Pollution reduction, damage prevention, and restoration of ecosystems are three main goals of the Save the Bay project. The Good Samaritan Institute is leading the effort to connect stakeholders with a modern system of collaboration to plan, fund, and complete conservation projects in record time. The system will collect and process vital water quality data from around the entire bay in real time. The data will be processed with state of the art AI technologies that will advise solutions to achieve results for all stakeholders. This data is desperately needed by scientists and local and state governments to understand sources of pollution, inform water management systems, raise awareness of the issues, and to ensure our region becomes  a high priority for the Department of Environmental Protection. 

The system will also use innovative digital technologies like blockchain and a decentralized autonomous organization to share data and collaborate on solutions. Using a system of smart contracts and decentralized financing opens up more opportunities for public-private partnerships and individual participation while increasing transparency and efficiency. Data-informed collaboration and use of modern technologies are essential to reduce pollution and ensure long-term solutions. 

The Save Our Bay project will help advise and implement practical solutions to reduce pollution, prevent future damage, and restore ecosystems. The shared data collected from the ring of sensors will advise effective solutions to identify and stop sources of pollution. Nature-based solutions like building bioswales, living shorelines, and managing stormwater channels to filter water and prevent flooding will protect and restore the Bay. Partnering with other organizations to restore native plant populations and natural habitat for local wildlife is critical to success and supporting healthy water quality.

If every stakeholder takes responsibility for their area then the Bay will be restored in as little as 3 years and protect it for the next generation. Local universities and conservation groups are eager to conduct studies and support a variety of conservation efforts already in play. The work of this collaborative project will also influence legislation and public policy to ensure best practices for ecologically friendly development codes and conservation plans in local and state governments.