Keeping You Up To Date with Charlestown News and Events
Ninigret Barrier Beach Restoration Project – Japanese Black Pine Removal
This work aims to restore natural barrier beach processes, improve nesting areas for the federally threatened piping plover, support healthier salt marshes, which provide vital habitat for fish, shellfish, and diverse bird species, and enhance the resilience and recreational value of East Beach for the public.
Town Council Settles On One Year Bond—To Fulfill “The Letter Of The Law”
On January 29, the Town Council consented to issue a $1.05-million “open space bond” as a one-year note—money that will be borrowed, held in a bank account, not spent, and paid back at the end of a year. Borrowing money just to issue the bond violates common sense. Thus, the Town Council may want to propose amending the Charter language so that a bond does not need to be issued unnecessarily.
Charlestown Land Trust Guided Winter Forest Walk
When: Thursday, February 26 at 3:30 pm
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
Cost: This event is free and open to all – No pre-registration required
Warm up with hot cocoa and join arborist Dan Weise for the first event in CLT’s 2026 Winter Speaker Series! Dan will lead a guided winter forest walk featuring tree and shrub identification and much more.
Participate In The Great Backyard Bird Count – February 13-16
Each February, for four days, people watch and count as many birds as they can find and report them with phone apps or on a website. These observations help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.
How To Volunteer For A Town Board Or Commission
Charlestown has over 25 Boards, Commissions, and Committees whose members are appointed by the Town Council. This post includes names of these groups along with links to information about each and how to apply.
URI Study Identifies Long-Term Source Of PFAS Contamination To Pawcatuck River
Scientists at URI’s Graduate School of Oceanography have identified a long-term source of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” entering the Pawcatuck River from two historically contaminated textile mill waste retention ponds decades after textile operations ceased.
Action Alert: No Conservation Funding In Rhode Island Green Bond!
Earlier this month, RI Governor McKee submitted his draft budget to the General Assembly, which includes the 2027 Green Bond. The Green Bond contains NO FUNDING for conservation or farmlands and only a small amount for Outdoor Recreation Grants – It isn’t green at all!
The Town Council Approves Borrowing $1.05 Million – But For What?
At the meeting on November 10, 2025, Councilors Deb Carney, Craig Marr, and Peter Slom voted to borrow up to $1.05 million; Councilor Stokes voted no. They voted to issue a bond not to preserve open space, but to finance unspecified future projects.
Wild About Reading About Nature!
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road in Charlestown
When: Weekly on Wednesdays from 10am to 11am
Who: These programs are designed for toddlers
Frosty Drew Opens On Fridays For Winter Star Gazing
Every Friday night that the weather permits, the astronomers at Frosty Drew open their Observatory, Science Center, Sky Theatre, and telescopes to the sky and offer stargazing and astronomy to anybody interested in observing with them. Tickets are not required for visitors to attend these winter Friday night events. Though a suggested donation of $5 per person, at the event, is very much appreciated.