What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Rhode Island Water Resources Board ~ Slow the Flow ~ Summer 2011

Rhode Island Water Resources Board Launches
“SLOW THE FLOW THIS SUMMER” Campaign

Campaign aims to inform Rhode Islanders about
lawn watering guidelines and conservation efforts during the summer months

 

PROVIDENCE, RI (June 28, 2011) – The Rhode Island Water Resources Board has launched a public awareness campaign encouraging Rhode Islanders to follow simple watering guidelines this summer to keep lawns healthy while conserving water.

The “SLOW THE FLOW THIS SUMMER” campaign was developed to provide Rhode Island homeowners with year-round instructions on efficient water use for lawn watering both for lawn health and sustainability of our water supply.

“Water is a renewable but finite resource,” said Kenneth Burke, General Manager of the RI Water Resources Board. “Clean water is not always available when we need it and there is so much work and cost involved with producing clean, potable water – that it is truly wasteful to be applying it to lawns. The recent outdoor watering restrictions in both Narragansett and South Kingstown, and existing outdoor restrictions in North Kingstown emphasize the need to balance the use of these precious resources.”

Led by representatives from the Rhode Island Nursery & Landscape Association (RINLA), the University of Rhode Island’s Turf Program, and the RI Water Resources Board, stakeholders and experts worked for over a year to develop the State’s first lawn maintenance guidelines emphasizing water conservation.

“Working with the Rhode Island Water Resources Board to develop these important parameters was an innovative experience,” said Shannon Brawley, executive director of RINLA. “It brought together expertise from across the State to help educate about appropriate lawn watering and maintenance while conserving our critical resources.”

Conserving water reduces overall costs as both a home and business owner, according to the RI Water Resources Board – easing strains on water resource infrastructure such as rivers, streams, water towers, water lines, pump stations and treatment facilities. The new guidelines recommend that lawns get no more than one inch of water per week. Rhode Island gets between 39-54 inches of rain a year. To date, Rhode Island has received approximately 26 inches of rain.

“Your lawns should be healthy, but you can easily overwater and overfeed your lawn,” said Burke. “This is not only wasteful – but could also weaken your lawn and result in the runoff of nutrients into surrounding areas.”

RI Water Resources Board Chairman Bill Penn said, “We take great pride in offering these simple dos and don’ts – and we hope that Rhode Islanders take some time during this summer season to appreciate one of our most abundant but delicate resources – our water supplies.”

“This new how-to delivers useful and insightful ways for Rhode Island homeowners to conserve our precious water,” said Dave Wallace, president of The Rhode Island Turfgrass Foundation.

A fully integrated marketing campaign is launching July 4 to build awareness throughout the state of Rhode Island including radio, print, and online mediums. For additional details regarding these watering guidelines and other water resource programs, please visit www.riwater.org.

 
About The Rhode Island Water Resources Board

The Rhode Island Water Resources Board is an executive agency of state government responsible for managing the proper development, utilization and conservation of water resources. Its primary responsibility is to ensure that sufficient water resources are available for present and future generations. The Board actively pursues new and innovative strategies for water resource protection and development on behalf of the State – and as part of its mission is committed to wisely conserving Rhode Island’s water resources.

Barrington Conservation Workshop & Film Series

Presentations on Sustainable Turf Management; Natives, Invasives, Biodiversity; Gardening to Attract Birds; and Home Composting; plus the films King Corn, HOME, two in the National Geographic's Planet Earth Series, and two for kids and families ~ WALL-E and Microcosmos ~ will be held each week at the Barrington Library from June 29 through the end of August. The Barrington Conservation Commission, Barrington Land Conservation Trust, and the Barrington Public Library organized these events.

These events are also in What Grows On in Rhode Island. Find the films and presentations in keyword search: Barrington Conservation Series. The Calendar has lots to do ~ check it often!

Kudos to the Barrington Conservation Commission, Barrington Land Conservation Trust, and the Barrington Public Library for organizing these 7 p.m. events. Barrington is fortunate in having a particularly active municipal conservation commission, and the Providential Gardener hopes other conservation commissions will arrange similar series in the future for their communities. (You can go even if you don't live in Barrington, though!)

