Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Quarterly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
Issue link: https://uscgreservist.epubxp.com/i/865641
Coast Guard reservist is named Save the Bay's new Narragansett Baykeeper This article originally ran in The Western Sun. Save The Bay has appointed Michael Jarbeau as its new Narragansett Baykeeper. Jarbeau, who began his new position Mar. 21, becomes Save The Bay's fourth Baykeeper since 1992. As Baykeeper, he will be the public face of Save The Bay on the water, a point of contact for the public to report pollution concerns, and a contributor to Save The Bay's policy and advocacy initiatives. Jarbeau is a fourth-generation Rhode Islander, born and raised in Warwick, who spent most of his summers growing up at Buttonwoods Beach, swimming, fishing and sailing with his family. His first exposure to pollution problems on the Bay were shellfish closures, he said. "I remember being disheartened by the fact that the place I loved so much wasn't healthy and thriving. The Bay played a major role in my development and my education and career choices, which is why I'm thrilled to be in a position to directly advocate for the Bay as Baykeeper," he said. In his first three weeks on the job, Jarbeau says he has been immersing himself in Save The Bay's past, present and future initiatives. "I'm trying to meet as many people as possible, and I'm looking forward to getting out on the water as soon as possible. I've been so impressed by just how much Save The Bay has been doing and how involved the entire staff is in everything we do. It's very humbling to be part of this team," he said. Jarbeau says the Bay is much healthier than it was 40-50 years ago when Save The Bay was founded, "and that speaks to the hard work of the people who came before us. But there are still many issues facing Narragansett Bay, such as climate change, which is creating a whole new range of issues that people weren't thinking about decades ago." Prior to joining Save The Bay, Jarbeau served his country with an environmental protection and life-saving focus as an officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. He earned a bachelor's degree at the Coast Guard Academy and a master's degree in marine affairs at the University of Rhode Island. He served as a commissioned officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Venturous in Florida, the Coast Guard Cutter Sanibel in Massachusetts, and the Fifth Coast Guard District in Virginia, participating in fisheries, counter-drug and other law- enforcement missions, search and rescue operations and development of Mid- Atlantic fisheries regulations. He is now a lieutenant commander in the Coast Guard Reserve. � l t. Cmdr. Michael Jarbeau, USCGR and the current Baykeeper of Narragansett Bay, Rhode i sland Are You Aboard? 860.439.1790 I info@coastguardmuseum.org I www.CoastGuardMuseum.org By registering, you will be kept informed of the latest scuttlebutt, including: • Quarterly Newsletters • Upcoming Events • Major Milestones in the design and construction phases Registration is now open to ALL Coast Guard personnel - active, reserve, retired, civilian, auxiliary and family! Visit CoastGuardMuseum.org CoastGuardMuseum.org CoastGuardMuseum.org CoastGuardMuseum.org CoastGuardMuseum.org to register today! STAY CONNECTED!