One of the main attractions of living in Rhode Island is the proximity to the ocean and the Narragansett Bay. As our quality of life depends on the health of the coastal environment, we need to foster and preserve a clean marine environment. This mission requires continuous monitoring and exploration of our bays, estuaries and beaches to document and track changes that could affect the health of marine animal and plant life. As a researcher in target and environmental scattering, I am interested in the complex environments associated with coastal waters. Understanding these environments will help support both U.S. security initiatives and public marine science education.