What Grows On in Rhode Island ~ News Blog

Northern Rhode Island Conservation District Annual Barbeque ~ September 11, 2009

From Northern Rhode Island Conservation District:
 
JOIN US FOR OUR ANNUAL DINNER: IT’S A BARBEQUE!
 
Addieville East Farm, 200 Pheasant Drive, Mapleville, RI 02839
 
Friday, September 11, 2009
 
Fun & Games:   4:00
H’or Dourves:                  5:30
Dinner:                              6:30
 
Buffet BBQ:  $30/person
 
Visit our the events page at www,riacd.org for ticket order forms and more information
 
Geoff Gaebe, owner of Addieville East Farm, has again invited us to enjoy this amazing retreat located on over 900 acres in northern Rhode Island.  Addieville is considered the premier pheasant hunting preserve in New England.  It also offers fly fishing, sporting clays shooting and 3-D archery as well as hiking, bird watching and a chance to observe a variety of wildlife.

Come explore the peace and tranquility of the woods while learning about the history of the farm.  Join our host and explore historical cemeteries, farm sites and a property that has over two hundred years of history.  The free tour will begin at approximately 4:00, weather permitting.

Take advantage of a great opportunity—our guests are invited to shoot sporting clays at 4:00 for an additional charge.  Space is limited.  Call the NRICD office (401)949-1480 to discuss shooting options and to make reservations.

NRICD is proud to offer locally raised meats supplied by members of the RI Raised Livestock Association (RIRLA) as part of our menu and we are very excited to partner with More than a Meal—a catering business operated by Amos House.  They will be preparing our BBQ again this year.
 
Our thanks to RI Rural Development Council who subsidized the purchase of locally raised meets as part of a grant to promote farmers markets in RI.
 
Mission Statement of NRICD
The Northern Rhode Island Conservation District fosters a community-based approach to the stewardship of northern Rhode Island ‘s natural resources through education and outreach into the communities, technical assistance and partnerships with other agencies.

Northeast Sustainable Energy Assoc Meeting ~ September 1, 2009

From Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA):

It’s that time again for the next NESEA RI meeting on Tuesday, September 1 at 6pm.

The topic:  “Lessons Learned on the Frontier of Energy Codes and Building Science”

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

Environmental Justice League of RI ~ October 4, 2008

The next full group meeting of the Environmental Justice League of RI.  The meeting will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4th between 10AM and Noon at Algonquin House, 807 Broad Street in Providence.

Announcement of Winners of John H. Chafee Conservation Awards ~ Dinner is May 9, 2008

From Environment Council of RI:

The John H. Chafee Conservation awards will be given out on Friday May 9 at the dinner at the Providence Marriott.  All ECRI members and Friends are encouraged to attend.  Tickets are $60.00 for a local foods dinner and ceremonies. For reservations please contact the ECRI office ASAP, contact information below, as we need to finalize dinner counts very soon.   

As it is after Earth Day, we can now reveal the winners.

The John H Chafee Conservation Leadership Award for 2008 goes to the Little Compton Agricultural Conservancy Trust for its preservation of 5 parcels, totaling more than 300 acres in the last year.

The other Chafee awards are going to 

• Amgen for its resource conservation program
• Fidelity for its Employees Wildlife Habitat conservation project
• Scituate High School for its Community Energy Conservation Program lead by ECRI member and Scituate HS science teacher  Shannon Donovan.

Hope all of you can join us on May 9 to honor these outstanding projects.

greg gerritt

-----------------------------------------------------
Environment Council of Rhode Island
PO Box 9061
Providence RI 02940
(401) 621-8048
http://www.environmentcouncilri.org

RI Wild Plant Society Annual Meeting ~ March 8, 2008

From RI Wild Plant Society:

RI WILD PLANT SOCIETY
Saturday, MARCH 8, 2008
PROGRAM & ANNUAL MEETING
Location:  Weaver Auditorium, URI Coastal Institute
Corner of Flagg & Greenhouse Road, Kingston, RI

Guest Speaker:  Dr. Susan Gordon
Manager of the Kinney Azalea Gardens in Kingston and Adjunct Asst. Professor of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at URI

“Changing Ecosystems, Changing Plants”

As climate and species demographics change, which plants are native, exotic or invasive? 
•    12:00 noon    Business Meeting
•    1:00 pm    Refreshments & Fellowship
•    1:30 pm    Program

Free and open to the public.
Snow date:  Saturday, March 15, same time, same place
(check local television or radio stations - or call 789-7497)

Rhododendron arborescens - Native?

