Outside Source

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? The greatest need is on weekends and Wednesday afternoons. Even volunteering once or twice a month is a huge help and shifts are only three hours long. Volunteers of all ages are welcome. This is also a great way for students to get volunteer hours!

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A full list of recreation offerings in Charlestown with event dates, including recreation programs for children and adults. The change of season doesn’t slow down recreation in Charlestown.

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When: Thursday, September 19 at 4:00 pm
Where: Blue Shutters Beach in Charlestown
What: Release of two Sea Turtles
Phineas, a Kemp’s ridley sea turtle and Tullibee, a green sea turtle will be released.

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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 7, 2024 – February 14, 2025 for deer, and until May 18 for other game.

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The Charlestown Land Trust has announced the expansion of protected land at the historic Amos Greene Farm in Charlestown. Thanks to the incredible generosity of landowners Carla and Russ Ricci, an additional 47 acres have been placed under conservation easement, bringing the total protected area on the Amos Greene Farm to 87 acres and increasing the Charlestown Land Trust’s total protected acreage to almost 700 acres.

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Early last month the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program (NBEP) released “Into the Woods: Solar in the Forest” to examine the number and location of ground-mounted solar projects in the region and to assess how much green space has been lost to solar development. The NBEP mapped solar arrays in the forests of the 113 municipalities in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut that make up the Narragansett Bay region. Nearly 4,000 acres in the region, most of which was undeveloped, have been cleared for solar projects. “By far, most solar projects were installed in forested areas or cropland,” according to the recently published study.

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Rhode Island PBS has created some short segments called Trail Stories that they show between longer programs. This one features the fabulous Carter Preserve, the 1,100 acre preserve located in Charlestown and owned by the Nature Conservancy (TNC). The film opens with the Tarzan Brown Trail and is narrated by TNC’s Tim Mooney.

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As it has for a quarter of a century, Rhythm & Roots will return to Charlestown, this Labor Day Weekend, August 30, August 31, and September 1. This year, the festival showcases music on three stages (the Roots, Rhythm, and Dance Stages) and will feature a variety of music styles, including Cajun, Zydeco, blues, country, bluegrass, Americana, and many other genres.

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There is a plan to increase the resiliency of the breachway so it can support critical habitat for flora and fauna and help to ensure the continued viability of Ninigret Pond for the future. The plan would involve repairing the west seawall to help prevent future filling of excess sand in the pond and to enhance the barrier dune habitat. Dredging will also be needed to clear out the current sand blockage in the breachway.

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When: Wednesday, August 21 at 6:30 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Roads, next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange in post)
Using drone technology, learn about the severe erosion that impacted Quonnie beaches this past winter and what can be done to slow this perennial problem.
Who: Presentation by Art Ganz, Marine Scientist

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When: Saturday, August 24 at 9:00 am
Where: Meet at Quonochontaug Yacht Club, 155 West Beach Road
Preregister: The tour will be limited to 20 kayaks. Preregister on a first-come-first-served basis by emailing: alicia@joinsaltponds.com or angela@joinsaltponds.com
Rain Date: Sunday, August 25th at 9:00 am

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When: Saturday, August 17, at 10:00 am
Where: Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge
Cost: Program is free
Registration: Please pre-register as space is limited
Hands-on experience that introduces children and their families to a variety of aquatic creatures living in the salt ponds.

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The University of Rhode Island is looking for answers from a community wide survey. The survey is focused on identifying and addressing concerns about coastal resilience and the Charlestown Breachway barrier beach-lagoon system in Charlestown, Rhode Island. Link to survey in post.

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When: Thursday, August 8, 6 pm to 7 pm
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown (map in post)
Cost: Free
Join U.S. Fish & Wildlife staff for an enlightening evening exploring the diverse world of fungi and mushrooms!

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When: Thursday, August 8, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown (map in post)
Cost: Free with all materials provided
With her many years of experience teaching adults how to paint, Elizabeth “Miss Art” Nordstrom will teach you how to paint from sketches or life in this fun, beginner’s art class.

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Ned Draper, who has served as the Director of Administration and Finance for the Chariho School District since 2020, has left the district and has already begun working at the University of Rhode Island’s College of Business as its Chief Business Officer. School Committee Chair Catherine Giusti said Draper would be difficult to replace. “While I’m happy for Ned, his leaving is a huge loss for Chariho and our community,” she said.

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When: Monday, August 19, at 7 p.m.
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
Cost: Free and open to the public
The featured speaker, Steve McCandless, will discuss the issues the breachways are facing and what is being proposed to address the issue at Charlestown Breachway in Ninigret Pond.

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When: Wednesday, August 7 at 7 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Roads, next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange in post)
What: Most people know about the great hurricane of 1938, but you may be surprised at the impact that these two other storms had on Quonnie shores.
Who: Presentation by Bill Steinman and Steve Young

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Where: All activities will be held on tribal land off of Rt. 2 and Old Mill Road in Charlestown
Cost: Admission is $10 for adults and $3 for children.
When: Saturday, August 10, and Sunday, August 11, 2024

• Gates open at 10 a.m. both days
• The Grand Entry will begin at 2 p.m. both days
• Sunday services will be held at the tribe’s church at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.

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What: Wildlife Wednesdays Lecture Series sponsored by Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of RI
Where: All lectures held at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown (map in post)
When: All presentations are on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
Cost: Admission is free and all ages are welcome

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When: August 2, 3 & 4
Where: Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI
What: Three days of food and entertainment

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When: Wednesday, July 24 at 7 pm
Where: The Quonnie Grange, 5662 Post Rd, (Rt. 1) between East and West Beach Roads, next to Dunn’s Corners Fire Station (location map of the Quonnie Grange at bottom of post)
What: Hear a Rhode Island cemetery expert speak about four cemeteries of Quonnie and show pictures and drone footage of these fascinating landmarks. Three of the cemeteries date from the 1700s.
Who: Presentation by Larry Hunter

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