The Charlestown Climate Resiliency Commission is looking for input from communities across the South County region on well water issues and usage as they work with agencies and partners to kick off an aquifer resilience initiative. Your responses to this 5-minute survey will help them determine next best steps toward building a shared regional understanding of how much our aquifer can sustainably support now and into the future.
On the November 3 election ballot is Question 6, a $116 Million bond referendum to build a Unified Elementary School Campus at the site of the current Charlestown Elementary School, at the corner of Rt. 112 and Shannock Road in Charlestown. In this post is the question as it will appear on the election ballot, a breakdown of costs and tax impacts, and a link to learn more.
When: Sunday, October 11 at 11:00 am sharp. There is no rain date!!
Where: Meet up near the soccer fields and tennis courts at Ninigret Park
Who: Sponsored by Charlestown’s Block Island Sound Bikeway Committee
To celebrate October, Charlestown’s Block Island Sound Bikeway Committee invites interested cyclists to join them for a ride.
When: Saturday, October 17 at 3:30 p.m.
Where: Mill Pond Preserve, 4962 South County Trail in Charlestown (across from East Charles St. on South County Trail)
RSVP: Please register for this event
The Charlestown Land Trust invites you to join them at Mill Pond Preserve for their annual S’mores Social. Enjoy a marshmallow roast with good company and conversation!
When: Wednesday, October 14 at 5:30 pm
Where: Quonochontaug Grange, 5662 Post Road in Charlestown
What: Charlestown Land Trust Members’ Annual Meeting with keynote speaker Sara Michaud from the Rhode Island Beekeepers Association
Who: This meeting is free and open to everyone
Contestants were asked to submit photos taken on one of the five National Wildlife Refuges in Rhode Island. All the entered photos will be on exhibit at Sachuest Point Visitors Center in Middletown from Saturday, September 19 to October 3 and then displayed at Kettle Pond Visitors Center in Charlestown from October 4 to October 19.
When: October 17 and 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Over 30 art workshops and exhibits in multiple locations in Hopkinton, Richmond and surrounding areas
What: Visit local artists and artisans in their studios and workshops and view their amazing work
Cost: Free
Charlestown Town Council Candidate Forum
When: Tuesday, October 6, from 6 pm to 7:30 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)
Where: Cross Mills Public Library, 4417 Old Post Rd., Charlestown
Chariho School Committee Event
When: Saturday, October 3, 2 pm to 4 pm
Where: Chariho High School Cafeteria, 453 Switch Road, Wood River Junction, RI
What: Be Safe! Be sure to wear at least 200 square inches of florescent orange (usually a hat and or a vest) when hiking on state, federal, or other public and private open space.
When: September 12, 2026– February 28, 2027 for deer, and until May 31 for other game
When: Tuesday, September 22 at 6 pm
Where: Quonochontaug Grange, 5662 Post Rd., Charlestown
Cost: Tickets are $30 per person
No experience necessary—just come ready to get creative and leave with two beautiful handmade pieces!
When: Saturday, October 3 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Saint James Chapel, 2079 Matunuck Schoolhouse Road, Charlestown
Who: Staff from the Tomaquag Museum
What: Watch art demonstrations, shop in the art market, listen to storytellers, play fun games, and so much more!
This year, the sassiminneash, Narragansett for cranberry, takes center stage in cooking demonstrations featuring Narragansett chef Charles Hankinson, a Johnson & Wales graduate.
View the local and statewide Primary election results. There was only one local contest on the Primary ballot, and that was the local Democratic Party primary for Representative in General Assembly District 36. District 36 includes all of Charlestown and New Shoreham, and parts of South Kingstown and Westerly. Tina Spears won that primary by a wide margin in Charlestown and district wide. She will be unopposed in the November election.
Coastal planners in Rhode Island are asking the public to take photos of flooding of low-lying coastal areas that occurs during the upcoming extreme high tide (called King Tide) arriving on September 11 and 12 and share their photos using the MyCoast App. These photos can identify where resilience efforts are needed. You can take photos at any beach, or flooded roads, parking lots, buildings, seawalls, playgrounds, and yards.
The University of Rhode Island’s Salt Pond Smart property certification program is now open for enrollment, inviting residents who live on properties within the Salt Ponds watersheds to take part in a growing community effort to protect some of Rhode Island’s most treasured coastal resources. This post links to URI website to learn more.
