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Greylock Blackstone Lighthouse

 Providing Massachusetts resources for educators to enhance teaching and learning.

Government /Administration:

The Department of Conservation and Recreation was formed by the merger of the Department of Environmental Management and the Metropolitan District Commission in July, 2003.

Department of Environmental Management: The Boston Harbor Islands National Park contains 17 islands; six were operated cooperatively by the DEM and MDC.

Metropolitan District Commission: The MDC operated Boston Harbor Islands Reservation includes Georges, Lovells and Peddocks Islands.

National Park Service-Boston Harbor Islands Guide: This site explains the administration of the new Boston Harbor Islands National Park Area and links to a comprehensive Visitors Guide with information on various islands and activities.

See also City of Boston, Boston Redevelopment Authority, Thompson Island Outward Bound, Trustees of Reservations, U.S. Coast Guard, which own and manage specific islands.

 

History:

Boston Light: There are many pictures of Boston Light as well as maps and history, which are part of an excellent site on New England Lighthouses, A Virtual Guide, http://www.lighthouse.cc/ma.html/. As a national landmark, Boston Light is the best known Boston Harbor lighthouse, but there are others featured in the MA section: Broad Sound Channel Inner Range Lights, Deer Island Light, Graves Light, Long Island Head Light, Lovells and Spectacle Islands Range Lights, and Narrows "Bug Light".

Boston Online: This site provides links to Boston Harbor-related sites with topics ranging from history , commerce, and tourism to ferry services.

Boston University History of Recreation on the Islands: Boston University provides details on the history of recreation on many of the Boston Harbor Islands.

Edward Rowe Snow's History of Fort Warren:Contains historic information on Fort Warren with an emphasis on its role as a Civil War prison.

USS Constitution: This official website for the USS Constitution displays history, visitor information and details about the ship.

See also National Park Service Visitors Guide above

 

Science:

Environmental Protection Agency: This is a good site for general information on environmental projects, policies and events. Its Teacher Resource Center page has ideas and activities that could be adapted to the Boston Harbor Islands.

Massachusetts Water Resource Authority: MWRA provides information on Boston Harbor water quality, Deer Island, and the Third Harbor tunnel. See also listing under Curriculum above.

Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management: MCZM has a comprehensive website, with useful information on coastal management, aquaculture and other ocean subjects. Teachers can obtain educational materials from MCZM at http://www.magnet.state.ma.us/czm/czmpub.htm

MIT Sea Grant: This site details the scientific studies being done by this program. A special page offers learning materials for kids dealing with the Harbor at http://web.mit.edu/seagrant/education/literature.html

US Geological Survey: For the student researcher, the USGS displays many of its background papers online, dealing with the drainage basin and Harbor conditions. Search for Boston Harbor.

 

Events/Field Trips/Ferry Info:

Boston Harbor Cruises: A website detailing the services offered by Boston Harbor Cruises. The site includes information on their rates, times for departure, and vessels. Of particular interest is their "Fish Stories" page, which contains games and trivia on the harbor for children.

Harbor Express: The homepage for the Harbor Express commuter boat providing service around Boston Harbor

Mass Bay Lines: Information on ferry service in and around the harbor.

Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism: A good site for visitors, it provides information about the islands and ferry services.

Tall Ships and Sail Boston 2000: This website offers wonderful pictures from Sail Boston 2000's exciting tall ship event, which included opportunities for field trips and volunteering.

Save the Harbor Save the Bay: website is a good resource for Harbor events and activities and also provides information on internships and other programs for students.

The Boston Harbor Association website describes events, Harbor Walks, Harbor Bound educational programs.

Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center provides custom-designed school and summer programs, guided nature walks, self-guided walks.

See also MWRA, Boston Online, USS Constitution, Boston Light above. See Harbor Explorations and Marine Operations at UMass Boston below.

 

Commerce/Port:

Central Artery Project, Big Dig: This site contains good information on Spectacle Island and the Third Harbor Tunnel project.

Massachusetts Port Authority: This website features useful information regarding commerce and industry in Boston Harbor.

US Army Corps of Engineers: Boston Harbor dredging project will benefit port and commerce.

US Coast Guard: The USCG has a broad range of marine-related tasks including safety inspections of fishing and commercial vessels, rescue at sea, and law enforcement. District 1 covers the North Atlantic coast, including Boston Harbor.

See also Mass. Coastal Zone Management, MWRA, Mass. Office of Travel & Tourism above

 

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