamilton Family Aquarium! Every Friday from 10-11 am, join us for your chance to meet a special creature you don’t often see! During this unique program, one of our awesome aquarium educators will introduce you to a creature that is typically behind the scenes at the Aquarium. Educators will share some fascinating facts and explain how the featured animal is part of one of our animal management programs, including our Wildlife Nursery, Rescue, and Breeding Programs, and how these efforts support animals throughout our Aquarium and in Narragansett Bay. This drop-in-drop-out program is included with Aquarium admission. Plan Your Visit: SaveBay.org/Aquarium

Only a few spots remain for select BayCamp sessions for Summer 2026! SaveBay.org/Camp Shipboard Camp: Newport, Bristol & Providence Junior BayCamp: Providence High School Camp Save The Bay is excited to offer scholarships for our 2026 BayCamp season! We have a limited number of full scholarship opportunities for families seeking financial aid for their child to participate in one of our public BayCamps. Each scholarship application is for a single camper for one week of BayCamp. If you would like to apply for multiple children, you will need to complete a separate application for each child. Scholarships are available to those who receive SNAP/EBT benefits and a copy of your card will be required for eligibility. Scholarship selections are made through a computer-generated randomized process to ensure each qualified applicant receives equal consideration. After the application deadline closes, scholarship awardees will be notified to accept the scholarship and complete all required paperwork to register their child for camp. Please note that a completed scholarship application does not guarantee a spot for your child in BayCamp this summer. Our scholarship dollars are limited. If you want to guarantee your child attends a week of BayCamp this summer, you will need to register for a BayCamp session. Learn More & Apply at SaveBay.org/Camp