When: Saturday, September 19, from 9 am to 11 am
Where: Charlestown Town Beach
Help keep Charlestown Town Beach clean! Shoreline trash is ugly and dangerous to wildlife, and shoreline cleanups are a great way for volunteers to make a difference.
When: Thursday, September 24 from 5 pm to 6:30 pm
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown
What: Second public meeting of the Ninigret Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) for the Charlestown Naval Auxiliary Landing Field formerly used defense site (Ninigret Park and the Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) New England District invites everyone to the second public meeting of the Ninigret Restoration Advisory Board (RAB).
When: Thursday, September 10 from 5 pm to 7 pm
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown
Who: Hosted by the Charlestown Climate Resilience Commission (CCRC)
Join the CCRC for the kickoff of a Regional Groundwater Resilience Assessment. How much water can our aquifer sustainably provide, and will that water remain safe to drink, now and as conditions change?
When: Tuesday, September 15 at 10:00 am
Where: Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
Who: Led by Salt Ponds Coalition and local artist, Frances Topping
What: Learning to sketch the beautiful, natural environment of Ninigret Pond
Reservations are required – link to pre-register in post
Where: Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center in Ninigret Park
When: Saturday, September 19, from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Cost: $5 Suggested Donation per person 5 years and older
Stop in for a fun night under the beautiful moonlit skies of Ninigret Park and become acquainted with our only natural satellite, the Moon!
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Rhode Island Headquarters is at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center on Bend Road in Charlestown. This is the headquarters for all of the National Wildlife Refuges in Rhode Island. What is needed? Volunteers for front desk shifts at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center, and Environmental Education Support. Details in post along with “One Volunteer’s Experience” by John Topping.
Why: Household hazardous waste must not be placed in regular garbage!
When: Saturday, September 12, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Richmond – DPW, 51 Buttonwoods Rd.
Appointments are required for this event – link to register in post.
Where: Ninigret Park
When: September 4 to September 6
As it has for over a quarter of a century, Rhythm & Roots will return to Charlestown, this Labor Day Weekend. The festival showcases a wide array of musical styles on three stages such as Cajun, Zydeco, blues, country, bluegrass, Americana and many other genres.
When: Saturday, September 5 from 9 am to noon
Where: Charlestown Mini Super, 4071 Old Post Road, Charlestown
Why: Indie Cycle is offering this great opportunity to dispose of your unwanted electronics that can be either recycled, reused or refurbished.
When: Saturday, August 22 – Arrival 8:30 am; Launch 9:00 am
Where: Green Hill Civic Association Dock/Kayak Launch located on Green Hill Beach Road, South Kingstown Rhode Island
Register: Registration is required for the event
Learn about the beauty of Green Hill Pond as well as some of the challenges that it faces
Where: Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center in Ninigret Park, Charlestown
When: Saturday, August 15 from 9:00 pm to 11:30 pm
Cost: $5 per person over four years of age – you must get tickets in advance
Frosty Drew Observatory and Science Center is a great place to see the Milky Way Galaxy because it is easily accessible and it is sited in one of the darkest locations in southern New England.
When: Wednesday, August 19 at 6:30 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Rd., next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange at bottom of post)
Who: Presentation by Joan Lawlor, Bill Steinman, and Steve Young, all from the Quonochontaug Historical Society
The presentation will be preceded by a short annual meeting.
When: Monday, August 17, at 7 p.m.
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
Cost: Free and open to the public
Guest Presentation: A talk titled “RI’s Great White Sharks… and What About the Seals?” presented by Jon Dodd, Executive Director of the Atlantic Shark Institute.
When: August 12 to 16
Where: 78 Richmond Townhouse Road (Route 112), Richmond, RI
What: The Washington County Fair is Rhode Island’s largest agricultural event, plus country music, food, a carnival, and more.
When: Thursday, August 13 at 6 pm
Where: Cross Mills Public Library, 4417 Old Post Rd., Charlestown
Who: Lisa Tewksbury, Biological Control Lab Director, URI Department of Plant Sciences and Entomology
Join Lisa Tewksbury for a look at black swallow-wort, an aggressive invasive vine spreading through Rhode Island fields, forests, and gardens-and the biocontrol research underway to bring it under control.
When: Thursday, August 6 (dinner starts at 6 p.m., movie begins at dusk)
Where: Ninigret Park at the New Pavilion
What: Concert by The Chris Marra Band; movie Lilo and Stitch; and food trucks providing dinner
Who: Brought to you by Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department
Cost: Music is Free. Dinner – pay for as little or as much as you want to eat
