Narrow River Preservation Association is proud to have received many honors since our founding in 1970.
In Autumn 2023, Richard Grant received a Certificate of Special recognition from Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee in recognition of his 51 years of service to NRPA; 26 of them as President and one year as co-President.
Also in 2023, Richard retired from his role of President and will now be an Advisory Board Member.
NRPA is delighted that Richard has received this recognition for his continuous service to NRPA since 1972!
Local Volunteers Receive Prestigious 2021 EPA Environmental Merit Lifetime Achievement Awards for their work on Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River
Narrow River Preservation Association (NRPA) is proud to announce that long time volunteer Board members Dr. Veronica Berounsky and Annette DeSilva have received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1. NRPA nominated these dedicated people in recognition of their 30 year commitment to the ecology and health of Narrow River and its watershed. We are thrilled that their extensive contributions to our environment have been publicly honored.
A video of the 2021 EPA Region 1 Awards can be seen here.
The program for the 2021 EPA Region 1 Awards can be found here.
ANNETTE DESILVA of Narragansett, Rhode Island
Annette DeSilva is being recognized for her 30 years of outstanding and sustained stewardship of the Pettaquamscutt Estuary, known locally as the Narrow River. In 1992, Annette, with Veronica Berounsky and others, founded Narrow River Preservation Association’s River Watch Program in concert with the University of Rhode Island’s Watershed Watch program. Monitoring water in the estuary allows the association and local officials to identify problems and find remedies.
Since the start of the River Watch program, Annette has been coordinator of the all-volunteer program, supporting over 200 volunteers who spent over 8,800 hours at the Narrow River taking over 47,400 field measurements and obtaining more than 13,700 water samples.
Under Annette’s leadership, the program has expanded to 13 sites, which includes streams and stormwater outfall pipes. Having found high bacteria counts that could not be explained by processes within the river, Annette advocated adding new sites so inputs could be examined. Shortly after the program started and one test site showed high bacteria counts, an outhouse along Gilbert Stuart Stream was removed, resulting in clean water samples within weeks. Since then, countless projects informed by River Watch data have been installed. When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needed water monitoring done in 2015, it came to the association because of its reputation for reliable river monitoring.
Annette and colleague Veronica Berounsky have presented detailed findings, trends, and summaries of decades of River Watch data. These show improvements in water quality and identify problematic areas that require more research and mitigation. Having served on the association’s board of directors from 1990 to 2018, she is now an advisory board member.
Annette’s 30 years of commitment to the River Watch program has resulted in improved water quality in the estuary. This well-established program will continue to lead to improvements for decades to come.
DR. VERONICA BEROUNSKY of Narragansett, Rhode Island
Dr. Veronica Berounsky is being recognized for her 30 years of outstanding and sustained stewardship of the Pettaquamscutt Estuary, known locally as the Narrow River. As both a board member and vice president of the Narrow River Preservation Association, Veronica’s environmental advocacy has led to environmentally responsible development and the protection of the watershed.
A powerhouse of energy and dedication, Veronica was instrumental in creating the association’s River Watch program in 1992, which has directly led to better water quality in Narrow River. In 2018, after high bacteria was found in two spots on the river, Veronica secured the funds then organized and oversaw an innovative program that uses trained dogs to detect human bacteria. The failing septic systems the dogs identified are now being repaired.
Veronica works to involve the public in protecting the health of the watershed. She has led educational tours for students and visiting academics, teaching them about the estuary’s ecology. She also led a program to educate teachers on teaching students about watershed ecology. Veronica founded “Art on the River,” inspiring artists and families to create art along the river’s edge. She also began “What Lives in the River,” an event inviting families to discover the creatures in the Pettaquamscutt Estuary area with volunteer experts on hand. In 2005, Veronica led the creation of the “Narrow River Turnaround Swim,” a fundraiser highlighting the river’s excellent water quality. In 2020, she initiated a swim that had participants swimming the six miles from a tributary to the mouth of Narrow River.
Veronica has shared her talents with other organizations, serving as chair of Rhode Island Rivers Council since 2013, contributing to the Coastal & Estuarine Research Foundation and New England Estuarine Research Society, and working with the University of Rhode Island
Graduate School of Oceanography.
Veronica’s sustained, consistent, and outstanding efforts have directly led to better water quality in the Pettaquamscutt Estuary.
NRPA President Richard B. Grant receives 2020 Blueways Stewardship Award
March 7, 2020
In honor of his 47 years of dedication to Narrow River and Narrow River Preservation Association, Richard Grant was awarded the 2020 Blueways Stewardship Award by the Rhode Island Blueways Alliance.
