Nancy Estabrook Downes

Ocean advocate for 30+ years, surfer, artist. Sr. Field Rep for Oceana in Massachusetts. @oceana posts are for work, the rest are my personal views.

[Oceana @oceana]

STUNNING: An image of a humpback whale mother and calf is making headlines after winning top prize at the 2026 World Nature Photography Awards.

The image beautifully captures the close bond between humpback whale mothers and their young. 💙

#HumpbackWhaleAwarenessMonth

https://t.co/Sw616oVhJS

[Oceana @oceana]

#BREAKING: The Trump admin just released its plan to expand offshore drilling on the West, Gulf, and Alaskan coasts of the U.S.

This move threatens beloved beaches, precious marine life & countless coastal communities across the country – despite bipartisan public opposition. https://t.co/GAt5y3ehSZ

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

Count down to summer fun on the Cape! Let me know if you or anyone you know is looking for an affordable and pet-friendly rental mid-Cape! I can hook you up!

[Steve Heaslip @cctphoto]

A sparkling first Sunday of spring flying over the tip of Sandy Neck along Barnstable Harbor at low tide. @capecodtimes

[Oceana @oceana]

DID YOU HEAR: The Trump administration recently laid off employees at NOAA.

This agency plays a crucial role for our oceans and in our daily lives, often in ways we don’t even realize. Call on the U.S. Congress today to save NOAA: https://t.co/Q26oSxzoqi

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

@RepMcGovern @MayorWu @BostonSchools This is great news, thank you. Can we work together in 2025 to get plastic foam school lunch trays out of all schools in Massachusetts?

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

@peaceitimi Heard this saying on the Unfu*k Yourself audiobook this morning. Good one.

[Oceana @oceana]

It’s clear: we need to be doing more to protect the #RightWhaleToSave! Right now, @POTUS has the chance to publish an updated vessel speed rule that would save North Atlantic right whales from deadly ship strikes. Tell him to do it today! https://t.co/Da9lCHuctP

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

Urge your members of Congress to cosponsor the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act - https://t.co/XLaNUIHoY2

[Oceana @oceana]

Tiny plastic pellets, called nurdles, are the base for many plastic products, like bottles and bags. But these pellets frequently spill & end up polluting our waterways. It’s time for this harmful plastic pollution to end!

Learn more: https://t.co/Jz2kHurLy3

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

Thank you @storyofstuff for your support on this campaign for a better #MABottleBill

[The Story of Stuff Project @storyofstuff]

Plastic beverage bottles are often consumed on the go in the outdoors. So long as the #MABottleBill is falling short, we are flushing plastic into the ocean. These ocean-bound bottles were removed from Malden River by volunteers at Friends of Malden River.

[Just Zero @JustZeroOrg]

Did you know the Massachusetts Bottle Bill hasn’t been updated since 1983? 🫠 ️ It’s time for a change! Updating the Bottle Bill can drastically reduce litter, boost recycling rates, and protect our environment! 🌍💪 #MABottlebill

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

Thanks for all your hard work on this @Janet_MASSPIRG #MABottlebill

[Janet Domenitz @Janet_MASSPIRG]

At the State House, circling up for action on the updated bottle bill. We're ready to #reduce waste and litter, and increase #recycling. Thanks to @MarjorieDecker & @cindycreem for leading the way. #MABottlebill #betterbottlebill #ZeroWaste #mapoli

[Oceana @oceana]

SURPRISE: A North Atlantic right whale has been sighted off the coast of Ireland! This is one of only a few times these critically endangered whales have been seen on the eastern side of the Atlantic in the last 50-60 years. https://t.co/2eIKD6dLal

[Oceana @oceana]

NOW HIRING: Policy Intern: https://t.co/piMRvwqXDG

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

Thank You @BeccaRauschMA for your hard work and leadership on the Plastics Reduction Act!

[Senator Becca Rausch - INACTIVE ACCOUNT @BeccaRauschMA]

I’m thrilled to share that today, Massachusetts takes a giant step forward in climate action, waste reduction, and pollution prevention - my Plastics Reduction Act passed the Senate by a bipartisan vote of 38-2! 🧵

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

Thank you @cindycreem for your hard work and leadership in getting the Bottle Bill amendment adopted yesterday. #congratulations

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

@Janet_MASSPIRG @cindycreem @EnviroLeagueMA @StudentPIRGs @MassSierraClub @MAPCMetroBoston @JamieEldridgeMA @CRI_Recycle @uspirg #Winning indeed! Congrats all around. 👏

[Kirstie Pecci @KirstiePecci]

The #MABottleBill is part of the Senate Climate Bill! Fantastic opportunity to save cities and towns money, cut GHGs, reduce litter and improve recycling at no cost to taxpayers! @JustZeroOrg @storyofstuff @PlasticsBeyond @oceana @EnviroLeagueMA

[Massachusetts Sierra Club @MassSierraClub]

#CohassetMA joins @TownOfLexMA in voting overwhelmingly (79%) to ban the sale of #SingleServe #BottledWater in #toxic #PolyethyleneTerephthalate (#PETE) #plastic containers. 28 towns now have municipal and/or retail bans.
@BeccaRauschMA @MCiccolo #mapoli
https://t.co/omA8OSZtZZ

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

My kid is graduating high school tonight!! It goes by so fast!

[Millis High School @millishigh]

They’ve practiced and are ready for the spotlight as the Class of 2024 graduates tomorrow night! 6pm on Welch Memorial Field. If you can’t make it, the ceremony will be live streamed here: https://t.co/6RhpA0tt0F

[Nancy Estabrook Downes @nancy_e_downes]

I just told someone at a party that there aren’t any orcas around New England… whoops, sorry, Old Thom!

[MA Sharks 🦈 @MA_Sharks]

Looks like ‘Old Thom’ is visiting the area again. He was spotted today off Chatham. We know it’s him from his very distinct dorsal fin. You can see video of him here: https://t.co/MmePEXletF?