Paul Rollins has been diving in Casco Bay and surrounding waters for more than 40 years. On a cloudy but warm morning in July, Paul suits up to dive in Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth. Every time he dives, Paul cleans the ocean floor, picking up debris and trash from years of dumping. “[People think] if they throw something in and it disappears underwater it’s gone and nobody will ever see it, well… I see it. I see it every time I dive.”
Like many local residents, Paul’s life is intimately connected to Casco Bay.
This story is one of many collected this summer by multimedia producer Galen Koch for Casco Bay Estuary Partnership’s Casco Bay Stories Project. The Project is focused on gathering engaging, personal stories about how people use and enjoy Casco Bay and how the Bay is changing over time. Stories explore Casco Bay and its watershed, which includes the lakes and rivers that drain to the Bay.
Stories are collected, edited, and posted to www.cascobaystories.org, Facebook and Twitter. Recent stories include tales of an alewife harvester who protects spawning fish, a family who lives on their sailboat in Casco Bay, a local lobsterman, kids exploring nature and much more. Story ideas are welcome. For more information, contact Galen Koch at galen.e.koch@gmail.com or 207-664-4759.
The Casco Bay Stories Project was created to listen to and engage with a diverse group of people, businesses and organizations that live, work and play in and around Casco Bay.
“The Casco Bay Stories Project is all about listening to and engaging with our community,” said Curtis Bohlen, director of Casco Bay Estuary Partnership. “We’re learning about what people value about Casco Bay, and that helps us set priorities. Sharing these stories with the public encourages others to reflect on what they care about, and reminds us all of the importance of a clean and healthy bay.”
Casco Bay Estuary Partnership is a catalyst for action with the goal of keeping Casco Bay and its nearly 1,000 square miles of watershed clean and healthy. Partners include citizen organizations and government agencies with a stake in the protection of the Bay.
