Hello Fellow Members,

The warm weather has arrived and we are all looking forward to being outside, taking full advantage of the joys of being ”irl” (in real life) and spending a few incredible hours away from our phones, text messages and internet activities. So what shall you do with this time?

Here are a few local happenings this month that may be perfect!

Beach Clean up

Helping Hands of Middletown
Contact: Tim Shaw – Recreation Director
Phone: (401) 847-1993
Email: tshaw@middletownri

Taggart's Ferry Landing is a popular fishing spot and is located off Indian Avenue in Middletown, RI. Through 1870, it was a ferry landing where produce was carried from Little Compton destined for Newport. It is a 50-foot-wide path leading to a rocky coastline.

The town is seeking a group to cleanup the coastal site. They will provide you with a list of do's and don'ts and can provide necessary hand tools. They will also provide yard waste bags and will pick up the bags after the project is completed. You should be able to do lifting and bending and be comfortable walking on a rocky coastline.

Eelgrass Restoration

Save The Bay
Contact: Stephany Hessler - Volunteer Coordinator
Phone: (401)272-3540 x130
Email: shessler@savebay.org

Eelgrass is a flowering underwater plant which grows in near-shore waters at depths ranging from approximately 3 to 12 feet in Narragansett Bay. Eelgrass is one of the most diverse and productive underwater habitats found in North America. This critical marine habitat provides a primary source of food and shelter to an abundance of marine life, including economically important finfish and shellfish species, such as flounder, tautog, bay scallops, quahogs, lobster and blue crabs. In addition to its value for marine life, eelgrass also protects our shoreline by dampening wave energy, thus reducing coastal erosion. It is widely recognized that the vitality of an estuary’s eelgrass beds is an indicator of its health.

In Narragansett Bay, eelgrass is in peril. It is estimated that the majority of historic eelgrass beds have been lost— today, only 99.5 acres of Bay eelgrass remain.

Join this grassroots effort - volunteer for one of their spring harvests or transplants. Volunteers dig eelgrass from donor locations within the bay and replant them in transplant areas.

For more information, click here and check on the Spring 2008 Harvest and Transplant Dates.

Planting trees – Apprentice Ecologist Initiative™

Nicodemus Wilderness Project
Contact: Yih-Ming - Volunteer Program Manager
Phone: (505) 363-0693
Email: mail@wildernessproject.org

Here's how to become an official Apprentice Ecologist by planting native trees and entering an essay contest:

1. Plan a native tree planting project in your yard, neighborhood, or other natural area. Learn what trees are both native and will grow well in our area.
2. If necessary, get permission from any landowners and then obtain your trees.
3. Plant the trees and take a few high-resolution digital photos of your environmental project in action.
4. Write your essay, register online and then upload your essay and best project photo to the Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists.

Your essay will be published in the Global Registry of Apprentice Ecologists and you will be provided links to download/print an official Certificate of Achievement and Apprentice Ecologist heat transfer (for T-shirt).

A large NWP canvas tote bag (made in the USA with 100% certified organic cotton) will be awarded to the authors of the 10 best essays on an annual basis. A $500 scholarship will be awarded annually to the author of the top Apprentice Ecologist essay.

Hope you will enjoy considering these opportunities and can pick one that works well for you. Have fun!

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