THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 3, 2020 Page 15 “Save the Harbor” awards $208,700 in Safer and Better Beaches Program Grants Two Revere organizations receive over $15K in grant funding O n June 27 the environmental advocacy organization Save the Harbor/Save the Bay awarded $208,700 in Safer and Better Beaches Program Grants to 39 beach friends groups and community organizations in Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull as part of the Safer & Better Beaches Program Partnership with the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR). The award ceremony was a virtual one on Zoom. According to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Executive Director, Chris Mancini, this year’s grants will support eff orts to keep the public beaches in the aforementioned communities safe and open this summer. The grants will also support free, reimagined beach events and programs when the Covid-19 pandemic has passed and public programming can safely resume. The Revere Beach Partnership was awarded $10,000, and the Revere Recreation Department, $7,500. Neighboring Winthrop Chamber of Commerce garnered $1,500.00, and Friends of Belle Isle Marsh, $5,000, and Friends of Winthrop Beach, $5,000. Zoom group “As the nation continues to wrestle with the challenges of both the Covid-19 pandemic and the consequences of systemic racism, safe and accessible blue and green spaces, like the region’s public beaches from Nahant to Nantasket, are more important than ever,” said Mancini. “In these uncertain times, you can be sure that Save the Harbor/Save the Bay will continue to support our partners in the region’s waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities, as we work together to keep these spectacular urban natural resources safe, open and welcoming to all.” DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery took part in the ceremony on Saturday, and he applauded the power of Save the Harbor’s Better Beaches Program partnership with DCR, which has invested more than $1 million in free beach programs since it began in 2007. “The Baker/Polito Administration has made it a priority to support great partnerships like this that encourage people to get out and enjoy the outdoors in a safe and responsible way,” said Montgomery. “With Covid-19, our beaches and parks are even more important for people’s mental and physical health. It is a great partnership. I look forward to seeing you all on your beach, hopefully very soon.” State Senator Brendan CrighState Senator Brendan Crighton of Lynn ton of Lynn, who Co-chairs the Metropolitan Beaches Commission (MBC) with Rep. RoseLee Vincent of Revere, was also on hand to thank Save the Harbor, DCR and this year’s grant recipients. “We all love the beach,” said Crighton. “In the light of this awful pandemic, and our renewed fi ght against racial injustice, it has never been more important for folks to have a welcoming place to get fresh air and exercise, and a safe place for people to gather and voice their concerns.” According to Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Director of Strategy & Communications, Bruce Berman, in the coming weeks the group will host a “virtual charette” to begin to “reimagine beach programs” in light of the twin public health crises we are facing together. “In these uncertain times, it is important to hope for the best but to plan for the worst,” said Berman. “Though we are not yet certain how to continue to put these spectacular urban natural resources to work for all our residents and our communities, you can be certain that Save the Harbor/Save the Bay will be here when the Covid-19 pandemic has passed, with free events and programs for all the region’s residents to enjoy.” As the meeting drew to an end, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay asked participants to share a short video, “A Line in the Sand,” that encourages beachgoers to practice social distancing to keep beaches safe and open this summer. You can watch it on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=h6djYPowwmQ. Tor making this important program possible, Save the Harbor also thanked the Baker/Polito Administration, the legislative leadership and MBC members, DCR, its foundation funders – including The Boston Foundation, the Richard Saltonstall Charitable Foundation, P&G Gillette, Comcast, National Grid and Beacon Capital Partners – as well as event and program sponsors Jet Blue and Harpoon Brewery, and the hundreds of people who took part in this year’s Harpoon Shamrock Splash. For more information on Save the Harbor/Save the Bay and the work it does to restore, protect and share Boston Harbor, the Boston Harbor Islands and the region’s public beaches with all the region’s residents, visit the website www.savetheharbor.org and follow #savetheharbor on social media. To take part in an upcoming “Reimagining the Beach” charette, send your contact information to williams@savetheharbor.org.
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