Great swimming today the 6 mile/10K length of Narrow River for our second Source to Sea Swim! Left to right: Lorena Pugh, Veronica Berounsky, Mary Phelan.
On Friday, September 3, 2021, Lori Pugh, Mary Phelan and Veronica Berounsky swam the 6 mile length of Narrow River for the second year in a row! More great photos are included below!
Check out this essay by swimmer and Narrow River enthusiast Veronica Berounsky about this swim!
Veronica Berounsky swam to raise awareness for the improving water quality conditions in the Narrow River, celebrating the enjoyable place it is for swimming. She also swam to support “Donate Life” which encourages people to sign up to be an organ donor, because she donated a kidney 6 years ago and knows firsthand how that decision to donate saves lives. Even with one kidney, Veronica is physically fit to swim the length of Narrow River!
Lori Pugh is an internationally recognized artist from North Kingstown, and Mary Phelan is a realtor with the Narragansett office for Residential Properties. Veronica Berounsky is a coastal ecologist staff member at the University of Rhode Island, Vice President of Narrow River Preservation Association, and Chair of the RI Rivers Council.
THANK YOU TO ALL who made the 2020 Source to Sea Swim a huge success!!
On Monday, September 14, 2020, Lori Pugh, Keith Ballard and Veronica Berounsky swam the 6 mile length of Narrow River! This “Source to Sea – the Narrow River Long Swim” was a great success.
Veronica Berounsky also swam to raise awareness for “Donate Life” which encourages people to sign up to be an organ donor, because she donated a kidney 5 years ago and she knows how that can save lives. And even with one kidney, Veronica is physically fit to swim the length of Narrow River.
Lori Pugh is an internationally recognized artist from North Kingstown, and Keith Ballard is the owner of Wakefield Running Company. Veronica Berounsky is a coastal ecologist, Vice President of Narrow River Preservation Association, and Chair of the RI Rivers Council.
The newsletter template is currently in Adobe InDesign, but any program is acceptable as long as the product is similar.
As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, we are seeking a cost effective way to produce our 8 page newsletter 3 times each year. Issues are sent to members in April, August, and December annually.
If interested, please email justmealison@gmail.com with an example of your work, two references, and your fee to produce our upcoming August issue (timing is to create the newsletter in July to send to printer by July 20.)
Thank you to all who made the tenth season of On Pettaquamscutt a huge success!
Thanks especially to Rosemary and David Smith, founders and organizers of the speaker series.
Ospreys of Narrow River
Originally presented March 28, 2021 at the On Pettaquamscutt Winter Speaker Series, Craig Wood, Ecologist and Board Member of Narrow River Preservation Association and Narrow River Land Trust, explores the natural history, adaptations, migration and identification of osprey. He also shares the history of NRPA’s osprey education program and shows the behind-the scenes of the osprey webcam.
Importantly, Craig also notes the near-disappearance of osprey in Rhode Island in the 1970s, largely due to the pesticide DDT, and the remarkable recovery of the species since DDT was banned.
Osprey family in the nest August 6, 2020.
Gun mount near the Point Judith Fisherman’s Memorial. (photo by Rosemary Smith)
On January 31, David Smith presented: Narragansett Coastal Defenses. Sponsored by Friends of Canonchet Farm
From the earth works of a Revolutionary fort to the concrete bunkers of World War II, military installations have been an important part of Narragansett history. CLICK HERE to see a recording of this presentation.
Sunday, February 28, Heather Kisilywicz presented: Stories of the South County Fisherman. Sponsored by South County Museum
Heather Pouliot Kisilywicz, new Executive Director of the South County Museum, discussed her research into the genealogy of South County’s first fishing families in Stories of the South County Fishermen.
Click here to see a recording of that presentation.
These events are free and open to the public. Participants must register at OnPettaquamscutt.org or at the calendar page of the library website (http://www.narlib.org/) to receive a Zoom invite. For more information, call 401-783-5344.
