Category: Family

What Lives in the River

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Come explore what lives in Narrow River! Photos by John McNamara

Saturday, September 21, 2024

9-11am at Middlebridge Preserve, 95 Middlebridge Road, Narragansett, RI

(Rain date Sunday, September 22)

This popular family science and exploration event is held annually on a Saturday morning in June and a Saturday morning in September at 95 Middlebridge Road, Narragansett.

About What Lives in the River:

All ages are invited to join Narrow River Preservation Association for this hands-on exploration of fish, shellfish, crabs and other inhabitants of Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River. We will use nets large and small to catch river creatures and examine them in touch tanks and under microscopes. Experts and guide books will be on hand.

FREE and open to the public- FUN for all ages!  Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.  All young children and youth should be supervised closely at all times.

Participants are welcome to get into the water, please dress appropriately.  Because this is a natural environment, there are sharp objects in the water. Boots, sandals or shoes that can get wet are recommended.  The gathering area is a field with grass and dirt surfaces. Wheelchairs are welcome.

Please come to the event even if you didn’t preregister! Walk-ins are also welcome.

Clinging jellies have been found in Narrow River. Click here to learn more about clinging jellyfish.

We will also host What Lives in the River on Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 9-11 at the same location (rain date June 9). Read more about that event here.

Thanks to all who joined up in June 2023 for What Lives in the River.

Here is a list of what was discovered living in the Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River at our event!

Organisms visible to the unaided eye:

  • Quahog
  • Baby American eel
  • Horse Mussel
  • Glass shrimp
  • Sand shrimp
  • Hermit crabs
  • Green crab
  • Blue Crab
  • Stickleback
  • Sea cucumber
  • Ctenophore (comb jellyfish)
  • Oyster
  • Egg cases
  • Flounder
  • Mummichog
  • Silverside
  • Crepidula fornicate (boat shell)
  • Tunicked
  • Whelk
  • Periwinkle
  • Unidentified small yellow crab with black shield

Organisms visible with microscopes:

  • Zoo plankton
  • Larval oyster
  • Very small whitish worm
  • Very very small snail

Juneteenth and RISHM Dedication at Casey Farm

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The highlight of the day was be the dedication of a RI Slave History Medallion at Casey Farm.

Many thanks to all who joined us on the Juneteenth Holiday to celebrate the emancipation of African captives in America, and as we honor all those enslaved in this region and on Casey Farm. Learn more about the lives of enslaved people here.

We gathered on Sunday, June 19 from noon – 4pm at Casey Farm, 2325 Boston Neck Road, Saunderstown, R.I. Admission was free, with food for sale.

At this family-friendly day, guests explored the farm on foot and by hayride. All enjoyed music by the Nettukkusqk Singers, the URI African Drummers and Dancers, and Sidy Maiga & Afrimanding.

Lorén Spears of Tomaquag Museum, Casey Farm’s historians, and R.I. Black Storytellers spoke about Indigenous and African American culture. Narrow River Preservation Association provided information about the region.

The highlight of the day was the unveiling of a R.I. Slave History Medallion on the front lawn. The medallion includes a QR code linking to the RISHM website where visitors are invited to learn more about enslaved people in this area.

Sarcastic Sweets sold cupcakes, cookies, brownies, cake bites, gluten-free and vegan desserts.

Incred-a-bowl food truck, a multicultural food company that serves delicious and healthy food with bowled (bold) flavors, such as Cuban chili mango bowl, Spicy kimchi noodles, Liberian bowls, and Korean BBQ beef, was a huge hit with our guests!

Historic records indicate that Southern RI is the site of the largest African slave holdings in New England. For many years, the ‘Narragansett Plantations’ were home to African and Indigenous captives on appropriated land. Learn more about the history of slavery in the area at the event and at RISHM.org. 

What Lives in the River video

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Because COVID-19 is preventing us from coming together in person to learn What Lives in the River, join us virtually! Join NRPA board members Veronica Berounsky, Erin Chille, and Sally Sutherland, along with Jake Pietrzak explore What Lives in the River!

Our September 2020 What Lives in the River event has been cancelled. The Salt Marsh Walk hosted by Narrow River Land Trust is limited to 10 participants and is now full.

Many thanks to Erin Chille for creating and producing the video!

Filmed at Middlebridge Marina, Narragansett, RI

You can learn more about What Lives in the River here: https://narrowriver.org/whatlivesinriver/