What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Providence Street Tree Applications due January 15, 2013

Apply by January 15 for Spring 2013 Street Trees from PNPP

Contact: Liz Downing, Director 401.368-5380 ldowning@pnpp.org

8 Third Street Providence, RI 02906

If you are interested in planting trees in your neighborhood this Spring, now is the time to apply for a Neighborhood Street Tree Planting Award from PNPP. Applications are due Tuesday January 15, 2013 and require a bit of legwork in your neighborhood to complete, so act now to meet the deadline.

The Providence Neighborhood Planting Program (PNPP) is a partnership of the Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Street Tree Endowment, the City of Providence and Providence residents that plants trees in Providence neighborhoods along sidewalks. Since 1988, The Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Street Tree Endowment has matched Providence Parks Department funds to provide trees, soil, sidewalk preparation, and tree delivery at no cost to Providence residents who apply for and receive a Neighborhood Street Tree Planting Award. To date, PNPP has planted 9,530 street trees with the help of 753 neighborhood groups.

To receive street trees through the Neighborhood Street Tree Planting Award, neighborhoods will need a volunteer to complete the application and help PNPP organize the planting. Complete applications include: requests from at least five properties for at least one tree at each property within a one to two city block area and a commitment from the property owners and/or residents requesting trees to plant their tree on planting day, water the tree weekly and weed the area around the tree regularly. If a resident requesting a tree does not own the property, PNPP will need documentation of property owner consent to the tree planting.

 PNPP considers Elmwood, Federal Hill, Lower and Upper South Providence, Olneyville, Reservoir, Smith Hill, Valley, Washington Park and West End neighborhoods high priority planting areas and encourages applications from these neighborhoods especially. However, all Providence neighborhoods are eligible for tree awards.

This fall, PNPP facilitated the planting of 225 street trees in the following Providence Neighborhoods: Blackstone, Charles, Elmhurst, Elmwood, Federal Hill, Reservoir, Valley, and West End.

Trees 2020 (Trees2020.org) offers low cost trees for private property planting. When PNPP applicants order a minimum of 5 trees for private property through Trees 2020, PNPP will deliver all the trees together, helping their neighborhood to plant as many trees as possible in one day.

Please consider giving a tax-deductible donation to the Mary Elizabeth Sharpe Street Tree Endowment (MESSTE), an advised fund of the Rhode Island Foundation. Your donation will go toward street tree planting throughout Providence.

Narragansett Bay Watershed Project Funding Opportunity ~ Deadline May 7, 2011

THIS IS UNIQUE TARGETED FUNDING TO WORK WITH PARTNERS IN THE
NARRAGANSETT BAY WATERSHED

New Funding Opportunity for the Narragansett Bay Watershed

Initial project summaries are due May 2, 2011.

On April 14, 20, and 26, EPA will be hosting information sessions via conference call.

I am very pleased to announce that EPA New England has just released an RFP seeking initial proposals for projects that target the Narragansett Bay watershed under the 2011 Healthy Communities Grant program. I have posted the official announcement at the end of this message. The purpose of my message is to highlight that the Narragansett Bay watershed is one of the priority areas targeted for funding in this year’s solicitation, and to make sure interested parties are aware of the requirements specific to a Narragansett Bay watershed proposal.

The summary information below is excerpted from the full RFP announcement to provide information pertaining specifically to eligibility and project requirements for proposals addressing the Narragansett Bay watershed investment and program area, which is one of several identified in the RFP. For detailed information on the eligible geographic area and for insight into watershed priorities for the Narragansett Bay watershed, please see the watershed map and draft Narragansett Bay Region Integrated Plan available at nbep.org. Applicants should review and comply with all official requirements for submitting applications and guidance on the full suite of investment and program areas, including the Narragansett Bay watershed, found at http://epa.gov/region1/eco/uep/pdfs/2011-HC-Application-Guidance.pdf .

For projects addressing the Narragansett Bay watershed, eligible applicants may submit initial project summaries for proposals up to $25,000 for single-state projects taking place in Massachusetts or Rhode Island, and up to $40,000 for projects with a Narragansett Bay bi-state (Massachusetts and Rhode Island) watershed focus. In either case, a 25 percent match on the total proposal budget is required. Based on the quality of eligible initial submissions, EPA will invite finalists to submit full project proposals for further evaluation. Project periods will be for one or two years, starting no earlier than August 1, 2011.

Initial project summaries are due May 2, 2011. On April 14, 20, and 26, EPA will be hosting information sessions via conference call to explain the grant program and application process to potential applicants. You must register to participate.

