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!

In 2020, The Rhode Island Foundation has provided a grant to again host an Indigenous Art activity at Art on the River. All are welcome to join us! Click here for more information about Art on the River.

The collaboration between NRPA and Tomaquag Museum has been made possible, in part, by the New England Grassroots Environment Fund.

This project has been made possible in part by a Rhode Island Foundation Community Grant.

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.

HOW IT WORKS: 

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:

Please order now! Use the order form below to order online with paypal or credit card.

Click here for a printable order form to send in with a check.

“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.

You can see the webcam here: narrowriver.org/ospreycam

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

More about Narrow River Land Trust here: narrowriverlandtrust.org

Want to support our efforts? Feel free to send a check to ‘NRPA’ at PO Box 8, Saunderstown, RI 02874. Or donate here with your credit card.

THANK YOU to all who joined us at Trio restaurant to kick off NRPA’s 50th Anniversary year!

We toasted NRPA’s 50 years of accomplishments and shared our calendar of events throughout 2020 in celebration of our success.

Complimentary appetizers generously provided by Trio. Drinks and additional food will be available for purchase.

Trio is located at 15 Kingstown Road, Narragansett, RI 02882.

This kickoff event follows the On Pettaquamscutt Winter Speaker Series presentation.

“50 Years of Protecting and Preserving the Narrow River and its Watershed” presented by Narrow River Preservation Association. Leaders of NRPA share the organization’s most significant challenges and accomplishments over the past 50 years with a look toward the next 50 years of caring for the watershed loved by so many. 

The Friends of Canonchet Farm, Narrow River Preservation Association, South County Museum and the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library along with generous support from Trio Restaurant, are collaborating for the ninth year to sponsor the 2020 Winter Speaker Series On Pettaquamscutt: Presentations on the Environment and the History of the Narrow River Watershed. More information at onpettaquamscutt.org.

Click to Donate in Honor of Richard Grant

Narrow River Preservation Association Announces Creation of Richard Barker Grant Endowment

Richard Grant at Middlebridge, September 2018

Narrow River Preservation Association (NRPA) is pleased to announce the creation of an endowment in honor of Richard Barker Grant, long time NRPA President and Friend of Narrow River. The permanent endowment will be managed by The Rhode Island Foundation and provide yearly grants for the benefit of the Narrow River Watershed.

In 1972, Grant was invited to join the newly formed 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.

For more than 46 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, which has been run for 31 consecutive years, the Narrow River Turnaround Swim, the Pettaquamscutt Paddle and all NRPA events.

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 27 years of NRPA’s River Watch program as an indicator that the efforts of NRPA have been successful.

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.

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.

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.

The Richard Barker Grant Endowment was created in honor of Grant’s 46 years of serving on the board of directors of NRPA. The endowment has been started with $10,000 and NRPA is seeking donations to match that initial investment. Checks made out to “NRPA” may be sent to Narrow River Preservation Association, PO Box 8, Saunderstown, RI 02874. Online donations are welcome.