What Grows On in Rhode Island ~ News Blog

Twilight Happenings on the Hill ~ Providence ~ October 24, 2009

From Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy:

Walk the Pumpkin Trail
Enjoy a magnificent Sunset and views of the City
Roast marshmallows, & share Mysterious Talesof the Area

SATURDAY, October 24 , 4:30 P M - 6:30 P M
Rain Date, Sunday, October 25 Free & Open to the Public. Heavy Rain Cancels.

Meet at the Neutaconkanut Hill Recreation Center Parking lot at 675 Plainfield St., Prov.
We will proceed to the Summit of the Hill & walk to the King Monument, back to the Summit where we will enjoy Marshmallows & Tales.(We hope you have some to share with us.) Bring a Flashlight. Dress for walking in wooded areas. No Masks or Costumes please.

Questions? Call 946-6594 or 943-1219 or e-mail<RCFitz2@cox.net> or <ElliP5@cox.net>

Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy Inc. members will serve as guides.

Climb Chopmist Fire Tower ~ October 17, 2009

DEM ANNOUNCES THAT PUBLIC IS INVITED TO CLIMB FIRE TOWER AT CHOPMIST FORESTRY HEADQUARTERS SATURDAY OCTOBER 17, 2009

PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management announces that on Saturday, October 17th, the public is invited to climb the fire tower at the Division of Forest Environment's Chopmist Headquarters at 1037 Hartford Pike (Route 101) in North Scituate. At one time there were 20 fire towers through out the state for the purpose of spotting and reporting forest fires.

Waterfowl Migration ~ October 18, 2009

From Appalachian Mountain Club ~ Narragansett Chapter

MIGRATION EVENT AT SACHUEST POINT

The Narragansett Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club will be enjoying a special view of bird and waterfowl migration from the scenic shores of Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge in Middletown on Sunday October 18 at 10:30 am.  Commentary will be provided by naturalists from the US Fish and Wildlife Service.  This is a great way to learn about the birds that only stop here during migration and are therefore a treat to see.
Please contact Jack by phone 331-4553 or email jschempp1@msn.com for mandatory registration and more information.

The Appalachian Mountain Club is America's oldest nonprofit conservation and recreation organization. Information about the 2,600-member Narragansett Chapter’s activities can be found at www.amcnarragansett.org.

 

Walk in the Forest ~ October 15, 2009

From RI DEM:

WALK IN THE WOODS WITH FORESTERS
Annual Forestry Program Will Be Held on October 15 by the Scituate Reservoir

            PROVIDENCE - The Rhode Island Chapter of the Society of American Foresters (RISAF) and the Department of Environmental Management have announced their 17th annual "Walk in the Forest" program and invite school classes and the general public to participate. The program is designed to educate the public about the benefits of healthy forests and how foresters care for them.

            “The 'Walk in the Forest' program is scheduled in the fall because it is such a beautiful time to be in the woods,” said Paul Dolan, deputy chief of DEM’s Division of Forest Environment and education coordinator of RISAF. Foresters will lead small groups through the woods on hour-long tours, and explain what participants see around them. “Rhode Islanders are interested in learning about their environmental surroundings,” Dolan said. "With 55 percent of Rhode Island covered by forests,” he added, “this educational program has always drawn a good response.”

Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 35th Annual Harvest Fair ~ October 3-4, 2009

From Norman Bird Sanctuary:

Celebrate the Harvest!

Cross the monkey bridge, brave the mud pit, scale the greased pole, ride the “Mabel Express”, paint pumpkins…just a few of the activities at the Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 35th Annual Harvest Fair! Featuring over 80 crafters, a Home and Garden competition, field games, contests of strength and skill, food, and family-oriented entertainment, this weekend-long event is a good old-fashioned country fair. Come celebrate the fall season and see why so many have made the NBS Harvest Fair a favorite family tradition!

EVENT: Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 35th Annual Harvest Fair
LOCATION: Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown, RI 02842
DATE & TIME: Saturday, October 3rd, and Sunday, October 4th 2009
10am – 5pm

TICKETS: $6 Adults $3 Children (ages 3-12) Under 3 free
For further information please call 401-846-2577

Open Garden Day Postponed to September 19, 2009

Just received from Southside Community Land Trust:

Rain is great for our gardens but not for our Open Garden Day & Potluck...
So we're rescheduling for next Saturday, September 19th.

GET THE WORD OUT!
Now we have an extra week to get the word out.  Let's take this time to encourage gardeners, friends & neighbors to join us on September 19th!

NEXT SATURDAY, SEPT 19TH!
On the 19th, we'll hold our Open Garden Day rain or shine. As long as the skies are clear, we'll gather at The Bridgham Community Garden for the Potluck as planned. If it rains, our Potluck will be indoors, nearby. We'll keep you posted!

--

OPEN GARDEN DAY, September 19th, 1-4 pm
A dozen community gardens open their gates! Take a self-guided tour! Step inside that garden you've always wondered about, or visit a few that you never knew existed. This year's OPEN GARDEN DAY includes all kinds of gardens- from newly built raised beds to gardens that have been growing strong for over 25 years. Take a look at our POSTER & pick a few gardens to visit. Rain or shine!

INTERNATIONAL POTLUCK, September 19th, 5-7 pm
After the tour, head over to BRIDGHAM COMMUNITY GARDEN (at the corner of Westminster St & Bridgham St). Bring a dish to share! You're encouraged to bring a family favorite, or include veggies from your garden. Join us for a joyful meal & meet community gardeners from all over the city! If it rains, we'll be indoors.

Providence Sustainability Festival ~ September 26, 2009

From the Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living:

The schedule for the first Providence Sustainability Festival has just been released, and it includes several interesting walking tours of Providence as well as informative workshops.

