What Grows On in Rhode Island News

Where Do the Children Play?

 KINGSTON, RI  - A provocative documentary film, “Where Do the Children Play?,” will be shown at a free public screening on Tuesday, October 12 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at the University of Rhode Island’s new Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences (Flagg Road, Kingston, RI 02881).  The film examines an issue of growing concern among pediatricians, mental health experts, educators and environmentalists: more and more children are growing up today with few opportunities for unstructured play, especially outdoors. 

An audience discussion about the ideas explored in the film will follow, led by Providence Children’s Museum director Janice O’Donnell; Meadowbrook Waldorf School faculty chair Su Rubinoff; RI Families in Nature founder and director Jeanine Silversmith; and URI Child Development Center director Sue Warford.

Health Advisory: Avoid Melville Pond (Portsmouth) and Waters in the Ten Mile River Watershed

RI DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND

RI HEALTH DEPARTMENT ISSUE ADVISORY FOR MELVILLE POND

People Advised to Avoid Recreational Activities and Keep Pets Away from Melville Pond and Waters in the Ten Mile River Watershed

For the second time this week, the Department of Environmental Management and the Department of Health (HEALTH) are advising people to avoid recreational activities in waters affected by blue-green algae blooms.  Melville Pond in Portsmouth is added to the list of waters including the Ten Mile River, Central Pond, Turner Reservoir, and Omega Pond in East Providence that are experiencing the algal blooms which may form naturally occurring algal toxins. People should avoid recreational activities such as swimming, boating, or fishing in these areas until further notice. Pets can also be affected by exposure to the algal toxins and thus owners should not allow pets to drink this water or swim in the water.  In addition, people should not drink water or eat fish from any of these areas.
           

            DEM has confirmed the presence and predominance of blue-green algae species in Melville Pond.  These algae, also referred to as cyanobacteria, have the potential to form the naturally occurring algal toxins, Microcystin and Anatoxin.

 

            The toxins can cause harm to humans and animals.  Skin rashes and irritation of the nose, eyes, and/or throat are common side effects that result from skin contact with water containing algal toxins. If water containing algal toxins is ingested, health effects include stomach ache, diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Young children and pets are more at risk to algal toxins than adults, since they are more likely to drink contaminated water. Other health effects, which are rarer, include dizziness, headache, fever, liver damage, and nervous system damage.  People who have been drinking from, swimming, or fishing in these areas and experience those symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.

 

            If you come into contact with the water, rinse your skin with clean water as soon as possible, and when you get home, take a shower and wash your clothes.  People are cautioned that toxins may persist in the water after the blue-green algae bloom is no longer visible.

 

            With the weekend forecast of warmer temperatures and sunshine – conditions favorable to algae growth – DEM warns that blue-green algae blooms may be evident in other freshwater

lakes and ponds in the state.  People are advised to avoid contact with waters which exhibit the following conditions:  bright green coloration in the water or at the water surface and/or dense floating algal mats that form on the water’s surface.  The water may look like green paint, thick pea soup, or green cottage cheese.   

 

            DEM advises that the algae bloom and the natural production of the toxin will likely resolve itself in a few weeks.  DEM will re-sample the waters and inform the public when algae levels are low. At that time, it will be safe to resume recreational activities in these areas.

Source:      News Release from RI DEM

Contact:    Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

Seining at Sachuest Point ~ August 1, 2010

Come to the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge to see what the Sakonnet has to offer Sunday, August 1, 2010 ~ 1-3 pm! We will use a sein net to filter through shallow water on the Sakonnet River and use field guides to indentify any plants and animals found. Common sights include grass shrimp, pipefish, green crabs, banded killifish, and sea lettuce. Kids bring swimwear because you will get wet!

Governor's Bay Day and Great Outdoors Pursuit ~ July 25, 2010

Rhode Islanders love the ocean and outdoors, so this Sunday is especially great. It's Governor's Bay Day and The Great Outdoors Pursuit.

Governor's Bay Day, means there's free parking to all state beaches, free RIPTA Beach Bus Express, plus special events at several beaches and parks, especially Goddard Park, Roger Wheeler State Beach, and Scarborough State Beach. 

Also, Governor's Bay Day means Free Fishing Day for Saltwater Anglers. A State Recreational Fishing License OR registration with the National Saltwater Angler Registry is NOT required for saltwater anglers fishing in Rhode Island waters on Bay Day!

