Issue 86 - July 2022
South Fork Wind and Leading Environmental Organizations Sign Agreement to Further Enhance Protections for North Atlantic Right Whales
South Fork Wind’s added mitigation measures and work to advance new technologies will serve as a trial to safeguard whales and other marine wildlife
BOSTON – South Fork Wind, a joint venture offshore wind project developed by Ørsted and Eversource, announced that it has signed an agreement with leading environmental organizations to enhance further measures designed to protect the North Atlantic right whale during the construction and operation of the offshore wind farm.
The agreement with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), and Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) expands on the commitment from Ørsted, the leading U.S. offshore wind energy partner, and Eversource, New England’s largest energy provider and experts in regional energy transmission, to responsibly build clean energy projects while minimizing and mitigating impacts to marine wildlife and critical habitat. Offering utility-scale clean energy production, offshore wind energy is a key resource to move the U.S. toward a green economy and mitigate the acute effects of climate change on the ocean and lands.
“In order to address the climate crisis, we need the offshore wind industry to grow and thrive,” said Alison Chase, a senior policy analyst at NRDC. “Measures like these by South Fork Wind to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts on the North Atlantic right whale are key to ensuring offshore wind development is done in a smart way that protects our valuable and vulnerable wildlife. We don’t need to choose between clean energy development and wildlife protection, and this agreement shows how we can do both.”
North Atlantic right whales are one of the most endangered whales on the planet and scientists estimate that fewer than 340 remain. South Fork Wind has committed to measures that will help protect these whales in the project area, where their habitat is increasingly threatened by climate change. For example, South Fork Wind will adopt a suite of monitoring measures to help ensure right whales are not in close proximity to the construction site during construction activities, implement mitigation to reduce noise during piling, and evaluate other new monitoring technologies as part of the agreement. To guard against vessel strikes, the agreement also includes a 10-knot speed limit for all project-related vessels unless an effective adaptive speed management plan is in place.
In addition to these mitigation measures, South Fork Wind will test advanced technologies that detect and have the potential to track whales, including thermal cameras, acoustic sensors, and data integration software. With the added scientific understanding of North Atlantic right whale movements in response to factors like climate change, South Fork Wind will be well-equipped to adapt mitigation measures in response to evolving science.
South Fork Wind will be a pilot program for these provisions, and the companies may use them in future projects.
“As the world’s most sustainable energy company, we’re proud to be developing a project that helps address the climate threat by producing green electrons and doing so in a responsible way,” said Rob Mastria, Project Development Director of South Fork Wind for Ørsted. “This agreement enhances our existing ability to protect marine life based on 30 years of experience building and operating offshore wind farms while trialling new technologies that will further strengthen our ability to both combat the threat of climate change and build projects that coexist with our eco-system.”
“Today’s agreement will further ensure that clean, renewable offshore wind energy and the North Atlantic right whale will co-exist together, as we continue to deliver on our promise of fighting climate change,” said Julia Bovey, Director of Offshore Wind External Affairs at Eversource Energy. “South Fork Wind will play a key role in limiting the long-term damage that carbon pollution is causing to our environment and marine animals, reducing emissions by an estimated six million tons over the lifetime of the project. We look forward to working with our partners in the conservation community as we look for additional ways to ensure that offshore wind is built sustainably.”
The NWF, NRDC, and CLF are working to advance offshore wind energy as a key resource to combat climate change, aiming to establish the industry in a way that includes protections for vulnerable marine life and habitat. The groups are working across sectors to address impacts on critically endangered North Atlantic right whales, which face serious threats from entanglement in fishing gear and vessel collisions, and shifting prey and habitat availability due to climate change.
“Responsibly developed offshore wind power is a vital component of our transition to a clean energy economy. To help build an energy future that prioritizes the health and well-being of wildlife and communities alike, America’s pursuit of this critical climate solution must be guided by robust stakeholder input and scientific integrity,” said Amber Hewett, offshore wind program director at the National Wildlife Federation. “This agreement is a huge win for wildlife and we are so proud to work with our partners to protect species like the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale as offshore wind energy continues to build momentum in the United States.”
