Community Action
Here are some of BBWC's many community-driven activities—past and current—aimed at protecting the watershed. The Coalition also collaborates with scores of organizations across the region, especially the schools.
The Bag Ban
One visible—and perhaps underestimated—effort has been Ban the Bag, a 2018 campaign to eliminate plastic bags and polystyrene containers. Alumni of the Penobscot Bay Stewards program spearheaded the effort, and, recognizing the success of the Belfast’s and other Maine towns, the state of Maine adopted the legislation in 2021.
Plastics
Spearheaded by alumni from the Pen Bay Stewards class of 2023, BBWC strives to protect the watershed from the harmful effects of single-use plastic (i.e. straws, cutlery, and take-out containers) by reducing their use and supporting local businesses and the greater Belfast community in this endeavor.
This is an ongoing effort, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, as part of this effort, we offer metal cutlery in handy, packable, travel kits at BBWC events.
Trail Maintenance
BBWC maintains a number of trails in the area, including Little River, a 4.2-mile quiet wooded trail alongside the reservoir and stream running into Belfast Harbor and Davis Bog Preserve, a 40-acre white cedar wetland in the Town of Morrill. Historically, we helped develop the Hills to Sea trail. Curious? Here’s a map for Little River.
Butts Be Gone
In 2020, BBWC volunteers organized Butts Be Gone, an effort to protect the bay from the some 4,000 substances found in cigarettes, which include ammonia, arsenic, butane, DDT, acetone, cadmium and formaldehyde, as well as plastics. When dropped onto the streets of Belfast, butts wash down the drains and end up in the bay.
As part of the project, BBWC installed 14 Butt Buttlers (cigarette discard containers) in downtown Belfast. These containers have helped recycle thousands of cigarette butts. Through a collaboration, the Maine Coastal Reentry Center has collected the butts monthly and shipsped them to a recycling enterprise that breaks down the components for use in constructing industrial products. The project is currently under review.
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Volunteers make the BBWC possible. Throughout our history, volunteers have fueled our strategies and our actions. Volunteers work with teachers on environmental education, build trails, conduct outings and field trips. Want to know more? Visit our Learn & Play page, then join in, and donate.
