What Grows On in Rhode Island News

View & Comment on the RI Gubernatorial Environmental Debate Videos

Let your voice be heard!

The Environment Council of Rhode Island has posted the recent gubernatorial debate on environmental issues in 10 segments on YouTube so Rhode Islanders can see and hear for themselves what the next governor thinks about the local environmental issues that affect all of our lives.

The Providential Gardener encourages Rhode Islanders to view the debate on YouTube and add comments so that the next governor can get a more complete perspective and overview of our environmental problems so that he will act in the state's best interest. Today's Providential Gardener post also links to published summaries of the debate as well as critiques of the candidates' responses.

Planning for Community Climate Change Adaptation ~ October 28, 2010

Are you concerned about...
 
More flooding and erosion from increased storminess that could put your community's infrastructure and unique places at risk?
 
Loss of beach access and wetlands from sea level rise?
 
Threats to our local economic sectors such as recreation, tourism, agriculture, and fisheries?
 
 ... if so, then please join us for a comprehensive and timely workshop on
 
Planning for Community Climate Change Adaptation
 
Date:           Thursday, October 28, 2010
Time:           8:30 am to 4:00 pm
Location:     RI Department of Environmental Management, Providence, RI
 
Audience:           *Planners and other municipal staff and officials
*5.0 CM credits pending with approval within three weeks  

REMINDER! ~ Land & Water Conservation Summit ~ March 15, 2008

From Apeiron (THERE ARE TWO BIG CONFERENCES ON SATURDAY THE 15th! This is one of them. The other is the Environment 2008 Conference in Boston):

2008 Land & Water Conservation Summit 

Saturday, March 15, 2008 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Location: URI Kingston Campus, Memorial Student Union Building
Sponsored By: 
  RI Land Trust Council
Narragansett Bay Estuary Program
RI Association of Conservation Commissions

Summit Program and Registration online at:
http://www.landandwaterpartnership.org

This day-long conference will provide You with the skills, information and connections you need to be effective!
- 30 Workshops with practical "how to" techniques and the latest information for community conservation leaders
- Networking with conservation leaders from across Rhode Island
- Keynote:  No Kid Left Inside - Commissioner Gina McCarthy, CT Dept. of Environmental Protection will discuss the importance of connecting families and children to the landscapes and watersheds that we are trying to protect.  No Child Left Inside is a response to the best selling book "Last Child in the Forest." The trend is that children don't go outside and play much anymore.  They don't ride bikes climb trees, or catch frogs as often as their parents did. The goal of No Child Left Inside is to unplug our kids and families from their computers, televisions, and electronic games and reconnect them to the natural world.

The Summit is THE Conference for Rhode Island's grass roots conservation leaders:  Land Trusts, Watershed Councils & Conservation Commissions
You Will Want to BE THERE!       Register On Line NOW!
Full Program & Registration:
www.landandwaterpartnership.org

Hearing on Public Space at India Point, Providence ~ March 3, 2008

From David P. Riley:

Dear Friends of India Point Park,

     Please come to an important  hearing on protecting public space at India Point. The RI Transportation Dept. (RIDOT) is planning to sell the Shooters parcel -- right next to the park -- to the highest bidder with no restrictions.

    We need to urge RIDOT to delay the sale until AFTER the planning process is completed. It would be tragic for the park, the city, and the state to rush into the permanent sale of one of the state's key assets, which could be a public gateway to the Bay providing significant long-term economic and civic benefits for the region. (MAP:   Maguire map of India Point and the new I-195. The Shooters site is two small parcels in white at the end of the two docks just west of the park. Click on map to enlarge.)

WHEN:      Monday, March 3, 6PM

WHERE:    City Council chambers, Providence City Hall

WHAT:       Public hearing on proposal to rezone Shooters (see map below) as Public Space. RIDOT
                  adamantly opposes rezoning because it would prevent them from selling it to the highest
                  bidder, which would probably mean high rise luxury condos next to the park, which is
                  the only expanse of Bay shoreline open to the public in Providence.

WHO:         We need you to come Monday and be heard. Your presence and your voice will let
                   RIDOT know what the park means to us and to the city, and why RIDOT needs to slow down!
                   (You can also submit written comments at the hearing, or email them to
                   [email protected].  Please come: we need a crowd!