“Offshore wind is a crucial element of our nation’s strategy to address the climate crisis, but it must be done in a way that protects vital ocean wildlife and habitat,” said Dr. Priscilla Brooks, Director of Ocean Conservation at CLF. “With fewer than 350 critically endangered right whales remaining on earth, every loss is a tragedy. The vessel speed restrictions and adaptive management measures agreed to by South Fork Wind will go a long way toward protecting these whales from being injured or killed by project vessels.”
Ørsted and Eversource’s offshore wind biodiversity efforts are guided by principles that prioritize coexistence with the natural environment, including but not limited to the areas where the companies construct and operate offshore wind farms, ensuring that impacts during construction are minimized and monitoring efforts are implemented to understand potential impacts during the operational life of the wind farm.
Ørsted was the first offshore wind developer in America to hire a marine biologist, part of a growing team of experts the company employs to ensure that it carefully considers impacts on marine life from offshore wind projects like South Fork Wind. The company is also funding an innovative app called WhaleAlert that tracks whales and distributes information to help vessels avoid collisions, has made other investments in tracking software, and is partnering with a range of national and international academic institutions to advance biodiversity efforts.
South Fork Wind is New York State’s first offshore wind farm. The project is located 35 miles east of Long Island and its 12 turbines will generate approximately 130MW of power—enough to power approximately 70,000 homes. The project broke ground in January 2022 and is expected to be operational in late 2023.
About Ørsted Offshore North America
The Ørsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy. Four years in a row, Ørsted earned recognition as the world’s most sustainable energy company by Corporate Knights, including for 2022. The company is a global clean energy leader and has the largest portfolio of offshore wind energy in the world. In the United States, Ørsted operates the Block Island Wind Farm, America’s first offshore wind farm, and constructed the two-turbine Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind pilot project – the first turbines installed in federal waters. Ørsted has approximately 5,000 megawatts of offshore wind energy in development in five states and across seven projects. Ørsted Offshore’s North American business is jointly headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts and Providence, Rhode Island and employs approximately 250 people. To learn more visit us.orsted.com or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (@OrstedUS).
About Eversource
Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is the #1 energy company in Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2021 and recognized as one of America’s Most JUST Companies. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas and supplies water to approximately 4.4 million customers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 9,200 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles, and battery storage into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.
About National Wildlife Federation
Founded in 1936, the National Wildlife Federation has grown into America’s largest and most trusted grassroots conservation organization with 52 state/territorial affiliates and more than six million members and supporters, including hunters, anglers, gardeners, birders, hikers, campers, paddlers, etc. The mission of the National Wildlife Federation is to unite all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in our rapidly changing world. The organization’s programs focus on conserving wildlife, restoring habitat and waterways, expanding outdoor opportunities, connecting children with nature, and addressing the causes and consequences of climate change.
About Natural Resources Defense Council
NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world’s natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, and Beijing. Visit us at www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.
About Conservation Law Foundation
Conservation Law Foundation protects New England’s environment for the benefit of all people. We use the law, science, and the market to create solutions that preserve natural resources, build healthy communities, and sustain a vibrant regional economy. CLF’s approach to environmental advocacy is distinguished by our close involvement with local communities; our ability to design and implement effective strategies; and our capacity for developing innovative and economically sound solutions to our region’s most critical environmental challenges. Learn more at www.clf.org.
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Issue 86 - July 2022
SEVENSEAS Travel Magazine – July 2022 – Issue 86
Featured Destination
Aquarium Kicks Off Summer Season with Extended Hours
The New England Aquarium is kicking off the summer on Central Wharf with extended hours; an outdoor public photography exhibition; the return of The Reef, an outdoor bar along Boston Harbor; and three new films at the Simons Theatre. Read more…
7 Tourist Attractions in Massachusetts You Can’t Miss!
Whatever you do, talk with the locals. Everyone will share a story or two and give you advice on what to see next. No matter where you go – from Stockbridge to Boston and from Salisbury to Provincetown – we hope you create memories that keep you coming back. You are always welcome in Massachusetts. Read more…
Emerald Bracelets to Solve Three of the World’s Greatest Environmental Problems
Three of the world’s greatest environmental problems are increasingly being met and abated in residential neighbourhoods across Massachusetts. Read more…
Conservation Photography
The shells of this species reach 10–40 millimetres (0.39–1.57 in) of length. This cowry is pure white, smooth and ovate, the base is flat and wide. The anterior and posterior extremities have a slight purple colouration, with a yellow circle at the edge of a depressed pustule (hence the Latin name of this species, verrucosus ). The mantle of the living cowries is white and completely covered by small brown spots. Also the foot is white with dark dots and can be extended widely around the base of the shell.