To request a copy of the Healthy Communities Grant Program Application Guidance, please contact Jennifer Padula, Healthy Communities Grant Program, US EPA New England, 5 Post Office Square, Suite 100 (OEP06-2), Boston, MA 02109-3912, by e-mail at Padula.Jennifer@epa.gov or by phone at 617-918-1698.

RI Wild Plant Society 2011 Native Plant Conference ~ April 9, 2011

Earlybird registration ends March 19th!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Eco-system Gardening with Native Plants
Saturday, April 9, 2011 8am - 4pm
Quonset O'Club, North Kingstown, RI
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"Gardening with native plants is not just a peripheral option favored by vegetarians and erstwhile hippies. It is an important part of a paradigm shift in our shaky relationship to the planet that sustains us - one that mainstream gardeners can no longer afford to ignore." Douglas Tallamy - author of "Bringing Nature Home."
 
Hosted by the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society  this conference will explain how to successfully include more native plants in your backyard and why it's so important to go so. Speakers include:

Ecology Contributed Papers Deadline ~ February 28, 2011

The Rhode Island Natural History Survey (RINHS) is seeking contributed papers for its 15th annual Ecology of Rhode Island conference:
 
The Ecology of Rhode Island: Science and Management of Salt Ponds and Coastal Lagoons
 
To be held:
Thursday, April 28, 2011
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Quonset O Club, North Kingstown, RI
 
This year, RINHS's annual ecology conference focuses on southern New England's salt ponds and coastal lagoons. These special landscapes help characterize coastal Rhode Island and other parts of southern New England. They form a complex boundary between sea and land and are loci of dynamic natural processes, diverse habitats, and intense pressure from human activity.
 
In southern New England, salt ponds and coastal lagoons serve valuable and unique functions for a variety of stakeholders in tourism and recreation, environmental sustainability, and resource-extractive industries such as fisheries. Yet many elements of these systems are undergoing historic changes due to climate and sea-level change, land conversion, surface water and groundwater contamination, invasive species, restoration projects, and new aquaculture practices. The difference between good and bad management could have a dramatic effect on the future viability of salt ponds and coastal lagoons, therefore the need for sound scientific understanding of the processes and functions of these valuable yet fragile ecosystems has never been greater.
 
Researchers and managers working on any aspect of salt pond/coastal lagoon systems relevant to southern New England are encouraged to present at this conference. Papers are sought that address questions such as "What landscape scale issues are of greatest importance to people thinking about management of salt ponds and coastal lagoons?" "What does the latest science tell us about impacts, management techniques, and regional variability?" "What are the emerging issues, including research needs?" Student submissions are encouraged.
 
Abstracts should be < 200 words, text only (no tables/graphs), left justified, arranged as follows:
 
Author(s), Affiliation(s), address, e-mail, phone number (Skip a line) Body of abstract
 
Submit abstracts electronically, as a Word file attached to an email
to: abstract@rinhs.org, with preference for an “oral presentation” or “poster presentation” indicated in the subject field. All submitted abstracts will be reviewed by the RINHS Program Committee. If more oral presentations are requested than the schedule allows, the committee may ask presenters to consider poster presentations instead. All presenters must register for the conference.
 
The submission deadline is 5 p.m., Monday, February 28, 2011.
 
The program will include a keynote speaker, topical sessions, a panel discussion, the presentation of annual RINHS awards, followed by a social hour. The conference is sponsored by the Rhode Island Natural History Survey and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Rhode Island Refuge Complex. Display space and additional sponsorship opportunities are available, contact RINHS for more information.
 
RINHS conferences are widely regarded for convening a broad spectrum of people sharing a curiosity about southern New England’s animals, plants, geology, and ecosystems. They are excellent venues for researchers and organizations to showcase what they do in a collegial environment. For more information on RINHS conferences, visit www.rinhs.org/what-we-do/conference.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kira Stillwell
Program Administrator
Rhode Island Natural History Survey
PO Box 1858
Kingston, RI  02881
401.874.5800 - office
401.874.5868 - fax
kstillwell@rinhs.org
www.rinhs.org

BuildEnergy Early Bird Registration Ends ~ February 7, 2011

Register now, while early bird pricing is still in effect. Early bird ends February 7.
 
BuildingEnergy is an annual event organized by the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA). It is the nation's oldest and largest regional conference for renewable energy and high performance building professionals, with participants from across the US and Europe. It will take place this year March 8-10, 2011, at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, MA.