The mission of the Rhode Island Blueways Alliance is to develop a water trail network linking Rhode Island’s rivers, lakes and ponds to Narragansett Bay and to use the trail to promote safety, conservation, recreation and economic development. The Blueways Stewardship Award was created in 2010 to recognize an individual who exemplifies dedication to the stewardship and conservation of Rhode Island’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
Annually, the Blueways Stewardship Award is given to an individual who has the respect of their peers and who has notable accomplishments in watershed management in any of the following areas:
- water quality monitoring and protection,
- development of trails on water,
- promoting land use that protects waterways,
- working to make connections between watershed conservation and their community.
NRPA Receives Citation from Rhode Island House of Representatives
January 26, 2020
On January 26, 2020 Representative Carol Hagan McEntee (left) presents NRPA with a citation from the RI House of Representatives congratulating NRPA on its 50th Anniversary and its “commitment to preserve, protect, and restore the natural environment and the quality of life for all communities within the Narrow River Estuary and Watershed”.
Narragansett Chamber of Commerce Honors NRPA with 2019 James M. Kelso Community Service Award
January 22, 2020
In January 2020, the Narragansett Chamber of Commerce recently honored Narrow River Preservation Association (NRPA) with the 2019 Jim Kelso Community Service Award.
The award originated in 1999 to recognize the service of State Representative and local business owner Jim Kelso, who was a prominent leader, known for his generosity in the local community. The award recognizes a local resident or organization that has provided exceptional volunteer service and shown an outstanding commitment to both the community and its residents.
Peg Fradette, Operations Manager of The Narragansett Chamber of Commerce, said, “This is the first time that this award is being given to an organization. After 50 years of continuous contribution and dedication to our community at large, we can think of no better choice but [NRPA].”
NRPA thanks all volunteers who have made our work possible for the past 50 years.
NRPA President Richard Barker Grant Honored with National Wetlands Award Lifetime Achievement Award from Environmental Law Institute
May 2019
On May 7, at the National Wetlands Awards Ceremony in Washington D.C., the Environmental Law Institute (ELI) honored long time NRPA President Richard Grant with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Introducing the award, Scott Fulton, President of the Environmental Law Institute said “This special award we are issuing this year commemorating the 30th Anniversary of this important program [National Wetlands Awards], we were, of course, looking for someone very special to whom to give this award who has shown an enduring and multifaceted commitment to wetlands conservation. In Richard Barker Grant, we found the perfect awardee.”
Says Grant “While I was recognized for my volunteer input, my speech was really a thank you to the hundreds of people that have volunteered on projects that have improved the quality of the water in the Pettaquamscutt (Narrow River) Watershed. I am just thankful to have been able to give back to the environment for what I have received from it.”
The love of nature and art has guided Richard Grant to merge his avocation and vocation through out his life. He joined NRPA in 1972, a few years after graduating from Brown University where he studied Art History and Studio Art.
In the first year of his business career, Richard created the nationally recognized Interlaken Art Program. As art director he produced celebrated artist’s art on book cloth. Shortly thereafter, Richard purchased the Cambridge Paper Box Company and followed with founding R. B. Grant & Associates, a packaging firm providing structural packaging and design to educational publishers nationwide.
Richard’s initial involvement with NRPA was to raise funds. The first year Richard led NRPA’s fundraising efforts, he organized a canoe raffle that raised $183.
He continues to lead NRPA’s fundraising programs today, along with supporting all other aspects of NRPA’s work. In 1996, Richard was elected NRPA’s President and has served in that role ever since.
Richard is especially proud that the water quality in Narrow River has shown improvement over the 29 years of NRPA’s River Watch water testing program. He says that he is comfortable that he has given a token back to nature.
NRPA Treasurer Ken McShane notes that under Grant’s leadership, NRPA has become a resource for agencies and organizations who need information about Narrow River. Those include the US Fish and Wildlife Service, municipal governments, Coastal Resources Management Council and Town, State and Federal entities.
Those who know Grant admire his unique ability to build bridges, even among opposing forces. Dr. Veronica Berounsky, Vice President of NRPA, remembers a contentious meeting a few years ago that included irate comments and angry outbursts. As people were leaving the meeting, Grant approached a person who had expressed anger at NRPA’s actions and invited him to get coffee together the following day. They did go and have been partners since.
Berounsky was on hand in Washington to see Richard accept his award. Also in attendance were long time NRPA supporter Bill Moylan and Richard’s family.
Annette DeSilva Honored with 2014 Alison J. Walsh Award for Outstanding Environmental Advocacy Award from Save The Bay
Annette has devoted 22 years of volunteer leadership and dedication to the Narrow River Preservation Association. During that time, she has coordinated over 170 volunteers and 4,200 hours of water quality monitoring in the Narrow River Watershed as part of the River Watch. She has served on the Board of Directors since 1991 and has played a major role in all the of the Association’s work. Annette is a tireless advocate for the Narrow River, Narragansett Bay, and its watershed.