I am still screening my archives, and look what I have found! A photo of the one and only Polka Dot Egg Cowrie I have ever seen! A ‘Through the Window’ photo because this tiny beauty was hiding in a sponge ! Hope you like it, my friends. The photo was taken in Lembeh strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, in October 2017 by Kathrin Landgraf-Kluge
What’s In Our Newsroom
UNESCO Designates 11 New Biosphere Reserves
UNESCO has approved the designation of 11 new biosphere reserves in 9 countries, including three countries for the first time: Chad, Georgia and Zambia. Two existing biosphere reserves in Spain have also been extended. Read more…
Fin Whale Songs Shed Light on Migration Patterns
A Curtin University-led research team has uncovered valuable information on the migration patterns of the fin whale, as well as where they breed and feed, which will help aid in the monitoring and protection of the species. Read more…
God Save The Queen (Conch) By Sandra Gail Gainey
The plight of the Queen Conch in the Gulf of Mexico, and specifically in Florida’s nearshore waters, is one of the most underappreciated struggles for survival. Read more…
Military Veterans Join Forces with Marine Science Experts & Ocean Conservation Groups to Restore and Preserve Coral Reefs
Perfectly aligned with the famous slogan, “The Few, The Proud,” a group of retired Special Operations military veterans and marine scientists have joined forces and are working together in a unique initiative that aims to make a transformational impact in the ongoing journey to save the world’s oceans. Read more…
South Fork Wind and Leading Environmental Organizations Sign Agreement to Further Enhance Protections for North Atlantic Right Whales
South Fork Wind, a joint venture offshore wind project developed by Ørsted and Eversource, announced that it has signed an agreement with leading environmental organizations to enhance further measures designed to protect the North Atlantic right whale during the construction and operation of the offshore wind farm. Read more…
Australian Start-Up Seabin US Expansion Accelerated by Community Donations and Corporate Sponsorships
Australian clean-tech startup, Seabin, has today announced its first official global expansion, opening operations in Los Angeles. As part of their 100 Smarter Cities For Cleaner Oceans campaign, Marina Del Rey in Los Angeles has been selected as the first of three planned locations in the LA region as the second city after Sydney, Australia. Read more…
Rehabilitated Sea Turtles Returned to Ocean Off Cape Cod
As part of its work safeguarding ocean animals and habitats, the Aquarium will be tracking and studying the movement of these turtles. Prior to being released, three loggerheads and three green sea turtles were outfitted with satellite tags. Four loggerheads also received internal acoustic tags, a procedure the Aquarium has pioneered in sea turtles for long-term monitoring. Read more…
Three Blue Park Award Winners Announced at UN Ocean Conference
President of the organization, Dr. Lance Morgan, presented the awards to government officials representing the three new Blue Parks alongside representatives from the council and former Blue Park Award recipients. Read more…
Asian Small-clawed Otter Pups Born at the NC Aquarium Fort Fisher
Three Asian small-clawed otter pups—all females, born Saturday, May 21, are growing and bonding with their parents Leia and Quincy behind the scenes at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher (NCAFF). This overwhelming amount of adorable represents success in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan®(SSP) Program. Read more…
Major Companies Are Pledging Against Deep-Sea Mining
Patagonia, Scania, Triodos Bank and Volkswagen Group are among the newest to join a group of corporations pledging against funding deep-sea mining and using it in their own production processes. Read more…
Two Countries, Two Government Officials, Poised to Make One Critical Decision
Canada Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray and Washington State’s Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz are expected to announce major decisions that will determine the future of commercial net-pen aquaculture along the Pacific Northwest Coast. Read more…
Our Living Oceans Brings Ocean Conservation into the Home
EarthxTV presents a new original series, airing on September 6th that reveals the hidden life within our oceans. In partnership with the Khaled bin Sultan Oceans Foundation (KSLOF). See more…
The FREE Weekly Conservation Post and Jobs List
Signing up for the free Weekly Newsletter & Jobs List will get you a round-up of upcoming events, webinars, meetings, reports, funding opportunities, photos of the week, and recent postings to the jobs list.
