What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Northeast Biochar Symposium ~ November 13, 2009

Northeast Biochar Symposium 2009

13 November 2009

University of Massachusetts Amherst, USA

This Symposium will highlight current biochar research and technological advances and provide vital information to public officials, researchers, foresters, and sustainable energy and agriculture professionals. Biochar is considered a significant strategy for removing net carbon from the atmosphere for safe storage in soil, enhancing forest resources and preventing land degradation, and creating clean energy from agricultural stover and forest biomass. Panels will include discussion of the use of biochar for land application and fertility and the role of biochar in the UNFCCC climate talks.

Climate Change @ Easton's Beach Rain Info ~ Oct 24, 2009

 Regarding Easton's Beach Climate Change Event in Newport: If it rains, we'll be in the garage area under the bath houses, at the opposite end of the beach from the Rotunda. People can park in the other parking lot, on the Middletown side of the beach.

See earlier notice in entirety

Environmental Lobby Days ~ October 28 & 29, 2009

From Clean Water Action and Environment Council of Rhode Island

Lobby Days
Oct. 28, 2009 3:00pm & 
Oct. 29, 2009 2:00pm
 
The General Assembly made a good start on key environmental bills this year, but now they need to finish the job when they reconvene. The four bills below have already earned majority votes in both the House and Senate, but need final votes before being sent to the Governor. Join us at the State House to urge the General Assembly to get the job done.
The legislature plans to reconvene for two days.Environment Council leaders will be at the State House for those two days to help you connect with legislators to let them know these environmental bills are important to you.
 
RSVP to (401) 331-6972 or [email protected].
 
Spread the word!
 
Environmental To Do List
Protect Rhode Island’s Water Supply (H5828A, S732A)
ECRI supports the Water Use and Efficiency Act to promote water conservation and efficiency and investment in a reliable system of supply and distribution and to adjust the membership and quorum requirements of the Water Resources Board to include relevant expertise and empower the public members of the Board.
      S732A Passed Senate. Amended & pending on House Floor.
      H5828 Passed House.
 
Prevent Mercury Pollution (S668A, H5794B)
ECRI supports the Mercury Thermostat Pollution Prevention Act to require thermostat manufacturers to finance the safe collection and recycling of mercury-containing thermostats.
      S668A Passed Senate. Pending in House Environment.
      H5794B Passed House. Amended & passed by Senate Environment.
 
Preserve Conservation Lands (H5657A, S378)
ECRI supports the Conservation Easements and Land Trusts Act to ensure that when a property with a conservation easement is sold, the terms of the easement requirements are made clear to the buyer to avoid miscommunication in the purchasing agreement.
      S378 Passed Senate. Pending on House floor.
      H5657 Passed House. Pending in Senate Judiciary.
 
Promote Green Buildings (H5355A, S232A)
ECRI supports the Green Buildings Act requiring all public buildings, including schools, to be designed, constructed or renovated to achieve at least the US Green Building Council LEED Certified rating or an equivalent high performance green building standard.
      S232 Passed Senate. Pending in House Environment.
      H5355 Passed House. Needs Senate votes.

RI Climate Events ~ October 24, 2009

Programs set for RI Climate events on October 24

Rhode Islanders joining together in the effort to stop global warming announced the programs for the 4 events that will take place in Rhode Island on October 24 as part of the 350.org International Day of Action.

The morning will open at 9 AM with workshops at the First Unitarian Church at the Corner of Benefit and Benevolent Streets in Providence.  Workshops scheduled are:

• How to Write an OpEd Piece and Get It Published:  Robert Whitcomb, Providence Journal Editorial Page Editor
• Individual Food Choices and Climate Change:   Polly Walker, MD, Associate Director, Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future
• Home Energy Conservation Strategies:   David Brown, Independent Energy Consultant
• *Must Have Standards in Energy Legislation:  David W. Oliver, PhD, Corporate Strategy Consultant & Environmental Policy Activist                             
• Using the New Media to Build Public Opinion:   Ben Schreckinger & Sydney Ember, Senior Staff Writers – Brown Daily Herald

There will also be letter writing all morning to President Obama encouraging a strong US position for the Copenhagen global climate talks that will take place in December.