You can also download a pdf of the Summer Edutainment Series through this link: Download Summer Edutainment Series 2011

NOFA Organic Growing Summer Conference ~ August 12-14, 2011

From Friday August 12 through Sunday August 14, the NOFA Summer Conference will take place at the UMass Amherst campus. Stay for the weekend to select from over 200 organic growing workshops, enjoy organic food, friends and exhibitors.

There are 225+ workshops on organic farming, gardening and land care, draft animals in farming and forestry, homesteading, sustainability, nutrition, food politics, activism, and much, much more.

Some special workshops are designed for kids and teens. An educational, fun opportunity for your children to bond with others from the Northeast while you attend workshops and events.

Entertainment for the whole family: Music and dance, an old-fashioned Country Fair, farmer's market, games and fun. Modest registration, inexpensive dorm rooms, camping and delicious, wholesome organic meals.

They guarantee it will be worth your while!

Register online!

Two RI Green Drinks Meetups ~ June 16, 2011

Tonight! Two "Green Drinks" Meetups:

Providence Green Drinks is being hosted this Thursday by JTJ Investments and Aten Energy Conservation at 219 West Park St, Providence, RI (in back of Coca Cola bottling off Pleasant Valley Parkway).
 
JTJ Investments specializes in adaptive reuse of properties in the West Side Arts District of Providence. The focus is on affordable sustainable buildings for small businesses, non-profits and the arts community.
 
Aten Energy Conservation is a Providence-based and BPI-certified provider of residential weatherization and insulation services. They help their clients simultaneously save money and the environment by reducing their energy usage through efficiency.
 
The Providence Juice Company will be at the event with their mobile juice truck and will have free samples of a special green drink they make. The Fertile Underground will be providing veggies and salad and information about the business they are starting. There will also be beer and wine for other thirsty types.
 
Come by "thirsty third Thursday" evening and meet people with a wide variety of green interests!

Visit the "HoneyBeast" Food Truck for salad greens from Red Planet, Front Step Farm, and McCormick & Wojnar Farm.  You will not be disappointed- try my own Matlashewski family Ceaser's dressing, made with enough garlic to disturb vampire bats all the way to Olneyville.  Drinks, keg beer, "Green People" of this world & the next.

South County Green Drinks:

Our June South County Green Drinks happens Thursday, June 16, beginning at 6:30pm at 19 Cleveland St. in Wakefield. Cleveland is right off Main St., going towards SK High School. Look for the peace sign hanging on the front of the house. Thanks to Natalie for hosting again! Park in the hospice parking lot if you need to. Please bring a dish or beverage to share, and bring your own plate, cup, flatware, napkin, hopes, dreams, extra tomato plants, flea beetle eradication tips, etc.

Nicholas Oliver from Sierra Club RI is joining us to talk about the Go 60 MPG campaign.

Go 60 MPG is a national regulatory campaign led locally by the Sierra Club. This campaign is focused on encouraging the Obama Administration to strengthen fuel efficiency standards for new vehicles to at least 60 miles per gallon and emit no more than 143 grams of carbon pollution per mile by 2025. The goal for this effort is to create more fuel efficient cars using current technology, create new jobs here in the U.S., reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and help save Rhode Islanders money every time we head to the gas pump. If these standards were already instituted, Rhode Islanders would each save $474 during the summer. More information can be found at our website.

Secret Garden Tour in Newport, RI ~ June 17-19, 2011

Newport, RI 02840
401-847-0514

A self-guided walking tour of private gardens in historic Newport, Rhode Island.
 

For over a quarter of a century, our Secret Garden Tour has provided more than 1.25 million dollars in support of art education in our public schools.

The 2011 spring tour will take place on Friday, June 17, Saturday, June 18, and Sunday, June 19, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. each of the three days.
 
To Purchase Ticket(s) on the Day of the Tour

Tickets may be purchased for $25 at the Newport Visitors' Center at 23 America's Cup Avenue (cash or credit card), or at the main ticket office at 33 Washington Street (cash, personal check and credit card accepted).

For further information, see the website.

Audubon: RI's air quality will be threatened if this Bill passes ~ Hearing June 16, 2011

From the Audubon Society of Rhode Island:

House Bill No. 5315, sponsored by Rep. Brien, entitled, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ENERGY proposes to allow burning of garbage in Woonsocket. Air pollutants, including potential dioxins plus increased acid rain and fog accompany incineration. 
 