For instance, explore the Providence River banks, take an environmental justice walking tour, and/or take the Walk Downtown tour to experience the challenges pedestrians and bicyclists face and consider what can be done about traffic. There's also a tour of a green building.

Workshops of interest to homeowners include the pros and cons of replacement windows, "Simple Steps to a Green Home," LEED for homes, architects and sustainability, insulation, and composting.

Other workshops announced today address Rhode Island's food system, local food, what is a sustainable economy, 21st century entrepreneurial opportunities, green jobs, transportation and the environment.

If you don't want to do any of the above, there are bike rides (bring your own bike), alternative energy vehicles on display, a healing tent, the GEM energy pavillion, and an Open Skate (bring your own skates or skateboard). And Miss Earth United States 2009 is showing up.

The music lineup at the moment (September 11) with more to be added soon will be Mi Son Gaitero, Sol 18, Tim Taylor Blues Band, Santa Mamba,  Reasmey Kampuchea Music Group, and The Kris Hansen Kollective.

Thank you, Apeiron, for organizing this festival!

Tour the US EPA Ocean Survey Vessel Bold ~ September 7, 2009

From Narragansett Bay Estuary Program:

Join us Monday, September 7, 2009 to tour the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Ocean Survey Vessel Bold.

  OSV Bold is EPA's flagship oceanographic research vessel. It will be docked at the at the University of Rhode Island's Bay Campus in Narragansett, RI.  On board, kids can experience marine life up close with a touch tank, and learn about oceanographic equipment including nets for collecting fish and plankton, water quality samplers, and side scan sonar instruments that map the seafloor.    Demonstrations of water quality sampling instruments and an underwater video camera will be provided by marine scientists from Narragansett Bay Estuary Program, University of Rhode Island, and EPA, who will explain the equipment and discuss research they have conducted in New England.   Several local environmental organizations will also be at the event, providing information and materials on their work. 

The Bold is visiting the area to do work in support of R.I.'s ocean special area management planning efforts that will guide offshore energy development. The NBEP and URI-GSO oceanographer Dr. John King secured the use of the EPA research vessel to conduct seafloor mapping and water quality sampling in R.I.'s coastal waters.   

Children of all ages have been tracking the progress of the Bold in New England this summer. You can see more information about this at www.epa.gov/boldkids/. For more info about OSV Bold in general visit www.epa.gov/bold.  

The event will be open all day from 10 to 3, so feel free to stop by any time! Directions to the campus can be found at: www.gso.uri.edu/about-gso/directions

Explore North Burial Ground (Providence) ~ July 28, 2009

From North Main Street Committee, Summit Neighborhood Association:

Explore North Burial Ground Tuesday, July 28

Enjoy an evening exploration of the historic and environmentally sensitive
North Burial Ground with historian Robert O. Jones and ghost stories from
writer, raconteur and neighbor Mark Binder at a FREE public event hosted by
the North Main Street Committee and the Summit Neighborhood Association on
Tuesday, July 28 at 7 PM.

See you here: Tuesday, July 28 at 7 PM.

This event will be enjoyed by families, neighbors and anyone with an
interest in Providence history. The tour will meet on North Main Street at
the cemetery entrance gate opposite the Providence Armory at 7 p.m. (This
gate opens to marble steps into the cemetary. It  is on the southbound side
of North Main Street, just after the last office buildings, one long block
after Walgreens as you head toward downtown.)
Robert O. Jones will lead a short walking tour from the gate. A local
naturalist will provide an ecological context. At 8PM, we will return to the
steps for snacks and ghost stories from Mark Binder.
Pre-registration is requested but not required. To register or to get more
information, contact Greg Gerritt at 331-0529 or by email at
gerrit@mindspring.com.

Land and Water Convergence ~ July 26, 2009

From the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program:

Land and Water Convergence
at the
Governors Bay Day
July 26, 2009
Colt State Park, Bristol

Rhode Island’s Blueways, the waters of Narragansett Bay, the state’s ocean, streams, rivers, lakes and ponds – and Greenways, the trails through forested preserves and bike paths through urban landscapes, are central to the special place we call home. On July 26, as Governor Carcieri celebrates 100 years of park service in Rhode Island, paddlers, bikers and walkers will converge on Colt State Park to showcase Blueways and Greenways and join the celebration. 

Walkers will be led by the Audubon Society of RI. Contact Cathy Corey at  ccorey@asri.org or call 245-7500 xt: 3119 to sign up or for more information.

Bikers will ride along the East Bay Bike Path and join the celebration. We will leave from Haines Park in Barrington and bike down to Colt State Park, a 7 mile ride. Bikers will meet at the Haines Park parking area at 10:30 AM for a 10:45 departure. Helmets are required. Contact Meg Kerr at megkerr@cox.net <mailto:megkerr@cox.net>  or call 714-2313 to sign up.

Paddlers will be led by the RI Blueways Alliance. Contact Keith Gonsalves at KTGgroup@aol.com or call 474-3813 for more information.

Everyone will converge at the Park, meeting at 12:00 NOON to celebrate the interconnections of our watershed’s land and water. After a brief speaking program where the Blueways Alliance will share their vision for an East and West Narragansett Bay trail, participants will join the festivities at Governor’s Bay Day and enjoy a free picnic provided by the RI Department of Environmental Management.
______________________________
Meg Kerr
Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (www.nbep.org <http://www.nbep.org> )
URI GSO Box 27
Narragansett RI 02882
Phone:  401-874-6525
Cell: 401-714-2313
Fax:  401-874-6899
Treasurer, RI Blueways Alliance (ExploreRI.org)
Co-Lead, Land and Water Partnership (www.landandwaterpartnership.org )