In 1972, Richard Barker Grant was invited to join the newly formed Narrow River Preservation Association (NRPA) to raise funds for the organization to protect the Narrow River. His first year on the Board of Directors, he planned two fundraising events: a canoe raffle and a canoe race. Grant smiles as he remembers that the NRPA Board of Directors wondered how to spend the $183 raised that year most wisely.
Since then, for more than 48 years, Grant has been the driving force behind all of NRPA’s many fundraisers, increasing NRPA membership, engaging local sponsors, connecting with benefactors and cultivating relationships with other stakeholders. Grant has been instrumental in organizing NRPA’s Annual Road Race, run for 31 consecutive years, the Narrow River Turnaround Swim, the Pettaquamscutt Paddle and all NRPA events.
Richard Grant (center) receives Lifetime Achievement Award in Washington, D.C., from Scott Fulton (left), President of the Environmental Law Institute and Ben Grumbles, Maryland’s Secretary of the Environment. Photo courtesy of Environmental Law Institute.
Grant says that he is proud of NRPA’s accomplishments in protecting the river. Involved in every residential development in the watershed since 1970, NRPA has fought for responsible building, proper sewage and septic infrastructure, and commitment from the towns of Narragansett, North Kingstown and South Kingstown in the health of the river. Grant regards the findings of improved water quality in Narrow River over the past 30 years of NRPA’s River Watch program as an indicator that the efforts of NRPA have been successful.
On May 7, 2019 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.
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.
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 State and Federal entities.
From left, Rupert Friday and Meg Kerr present the 2020 Blueways Stewardship Award to Richard Grant with Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee. Photo Credit Veronica Berounsky.
Recently, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) was tasked with developing a watershed plan for each watershed in the state. Because there has been so much research and interest in the Narrow River Watershed, and because there is so much dedicated local involvement, RIDEM decided to develop the Narrow River Watershed Plan as one of their first plans. RIDEM and NRPA have collaborated on the plan, which is nearing completion. Once the Watershed Plan is published, NRPA will spearhead efforts to put the plan into action.
“It’s rewarding to see NRPA’s educational program. The Board [of Directors] and community contribute to having young children participate in learning about the environment at What Lives in the River [NRPA’s river exploration event]” says Grant. “Just seeing young scientists discovering and questioning is amazing.”
Educational initiatives including What Lives in the River, NRPA’s osprey education program, Lesa Meng College Scholarships and Science Fair Awards have all been developed during Grant’s tenure as NRPA President. Always open to new ideas, Grant has welcomed these and other programs, including Art on the River, the Narrow River Turnaround Swim and the Pettaquamscutt Paddle.
Experienced artist and NRPA Board President Richard Grant shows others how to draw perspective at Art on the River, August 2017.
Those who know Grant admire his unique ability to build bridges, even among opposing forces. Dr. Veronica Berounsky, Vice President of NRPA, remembers a very 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 for coffee and have been partners since.
Grant’s leadership has shaped Narrow River Preservation Association. As President of the Board of Directors, Grant’s guiding philosophy is that each board member should have a project or two that they lead with the support of the other members of the board of directors. Board members are welcome to support any event or initiative that interests them. In this way, each member has a sense of ownership over their project and no single member is expected to carry the entire organization. Berounsky says, “Richard has been my mentor as a Board Chair. In my work as the Chair of the Rhode Island Rivers Council, I have used Richard’s model with great success.”
The only exception to Grant’s model is that he himself is involved in every aspect of NRPA. His leadership provides a consistent thread throughout NRPA activities and actions. Always considering how each initiative fits into NRPA’s mission, Grant keeps the organization focused and actively working on each initiative at all times.
Asked what has kept him going for 46 years, Grant reflects “Personally I just really feel great that I’m improving the environment by being part of NRPA. While it is a small contribution, my work through NRPA is paying back people who have had the same sense and contributed to the environment, making my life better.”