To sign up for our free subscription, please Click Here or email us Here.
Since 2004, SEVENSEAS Media has fostered an informal and non-partisan platform to promote understanding of key issues and challenges while building partnerships across an increasingly diverse group of marine conservation professionals and students.
Our mission is to promote communication and build partnerships across the global marine community and to identify and address gaps in the community’s work. SEVENSEAS Media achieves this through multimedia promotion and partnerships. The community consists of a diverse and growing group of participants, including non-governmental organizations, government agencies, foundations, bilateral and multilateral agencies, fellowship programs, independent consultants, and academia/students.
If you are interested in contributing or getting involved, email us Here.
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Feature Destination
Feature Destination: 7 Tourist Attraction in Massachusetts You Can’t Miss!
In Massachusetts, you will experience all that locals cherish: Their charming cities, towns, and neighborhoods; their historic parks and scenic seashore; their rich cultural traditions and lively college campuses; and robust culinary scene and popular shopping districts.
Whatever you do, talk with the locals. Everyone will share a story or two and give you advice on what to see next. No matter where you go – from Stockbridge to Boston and from Salisbury to Provincetown – we hope you create memories that keep you coming back. You are always welcome in Massachusetts.
America’s Oldest Seaport (North Boston)
The illustrious seafaring heritage of Gloucester is celebrated by the Gloucester Maritime Heritage Center, where wooden vessels have been hauled and repaired for centuries. Marblehead is a yachting mecca. Old Town’s winding streets are lined with grand mansions and modest artisans’ houses, many of them predating the Revolution. Salem offers a coven of museums that explore the infamous Witch Trials of 1692. Essex’s main street bustles with antique emporiums and seafood restaurants, where fried clams (invented here) take top billing. Elegant federal homes, built from fortunes made in shipbuilding and the maritime trade, stand shoulder-to-shoulder on Newburyport’s High Street. And you might also explore 11 lighthouses, including Annisquam Harbor Light Station in Gloucester and Winter Island Light in Salem, along with ten beaches like Salisbury Beach State Reservation, Singing Beach, Manchester-by-the-Sea and Good Harbor Beach, Gloucester.
This region has long inspired artists: Winslow Homer and Fitz Henry Lane painted at the Rocky Neck Art Colony in Gloucester; see Lane’s work at the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester. In Salem, the Peabody Essex Museum showcases two centuries of art, architecture, and culture. Every summer the Rockport Chamber Music Festival in Rockport presents nationally acclaimed concerts in an intimate setting. Early riser? Choose from more than 21 beaches to watch a stunning sunrise.
When you come to visit a seaport, one thing you can’t miss is seafood fresh from the boat. Local farmers, fishermen, lobstermen, and bakers partner with area restaurants to create the most delicious fresh fare straight from the source. Some local farms provide evening events under the stars! Take a fishing trip in Gloucester and catch your fish for your evening dinner. Enjoy cod, haddock, bluefish, Ipswich clams and, of course, lobster! Or take a lesson in cheese making, canning, gardening, or creating chocolate truffles. With this North Shore’s culinary delights, you will definitely come back time and again.
LOCAL TIPS!
On Plum Island, birders flock to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to view migrating shore birds. Families head to Salisbury Beach State Reservation for swimming, fishing, and camping. Whale-watching trips leave from Gloucester and Newburyport.