Burning garbage to generate energy is inefficient and unhealthy.
  
Air pollutants don't know town boundaries. This is not just a Woonsocket issue.

Current RI General Law says:  
 
R.I.G.L. §23-19-3 declares that the "ultimate solid waste management objective of the state is to maximize recycling and reuse of solid waste."  
 
R.I.G.L. §23-19-3(16) declares that it is a policy of the state that "incineration of solid waste is the most costly method of waste disposal with known and escalating costs that would place substantial and unreasonable burdens on both state and municipal budgets to the point of seriously jeopardizing the public's interest." (emphasis added).  
 
Air pollutants move.  
 
Your taxes or disposal fees are at risk.
  
Please call or email your State Representative to express your concerns. To find your state rep use the links in the right-hand column.
 
Use this sample letter/ talking points:  
 
Dear Rep. or Sen. _____________________:  
 
As your constituent, I am concerned about the H-5315, proposing a municipal waste incinerator for Woonsocket.  
 
Woonsocket claims it will help their finances, but I am concerned about my family's health.  
 
Incinerating municipal waste can create dioxins, increase the acidity of atmospheric moisture (rain & snow), and vaporize toxic elements in the trash.
 
I wonder whether there will be sufficient enforcement in DEM, given recent budget cuts, to protect air quality from this proposed facility. Air does not recognize town boundaries.  
 
We live in the "air shed" of a Woonsocket incinerator.  
 
I think about the transportation of toxic ash from this plant, potentially through our communities.   
 
Please oppose this legislation.    
 
Thank you, [your name]

---------

If you would like more information on this important issue or help in contacting your representative, please contact me directly.

Please share this information with friends and neighbors by using the "forward email" button below or spread the word on Facebook.
 
Sincerely,
Eugenia Marks
Senior Director of Policy
Audubon Society of Rhode Island

[email protected]

Contact your representative
 
Find the contact info. for your state representatives by clicking on the links below:
 
Your Representative

Your Senator
 
Just scroll down to "View general voter information", enter your address, and hit search. That's it! 
 
You can click on each official's name to get all their contact info and other details.
 
When you feel strongly about an issue, let them know-it really does make a difference.

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Ed. note: There is a hearing today on this bill in the House Committee on Municipal Government at the Rise of the House (after they meet in their session this afternoon), which will be somewhere around 4:30 or 5:00pm.

 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT

---

 

NOTICE OF MEETING

 

DATE:    Thursday, June 16, 2011

TIME:    Rise of the House

PLACE:    House Lounge

SCHEDULED FOR HEARING AND/OR CONSIDERATION


House Bill No. 5315
BY Brien
ENTITLED, AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- ENERGY {LC258}
02/09/2011 Introduced, referred to House Municipal Government
03/24/2011 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration
03/24/2011 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
06/16/2011 Scheduled for hearing and/or consideration

Bike Sale and Strawberry Picking Ride! ~ June 18, 2011

Find the Red Shed Bike Shop
Riverside Mills Park  
50 Aleppo Street in Providence

Stay tuned for more information about the shop
and upcoming weekly rides!

Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council
27 Sims Avenue
Providence, RI 02909
401-861-9046

TONIGHT! Community Forum on proposed I-195 Redevelopment District Commission ~ June 13, 2011

TONIGHT!
BetterProvidence & Common Cause RI

present
 
A COMMUNITY FORUM
on the
Proposed creation of the
I-195 Redevelopment District Commission
 
MONDAY, JUNE 13
6:00 - 7:30 PM
Doors open at 5:00 pm
The Spot Underground
15 Elbow St., Providence, RI 02903
 
Co-Sponsors:

Jewelry District Association
Fox Point Neighborhood Association
Greater City: Providence
American Institute of Architects Rhode Island

Last week, the RI Senate passed legislation to create a redevelopment district and a redevelopment district commission to be responsible for the use of land becoming available in Providence as a result of the relocation of I-195. The bill was introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, Providence, North Providence) and co-sponsored by the other members of the Providence Senate delegation. READ PRESS RELEASE HERE
 
READ THE LEGISLATION HERE 
 
The legislation is expected to be voted on in the House of Representatives soon.

