Harbor Heroes are chosen for their work in service of Boston Harbor's ecology and environment, our youth and a commitment to inclusive and equitable access for our community.
Thanks to the work and commitment of these individuals and their organizations to the waterfront, our community, and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, Boston Harbor has become a civic, recreational, and educational asset for all Bostonians and the region’s residents.
As we continue our work as the leading voice for clean water and continued public investment in Boston Harbor, the region’s public beaches, and the Boston Harbor Islands, it’s our pleasure to highlight the significant role they have played in strengthening and sharing these incredible natural resources.
2026 Harbor Heroes
The Honorable Michael J. Rodrigues
Chair, Senate Committee on Ways & Means
Kristan McLaughlin
Director of Asset Management, Pembroke Real Estate
The Metropolitan Beaches Commission
Improving our region's beaches for 20 years
Ari Alarcón Flynn
Senior Harbor Educator, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
Raquel Halsey & Janelle Pocowatchit
Executive Director & Arts and Wellness Coordinator, The North American Indian Center of Boston
2026 Historic Heroes
Beth Nicholson
Founding Chair, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
William B. Golden, Esq.
Co-Founder, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
City Solicitor (1982–1983), City of Quincy
Massachusetts Senate (1985–1991), Norfolk and Plymouth
Ian Menzies (1920–2021)
Co-Founder, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
Environmental Columnist & Managing Editor, The Boston Globe
Judge Paul Garrity (1937–2004)
Co-Founder, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
Norfolk County Superior Court
Patricia Foley & Bruce Berman
President/CEO (1998–2019)
Director of Strategy and Communications (1990–2022)/Boston's BayWatcher
Save the Harbor/Save the Bay
Past Harbor Heroes
2025 Heroes
The Honorable Ronald J. Mariano
Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives
Allison Burke & Pete Sacco
Executive Director and Director of Community Outreach, NamaStay Sober
Joao Dos Santos
Director of Catholic Charities, Boston’s Teen Center at St. Peter’s
Steve Faber
Executive Vice President, Related Beal
2024 Heroes
The Honorable Aaron M. Michlewitz
Chair, Joint Committee on Ways & Means
Rhea Nannan, Janice Parlon, Mary McCarthy, and Joe Rotondo
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Ann and Chuck Lagasse
Ocean Havens
Jill Valdés Horwood
Barr Foundation, Director, Boston Waterfront Initiative
A.a.Ron Myers and Ed Word Galan
A Trike Called Funk
Jaylen Gómez
Save the Harbor Youth Staff
2023 Heroes
Senator Brendan Crighton
Third Essex Co-Chair, Metropolitan Beaches Commission
Representative Adrian Madaro
First Suffolk Co-Chair, Metropolitan Beaches Commission
The Freddura Family
The Daily Catch and Calamari Fisheries
Mswati Hanks
2 Charlestown Coalition – Turn it Around
Arthur Pearson
Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center
Maria Vasco
Uvida Shop
Laura Cuddihy & Jon Ferris
Boston Consulting Group