Plymouth County
Plymouth, also known as “America’s Hometown,” showcases the history and sets the stage for the story of the Pilgrims who landed here in 1620. Plimoth Patuxet, America’s premier living history museum, brings to life the stories of the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims in 17th-century New England. The region also offers picturesque harbors, historic lighthouses, state-of-the-art golf courses, and acres of cranberry bogs that turn ruby red as harvest time approaches. Whale watch cruises, harbor tours, party fishing boats, and ferries to Provincetown leave from Plymouth Harbor. In Carver, Edaville USA’s two-mile, narrow-gauge railroad and amusement rides are perennial family favorites. So too are the Brockton Rox, a Minor League Baseball team whose home base is Campanelli Stadium in Brockton. The nearby Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton is a dazzling showcase for contemporary crafts, and Duxbury’s Art Complex Museum in Duxbury features a Japanese garden and tea hut. For dramatic views of Hingham Harbor and the Boston skyline, stroll or bike to the top of one of the four drumlins comprising World’s End in Hingham, landscaped by Frederick Law Olmstead. Take a dip at nearby Nantasket Beach in Nantasket, then saddle up a wooden horse on the 1928 Paragon Carousel and listen to the Wurlitzer organ. Nantasket Beach offers traditional boardwalk fare like hot dogs, burgers, fries, and “twisty” soft ice cream. For more foodie fun, be sure to sample from Plymouth’s array of classic New England-style chowder, fresh-caught-and-fried seafood, homemade chocolate fudge, and local beer and wine.
Permanence, stability, and strength describe not only the Pilgrims’ credo, but the Neo-Classical Revival style of the Portico at Plymouth Rock, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Plymouth 400, a multi-year commemoration of the cultural contributions and American traditions that began with the interaction of the Wampanoag and English peoples. Events lead up to 2020 for the 400th Anniversary of the Mayflower voyage and the founding of Plymouth Colony.
LOCAL TIPS!
Get an up-close look at how cranberry bogs are harvested every fall. You’ll witness wet and dry cranberry harvestings, cooking demonstrations, juried crafters, and paddleboat rides on scenic Tihonet Pond.
The Cape Cod National Seashore
The Cape Cod National Seashore stretches 40 miles from Eastham to Provincetown. It includes pristine sandy beaches, lighthouses, wild cranberry bogs, and walking and biking trails. The Heritage Museums & Gardens features Americana, antique cars, a carousel and, in the spring, rhododendrons bloom. In the port of Woods Hole, the mysteries of ocean life are on display at the Woods Hole Science Aquarium and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. The seaside resort village of Hyannis is the famed summer home of the Kennedy family. Be sure to visit the John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum next to the Hyannis Town Green and various shops and restaurants. On the tip of the Cape is Provincetown (P-Town), the site of the Pilgrim’s first landing in 1620. P-Town is also known for its legacy as an art colony and for the warm welcome it extends to the LGBTQ community. Whale watch trips leave from here and Barnstable Harbor. Did somebody say seafood? Crack open a lobster or order up a plate piled high with fried clams, scallops, or shrimp. September and October are considered the Cape’s “second summer” and the perfect time to enjoy quiet strolls on the beach, meander down Old King’s Highway, Rte. 6A, and shop for antiques or go gallery hopping. “Old Cape Cod” has a few new surprises from the giant indoor Cape Codder Water Park to the Cape Codder Resort & Spa in Hyannis or the Cape Cod Inflatable Challenge Park in West Yarmouth, the first of its kind in the USA. The Cahoon Museum of American Art in Cotuit and the Cape Cod Museum of Art in Dennis offer new exhibits regularly.
LOCAL TIPS!
The Cape Cod Baseball League, founded in 1885, is a collegiate summer league featuring 10 teams. Competitions are held around the Cape from mid-June to mid-August. These family-friendly games are a storied Cape tradition and are open to the general public.
Pick a beach, any beach, and bask in the serenity and peace of a Cape Cod sunrise. Early risers will be duly rewarded with spectacular sunrises over the Atlantic Ocean. Like to sleep in? They have fantastic sunsets, too!
For a nostalgic evening of fun, head to the Wellfleet Drive-In Theatre for first-run double features every night during the summer. Built in 1957, this theatre is home to community events and is complete with a snack bar and playground!
