Conservation Law Foundation

Everyone should have access to places to cool off from the summer heat, but across New England, publicly accessible lakes and beaches can be hard to find.

Here are some of our favorite accessible swim spots across New England:

Guest Blog: Mardi Fuller's Top Picks for Swimming in New England Climate change is making New England’s summers hotter and heat waves longer. But finding a swimming hole to cool off isn’t easy for everyone. We asked Mardi Fuller about accessible and equitable access to swimming spots and about her top picks for beaches and lakes across the region. Mardi advoc...

A visit to Cashes Ledge showed why this underwater oasis needs and deserves protection:

Four Wonders I Saw at Cashes Ledge Cashes Ledge is an underwater mountain range that nurtures a multitude of species, many of them vulnerable to human impacts as well as climate change.

After a big storm, stormwater & sewage can overload our sewer system, dumping industrial wastewater & untreated sewage into bodies of water and sparking toxic algae blooms:

Toxic Water Ruins New England Summer Fun Toxic blue-green algae makes it dangerous to swim for humans and animals, and climate change is making it worse.

Forecasters expect as many as 25 named storms this year, of which as many as seven may become major hurricanes:

Hurricane Season is Here. Are Building Codes Ready? Massachusetts cities and towns are exposed to more flood risks due to extreme weather and sea level rise, and building codes need to keep up.

CLF is growing! With growth comes exciting new opportunities!

Click the link below to learn more and apply. DM us with any questions!

https://www.clf.org/careers-at-clf/

Along Maine’s coast, racing to preserve Indigenous history before climate change washes it away:

Indigenous history lies buried in far downeast Maine. The race is on to preserve it. - The Boston Globe As climate change leads to higher seas, archeologists are racing to understand and preserve what they can before the ocean takes it away.

Low-income neighborhoods have 41% fewer trees than wealthier ones & communities of color have 33% fewer trees than predominantly white ones.

The Truth About Tree Equity The number of trees in a neighborhood is determined by income and race. It's a troubling imbalance that holds broad social implications as we grapple with climate change.

From oil spills to gas explosions to accidents on oil rigs – between 1968 & 2011, fossil fuel accidents claimed the lives of nearly 5,000 Americans and uncountable wildlife.

Fossil Fuels Are More Dangerous Than You Think. Clean Energy Offers a Way Out. Fossil fuels are dangerous to workers and communities. Renewable energy is a safer alternative.

Massachusetts Legislature fails to pass climate bill:

Massachusetts Legislature Fails to Pass Climate Bill The Massachusetts Legislature failed to pass a climate bill as the legislative came to an end and left unaddressed significant measures that were essential to a clean energy transition and to rein in the expanded use of dirty gas.

Another critically endangered North Atlantic right whale has been found entangled.

The whale, "Dropcloth," has endured at least 4 other entanglements in his life. We need to fund on-demand gear to prevent these tragic, life-threatening injuries:

Entangled North Atlantic right whale spotted in Gulf of St. Lawrence | CBC News An endangered North Atlantic right whale has been spotted entangled in fishing gear in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, east of Miscou Island, N.B., says Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Vermont: Torrential storms dumped 5 - 8 inches of rain over several hours, triggering catastrophic flooding for the second time in a month

‘It’s devastating’: Flash flooding, up to 8 inches of rain destroy homes, trigger swiftwater rescues in Vermont - The Boston Globe A flash flood warning has been issued as catastrophic flooding continues to overtake parts of northeastern Vermont hours after 5 to 8 inches of torrential rains swept through the area overnight into early Tuesday.

Unlike other New England states, New Hampshire does not have laws designed to protect environmental justice communities.

New Hampshire Environmental Justice Laws Must Consider Total Pollution Unlike other New England states, New Hampshire does not have laws designed to consider the cumulative effects of pollution.

🎉 BIG NEWS: 🎉

As of today, CLF has officially nominated Cashes Ledge to become a National Marine Sanctuary.

As a sanctuary, Cashes Ledge will receive permanent protections that will safeguard this marine treasure for future generations:

CLF Proposes Cashes Ledge as National Marine Sanctuary Conservation Law Foundation on Monday submitted a nomination to make the Cashes Ledge Area, encompassing an extraordinary undersea mountain range and one of the most unique ecological structures in U.S. ocean waters, a National Marine Sanctuary.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: 🚨

Yesterday, the MBTA board approved a contract that will electrify the Fairmount Line on the Commuter Rail:

MBTA Board Gives Green Light to Commuter Rail Electrification Now that this program is approved, the Board must make sure this plan stays on track and should also look to other lines to electrify. Electrification isn’t just a choice—it’s a necessity for health and equity.