Born and raised in Cranston, RI, Grant earned a BA from Brown University. He developed the position of Art Director at Interlaken Mills, acquired a partial ownership in the Cambridge Paper Box Company, which led to his a successful founding of a packaging company, R. B. Grant and Associates, servicing national publishers until he retired in 2015. He has two children and three grandchildren. Grant and his wife Jan have lived in Kingston since 1968. In addition to his work with NRPA, Grant is a prolific artist working in watercolors and oils and his own creation of Mic-a-rt. He loves to ski and is active in the Kingston social clubs.
Richard Grant at the Pettaquamscutt Paddle, July 2018.
In 2018, NRPA created an Endowment in Grant’s name. The permanent endowment will be managed by The Rhode Island Foundation and provide yearly grants for the benefit of the Narrow River Watershed.
The Rhode Island Foundation manages four other endowments for NRPA, all started with generous donations from NRPA supporters and their friends and family. Each of the four funds is named for their benefactor: John Elder Dick, Carl Otto, John Gormley and Rob Leeson. Based on the growth of the investment, each fund provides an annual grant to NRPA and grows according to the market growth. The endowments are protected and can only be used to benefit the environment.
John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge Hunting plan as of summer 2020.
Hunting has historically occurred in the Narrow River Watershed. More recently it has become an effective ecological management tool. Privately held tracts of land within the Narrow River Watershed have allowed hunting on an individual property basis, U.S Fish. and Wildlife Service (USFWS) approved Hunting and Fishing within the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge in 2020. All hunting, firearms and archery, is permitted in accordance with RIDEM Hunting Regulations. In addition, each town has their own ordnances for hunting and firearms, including written permission of the property owner or tenant to be countersigned by the Town chief of police.
Narrow River Preservation Association (NRPA) supports fair and respectful use of the land. We want to ensure that ALL patrons understand the rules and regulations as written. Please continue to educate yourselves on these restrictions so that we can ALL continue to protect and manage our precious natural resources for generations to come.
All Hunters must have a valid RI State Hunting License (RIDEM), which requires a hunter education course.
All archery hunters for deer, turkey, coyote and fox must have a state archery proficiency certification.
Firearms cannot be discharged within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling.
Archery shooting cannot be within 200 feet of an occupied dwelling.
Waterfowl hunting must be below the mean high tide line from foot, boat or duck blind.
Hunting is allowed ½ hour before sunrise and sunset, or ½ hour after sunset depending on the animal hunted.
Firearm hunting in RI is limited to shotgun and muzzle loaders.
RIDEM Hunting Regulations do not allow hunting within hunt safety zones. Hunters may not discharge weapons into, from, or within a hunt safety zone. Safety zones for archery hunting include areas within 200 feet of an occupied dwelling or public road. For firearms, all areas within 500 feet of an occupied dwelling or public road. Hunters may pass through safety zones on their way to hunt-able lands but must not have arrows knocked or firearms loaded within safety zones. Some, but not all safety zones are marked in the field. It is the hunter’s responsibility to know where safety zones are located.
RIDEM is responsible for the enforcement of the hunting regulations throughout the watershed. They staff a 24-hour hotline, 401-222-3070, to report violations of the state’s wide-ranging environmental laws, and any inappropriate activities should be reported there.
John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge
The US Fish and Wildlife Service approved Hunting and Fishing within the John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge within the Narrow River Watershed in September 2020. Over 500 acres within the refuge were opened to hunting. Hunting of migratory birds, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, coyote and fox are allowed between September 2020 and January 2021, per Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) State Regulations.
RI Hunting Licenses are required to hunt, and each hunter must download, sign and carry a refuge hunting brochure for each season to serve as written permission to access the refuge units for hunting. The hunting of white-tailed deer, wild turkey, coyote and fox is limited to archery in designated areas within the Refuge for the 2020 Hunting season.Waterfowl hunting with firearms is permitted in 2020. The approved U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Hunting and Fishing Plan will be assessed by USFWS annually and adjustments to the plan may be implemented and communicated to the public.
