Michelle Mallett Commemorates 50th Anniversary of Save Our Shores by Participating in Open Water Swim

DURHAM, N.H. – Fifty years ago a grassroots movement prevented the largest oil refinery in the world from being built on the Seacoast. The movement was led by the hard-working members of the Durham, UNH and Rye communities.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the campaign, a small group of open water swimmers swam 7.5 miles from Appledore Island to the public side of the jetty off Wallis Sands State Park on Aug. 20. This location is where the oil pipeline was supposed to be placed.

Associate Head Athletic Trainer Michelle Mallett took part in the swim as she jumped off Appledore Island to swim into the ocean as the initial leg for her relay team.

"I was extremely grateful to be a part of the Save Our Shores commemorative swim as a member of a relay team," said Mallett. "We have some amazing athletes in our Seacoast Open Water Swim Group & I commend all the participants from the event including our event coordinator, Bob Fernald, as well as all the supporters of the swim/beach clean-up event."

Mallett, who wore a UNH Wildcats swim cap, was honored to keep the connection to UNH & the community/scientists that were key to keeping the refinery from being built.

"In committing to this swim, I knew of the UNH connection helping thwart the building of the largest oil refinery off our seacoast back in the 70's. Now, having the shared UNH/Cornell research facility on Appledore Island conducting environmental research that aligns with the sustainability mission our university truly embraces is part of the amazing full circle aspect of this story. I was honored to have the UNH connection during this event and I'm extremely proud to be a part of this institution."

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