The Northern Rhode Island Conservation District works in partnership with private land owners, farmers, municipalities, state and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental agencies. NRICD is not a regulatory or enforcement agency, but rather provides assistance to those who desire to work as a team to face issues -- watershed by watershed.
Thank you to all who attended and made our workshops happen!
If you attended this workshop and would like further assistance, or couldn't make it but are still interested in working with us, please reach out to Outreach Specialist, Jessamy, at jlebeau.nricd@gmail.com and she will connect you with the right contact person.
NRICD Farm of the Year: Basil Farm!
We are pleased to announce this year's farm of the year, Basil Farm! Basil Farm is operated by Lia Lee and Xeng Yang who have over 40 years of farming experience in many different environments- from Laos to America, from city to countryside. Basil Farm markets its produce at the Neutaconkanut Park and Sankofa farmers markets in Providence, as well as fulfilling special orders for small local markets. They also participate collaboratively in the Snake Den Farm Committee. Congratulations, Basil Farm!
To our valued Providence County farmers, growers, and forest managers:
The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Providence County Team and Northern Rhode Island Conservation District (NRICD) are both in periods of unprecedented growth and change. Many of our longtime conservation planners are moving on to new opportunities, promotions, and new careers, causing us to welcome new members to our planning team. At the same time, record amounts of federal conservation funding were received in the 2024 fiscal year.... READ MORE
Farm, Forest, and Open Space program applications are signed by appointment only. To arrange an appointment, please contact Molly Allard at mallard.nricd@gmail.com or 401.934.0840 ext. 2. These appointments take 15-30 minutes, can typically be scheduled within the week, and a $100 fee to NRICD is due at the time of the appointment.
For more information about Farm, Forest, and Open Space, please visit the RIDEM Division of Agriculture or speak with your local tax assessor.
Help brainstorm new winter classes and topics for upcoming farmer skill share circles across New England. This upcoming season they are looking to hold 2-4 courses and, as always, they will be free to attend with childcare, interpretation services, and transportation coordination available at no cost.
Survey Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYVP4b2AEsxbwFq__4ok3D4Bkm0PA0II1eiGqeqUk6I7rClQ/viewform
Save the date:
YOUNG FARMER NETWORK STATEWIDE MEET-UP
Wednesday, January 8, 2025 - 5:00-6:00pm, Location TBD
This will be a farmer hang and planning session to help shape the 2025 Young Farmer Night Topics.
Applications Due January 27, 2025
RIEEA is pleased to announce scholarships for students pursuing a college or university degree related to the environment. Winners have demonstrated a passion for the environment, community leadership, and success in their academic and/or employment and volunteer endeavors. Four scholarships will be given in 2025: two for $2,000 per year for up to four years of study (i.e., up to $8,000 total per scholarship) and two for $1,000 per year for up to four years of study (i.e., up to $4,000 total per scholarship). Scholarship winners will be required to update RIEEA annually on their educational progress. In addition, winners will be invited to attend our Annual Environmental Education Awards ceremony in the fall.
Learn More:
https://www.rieea.org/resources/environmental-studies-scholarships/
Apply Now:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNMWmf3mTQdD7q-RXFCbctUcuVHhns1N2i58M5MhGm7_LVcw/viewform
For more information about the following workshops or to register for the zoom link, please contact Paul Dolan, RI RC&D Director, at 401-500-0399 or rircd2283@gmail.com.
“Birds of New England and Winter Birding in RI”
Presenter: Lisa Maloney, Audubon Community Education Coordinator, Audubon Society of RI
Saturday, January 25, 2025 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
"Winter Wildlife of Rhode Island's Woods & Fisher Cat Populations in Rhode Island”
Co-presenters: Mary Gannon of RI DEM and Laken Ganoe, postdoctoral researcher
Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
"Trees & Shrubs of Wetland Habitats in Rhode Island"
Presented by Scott Rabideaux of the Natural Resource Services
Presentation followed by Q&A
Wednesday, March 19, 2025, 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Next Envirothon Meeting: Thursday, January 9th @ 3:30 pm.
