What Grows On in Rhode Island ~ News Blog

What Grows On in Rhode Island! has Little Rhody's most comprehensive environmental event Calendar and posts press releases & event notices from anyone organizing public environmental events in or near Rhode Island. Subscribe to

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Asian Longhorn Beetle ~ Survey Volunteers Needed

From RI Tree Council:

RITree is looking for volunteers to help conduct ALB detection surveys during the months of August and September 2009.  The surveys will be held in areas of Cranston, Warwick and northwestern RI.  Volunteers will be required to attend a training workshop where they will be taught to identify the adult beetle, ALB injury, and ALB-host trees, and how to collect and report the survey data.  The location, time and date for the training sessions is provided below:

George Washington Management Area
Thursday, July 16, 2009; 9:30am to 11am

Warwick Public Library, West Shore Road, Warwick, RI
Monday, July 20, 2009; 6:30pm to 8pm

Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, 399 Fruit Hill Avenue, North Providence, RI
Saturday, July 18, 2009; 9:30am to 11am

Must RSVP to RITree @  764-5885

Rhode Island Tree Council
PO Box 6144
Providence, RI  02940
401-764-5885
www.ritree.org

The Newport Flower Show ~ Story on WNYC ~ July 3, 2009

WNYC blog entry has links to an interview Trudy Coxe about this year's Newport Flower Show.

Norman Bird Sanctuary to Celebrate 50 years of Summer Camp! ~ July 16, 2009

Contact: Lesley Muir, Norman Bird Sanctuary Development Associate, lmuir@normanbirdsanctuary.org, 401-846-2577 ext.17

Calling all Past, Present, and Future NBS Campers and Staff!

Mark your Calendars for our 50th Camp Reunion Celebration
Thursday, July 16 - 6:00-9:00 P.M.

Join us for a catered dinner and a chance to reminisce with friends new and old. 
Best yet, proceeds from the evening will help to support the NBS education scholarship fund!

Don’t miss the:
· Campfire Sing-along and Skit Night
· Make-your-own Puddingstone Station
· Discovery Walks to the Pond
· Slideshow and Raffle
· Nature Crafts, Live Animals, S’mores - and more!

Visit www.NormanBirdSanctuary.org for more information and to register. Tickets are $20 for adults in advance, and $25 at the door. 
Children under 13 are $5 each.

Do you have a story about NBS camp to share?  Send your memories and pictures to education@normanbirdsanctuary.org

 

EVENT:                    Norman Bird Sanctuary Celebrates 50 Years of Summer Camp

LOCATION:              Norman Bird Sanctuary
                                  583 Third Beach Road
                                 Middletown, RI 02842

DATE & TIME:          Thursday, July 16, 2009  
                                 6 – 9pm

FOR TICKETS:         go to www.normanbirdsanctuary.org or call 401-846-2577
                                 Adults:  $20 in advance; $25 at the door
                                 Children under 13:  $5 each

Woonasquatacket River Paddle ~ July 12, 2009

From Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council:

On Sunday, July 12, 2009 at 11:00am the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) is leading a canoe/kayak trip through the downtown portion of the Woonasquatucket River. This easy two hour paddle from South Water Street to Atwells Avenue and back will give participants a new perspective on the city. We will travel past some of the old mills as well as through Waterplace Park and past downtown Providence where the Woonasquatucket River meets the Moshassuck River to form the Providence River. 
"While this is definitely an urban river, we have seen red-tailed hawks, great blue herons, peregrine falcons, and many other birds in this stretch of the river," says Bruce Hooke, WRWC board member and paddle leader. The complete round trip is about 3-1/2 miles. The WRWC has canoes and kayaks available but participants can also bring their own. Life jackets and paddles will be provided with WRWC boats but must be brought by the paddler if they use their own boat.
For participants who are using a WRWC boat, the cost is $20/person. For participants bringing their own boat, the price is $10/person.
This event is part of a series of paddling events called “Explore the Woonasquatucket,” organized by the WRWC this summer and fall throughout the Woonasquatucket River Watershed. Details on the full schedule of paddling events is available on the Watershed Council’s website: http://www.woonasquatucket.org .
To register or for more information, call or email Bruce Hooke at the Watershed Council at (401) 351-5747 or bhooke@woonasquatucket.org . Advanced sign-up is required so that we can determine how many boats we need and keep the trip from getting too large.