Confirmed speakers at tonight's forum include:

• Kelly Mahoney, Policy Director, Department of Administration who will speak on behalf of the proposal representing Governor Chafee
• Thomas Deller, Planning Director, City of Providence
• Representative John Carnevale, Sponsor of the House legislation

 
Some key areas to be discussed include:

 Does the proposed Commission best serve the public interest, including the people of the City of Providence, as well as the State of Rhode Island?Has there been sufficient public input in the legislative process?Is the proposed commission an effective way to ensure efficient economic development of this large State-owned land parcel in Providence -- or is it "the next secure feed bag for the well-connected," as described by the Providence Journal editors?  
Forum Moderator: Mike Ritz, Executive Director of Leadership Rhode Island and I Heart Providence
 
This event is free and open to the public
Cash Bar
Plenty of on-street free parking
 

 
RSVP to: Karina Holyoak Wood
 
Hope to see you tonight!
 
Karina
 
Karina Holyoak Wood
Executive Director,
BetterProvidence

Source: BetterProvidence email

Developing the Rhode Island Seafood Knowledge Economy ~ June 26-28, 2011

Announcing the 10th Annual Ronald C. Baird Sea Grant Science Symposium

Developing the Rhode Island Seafood Knowledge Economy: Perspectives on Seafood Sustainability 

June 26-28, 2011

Scientists, seafood suppliers, and chefs will offer their perspectives on sourcing sustainable seafood, consumer preferences, and health topics, among others, and participants will get to prepare—and taste—sustainable seafood dishes under the guidance of expert chefs.

VENUES:

Johnson & Wales University Center for Culinary Excellence
Save The Bay
Johnson & Wales University Culinary Museum

Providence

Agenda Highlights

Interactive Panel Discussion on Sourcing Sustainable Seafood
Chefs, scientists, and suppliers will share their thoughts about seafood sustainability and the social, economic, and environmental issues impacting worldwide seafood sourcing today.

Hands-on Sessions with Haddock, Salmon, and Summer Flounder 
One of the unique aspects of the 2011 Baird Symposium is our ability to offer hands-on sessions where participants can handle and prepare fish species featured in our science program.

Species-Specific Session: Scup vs. Tilapia
Scup (porgy) is a plentiful and sustainable underutilized fish species found throughout New England. This session will focus on the state of the scup fishery and why it is sustainable and include a tasting of scup followed by a side-by-side tasting of scup and tilapia.

Hands-on Interactive Session: A Vertical Tasting of Oysters
This interactive, sensory session will feature a vertical tasting of oysters provided by American Mussel Harvesters Inc., of North Kingstown, R.I. Chefs will describe the sensory aspects of each oyster in the tasting while Perry Raso, owner of Matunuck Oyster Farm and Bill Silkes, owner of American Mussel Harvesters discuss how the specific oyster species are raised and why they are both sustainable and profitable.

Chefs' Panel on Consumer Seafood Perceptions and Preferences
This interactive panel discussion will feature chefs from the fine dining, retail, and manufacturing sectors, and will provide attendees with insights regarding preference, preparation, and consumption at the end of the supply chain.

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION | DOWNLOAD DRAFT AGENDA

Note: The registration fee of $175 includes all meals noted in the agenda. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. For more information, visit the Baird Symposium website or contact Rhode Island Sea Grant at (401) 874-6800.

Woonasquatucket River Paddle ~ June 14, 2011

On Tuesday, June 14 at 5:30pm the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) is leading a canoe/kayak trip on 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.

"This stretch of the Woonasquatucket is a surprising oasis of wilderness running through the heart of Providence" says Erik Talley, WRWC paddle leader. The complete round trip is about 4 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 $5/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.wrwc.org/events.php.

To register or for more information, call or email Erik Talley at (401)481-1376 or [email protected] . Advanced sign-up is required so that we can determine how many boats we need and keep the trip from getting too large.

The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council is a 501c3 non-profit organization working to promote environmental, recreational, and cultural restoration and preservation in the Woonasquatucket watershed.

Contact: Erik Talley, [email protected], (401) 481-1376

Source: Press release via email