Apply for the John H. Chafee Conservation Leadership Award ~ Due by February 16, 2011

ECRI EDUCATION FUND APPLICATION FOR CHAFEE AWARD RECOGNITION
 
The Environment Council of Rhode Island Education Fund is honored to announce the application period for the John H. Chafee Conservation Leadership Awards for 2011.  Honoring the memory of the late Governor and US Senator for his dedication to preserving the environment, The ECRI Ed Fund honors 4 Rhode Island organizations each year for their work in improving the health of the Rhode Island environment. 

Recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges based on applications received from RI businesses, non profits, municipalities, and educational institutions that highlight specific projects and programs related to conservation.  Past winners include businesses that eliminated polluting discharges, recycling programs, renewable energy projects, sewage treatment facility upgrades, land conservation, and projects providing hands on environmental education for Rhode Island children. This list is not meant to be an all inclusive list. All projects that improve the health of the RI environment are encouraged to apply.

Applications are due at the Environment Council office by February 16, 2011 and in addition to being a part of this email may be found on the Environment Council website www.environmentcouncilri.org or obtained from the Environment Council via email at environmentcouncil@earthlink.net or by calling 401-621-8048.

Ed Note: The past winners accomplished an impressive array of projects.

Funding Available ~ Forest Land Planning ~ Application Deadline April 1, 2011

USDA Initiative Offers Assistance With Forest Land Planning
 
Applications for the New England-New York Forestry Initiative Will be Accepted Through April 1, 2011 for Current Funding
 
WARWICK, RI ~ USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White announced that $250,000 in federal funding is available to assist Rhode Island forest land owners with forest land planning and management under the New England-New York Forestry Initiative.

Funding Available ~ Organic Initiative in Rhode Island ~ Application Deadline March 4, 2011

Offered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) for the third year, the EQIP Organic Initiative is available for Rhode Island farmers who are certified organic, transitioning to certified organic, or organic exempt according to USDA’s National Organic Program regulations. The national ranking deadline for sign-ups is March 4, 2011.  Applications received after this date will be ranked in the next funding group.

Experimenting with cover crops and crop rotations, installing intensive grazing infrastructure (grazing plans, internal fencing, walkways, water lines), establishing wildlife and pollinator friendly habitat, and installing seasonal high tunnels are examples of conservation practices for which funding may be available under this program. In addition, states offer Conservation Activity Plans that support conservation planning for organic agriculture.

Apply for the John H. Chafee Conservation Leadership Award ~ Due by February 16, 2011

The Environment Council of Rhode Island (ECRI) Education Fund is honored to announce the opening of the application period for the John H. Chafee Conservation Leadership Awards for 2011.  Honoring the memory of the late Governor and US Senator for his dedication to preserving the environment, The ECRI Ed Fund honors 4 Rhode Island organizations each year for their work in improving the health of the Rhode Island environment.

Recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges based on applications received from RI businesses, non profits, municipalities, and educational institutions that highlight specific projects and programs related to conservation.  Past winners include businesses that eliminated polluting discharges, recycling programs, renewable energy projects, sewage treatment facility upgrades, land conservation, and projects providing hands on environmental education for Rhode Island children. This list is not meant to be an all inclusive list. All projects that improve the health of the RI environment are encouraged to apply.

Financial Assistance to Farm & Woodland Owners ~ Deadline January 14, 2011

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides conservation planning and financial and technical assistance to help you composting animal and plant waste, preventing soil erosion, protecting crop fields, enhancing woodlands, controlling invasive plant species, reducing irrigation water use, and improving water quality along among other resource concerns.  Funds are available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

The next application deadline is January 14, 2011.

Do you own or manage farmland or forest land in Rhode Island? Funding may be available to eligible applicants to protect, restore, or enhance your land!

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides conservation planning and financial assistance to help you address issues concerning:

• Soil Health
• Water Quality
• Air Quality
• Plant Productivity
• Animal Management
• Forest Management

Please join us for an information workshop to be held at the following locations!

Laurel Grange    January 6, 2011
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Corner of Snake & Sawmill Roads Harmony (North Scituate), RI 02829

East Farm @URI    January 5, 2011
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM Bldg 75, 2150 Kingstown Road Kingston, RI 02881

Little Compton Grange    January 6, 2011
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM 32 Commons Little Compton, RI 02837

To register for an information workshop, E-mail NRCSinfo@ri.usda.gov
or call 401-822-8848.