CCA Blog and Mail Box

Many Rhode Island towns are asking that the state return control over land use, zoning, and planning to the municipalities. That alone won’t guarantee protection of our groundwater, but without local control, our clean drinking water and other natural resources will continue to be threatened by high-density development. Over the years, and especially since 2023, we have published many articles related to these topics. We have now collected them in one place on our website.

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

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.

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: 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

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.

When: Saturday, September 19 from 10 am to 4 pm (rain date September 26)
Where: Ninigret Park in Charlestown

This is the 3rd year for the Ninigret Arts and Crafts show and there will be artists, woodworkers, potters, jewelers, quilters, crochete and macrame crafters and much more. Local artisan and woodworker, Brian O’Connor of South County Paddles, will again have a booth with many of his fish dioramas.

If the surreal nature of our contemporary times has encouraged you to set out alone with your camera this year, you may have captured some stunning photographs of our beautiful landscapes and wildlife. In this post are three ongoing photo contests where you can win either prizes or recognition for your beautiful photographs.

In Charlestown, the fall bird migration begins in August and continues into November. Birds are tracked on radar and thousands of birds are passing through Washington County each night. In this post are links to tools that predict and monitor bird migration in real time through our area, and tips on how you can help the birds in their long migrations.

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, 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

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: 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

Where: Indian Church Rd. (off Rt. 2), Charlestown
Cost: Admission is $10 for adults, $3 for children, and $7 for seniors
When: Saturday, August 8, and Sunday, August 9