Outdoors in RI: 2A season looms, Wild plant funds, Coyotes, Prescribed burns take care of our forests

Prescribed Fires begin in RI – Managing our forest land critically more important

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces its plans to conduct low-severity prescribed burns on state lands on Prudence Island in Portsmouth, Exeter, West Greenwich, Coventry, Richmond, Glocester, Jamestown, and South Kingstown. The first prescribed burn of 2025 will take place this week, weather permitting, on Prudence Island, ahead of DEM’s Forest Fire Program’s spring prescribed fire season. Typically, all prescribed burns are announced a day in advance due to weather and wind conditions. Prescribed, or planned, burning is a versatile tool that natural resources managers use for maintaining habitat diversity and to protect communities from extreme fires by reducing hazardous natural fuels. We only have to look at California to know the necessity of caring for our forest floors.

DEM will advise the public again once it has identified a more reliable “burn window” in which to conduct a prescribed fire operation. The agency will further notify Rhode Islanders by timely social media posts and distributing flyers to abutting landowners and neighbors.

A burn window refers to when the environmental variables such as fuel moisture and weather conditions are balanced so that the fire will accomplish its goals, which include reducing fuels, modifying wildlife habitat, and restoring ecological function while remaining under control. DEM’s “go/no-go” decision on which of the burns to conduct is often determined by wind speed and direction, to allow for the optimal dispersal of smoke.

DEM burn managers are targeting parcels at:

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Wildfires are expected to become more frequent in Southern New England due to climate change. DEM is responding by increasing the use of low-severity prescribed burns to reduce the build-up of combustible materials on forest floors and grasslands and by offering specialized wildfire training classes to build staff and volunteer capacity. In 2024, DEM treated 130 acres of state property with prescribed fire, nearly a threefold increase from 2023. In 2024, DEM conducted shaded fuel break brush clearing projects along various stretches of forestland on state lands to lessen the risk of uncontrolled wildfires. By increasing its use of prescribed fire, Rhode Island is better aligning its land management policies and practices with neighboring states. Among other benefits, common ecological restoration goals with other states help to strengthen climate change resilience across southern New England.

Experts from DEM’s Forest Fire Program, a subsidiary of DEM’s Division of Agriculture and Forest Environment, leads the prescribed burns. They will employ detailed operational and safety plans. A prescribed burn plan developed by a qualified burn boss must be in place before a burn is conducted. Firebreaks and other site preparations are made. Fire behavior, fuels, and weather are monitored throughout the burn, and if the prescription parameters are exceeded, the fire is shut down. Abutting landowners are notified of fire dates, reasons, and expectations for the burn season. DEM burn managers have obtained the required local permits and an exemption from state air pollution control regulation Part 4: Open Fires (250-RICR-120-05-4). Managers also have communicated with the towns Fire Chiefs, Rhode Island Southern Firefighters League, US Fish and Wildlife Service, DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife, and the DEM’s Office of Air Resources.   

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Wild Plant Funds

The Rhode Island Wild Plant Society is offering annual grants for up to $2,500 to aid individuals in the study of native plants and their habitats. To qualify you must be an educator, a member of a Rhode Island botanical or environmental association or a student in a field related to botany or environmental studies.

The Rhode Island Wild Plant Society, Inc., is a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the preservation and protection of Rhode Island’s native plants and their habitats. Their goals include aiding in land preservation so that native plants are protected in their natural habitats; encouraging and offering guidance in the cultivation and propagation of wild plants; educating the public on the scientific and aesthetic values of wild plants; providing opportunities for Rhode Islanders to study and enjoy native plants in their natural habitats; and offering knowledge and skills to governmental, civic and corporate organizations.

The project goal must involve environmental activities or research in any area of study related to native plants and/or their habitats. These activities may involve such things as installation of gardens, invasive removal, or support for extracurricular activities with a community outreach component. It can also be used for project materials, workshops or courses.

To Apply: Applications must be received by February 28, 2025. – Here to apply: https://riwps.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/RIWPS-Grant-Application-2025-1.pdf

Grant Requirements

1. An applicant must be a Rhode Island resident or a student at a Rhode Island educational
   institution. The RI residency requirement does not apply to students.
2. Have a project goal which involves environmental activities or research in any area of
   study related to wild plants and/or their habitats. These activities may involve such
   things as installation of gardens, invasives removal, or support for extracurricular activities
   with a community outreach component.
3. Be an educator, a member of a Rhode Island botanical or environmental association or a
   student in a field related to botany or environmental studies.
4. Submit 2 letters of recommendation from:
   a) your supervisor or an officer of an environmental association of which you are
   an active member or a recent environmental instructor in a field related to
   botany.
   b) an unrelated adult who is familiar with your plant-related interests
5. Submit an essay describing the goals of your proposed plant-related project and how
   you plan to use the funding. Describe how you can impact or be involved with
   RIWPS. Include a budget illustrating how and when the funds will be spent.
6. Upon completion of project, submit a brief written report to RIWPS describing the
   project and its outcome. Mail to the same address as application materials.
   Mail all application materials to: Rhode Island Wild Plant Society Grant Committee
   PO Box 888 – North Kingstown, RI 02852
   Voicemail: 401-789-7497 – e-mail: [email protected]

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Coyote Time!

Beware – especially in the early morning before – due to “savings time” the sun rises later in the morning. While this chart refers to Connecticut, it also applies to the Rhode Island area. One tool to bring with you when out walking, and/or with your pet, bring an inexpensive boat horn or personal safety alarm. They are easy to operate and will cause no permanent damage to you or any animal. The sound is incredibly loud and just might save you from an encounter.

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2A Update: Pay attention to Gov. McKee’s State of the State coming up Jan. 13th

From the Rhode Island Current (a publication partner of RINewsToday):

All in against assault weapons

Gun safety advocates lined the hallways outside both legislative chambers during the first day of session Tuesday, eager to reiterate to lawmakers their insistence on a state ban against assault-style weapons. While legislation to that effect has failed to advance out of committee in recent history, one of the key obstacles — Senate President Dominick Ruggerio — has indicated new openness to considering the legislation this year. Ruggerio’s change of heart comes months after McKee pledged to make a ban on military-style rifles a part of his fiscal 2026 budget. That’s still the plan, Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKee’s office, confirmed in an email on Tuesday. Expect at least a mention of this in McKee’s State of the State, though details of the proposal, including exactly how he defines “assault weapons” are likely yet to come.

However, hope lies in the Senate leadership:

The above statement was followed by a statement from Senate President Dominic Ruggierio: “I am not taking a position on an assault weapons ban at this point…I will review the specifics of the legislation to see how it is crafted when it is introduced”.

Another legislative season – another time to be good 2A advocates

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