Improved biking infrastructure would keep bikers safe, enhance transit equity, and help us meet our climate goals:

Boston Cyclists Deserve Better Biking and the infrastructure to support it should be an integral part of Boston’s climate and transit vision.

Everyone deserves to cool off: Here are our favorite accessible swim spots in New England!

Guest Blog: Mardi Fuller's Top Picks for Swimming in New England Climate change is making New England’s summers hotter and heat waves longer. But finding a swimming hole to cool off isn’t easy for everyone. We asked Mardi Fuller about accessible and equitable access to swimming spots and about her top picks for beaches and lakes across the region. Mardi advoc...

❗Last chance: ❗

Add your name today to our letter supporting the protection of Cashes Ledge, the crown jewel of the Gulf of Maine. Your voice can make a difference:

Support Sanctuary Status for Cashes Ledge Show your support for protecting Cashes Ledge, the Gulf of Maine's crown jewel!

Last summer, MA saw over 70 beach closures due to toxic algae outbreaks:

Toxic Water Ruins New England Summer Fun Toxic blue-green algae makes it dangerous to swim for humans and animals, and climate change is making it worse.

With temps in the mid to high 90's and extremely high humidity, this week’s heat wave could set a record for July in Boston:

Boston declares heat emergency; Highs will hit 90s for 3 days The heat emergency will last from Monday, July 15 through the 17 as temperatures are expected to climb well into the 90s. The National Weather Service warned that isolated severe thunder storms are possible Monday afternoon, with additional scattered thunderstorms on Tuesday evening and again late W...

A settlement in Hawai’i shows what may be possible here in New England:

Climate Lawsuits Launched By Youth Reflect A Need for Action The state of Hawai’i agreed to cut carbon emissions in a historic climate case settlement with young activists. This is a big win with implications for communities in New England and beyond.

We like to think those bags we collect will be recycled, but that’s not what happens:

Recycling Bin to Incinerator; The Dirty Truth About Plastic Bags Single-use plastic bag recycling seems like the right thing to do, but only a tiny portion of our plastic bags get recycled.

One year after torrential rains devastated Vermont, the state once again faces dangerous floods:

1 dead, dozens rescued after heavy rains inundate Vermont - VTDigger Towns and cities from Addison to Caledonia counties were hit with 3 to 5 inches of rain late Wednesday, with some totals exceeding 6 inches.

On flood anniversary, Vermont again faces heavy & potentially dangerous rains:

On flood anniversary, Vermont again faces heavy — and potentially dangerous — rains - VTDigger The remnants of Tropical Storm Beryl are expected to hit the state on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service, with the potential for “scattered to perhaps numerous flash flooding” events.

Humans are endangering whole branches of right whale family trees.

A North Atlantic Right Whale Family Tree Ship and boat strikes and entanglements in fishing gear are harming right whale families.

Calving season is only months away and right whale mothers and calves will suffer the most if new speed limit protections are not in effect.

Right Whale Vessel Strike Protections Sought By Nov. 1 Conservation groups are pushing for long-delayed federal action to finalize expanded vessel strike protections for critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.

Planning a bbq this summer? Here’s how to avoid leftovers:

Got Leftovers? Thrifty Tips for a Waste Free Gathering Here are a few tried-and-true tips to reduce food waste on your next summer cookout – and during your holiday feasts, too.

Cashes Ledge is an underwater mountain range in the Gulf of Maine & a refuge for marine life – and currently, it’s not permanently protected.

You can help change that! Sign our letter of support to show that you support sanctuary status for Cashes Ledge:

Support Sanctuary Status for Cashes Ledge Show your support for protecting Cashes Ledge, the Gulf of Maine's crown jewel!

A year ago, as historic levels of rain fell and rivers jumped their banks, Vermont’s dams felt the full force of the flooding.

Last year’s flooding caused ‘close calls’ for Vermont dams. Officials are trying to make sure it doesn’t happen again. - VTDigger A year after historic rainfall strained Vermont’s dams, the state is implementing sweeping reforms in how it regulates and oversees the structures.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: 🚨

The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned 40 years of precedent, weakening federal power to regulate pollution & environmental harms:

Supreme Court Rules in Chevron Doctrine Case The U.S. Supreme Court overturns Chevron doctrine, weakening federal power to regulate pollution and environmental harms.

Last summer, MA saw over 70 beach closures due to toxic blue-green algae:

Toxic Water Ruins New England Summer Fun Toxic blue-green algae makes it dangerous to swim for humans and animals, and climate change is making it worse.