Audubon RI Seeking New Animal Care Intern

From Audubon Society of RI:

We are currently seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated new animal care intern who is interested in learning about the care, maintenance and handling of our education raptors, reptiles and invertebrates. The internship is based out of our state headquarters, Powder Mill Ledges refuge in Smithfield, RI. A full description is posted on WWW.ASRI.ORG here:

This internship is open to high school graduates (possibly open for an outstanding high school senior), requires a set schedule and is for a duration of a minimum of four months. Position to start ASAP.

Inquiries and resumes can be sent to:
Kim Calcagno - Refuge Manager and Raptor Care Supervisor
Audubon Society of Rhode Island
12 Sanderson Rd
Smithfield, RI 02917
401-949-5454 ext 3021
kcalcagno@asri.org

Thanks!!
-Kim Calcagno

Clean Diesel Ordinance ~ Providence City Council ~ June 25, 2009

From Clean Water Action:

Support Clean Air!
Help Providence Pass the Clean Diesel Ordinance!

Thursday, June 25th
CITY HALL 25 Dorrance St.
5:30 PM | 3rd Floor

You Make It Happen
Call your City Councilman and stand in the room with the Ordinance Committee this Thursday to let them know you care – that there is a better way of doing business – that Providence can grow jobs and protect people at the same time >> Council@providenceri.com | (401) 521-7477

Diesel Hearing Action Alert

For info re an earlier city council meeting: http://www.cleanwateraction.org/action/providence-needs-cleaner-air-now-push-clean-construction

Outdoor Hydronic Heaters (Wood Boilers) in Rhode Island

This information is from Rhode Islanders for Clean Air (rifca08@yahoo.com)

RE: RI House of Representatives Legislation:  H 5218 Outdoor Hydronic Heaters, commonly known as wood boilers

As anticipated our legislature will try to vote this bill out of committee in hopes of it getting passed on the house floor by the end of the session.   The hearing is for Thursday June 25th,2009, at the rise of the house (aprox 4:30).  If everyone has done their part and contacted their representative it should not pass the floor.  Obviously we need to stop it in committee.  If everyone can please show their support and come to the hearing.  Below is a list of what the bill must contain:

The most important is a limit on the amount of Particulate a boiler can emit measured in   GRAMS PER HR.  The bill currently only allows for a reduction to .32 lbs. mm/ btu This allows the device to emit anywhere from 18 to 71 grams per hr.  (a woodstove emits 4 ½ ) The Nescaum model rule (which assists states in regulating OWB’s) limits the boilers to 15 grams per hr. The EPA, Nescaum, the department of health and all of us living and breathing OUR air want a limit of particulate matter  measured in grams per hr.

Save the Bay Calls for Action on CRMC

From Save the Bay:

 Bill to fix CRMC stuck in RI House

Save The Bay calls on House to act before end of session

PROVIDENCE (June 19, 2009) – As time ticks down on the current session of the Rhode Island General Assembly Save The Bay is calling on the RI House of Representatives to pass Senate Bill 414A and put the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) on firm legal footing before the time runs out.

Hearing on CRMC ~June 25, 2009

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SEPARATION OF POWERS AND OVERSIGHT NOTICE OF MEETING

JOBS ~ AmeriCorps Bridges 4 Learning

Position: 15 Full-Time AmeriCorps Member with Bridges 4 Learning
Host Sites:   Cranston, Providence & Woonsocket
8 Members:  June 2009 - May 2010, approximately 37 hours/week (includes occasional nights & weekends)
7 Members:  Aug. 2009 - July 2010, approximately 37 hours/week (includes occasional nights & weekends)

Are you looking for an opportunity to develop your communication, community outreach, and teaching skills?  Do you have a passion for the environment, theater, education and children?  Are you looking for a unique opportunity to serve your country developing new programming for diverse communities? The Bridges 4 Learning (B4L) Collaborative is the AmeriCorps program for you!