The students of Winthrop High School near Boston, Massachusetts have definitely learned the meaning of Backyard Conservation. The Environmental Science class was concerned about the possible negative impact that the new Deer Island Wastewater Treatment Plant might have on their community. The facility, built at a cost of 3.7 billion dollars, would represent the largest public works project in the United States in over a decade. The students were concerned about the ramifications of the plant's new outfall pipe. The 9.5 mile pipe would be channeling a variety of untreated phosphates, nitrates, and heavy metal toxins extremely close to Stellwagen Bank, one of the world's richest fisheries.

The Environmental Club began conducting water quality experiments near shore and at various offshore locations. Logic would dictate that the closer one was to the source of the outfall pipe, the higher the toxin levels would be. However, they were surprised to learn that the toxin levels were most concentrated near their school. The students became concerned that the pollution levels experienced by their community might be the result of their proximity to Boston's main airport. They also discovered that their school was built very close to three former WWII coastal gunnery sites. Through some investigation, they were alarmed to learn that the people of their community had suffered from statistically significant higher rates of lung cancer. These results were more prevalent in the female community. The Environmental Club attempted to document the pollution problem by monitoring water and air quality and conducting health surveys of the student and teacher population.

The students of Winthrop High may have brought some exposure to a possible community health hazard. They will continue to monitor air and water quality and work to engage the government officials responsible for public health.

The American Oceans Campaign made the following statement, "As a national conservation organization dedicated to safeguarding our oceans and coastal waters, American Oceans Campaign commends Winthrop High School's Environmental Science class for taking a close look at non-point source pollution in their community and acting to address the problem. As the students observed, non-point source pollution, the leading cause of water pollution nationwide, poses a serious threat to the health of our oceans, bays, lakes, and rivers and the people who depend on them. AOC also salutes the Environmental Science class for their commitment to using sound science as the basis for their activism."