Richard Grant receives Lifetime Achievement Merit Award from Environmental Protection Agency for his service to NRPA
April 22, 2010
Rhode Island Residents Receive Prestigious Regional EPA Environmental Award in Ceremony Recognizing 40th Anniversary of Earth Day
Release Date: 04/22/2010
Contact Information: EPA Office of Public Affairs
(Boston, Mass. – April 22, 2010) – Four individuals and one organization from Rhode Island will be honored on Earth Day in Boston’s Faneuil Hall as EPA presents the 2010 Environmental Merit Awards. During a celebration of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the organization recognized significant contributions to environmental awareness and problem solving by 40 individuals and groups across New England.
The merit awards allow EPA to recognize individuals and groups whose work has protected or improved the region’s environment in distinct ways. Given out by EPA since 1970, the merit awards honor individuals and groups who have shown particular ingenuity and commitment in their efforts.
“Today, on this milestone anniversary of Earth Day, I’d like to acknowledge and honor people, communities and businesses that have made significant strides in protecting New England’s health,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA New England. Spalding noted, during ceremonies to honor the winners, that President Obama issued an Earth Day challenge to Americans to take action – in homes, in the community and in schools or businesses, to improve the environment.
Quoting Obama, he said, “It can be as simple as riding the bus or the subway to work, making your home more energy efficient, or organizing your neighbors to clean up a nearby park.”
The Environmental Merit Awards, which are given to people who have already taken action, are awarded in the categories of individual; business (including professional organizations); local, state or federal government; and environmental, community, academia or nonprofit organization. Also, each year EPA presents lifetime achievement awards for individuals.
Lifetime Achievement Merit Award:
Richard Grant
Richard Grant, president of the Narrow River Preservation Association, has made a huge impact on cleaning the Narrow River. With help from EPA and the town of Narragansett, he spearheaded the program that has completed three of the 11 proposed ‘state of the art’ detention pond systems at the river’s edge, replacing straight drainage piping of contaminated runoff that previously flowed unfiltered directly into the Narrow River. These new detention ponds provide natural settling and filtration for this runoff and have improved water quality significantly. Now in its 18th year, the Narrow River ‘River Watch’ program uses volunteers who, with help from the University of Rhode Island’s laboratories, regularly sample, analyze and evaluate changes in water quality in the river. The association’s graduate level education program teaches local science teachers about the river and its watershed, and then instructs them on how to convey this information to students. Thousands of local students have learned from this process. Grant has volunteered with the organization since it began more than 40 years ago. He has ensured that adequate support is available for its annual River Run Road race, the Mile Turnabout Swim, the annual Kayak Raffle, as well as each of the association’s programs and other outreach efforts.
Richard Grant Receives Lifetime Achievement Award from Save the Bay
April 1, 2007
Veronica Berounsky Honored with Rhode Island Foundation Merit Award for Years of Dedication to NRPA
February 27, 2007
American Fisheries Society Awards NRPA the Citizens Aquatic Conservation Award
June 9, 2004
NRPA Honored with Thanksgiving Tuesday Award from South County Hospital
November 25, 2003
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Rep. James Langevin in Honor of NRPA Receiving the Thanksgiving Tuesday Award
November 25, 2003
Gubernatorial Proclamation: Narrow River Preservation Association Day
June 15, 2002
This accolade was given on the occasion of NRPA’s initial designation as the State Designated Watershed Council for the Narrow River watershed by the Rhode Island Rivers Council.
Congratulations from the Governor of Rhode Island in Recognition of the Celebration of South County Rivers Day
June 17, 2000
American Planning Association, Rhode Island Chapter Honors the Narrow River Handbook with the Outstanding Planning Award for Journalism
October 21, 1998
The American Planning Association, Rhode Island Chapter presented NRPA with this award at the 1998 RIAPA Holiday Reception.
Michael DeLuca, in presenting the award remarked “What I appreciate most about the Narrow River Handbook is the NRPA’s commitment to ‘deliver’ the message. … A group of concerned citizens got together and pooled their knowledge, then shared it with their friends. A simple, yet sometimes overlooked, task that exemplifies the term ‘community involvement’.“
At the time, Michael DeLuca was the Principal Planner for the City of Cranston Planning Department. Today he is the Community Development Director for the Town of Narragansett.
NRPA Receives Environmental Appreciation Award from the South County Tourism Council
September 11, 1998
Save the Bay Presents NRPA an Award for Meritorious Service within the Environmental Community
1980