Fishing
Saltwater fishing is now permitted along ~1,600 feet of shoreline on the north bank of the Narrow River near the Sprague Bridge per the RIDEM Saltwater Recreational Fishing Regulations.
References:
Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM)
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!
In 2019, NRPA and Tomaquag Museum began a collaboration to connect Indigenous people with the work of preserving the Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River.
The Mission of the Tomaquag Museum is to Educate the Public and Promote Thoughtful Dialogue Regarding Indigenous History, Culture, Arts, Mother Earth and Connections to Native Issues of Today. Deeply connected to the environment, Indigenous people have a long history and enduring connection to the environment. NRPA seeks to include this rich history in our accounts and to include the voices of Indigenous people in our work today and in the future.
In 2019, the New England Grassroots Fund provided a grant for Lorén Spears, Executive Director of Tomaquag Museum to lead a kayak tour on Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River. A transcript of her remarks during that tour can be read here. The grant also financed Lorén Spears leading an Indigenous art activity at Art on the River. Young and old alike enjoyed making corn husk dolls and learning about this traditional craft.
Recently, the New England Grassroots Fund included NRPA and Tomaquag Museum in their Community Stories series. Enjoy!
NRPA’s 50th Anniversary T shirt. We are currently working on a fresh design for 2021- check back soon!
Our 51 for 51 Challenge: Do 51 minutes of activity in honor of NRPA’s 51st Anniversary!
Why: We can’t gather together yet, but you can still celebrate Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River in your own way!
Registration will open on Wednesday June 30th, 2021
When: Any time
Where: Any place worldwide
What: Any activity you like (get creative!)
Registration Fee: $45 through August 31
T shirt: All registrants receive a limited edition NRPA 51 for 51 T-shirt. Ladies’ fit T-shirt will also be available.
Margaret swam to honor NRPA’s 50th Anniversary!
HOW IT WORKS:
Step 1: Beginning June 30th, register online or by email to nrpa@narrowriver.org
Step 2: Do 51 minutes of human-powered activity at any one time and location that is convenient and safe for you.
Step 3 (optional): Post a photo on social media with hashtag #NRPA51for51 or email a photo to us at nrpa@narrowriver.org. We plan to have T-shirts ready for shipment by mid-July, so those of you who register early can wear your NRPA 51 for 51 T-shirt in the photo if you’d like 😉
Step 4: Feel great about supporting NRPA’s many educational and preservation programs!
Narrow River Preservation Association has been protecting, preserving and restoring Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River and its Watershed since 1970.
Your registration enables us to continue our preservation efforts as we persevere through the pandemic.
We offer two editions of this phenomenal book about all things Narrow River:
$40 ($30 for NRPA Members) STANDARD EDITION – Full color book containing 155 photos, 15 full color maps and tons of wonderful information. ($4.65 shipping charge for each book.)
$100 SPECIAL EDITION – Signed by the author and with an embossed seal, this Special Edition comes with a full color 11″ x 17″ map of the Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River. Full color book containing 155 photos, 15 full color maps and tons of wonderful information. Purchasing this Special Edition supports Narrow River Preservation Association’s many initiatives and activities.
Please order now! Use the order form below to order online with paypal or credit card.
“The Pettaquamscutt Estuary is a unique place in the world and one of the last great places in Rhode Island. A diverse landscape and rich productive seascape physically linked to Narragansett Bay, it is an ecological gem, a living necklace stretching ten miles from headwaters to inlet. With six distinct and connected environments and a rich natural and cultural history, the watershed and estuary are a special place. This book tries to capture that place; yesterday, today and tomorrow.”
Barry Devine is a biologist and cartographer who has worked in the Caribbean, Florida and the Northeast. He is the author of the field guide “Island Peak to Coral Reef”, about the Virgin Islands and two fictional novels. He was an early member of the Board of Narrow River Preservation Association and organized the first Narrow River Run in 1988.