Martha’s Vineyard
Oak Bluffs’ brightly painted “Gingerbread Cottages” have a rich history dating back to a 19th-century Methodist summer campground. It’s also home to the country’s oldest continuously working carousel, Flying Horses, and has an active nightlife and bustling inner harbor. Tisbury, home to the year-round port of Vineyard Haven, is picturesque and chock-full of unique shops and cultural venues. Edgartown, with the largest summer population, includes Chappaquiddick Island and the area of South Beach. Downtown Edgartown, a yachting community, has cobblestoned sidewalks and historic homes of whaling captains. “Up Island” includes the rural communities of West Tisbury and Chilmark with its working fishing village of Menemsha and the dramatic color-streaked Aquinnah Cliffs, where beach sunsets are applauded by visitors. Five lighthouses, all originally built in the 1800s, dot this 20 x 9 mile Island: West Chop Lighthouse, Tisbury; East Chop Lighthouse, Oak Bluffs; Edgartown Lighthouse; Gay Head Lighthouse, Aquinnah; and Cape Poge Lighthouse, Chappaquiddick. Enjoy the journey to the island from various locations and choose from fast ferries, traditional ferries, or even fly-in. The island has two ferry docks, one in Oak Bluffs and a year-round dock in Vineyard Haven.
LOCAL TIPS!
Step off the beaten path and travel to rural Up-Island communities. Experience the Chilmark Flea Market, the West Tisbury Farmers Market, and the Vineyard Artisans Festival. These unique Vineyard experiences feature handmade items, locally grown foods, and one-of-a-kind treasures. Open twice weekly from June to September.
So who’s Martha? And is there a vineyard on her Island? When 17th- century British explorer Bartholomew Gosnold landed on the Island in 1602, replete with grapes, he named it for his infant daughter, Martha. Contrary to its name, Martha’s Vineyard does not have a vineyard or winery. The Island’s original name, Noepe (meaning “land between the currents”), was from the Island’s original settlers, the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head.
Enjoy two cultural districts: Vineyard Haven Harbor includes a walkable one-mile radius of unique shops, working harbor, wooden shipbuilding, live theater, design, historical and independent movie theaters, public library, parks, and more. Aquinnah Circle is a
blend of historic natural landmarks, Gay Head Lighthouse, and unique shops.
Southeastern Massachusetts
New Bedford’s heyday as the capital of the 19th-century whaling industry is honored by the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park and the New Bedford Whaling Museum, both in New Bedford. The Seamen’s Bethel in New Bedford was featured in Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick while The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum, a Greek Revival mansion, chronicles 150 years of economic, social, and domestic life in New Bedford. Fall River’s Battleship Cove boasts the world’s largest collection of US Naval vessels and is the home port for the WWII Battleship USS Massachusetts, along with five other naval vessels and a 1920s wooden Fall River Carousel. The walking trails at the Lloyd Center for the Environment, which wind their way through forest, freshwater wetlands, salt marsh, and estuary, provide great views of Buzzards Bay and Martha’s Vineyard. Take a free tour (and taste) of Westport Rivers Winery in Westport, sample local Portuguese cuisine, and then visit Seekonk Speedway’s SYRA-certified track in Seekonk, which packs lots of excitement into its banked, 1/3-mile oval. Horseneck Beach in Westport is the region’s most popular beach and is located at the western end of Buzzards Bay. This sandy, the two-mile-long beach is breezy all year, making it an excellent windsurfing spot. Gooseberry Neck, a rocky headland, lies to the east just behind the dunes. Discover your creativity at the Attleboro Arts Museum in Attleboro, where rotating exhibits celebrate all mediums. In nearby Taunton, you’ll find unlimited outdoor recreation at a duo of state parks: Watson Pond and Massasoit.
Check your calendar: If you’re planning to be in New Bedford on the second Thursday of any month, you’re in for a treat. The city’s museums, galleries, dance and theater groups, artists, and restaurants roll out the welcome mat for an evening of cultural happenings appropriately dubbed AHA! (Art, History, Architecture).
In Southeastern Massachusetts, two zoos are better than one! Immerse yourself in the warmth and wonder of tropical rainforest at Capron Park Zoo in Attleboro. At Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford, you’ll meet black bears, mountain lions, river otters, bald eagles, and seals. Then, cross the covered bridge where you’ll enter Buttonwood Farm, home to rare breeds of farm animals.
LOCAL TIPS!
Explore Southeastern Massachusetts’ history at the Old Colony History Museum in Taunton where you’ll find an extensive collection of more than 13,000 regional objects and archives. Technology brings unique exhibits showcasing local history and genealogy to life. Great events, too!
