CCA Blog and Mail Box

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

When: Saturday, August 29 from 10 am to 3 pm
Where: A self-guided tour of some of Charlestown’s many farms

Farm Day provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the diversity of farms in Charlestown, a chance to meet farmers, and learn more about the role of farms across Charlestown.

UPDATE: Event Cancelled due to rain and wet conditions.
When: Thursday, July 30 (dinner starts at 6 p.m., movie begins at dusk)
Where: Ninigret Park at the Kimball Pavilion
What: Concert by Country Wild Hearts; movie Stand By Me; 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

When: August 7, 8, and 9
Where: Ninigret Park, Charlestown, RI
What: Three days of food and entertainment

When: Wednesday, July 29 at 11 am
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown
Who: Brought to you by the Salt Ponds Coalition
Reservations are required – link to pre-register in post

Hands-on workshop where you’ll learn how to identify, arrange, and preserve colorful seaweed specimens to create stunning botanical artwork

When: Tuesday, August 4 at 10:00 am
Where: Kettle Pond Visitor Center
and
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

When: Wednesday, August 5 at 6 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 Sarah Callan, Director of Animal Rescue at Mystic Aquarium

Learn about the Mystic Aquarium Animal Rescue Program and bring your children and grandchildren to enjoy an ice cream social.
PLEASE NOTE: The start time for this is 6 pm

At the Town Council meeting on June 22, a piece of history, the Goulding decision, was removed from the Ninigret Park Utilization Plan. When the land was given to Charlestown, Paul E. Goulding, Administrator of the General Services Administration, in his decision, noted that this area is a major migration site for waterfowl and other birds and of great ecological and scenic importance.

When: Thursday, July 16 (dinner starts at 6 p.m. and the movie begins at dusk)
Where: Ninigret Park at the New Pavilion
What: Concert by Madison Blues; movie Blades of Glory; and food trucks providing dinner
Who: Brought to you by Charlestown Parks and Recreation Department
Cost: Music and Movie are Free. Dinner – pay for as little or as much as you want to eat

When: Thursday, July 23 at 6 pm
Where: The Nordic Lodge, 178 Nordic Trail, Charlestown
What: Live music by Jus Tus, a raw bar, dinner, and a silent auction
Why: Support open space preservation and protection in Charlestown and have a fabulous evening with live music

When: Wednesday, July 22 at 7 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, Quonochontaug Historical Society President and Zack Garceau, Westerly Historical Society

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Barbara Heavers, a woman whose devotion to conservation, agriculture, science, education, and public service has left a lasting and beautiful legacy for Charlestown and all of South County.

When: Thursday, July 23 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Where: Cross’ Mills Public Library, 4417 Old Post Road, Charlestown (map in post)
Registration: Please register by calling the Cross Mills Public Library at (401) 364-6211.
Cost: Free

Safe Well Water? Test to be sure.