The Pettaquamscutt Estuary: The Narrow River Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Barry Devine is a book primarily about the river environment through time. Historical documents, articles, eighteen informative maps, accounts and 155 full color photographs portray the river and watershed through time.
The work of many people and organizations over more than fifty years, is meant to educate people, act as a reference and highlight this rare and matchless natural area. The book is intended to teach about the critical link between landscapes and seascapes, emphasizing the importance of the ecosystem, the impact of human beings and our responsibility as global stewards of the Earth.
Read about the geologic origins of the watershed, the history of Casey Farm and Gilbert Stuart Birthplace, conservation efforts by US Fish and Wildlife and Narrow River Land Trust, and learn about bobcats, oysters, osprey and more in the ‘Wildlife in the Watershed’ features.
Fifteen full color, detailed maps of the watershed each spotlight different facets of the area. From River Zones and Ecological communities to Wetlands and conservation open space, these fascinating maps provide an overview of many of the incredible aspects of the river and its watershed.
All profits from the purchase of the book benefit Narrow River Preservation Association.
MANY THANKS to the more than 200 people who became Legacy Sponsors of NRPA by purchasing the Legacy Edition of The Pettaquamscutt Estuary: The Narrow River Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow by Barry Devine. We truly appreciate your support of NRPA. This first printed edition of the book is now sold out.
Your support is especially needed at this time as the COVID-19 pandemic has interrupted many of NRPA’s fundraising efforts. Please support us as you are able.
ORDER ONLINE BY COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING THIS FORM:
Great news! After three years of planning, the hard work of many volunteers, and generous financial support from our many donors and sponsors, the Narrow River Preservation Association and Narrow River Land Trust are delighted to provide our live webcam on the osprey nest along the Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River.
We still welcome donations to support the webcam going forward. Click here to donate to NRPA so we can keep this and our many other programs going.
In March 2019, Narrow River Preservation Association (NRPA) and Narrow River Land Trust (NRLT) put up a platform along the Narrow (Pettaquamscutt) River for osprey to make a home. A pair of osprey came and started building a nest on the platform.
We are seeking donations so that we can maintain this wonderful resource and continue to offer it free of charge to everyone.
Importantly, the webcam will NOT disturb the birds. The webcam will be a big part of our Osprey Education Program, and can be viewed for free by anyone with a cell phone or computer.
A LITTLE BACKGROUND:
In 2014, we started teaching local fourth graders about osprey and their fascinating migration to the Amazon Rain Forest from New England each year.
In 2017, we got our own osprey mount (a dead, stuffed osprey) for people to see an osprey up close. In 2019, we presented to more than 325 fourth grade students at local schools. When teaching about osprey, we incorporate concepts of ecology, preservation, stewardship and conservation.
In March 2019, NRPA and Narrow River Land Trust installed an osprey nest platform on the bank of Narrow River. The platform was quickly adopted by a young pair of osprey.
To engage the public, especially local youth, decided to install a webcam on the platform to provide a live video stream of the osprey nest on NRPA’s website.
The live video stream will offer a tremendous resource for both teachers and students to follow the osprey’s summer life cycle and daily interactions with the environment.
Throughout the year, the webcam will capture a compelling and ever changing view of the Narrow River landscape.
To get started, we needed about $6,000 to purchase the hardware needed to set up the webcam (camera, cords, solar panels, batteries, etc.), one year of internet service and one year of the webcam hosting service. Thanks to the generosity of more than sixty-five individuals and families, we achieved this goal.
Thank you for considering a donation to our effort. We believe that environmental education is critical to public engagement in and protection of the environment.
ABOUT US:
Narrow River Preservation Association and Narrow River Land Trust are 501 (c) 3 certified non-profit organizations based in Saunderstown, RI. NRPA was founded in 1970 and NRLT was created in 1983.
LEARN MORE:
Check out our osprey web page here, including photos, facts about osprey and our free printable osprey activity sheet: narrowriver.org/osprey
More about Narrow River Preservation Association here: narrowriver.org