Nantucket Island
Take your time to adjust to the slower pace of island life and explore Nantucket’s unspoiled beaches, solitary lighthouses, and acres of conservation land on foot or by bicycle. Take a dip in Nantucket Sound, surf cast for bluefish, or spend a day deep-sea fishing. Cobblestoned streets and an array of stately Georgian, Federal, and Greek revival homes reflect Nantucket’s history as a prosperous whaling port. Now, sea captains houses stand side-by-side with antiques stores and galleries. The Black Heritage Trail features 10 sites that reveal the heritage of African Americans living on Nantucket. The Nantucket Historical Association Whaling Museum features a 47-foot sperm whale skeleton, scrimshaw, and the original fabric of the spermaceti candle factory. Its exhibits and galleries offer a compelling insight into the island’s history as the “whaling capital of the world.” Visit a number of historic sites within walking distance, including the Oldest House built in the 1680s; the stately Hadwen House, a ship captain’s mansion; The Old Mill; and Greater Light, an 18th-century livestock barn renovated into a summer home and art studio. Other historical treasures include Mitchell House, home of world-famous astronomer Maria Mitchell, and the African Meeting House. For a different type of adventure, take the kids to the Maria Mitchell Aquarium. Start your relaxing trip to Nantucket on the traditional ferry for a leisurely two-hour, fifteen-minute voyage from Hyannis. Need to get there faster? Take the high-speed ferry, which is just one hour door-to-door from Hyannis. Ferry service is also provided from New Bedford, New York, and New Jersey.
Four great reasons to return to Nantucket in the off-season: In April, the Daffodil Festival features three million bright yellow blooms planted by islanders to herald the arrival of spring. In the fall, Nantucket Restaurant Week features specially-priced menus at more than 20 of Nantucket’s top restaurants. Winter is celebrated island-style, with the Nantucket Noel Christmas Stroll and the Nantucket New Year’s Celebration.
With over 80 miles of pristine beaches, every day on Nantucket is a beach day! Bike out to any 10 beaches or take the WAVE shuttle bus, which travels to Surfside and Jetties Beaches.
LOCAL TIPS!
Trek out to the Sankaty Head Light, located at the easternmost point of the island in the village of Siaconset. Built-in 1850, this stately lighthouse was automated in 1965.
Greater Boston (America’s Walking City)
See Boston and beyond from the Skywalk Observatory or ferry to one of the Boston Harbor Islands. Families flock to New England Aquarium, Boston Children’s Museum, and Museum of Science. Head to beloved Fenway Park for a Red Sox game or tour America’s oldest ballpark. For fast-action sports, it’s the TD Garden, for the Boston Bruins, the Boston Celtics, and The Sports Museum. The New England Patriots and New England Revolution play at Gillette Stadium, Foxborough. Enjoy views atop a brightly painted amphibious vehicle or a double-wide trolley. Glide along the Public Garden’s lagoon in an elegant Swan Boat or take an adventurous whale watch. Newbury Street is a shopper’s paradise – galleries, boutiques, and sidewalk cafés for the fashionable and funky. The Museum of Fine Arts, The Institute of Contemporary Art, and Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum showcase imaginative exhibits. The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Ballet are standout cultural stars. The Black Heritage Trail focuses on the city’s 19th-century African American community and The Freedom Trail’s 2.5-mile red brick/painted trail links 16 historic sites of the American Revolution. Visit Boston’s diverse and vibrant neighbourhoods like Chinatown, the North End Italian district, Beacon Hill, Jamaica Plain’s (“JP”) Latino and LGBT communities, or lively Roslindale: home to Harvard’s 265-acre Arnold Arboretum.
LOCAL TIPS!
Ten miles south is the City of Quincy, home of the Adams National Historical Park featuring the birth homes and gardens of two presidents: John Adams and John Quincy Adams. Picnic or promenade along Wollaston Beach with treats from area restaurants.
Cambridge, “Boston’s Left Bank,” is the multi-cultural home to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which feature art, ethnological, and science museums. Musicians, puppeteers and jugglers perform on the sidewalks of Harvard Square while Central, Kendall, and Inman Squares offer tasty restaurants, cool architecture, cozy jazz spots, and the height of technology.