Want to learn more about Envirothon? Join us Thursday either online or in person to find out more about this year's competition, and how you can get involved!
To join us in person, please head to the Northern RI Conservation District office at 2283 Hartford Avenue, Johnston, RI 02919. To attend online, please join using the link below!
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83909717576?pwd=VTBUQy9QYmE1OFJzekVjUEZOYkpIQT09
Meeting ID: 839 0971 7576
Passcode: 894289
The theme this year is Roots and Resiliency: Fostering Forest Stewardship in a Canopy of Change.
This year’s 2025 Rhode Island competition will be on Friday, May 23, 2025, location and time TBA. The national Envirothon competition will be held at Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada from July 20 - 26, 2025.
What is Envirothon?
Each year over 25,000 high school students across the United States, Canada, China, and Singapore take part in The Envirothon® . It is an environmental problem-solving academic competition for high school and middle school students. Students learn through lessons taught firsthand by professionals as well as outdoor field experiences in the areas of aquatic ecology, forestry, soil health, land use, wildlife preservation, and localized environmental topics. Teams with the best solution to the environmental problem presented move to regional competition, and then to the global level. Winners compete for scholarships and awards along the way, and become part of a global alumni network of researchers, scientists, politicians, and more.
The Envirothon is a program of the National Conservation Foundation (NCF) and supported by the NCF-Envirothon Operating Committee.
Read more about NCF here: https://www.nationalconservationfoundation.org/
RI Envirothon Website: https://www.rienvirothon.org/
Envirothon Global Website: https://envirothon.org/
Want to get involved in Envirothon?
It's not too late for your school to join the fun! Contact President Peter Stetson or Coordinator Paul Dolan at 401-500-0399 or rircd2283@gmail.com. Envirothon also welcomes community volunteers and is currently looking for board members. Please reach out directly for more information.
Envirothon is also taking gift card orders through RaiseRight as a fundraiser for next year's winning team to travel to Alberta, Canada for the international finals!
Check out the gift cards being offered and what proceeds will be donated to Envirothon here: https://www.raiseright.com/
To order your gift cards to benefit Envirothon, contact Peter Stetson at petestetson8@gmail.com
2024 RI Envirothon Winner!
Winner of the 2024 Envirothon is the Wheeler School!
Thank you to all those who made this year's Envirothon possible! Follow RI Envirothon on Facebook for more updates.
Our DM Molly is radio famous! Listen below to her interview on the Resiliency Radio Hour show, hosted by the Southern RI Conservation District (SRICD). Gina Fuller, SRICD District Manager, and Katie Keiffer, SRICD Board Member, host this weekly broadcast highlighting the latest in RI conservation news.
Listen to Molly's episode:
https://tinyurl.com/Molly-Allard
Learn more about Resiliency Radio Hour:
https://www.sricd.org/resiliency-radio-hour-17f616a
Thank you to all who came out to support us! We're hopeful to sell out again next year. Have any questions, comments, or concerns about this year's dinner? Reach out to Outreach Specialist Jessamy LeBeau at jlebeau.nricd@gmail.com.
Thank you to all who joined us on our fungi walk! We'll see you ghouls and goblins next year!
Gather Farm Tour — Monday, September 30, 2024
Thank you, Gather Farm, for having us! Check out our photos from this event below, and stay tuned for our next tour!
Are you a farm or land owner in Providence County and would like to host a tour of your property? Please email outreach specialist Jessamy, at jlebeau.nricd@gmail.com!
Our indoor oyster mushroom workshop with the RI Mycological Society, which was to be held Saturday, May 25 at the Knight Memorial Library in Providence, is in the process of being rescheduled.
If you are interested in attending, please fill out the Google form below!
Indoor Oyster Mushroom Workshop Interest Form