Read on for TALKING POINTS for Monday's hearing:

SAVE THE DATE! RI Statewide Historic Preservation Conference ~ April 12, 2008

From RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission website:

The 23rd Annual RI Statewide Historic Preservation Conference

Saturday, April 12  in Providence's South Side and West End

Preservation Past, Present, and Future

The year 2008 marks the 40th anniversary of the Rhode Island Historic Preservation Act and the Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission. The 23rd Annual Rhode Island Statewide Historic Preservation Conference will use the anniversary as a starting point to explore the past, present, and future of historic preservation in Rhode Island.

In 1968, the Rhode Island General Assembly enacted legislation that expanded on the 1966 National Historic Preservation Act. The RI Historical Preservation Commission was established to direct a staewide preservation program that identifies historic properties, reviews state and federal projects, and administers funds. Heritage Programs were added in 1994.

Join the Annual Conference in Providence to recall past preservation achievements, or focus on current critical issues, from environmental sustainability to economic development, affordable housing to heritage tourism. Choose a historic resource--schools and mills, neighborhoods and villages, farms and waterfronts, even Modern architecture--and pick up the latest strategies to guide future practice.

Tour historic neighborhoods around the Armory, Atwells, Broadway, Elmwood, and West Elmwood, where homeowners, non-profits, and developers have completed waves of revitalization and restoration projects. Visit mill rehabs along the Woonasquatucket River, and sample the city's most exciting artspaces. Travel through time to sites of "preservation's greatest hits"--the Arcade, Masonic Temple, Benefit Street--and of its lost battles--Eagle Square, the Gorham Plant, Wriston Quad.

On the West Side and throughout Rhode Island, historic preservation is a dynamic process. Join us on April 12 to explore the past, present, and future of historic preservation in Rhode Island.      

Click here for a 2008 Historic Preservation Awards nomination form, and visit our website in early March to check out the conference program. Questions? Contact  Sarah Zurier.

Kennedy Plaza Placemaking Workshop ~ February 27, 2008

From ECRI & David Riley, Friends of India Point Park:

Mayor Cicilline and Parks Superintendent Alix Ogden, as well as RIPTA and others are discussing "reimagining Kennedy Plaza" in Providence. Call Carol Corbishley 785-9450 x 201.

See for full details: http://www.gcpvd.org/2008/02/26/tomorrow-0227-kennedy-plaza-placemaking-workshop/

REMINDER! ~ Land & Water Conservation Summit ~ Early Registration Deadline is February 22; Summit is March 15, 2008

From RI Land Trust Council:

EARLY REGISTRATION CLOSES FRIDAY!

Register before February 22 and save $15

2008 Land & Water Conservation Summit

Saturday, March 15, 2008  8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Location:  URI Kingston Campus,  Memorial Student Union Building

Cost:   $40 before February 22      $55 after February 22

Full Program & Registration: www.landandwaterpartnership.org   

Comprehensive Plan Assessment Survey ~ Deadline February 15, 2008

From Rhode Island Land Trust Council and RI Division of Planning:

Download Kevin Flynn's survey_cover_letter asking for your participation in our Comprehensive Plan Assessment Survey, which is online. If for you cannot access the survey through that link, please use the link on our website: http://www.planning.ri.gov/. Here is a pdf version, in case you would like to review it before filling out the official online version.

The completed online surveys will come back to us automatically.

We hope that you have a chance to complete the survey and then distribute the survey to the membership/colleagues of your organization (if applicable) by February 15, 2008.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Paul Gonsalves
Senior Planner
R.I. Division of Planning
One Capitol Hill
Providence, RI 02908

401-222-1756 - Phone
401-222-2083 - Fax
[email protected] - E-Mail
www.Planning.RI.Gov - Web

Land & Water Conservation Summit ~ Advertising Deadline is January 18, 2008

From RI-RESTORATION ListServ:

 

Land and Water Summit Program and Registration is now available online at:

www.landandwaterpartnership.org

Register On Line NOW!

Advertising and sponsorship opportunities are available now; see the Summit Page for details. Opportunities for advertising end on January 18, 2008.

Questions/Information?  Contact:

Rupert Friday, land conservation liaison email:  [email protected];  331-7110 x 39

Meg Kerr, water conservation liaison email:  [email protected];  714-2313

Conservation Development and Design Workshops ~ January 17 & 24, 2008

From Audubon Society of RI:

Audubon sends a reminder today of two workshops they're cosponsoring with RIDEM's Office of Sustainable Watersheds and the Narragansett Bay Research Reserve's Coastal Training Program.

• Conservation Development Workshop ~ January 17, 2008

• Conservation Design DVD Workshop ~ January 24, 2008