Faneuil Hall Marketplace, a shopping, dining, and entertainment haven – features culinary treats at the original food stalls at Quincy (“Quin-zee”) Market. Nearby is Boston Public Market, a year-round indoor arcade with fresh, local food and Haymarket, an outdoor weekend market. The mile-long Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway connects downtown to the harbor with public art, a carousel, farmers markets, and live performances. At Columbia Point see the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate.
There are so much more for you to find out in Messachusetts.
Please visit https://www.visitma.com for more.
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Feature Destination
Feature Destination: Aquarium Kicks Off Summer Season with Extended Hours
BOSTON, MASS. – The New England Aquarium is kicking off the summer on Central Wharf with extended hours; an outdoor public photography exhibition; the return of The Reef, an outdoor bar along Boston Harbor; and three new films at the Simons Theatre.
The Aquarium’s summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Fridays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Highlights of the summer season include:
Aquarium After Dark
- The “Aquarium After Dark” experience has returned, so visitors who come during Friday night hours will experience the unique change in lighting, particularly in the Giant Ocean Tank (GOT), which has a system that simulates natural lighting transitions. Beginning at 6 p.m., the Aquarium lights dim to mimic nighttime for animals in the tank.
Stellwagen Bank photo exhibition on Central Wharf
- Keith Ellenbogen, an acclaimed underwater photographer, shares his exploration of the rich and surprising biodiversity of marine life off the Massachusetts coast—including great white sharks, humpback whales, sea turtles, and North Atlantic right whales—with visitors in a new, outdoor public photography exhibition, “Space to Sea: A Photographic Journey into Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary,” which opened June 22 on Central Wharf and runs until November 1.
The Reef returns to Central Wharf Plaza on June 24
- The Reef, a bar located inside a tent on Central Wharf Plaza with views of the Boston waterfront, will be open seven days a week for drinks and light fare starting June 24.
- Menu offerings include pretzel twists, cheese board, salads, and sandwiches in addition to an assortment of wine, beer, and cocktails.
- Hours of operation are Monday through Sunday, 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Central Snack Bar open on Central Wharf Plaza
- Central Snack Bar will operate seven days a week beginning on June 24.
- The food truck-style outpost on Central Wharf Plaza offers a variety of snack, sandwich, and drink options.
- Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
New Simons Theatre films
- Cephalopods: Aliens of the Deep, shot over three years and around the globe, presents the magical world of octopuses, cuttlefish, and squid through macrophotography. Experience the fascinating environments that have evolved their physiology and what allows them to survive against all odds.
- Wings Over Water, narrated by Michael Keaton, shares the compelling story of three amazing bird species—the Sandhill Crane, the Yellow Warbler, and the Mallard Duck—with extraordinary footage of their fascinating behavior. Explore the little-known water highways of the Great Plains, created by glacial movement at the end of the last ice age. These waterways mark an astounding gift of connected rivers, lakes, and wetlands across the heartland of North America that support the remarkable birds of the prairie.
- Superpower Dogs, narrated by Boston native and “Captain America” actor Chris Evans, transports viewers around the world to meet the incredible dogs who save lives and discover the special bond they share with their human partners. Learn the science behind the canine superpowers that allow these dogs to achieve feats of bravery alongside their human companions who fight crime and save lives during earthquakes, avalanches, and sea storms.
New England Aquarium Whale Watches
- With one of the world’s most active marine sanctuaries just a short boat ride away from Boston, the New England Aquarium Whale Watch in partnership with Boston Harbor City Cruises offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see various species of whales, dolphins, sea birds, sharks, and other marine life at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The cruises have onboard naturalists who lead the trips, and visitors are guaranteed to see whales or they receive a free ticket for a return trip. Boats run every day from May through November, depending on weather conditions.
New programming for educator carts
- The Aquarium’s Conservation Learning team is rolling out new educational programming for the summer tourism season including highlighting marine protected areas, which are integral in the global initiative to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030.
- Educators focus on migratory species, tracking where they are in the ocean, and the importance of protecting key areas to ensure these animals can thrive.
Anout New England Aquarium
The New England Aquarium is a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation. With more than 1.3 million visitors a year, the Aquarium is one of the premier visitor attractions in Boston and a major public education resource for the region.
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