At  noon a gathering for Aquidneck Island and Jamestown will take place  on Easton's Beach in Newport , with brief talks by Senator Theresa Paiva-Weed, Newport Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano, and representatives from National Grid, RI Interfaith Power and Light, and the Aquidneck Island Watershed Council. There will be music by the Recovery All Stars. The official launch of the four-town Neighborhood Energy Challenge will offer a positive action that participants can take to fight climate change. Exhibitors will offer ways to save energy. National Grid, a major sponsor of the Challenge, will highlight its programs, particularly “Energy Action: Aquidneck and Jamestown,” a pilot program for efficiency on the islands. Everyone is welcome.

Also at noon there will be a rally at Waterplace Park in Providence that will open with The Beneficent Congregational Church Choir chanting, drumming and singing.  Speakers on the program include Greg Gerritt of Prosperity For Rhode Island, Paul Beaudette, President of the Environment Council of Rhode Island and the Reverend Barbara Fast of the Westminster Unitarian Church in East Greenwich.  Currently there are a several Brown University Watson Environmental Scholars from Africa studying Climate Change and it is expected that one of them will present a global picture of the situation.  The rally will also include children’s activities and a photograph of the participants in a 350 configuration in solidarity with 350 pictures taken at rallies across the globe on that day. 

The Rhode Island events for the International Day for Climate Action will close with a 2 PM talk by Christine Muller on “Climate Change and Justice” at the Fellowship Hall of the Peacedale Congregational Church, 261 Columbia Street, Wakefield, RI followed by the ringing of church bells through southern Rhode Island. 

More information on local Climate Action Day events can be found at the 350.org <http://350.org/> website and by contacting the Environment Council of Rhode Island (www.environmentcouncilri.com <http://www.environmentcouncilri.com/> ) and RI Interfaith Power and Light (www.riipl.org <http://www.riipl.org/> ). 

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<[email protected]> or <[email protected]>

Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy Inc. members will serve as guides.

Bike and Skate Fall Festival at Riverside Park ~ October 17, 2009

From Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council:

Calling all people with working bikes! At the Fall Festival we'll be raffling off bicycles (we hope!) Please donate working bikes the day of the event!

Join us for some fall fun, food, music, and entertainment next Saturday at Riverside Park in Olneyville!

Saturday, October 17th, 12pm-4pm

United Natural Foods Open House ~ October 17, 2009

UNFI Invites You To Visit Our New Providence Headquarters
 

United Natural Foods, Inc. (Nasdaq: UNFI) along with Mayor Cicilline will celebrate the opening of the Company’s new state-of-the-art Providence Corporate Headquarters with an Open House event and dedication ceremony on Saturday October 17th.  Family, friends and the media are cordially invited to tour the facilities – located at the American Locomotive Works development on 313 Iron Horse Way, Providence, RI – and enjoy a taste of the natural products industry.  We are excited about our new space and hope to see you there!

Space is limited:  please register with Scott Eckstein at 212-827-3776 / [email protected]

WHEN        Saturday, October 17th 2009
10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Eastern

International Day of Climate Action ~ October 24, 2009

Rhode Islanders to Observe International Day of Climate Action on October 24

Rhode Islanders will gather to participate in International Day of Climate Action in Newport, Wakefield, and Providence on October 24. Organized by 350.org, the International Day of Climate Action has been called to encourage the U.S. government to take strong action now, and for the World leaders to take strong action at the Copenhagen meeting in December.

Scientific evidence indicates that the increasing amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, a result of burning fossil fuels and deforestation, is devastating our planet, noted Paul Beaudette, President of the Environment Council of Rhode Island.

“Projected sea level rise due to the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet will be at least 5 feet over the next 100 years” reported Greg Gerritt, an organizer of the Rhode Island activities and founder of the think tank Prosperity For Rhode Island. “Rhode Island beaches that are a key to our tourism industry will vanish, and much of Providence's downtown infrastructure will be below sea level.  We must take strong action now to reduce fossil fuel consumption to prevent this disaster.”

