Writing Contest Winners 2017-2018
Honorable Mention, Grades 6-8
Jing Ren
Grade 8, Beebe School, Malden
Danae O'Bryan, Teacher
Walking Along Boston Harbor
"Mom! Mom!" Matthew screamed in excitement, his eyes bulged when he saw the Boston Harbor, "The harbor is so beautiful!"
"Oh, absolutely yes! Look Matthew, we can even see the bottom of the water." Mom replied with a big, proud smile on her face, "Since MWRA completed the Boston Harbor Clean-up, people, plants and animals have returned to enjoy the clean waters and beaches."
"Mom?" Matthew asked, "What is the clean-up you are talking about? When did it happen? Mom, I want to know."
"Okay, that's a great question! Since we are here today at the Boston Harbor, I will tell you a history about this beautiful harbor as we walk along the harbor. It is a story of recovery and hope."
"Oh yes!" Matthew screamed in eagerness.
"Back then 30 years ago, when I was your age, it wasn't as pretty as what we see right now. To be honest, it was the worst, dirtiest, and smelliest harbor of the nation! Dark, dirty materials were everywhere, floating on top of the water. People were just like me everyone was afraid of being near it." Mom explained.
"Is it because people were ignoring the environment?" Matthew asked. He was such a good listener, he remembered every single word his mom had said.
"Oh yes, people didn't really care about it. Judge A. David Mazzone said 'The law secures to the people the right to a clean harbor.' Fortunately, the former chief law officer of Quincy, William Golden, started to take action about the dirty harbor. So in 1982, the City of Quincy sued the state for violating the harbor. And in 1985, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority was created."
"Mom, I think they are the heroes of Boston, without them and some other great people, we won't even have such a beautiful harbor." Matthew commented, "When I grow up, I want to be like them, I also want to contribute to my city, and make it better."
Mom laughed and softly patted Matthew's head. "It took about three decades to complete this huge project on cleaning up the harbor. As a result, the Boston Harbor Clean-up allowed people to start coming back to Boston Harbor, as an enjoyable, relaxing place. That project is now known as one of the greatest environmental achievements! The difference in harbor is palpable. People now can swim and fish in the water where they couldn't before. The Clean-up really change the way everyone feels about the city, and helped us to really take pride again in where we live."
"There are many benefits from the Clean-up. A clean harbor means a better economy: mixes of residential uses, commercial uses, and cultural institutions all coming to the waterfront." Mom said.
Still, Matthew listened to his mom very carefully, he was so afraid of missing any word his mom said. Together, they walk passed groups of tourists, and cruise ships. They also saw all kinds of different plants and flowers growing in and on the side of the harbor.
"Certainly, the Clean-up didn't just benefit human. After the Clean-up, many plants had returned to this place that one time was considered some of the most contaminated spots." Mom explained, pointing to the salt marshes, "Salt marshes, the most highly productive ecosystems in the world, provide habitat for many marine organisms ... "
Matthew interrupted, "So mom, not only human and plants got better, animals also got benefit from the Clean-up, right?"
"Yes, you're absolutely correct! Now we're seeing return of many sensitive marine species to areas that one time were so poisonous and any organisms that were there were contaminated. We're seeing everything from small fish, sticklebacks, to large predators, like sand tiger sharks, and many, many more. The Boston Harbor Islands provide shelter and food-rich habitats for marine birds, mammals, fishes and invertebrates, as well as nurseries for their young." Mom said with pride.
"Mom! Look over there, so many birds!" Matthew screamed, running towards the birds.
"Oh look at you! The diversity of upland and marine habitats provides good nesting and feeding opportunities for many birds. There are birds like gulls, terns, herons, ducks, geese, hawks, plovers, sandpipers, doves, owls, woodpeckers, and perching birds ... " Mom explained chasing after Matthew, she chuckled, "Matthew, stop running, you are going to scare the birds away."
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