The Boston Harbor Association (TBHA) is a non-profit, public interest organization founded in 1973 by the League of Women Voters and the Boston Shipping Association to promote a clean, alive and accessible Boston Harbor. TBHA brings together diverse interests -- harbor users, environmentalists, developers, waterfront businesses, and decision makers -- to develop balanced solutions for maritime industrial activities, commercial development, environmental protection, and public access around Boston Harbor.

Enjoying the HarborWalk along the Fort Point Channel

TBHA cares about Boston Harbor as New England's maritime port, as a recreational and tourist asset, and as the centerpiece of the area's natural and urban environment. TBHA advocates for greater public access and open space along Boston Harbor, promotes the Port of Boston's economy, educates urban youths about Boston Harbor and related career opportunities through our
Harbor Bound program, promotes affordable public water transportation throughout the Harbor, monitors water quality improvements, and works for the restoration of Boston Harbor Beaches.

Boston's Working Port

The Boston Harbor Association is committed to promoting the interests of Working Port entities while assuring the protection of the surrounding natural environment. In the past decade, as Boston's waterfront has become more inviting to the public, efforts have intensified to utilize land once dedicated solely to maritime uses for non-water dependent uses. The Boston Harbor Association has made the promotion and protection of the Working Port and Designated Port Areas in Boston a top priority.

Since 2003, TBHA has worked with Working Port users, companies, and other nonprofit organizations to advance environmental sustainability. TBHA Executive Director Vivien Li spoke at The Coastal Society’s National Conference in June 2008 to encourage such sustainability efforts: 

• Construction of the recently completed energy-saving wind turbine facility at Forbes Industrial Site on Chelsea Creek.
   
• Implementation of new sustainability elements at Conley Terminal, including rubber tired gantry cranes retrofitted with Tier II engines, cranes powered by electricity instead of diesel, and all engines powered by Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel. The Tier II engines are also being used by tugboats, further reducing fuel consumption and pollution emissions.
   
• TBHA’s support of Massport’s efforts to provide on-shore electric power to the fishing fleet at the Fish Pier, thereby reducing diesel emissions.
   
• Installment of a renewable energy system on Deer Island, including solar panels, the use of methane gas as fuel, and plans for wind turbines. 

The Boston Harbor Association is continuing to work on environmental sustainability and public awareness, including the following:

• In January 2009, under the auspices of The Boston Harbor Association, MIT student Isaac Lozada conducted a calculation of the carbon footprint of the Working Port of Boston that will be used for future sustainability improvements. A copy of the Carbon Footprint Report is available by contacting TBHA at mail@tbha.org.
   
• On 4 August 2009, TBHA led a new HarborWalk tour, “Environmental Sustainability along Boston’s Waterfront” for the general public. It explored key locations on the South Boston waterfront that incorporate innovative sustainability elements: the Manulife / John Hancock corporate offices, Massport’s Fish Pier, and the Boston Children’s Museum.

Click here for more about the Working Port.

HarborWalk Network

Water transportation pavilion on the newest section of the HarborWalk at Fairmont Battery Wharf, completed early 2009.

In 1984, as a member of the City of Boston's Harborpark Advisory Committee, The Boston Harbor Association successfully advocated for the establishment of "HarborWalk" guidelines to encourage the development of public walkways, parks, sitting areas, cafes, public art, and other public amenities along Boston Harbor. The Boston Harbor Association continues to work closely with the City of Boston's Environmental Department, Boston Redevelopment Authority, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and waterfront property owners to ensure completion of the 47-mile HarborWalk public access system as well as promotion of HarborWalk amenities and programs. To learn more about activity on the HarborWalk, please visit TBHA's website bostonharborwalk.com website. Currently, the HarborWalk is more than 83% complete, with many new HarborWalk segments completed within the last two years. The newest segments are among the most attractive and user-friendly, including:

• Fairmont Battery Wharf, North End waterfront
• InterContinental Hotel on Fort Point Channel
• The Institute for Contemporary Art, South Boston
• NStar, Reserved Channel, South Boston
• West Link Park, Dorchester
• Navy Fuel Pier,East Boston
• Lewis Wharf, North End
• Sargent’s Wharf, North End
• Harborview, Charlestown
• Battery Wharf, North End
• Coast Guard Station, North End
• Connection from Prince Street Park, North End, to soon-to-be-developed Lovejoy Wharf

Click here for more about the HarborWalk

Boston Harbor Marine Debris  Removal 
and Prevention Program

As part of a public-private partnership, The Boston Harbor Marine Cleanup Project is in its tenth summer of improving Boston Harbor by eliminating marine debris, which can be navigational hazards as well as health hazards to both swimmers and marine life. Under the leadership of TBHA, the Boston Harbor Marine Debris Cleanup Project is a collaboration of public and private organizations working together to address and prevent floatable marine debris in Boston Harbor. 

Boston Line & Service Co., TBHA’s contractor,
removing marine debris from Boston Harbor.

Special thanks to the following partners who provide financial support for this project:

• Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
• Massachusetts Port Authority
• City of Boston, Mayor Thomas M. Menino
• Eastern Salt Company, Inc.

> Click here for a summary of the 2008 Program.

Trustees and Staff

> Click here for the Trustees and Staff directory
 

The Boston Harbor Association   -   374 Congress Street, Suite 307   -   Boston, MA 02210   -   617-482-1722 (P)   -   617-482-9750 (F)   -   mail@tbha.org