SOUTH KINGSTOWN – The Recreation Commission discussed the possibility of the high school relocation and the hospitals land swap proposal on Tuesday night – both of which could displace park
URI graduate student John Crockett examines chewed sticks while conducting a survey for muskrats, beavers and river otters in western Rhode Island. (Photo courtesy of John Crockett)
KINGSTON, R.I. – January 26, 2021 – A University of Rhode Island graduate student will be scouring lakes, ponds and wetlands throughout Rhode Island over the next three years to search for signs of three semi-aquatic mammals to document their distribution in the state.
Traveling via kayak, John Crockett will search for evidence of muskrats, beavers and river otters in waterways of southwestern Rhode Island this winter before expanding his search to other areas of the state in the coming years.
Rhode Island Seasonal Wildlife Solution Sessions Announced
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Fish & Wildlife will host a series of four Seasonal Wildlife Solution Sessions beginning next month. Rhode Islanders are invited to join DEM’s Wildlife Outreach Team to discover effective strategies for coexisting with our native wildlife. Sessions are designed to address common seasonal conflicts between humans and wildlife and provide the public with guidance. Each session will cover the life history of the focal species, rules and regulations, solutions, and research being done in our state, and will include a dedicated time for questions. The winter and spring sessions will be presented virtually.
The Martha s Vineyard Times
Oak Bluffs hires new conservation agent
Oak Bluffs selectmen hired Elisabeth Peterman as the town’s new conservation agent.
At a special meeting Tuesday, Oak Bluffs selectmen hired Elisabeth Peterman as the town’s new environmental planner and conservation agent.
A former senior planner for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Peterman has an extensive background and 30 years of experience in maintaining water quality in Rhode Island for shellfishing, permitting in wetland areas, conducting field work, grant writing, and working with multiple state and federal agencies.
Selectman Gail Barmakian said Peterman worked for Rhode Island’s equivalent of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.
Declining turtle population – threatened by illegal pet trade – is focus of multi-state effort
Updated Jan 19, 2021;
Facebook Share
The decline of wood turtle populations in Pennsylvania and a dozen other northeastern states led to a 2020-21 federal grant of nearly $1 million for habitat work, battling against the illegal pet trade in the species and other conservation actions.
Once abundant in many rivers and streams from Nova Scotia south to Virginia, the wood turtle has declined over the past century due to habitat fragmentation, dam construction, illegal collection and climate change.
The grant is the latest push in a decade-long effort to conserve the wood turtle, which is a State Wildlife Action Plan priority species in Pennsylvania.