Digital Extra

"We thank and applaud the support and effort of thousands of private citizens who offered their time, services, money and equipment in this process," said Curt Spaulding, Save the Bay executive director.

The group, which claims to have rounded up more than 700 volunteers during a week of crisis response, also used the opportunity to marshal the volunteers' energy for another task: continuing to monitor the state's shoreline.

"We've had a lot of concern and popular support for this tragic and catastrophic event." said Frederick D. Massie, the director of education and communication for Save the Bay. "We'd like to take the energy, the sadness and anger and convert it into something long-lasting."

Save the Bay volunteers and staffers handed out surveys and coastline maps to many of the 250 who attended yesterday's event.

After Spaulding speech, participants wrote postcards to officials, composed poetry, drew murals and signed a petition demanding greater protection for the shoreline.

For some, yesterday's event was a chance to cap a week of intense activity. For others, such as Providence College sophomore Jared Wilber, it was a way to get started.

"I wanted to come down and help all week," he said. "But I wasn't sure what I could do to get involved."

Among the participants were students, Girl Scouts, retirees and parents with their children.

"I never knew the wildlife in Rhode Island had so many friends," said Ron Flores, a U.S. and Wildlife Service biologist who briefed the volunteers on safety.