And Scarbourgh State Beach is the location for The Great Outdoors Pursuit, an ongoing game for mixed groups of adults and children. Find out about this enjoyable outdoor exploration, perfect for families and neighborhood groups.

RI Great Outdoors Pursuit ~ July 11, 2010

Have you and your family and friends been to one of the Great Outdoors Pursuit days? These are great fun for the whole family. At least one child is required on each team, and even if you don't participate in the ongoing game aspect of these free summer activities, you are welcome to come and enjoy Rhode Island's  Great Outdoors.

The next event is Sunday, July 11, 11am - 3pm, in Arcadia Management Area. There will be guided hikes, kayaking, fishing lessons, rock climbing, tree ID, a forestry obstacle course, and geo-caching, plus Smokey the Beat will show up.

RI Forest Restoration Youth Crew Jobs ~ July 12-August 12, 2010

Earn Money & Help the Environment!!!!
 
Who: The Rhode Island Natural History Survey (RINHS) & Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) are recruiting High School Students & new graduates (age 16-19) for restoration crew positions through the Forest Health Works Project (FHWP). Students interested in jobs in the environment, forestry, etc. should apply!
 
What: Crew members will work as a team on projects for government & NGO partners. Work will include controlling invasive plants, improving wildlife habitat, light carpentry such as signs and fences, native seed collection, community outreach, & more. The work will be intense & challenging, but very rewarding. Hardworking teenagers should apply.
 
When: 5 weeks, July 12th – August 12th (except Victory Day, 8/9), M-Th 8:30-5pm
 
Where: The crew will work all over the state, but will focus on state forestlands in western RI (e.g. Arcadia). Students from these areas are especially encouraged to apply.
 
Why:
● Spend your summer outdoors!
● $9.50/hr
● Hands-on experience towards college/job
● Make friends and have fun
 
How: Please contact James Barnes ([email protected]) at RINHS for more details or visit the website www.rinhs.org for an application (coming soon!)
 
This program is part of the Forest Health Works Project (FHWP), a new state effort to control invasive plants that threaten forest health. It is a partnership of the RIDEM and the RINHS. The FHWP is funded by the U.S. Forest Service through a grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
 

Earth Day! ~ April 22, 2010

See What Grows On in RI Earth Day Calendar or a long list of all kinds of things to do to celebrate and observe Earth Day. There are MANY cleanups scheduled throughout the state, and more are still being added. If you are too busy this week, cleanups continue over the next couple of weeks... [Take care when cleaning up areas that have been flooded. Narragansett Bay Commission has postponed its cleanup of the Woonasquatucket River, for instance.]

Some highlights:

• Party for the Planet at Roger Williams Park Zoo all week, and especially on Sunday
• Audubon events in Bristol all week
• Daffodils at Blithewold in Bristol through May 2
• April 22 ~ Earth in Jeo-Party tonight at Local 121 in Providence
• April 22 ~ Home (Film) at Jane Pickens in Newport
• April 23 ~ Paul Winter Consort ~ Missa Gaia in New Bedford
• April 24 ~ Scoop the Herring at Omega Dam in East Providence
• April 24 ~ Cleanups all over! Cranston, Johnston, Lincoln, Middletown, Newport, Pawtucket; Portsmouth, Warren, West Greenwich, West Warwick, Woonsocket;
• April 24 ~ Cleanups and recycling events in Providence: Brown St Park, Elmhurst, India Point Park, South Providence Shines & Olneyville Shines, RI Community Food Bank, Waterfire along the rivers...
• April 25 ~ Slater Mill Free for All in Pawtucket
• April 25 ~ Party for the Planet at Roger Williams Park Zoo
• April 25 ~ West Greenwich Earth Day
• April 25 ~ Hope for the Earth, Hope St in Providence

Webcast ~ Be Out There: National Summit on Children and the Outdoors ~ April 10, 2010

Audubon to Host Live Webcast of the Summit

Be Out There: National Summit on Children and the Outdoors

Audubon Environmental Education Center;

April 10, 2010; 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Please join Audubon for a live webcast viewing of a national summit on children and the outdoors sponsored by The National Wildlife Federation (NWF).  Those interested in state and federal policy solutions to connect children with nature are urged to attend.

This free webcast will feature NWF President & CEO Larry Schweiger, US Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and other national experts. A panel discussion entitled "New Partners and Innovative Strategies to Address the Indoor Childhood" will be featured. For more information contact Audubon Senior Director of Education Kristen Swanberg at (401) 949-5454 ext. 3111 or by email at [email protected].