Providence Water, along with funding from NRCS, is in the midst of a massive wildlife habitat project aimed to benefit grassland and shrub land dependent species at the old Joslin Farm property near the Scituate Reservoir.

Eighty acres of mature forest were cut over the past year and this spring half of the cleared land will be stumped and seeded with warm season grasses. This seeding will benefit species such as the field sparrow and Eastern kingbird currently already breeding at Joslin, as well as hopefully attract species such as bobolink or Eastern meadowlark.

The remaining half of the newly cut forest will be allowed to regenerate in order to create stands of saplings which will enhance the site's ability to support woodcock, blue-winged warblers, and ruffed grouse.

On the 25th of April, 2009 a tour of Joslin Farm was set up in order to explain the goals and current progress of the Joslin Farm wildlife project with the community. Over 135 people came to the event! Folks were very enthusiastic about the work being done and much positive feedback was received about the event.

Partners supporting this event included:

     • Providence Water
     • Scituate Conservation Commission
     • Southern New England Forest Consortium
     • RI Forest Conservators Organization
     • Northern RI Conservation District
     • USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service