Open dawn to dusk, 100 Save the Bay Drive in Providence is a public access point connecting bay and community. This former municipal landfill located at Fields Point was transformed in 2005. Now as the Save The Bay Center, right, it provides classrooms and community meeting spaces. As a green building, it has a vegetated roof to reduce storm water runoff. Its southern orientation maximizes natural daylight and uses additional energy efficiency features. This six-acre site captures, filters, and retains storm water. Other improvements include: a salt marsh, coastal buffer, and stone structure to reduce wave energy.

Amy Wright, left, is an educator and United States Coast Guard licensed captain aboard Swift. “Some kids that live right here in Providence have no experience with the bay,” she says. Save the Bay is shown within the compass rose and depicted on the lobby floor, center. Abby Wood, top right, is an educator. Lead Captain Eric Pfirrmann, bottom right, is safety checking a donated boat.

Jean Bambara, above, is an educator and aquarist. She was handed a Hake fish, brought back from the Alletta Morris, left. Providence's Classical High School students as part of their urban ecology program work with Save the Bay. On this day they surveyed the shoreline. Other students planted vegetative buffers. Through programs and activities that increase environmental awareness, Save the Bay works with thousands of students each year. More at http://www.savebay.org.

photos by Agapao Productions