Rhode Island Begonia Society Meeting ~ February 16, 2008

From Rhode Island Begonia Society:

OK begonia fans, let the excitement begin!

Have you all heard about Begonia 'bellfire'? We got B. 'bonfire' last summer and now we will have another sunloving begonia for summer pots and planters.  Pezza Farms in Johnston will be carrying it. As other garden centers get it we can share that info.

The RI Spring Flower and Garden Show will be starting on February 21st and we will be sharing a booth with our good buddies the New England Carnivorous Plant Society (thank you, John). We will be upstairs by the bookstore so please come by and say hello. Logees has kindly offered to loan us plants for our display.

Our meeting will be this Saturday, February 16th at 12:30 at the botanical center at Roger Williams Park in Providence.

We will be covering details of our booth set-up. I will also bring some terrariums to display so everyone can think about the April workshop, when Wanda Macnair from the Buxton Branch (MA) will be showing us how to create an indoor rain forest. People will need to sign up in advance for that so we be sure to have enough supplies. Wanda's expertise will be very welcome; she had done this presentation on TV and you won't want to miss it live!

Also, we have an option to tour the UConn greenhouses this spring... while they do not have a large begonia collection they do have some very interesting plants, especially from South Africa.

So many begonias, so little time!

If you need directions or have any questions, feel free to call me.
Priscilla Purinton
401-688-0678 cell
401-782-8154 home

Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island ~ March 1, 2008

From Environmental Justice League of Rhode Island:

An Environmental Justice League is forming in Rhode Island and is meeting regularly to work on resource development, fundraising, outreach, and governance. They adopted a mission statement, which is on their website at http://www.ejlri.org/about.html.

The next full group meeting of the EJLRI will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 10AM.  A location has not yet been chosen for this meeting.

Contact Steve Fischbach for further information:
--
Steven Fischbach
Community Lawyer
Rhode Island Legal Services
56 Pine Street--Suite 400
Providence, RI  02903

401-274-2652 X-182
401-453-0310 (fax)
steve.fischbach@gmail.com

This group's formation is the result of the Environmental Justice Forum held on November 3, 2007.

RI Chapter, Ruffed Grouse Society Annual Fundraiser ~ March 8, 2008

From The Providence Journal:

The Sunday 1/27/08 article, "With luck, Blackstone River will be trout heaven," not only reports on the release of a quarter of a million brown-trout fry in the Blackstone River, that will mature in the ocean and come back to spawn in the Blackstone in 3 or 4 years, but also mentions the next meeting of the Rhode Island Saltwater Anglers Association (RISAA) and the March 8 third annual fundraising dinner of the RI chapter of The Ruffed Grouse Society.

In the last three years, the Ruffed Grouse Society has raised $5,500 to give to the RI Division of Fish and Wildlife "for research and habitat improvement," which has been used to encourage the development of "young trees in 'early successional' forests that benefit wildlife on state lands." The society also promotes habitat development on private lands for birds and wildlife.

The dinner is at Ivy Garden, formerly Evelyn's, in West Warwick, March 8 beginning at 5. Reservations: call Ed McGovern (401-539-3178). Download WWarwickRI08.pdf

SEMAP Council Meeting, January 22, 2008

From Farm Fresh RI:

SEMAP's "Farms Forever" Program brings together farmers new and old.

This coming Tuesday, Southeastern Massachusetts Agricultural Partnership will hold a council meeting on the subject of new farmer training in the region. A panel of experienced farmers will discuss training and apprenticeship programs. Local growers are encouraged to come and join the discussion. For more information go to the SEMAP website.

SEMAP Council Meeting
Tuesday, January 22
6-8 p.m.
University of MA
Cranberry Station   Library
E. Wareham, MA