Rhode Island events on October 24

Newport: A noon gathering on Easton's Beach the Newport Energy and Environment Commission will announce the opening of the Neighborhood Energy Challenge.

Wickford: At 2 p.m., a talk by climate activist Christine Muller at Peace Dale Congregational Church, followed by ringing church bells throughout southern Rhode island.

Providence: 9 a.m. workshops on climate issues and effective media at the First Unitarian Church on Benefit St and letter writing to federal representatives, followed at noon by a rally at Waterplace Park that will focus on the projected sea level rise that threatens to wipe out many iconic Rhode Island landmarks and beaches. The rally will include children’s activities, The Beneficent Congregational Church Choir Chanting, drumming and singing , speakers, and a photograph of the entire crowd in a 350 configuration .
The events are free and open to the public. Organizations that wish to provide climate change information can table at the events if they preregister with the Environment Council at 401-621-8048. Everyone is encouraged to bring signs to all of the events.

More information on local Climate Action Day events can be found at the 350.org <http://350.org/> website and by contacting the Environment Council of Rhode Island (www.environmentcouncilri.com <http://www.environmentcouncilri.com/> ) and RI Interfaith Power and Light (www.riipl.org <http://www.riipl.org/> ). 

Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Awards Deadline ~ November 20, 2009

From the Environment Council of RI Education Fund:

Announcement of Application for Environmental Education Awards

Dear RI Middle School and High School Science Teachers, Science Club
Supervisors, and environmental organizations working in schools,

The Environment Council of Rhode Island Education Fund (ECRI Ed Fund) is
pleased to announce that we are opening the application process for the
Fifth Annual Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Fund awards.

The Loraine Tisdale Fund honors a woman whose energy for a just and healthy
environment are legendary. Mrs. Tisdale held an undergraduate degree in
chemistry and a degree in nursing. For many years she led an organization
that addressed safety and health issues concerning pesticides.

We are pleased to offer 3 grants of up to $250 to teachers or environmental
organizations for support of projects that
1. Have student participation
2. Lead to measurable improvement in an environmental condition
3. Involve the community beyond a school in some way

The application deadline is November 20, 2009 and awards will be made in
January 2010 for projects to be undertaken in the Spring of 2010
.
Applicants should complete the below application and attach a one page
description of the project including the cooperative components of the
project, what the participants will gain, and how the success of the project
will be measured. Applicants should note that a final report with at least
one photograph of the project in progress must be produced at the end of the
project and presented to the Environment Council by July 15, 2010.
Applications should be sent to the Environment Council of Rhode Island
Education Fund .

We would prefer that applications be emailed to us at
[email protected] but will also accept applications by mail
to:
ECRI Ed Fund
PO Box 40568
Providence RI 02940

The Environment Council is more than willing to answer any questions you
have about the program and to discuss potential projects with you. We can be
contacted either by email at the address listed above or by phone at
621-8048.

Sincerely,
Greg Gerritt
for the ECRI Ed Fund


Application for the Loraine Tisdale Fund Environmental Education Awards
1. · Name of Applicant
2. · Address
3. · Phone/ email
4. · Name of Project Leader/ Director/ Responsible Person
5. · Name of group/ school sponsoring the project
6. · Town in which project will occur
7. · Number of persons carrying out project
8. · Purpose of project
9. · Budget for the project, including sources of funds and
whether those funds are in hand
10. · Completion date for project

Please include a one page description of the project including the
cooperative components of the project, what the participants will gain, and
how the success of the project will be measured.

We would prefer that applications be emailed to us at
[email protected] but will also accept applications by mail
to:
ECRI Ed Fund
PO Box 40568
Providence RI 02940

Dam Removal Demystified Project Manager Training ~ November 18, 2009

From Narragansett Bay (NBAY-L) Listserv:

Are you excited about restoring Massachusetts' rivers and streams’ free-flowing nature by removing unwanted, obsolete, or unsafe dams?  Do you want to initiate and manage a dam removal project?  If you answered yes to both of these questions, then this free, two-day, Dam Removal Demystified project manager training may be for you.