Search Posts

Recent Posts

Categories

Subscribe!

outdoors

Outdoors in RI: Safety Orange, Get Fresh, Deer Hunting and Fly Fishing Classes, AgInnovation, Sail Away

September 12, 2025/RINewsToday


Orange you glad that safety is always in style?

With hunting season kicking off, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) reminds the public that it’s time to break out your finest fluorescent orange fashions for your fall forest frolicking. Yes, it clashes with everything, but it helps keep you safe. Starting this weekend with archery deer season, anyone in state management areas and undeveloped state parks during hunting season must wear 200 square inches (a hat or vest) of orange clothing from Saturday, Sept. 13 through Friday, Feb. 27. Archery hunters are exempt from this requirement during archery deer season. For more details, visit www.dem.ri.gov/orange.

For a complete breakdown of hunting season dates, regulations, and a map of Deer Management Zones (DMZs), please review the 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Regulation Guide available online at www.eregulations.com/rhodeisland/hunting and at local sales agents

___

Rhode Island Grown

Fresh local produce and baked goods at a community market event.

Date:

Location: 1011 Point Judith Rd, Narragansett, RI 02882

Support and enjoy local food and farmers! Join our weekly farmers market and get to know the hardworking people who grow your veggies, fruit, flowers, and favorite foods!

Enjoy the peak of the growing season with a wide array of vegetables, fruit, bedding plants, hanging plants, cut flowers, meat, honey, and maple syrup.

___

Intro to Deer Hunting

A deer standing on a forest path surrounded by autumn foliage.

Date:

Location: Wallum Lake Rod & Gun Club. 200 Brook Rd. Harrisville RI

Registration: https://forms.gle/2tFGaChQZrQsREVJA

Whether you’re new to hunting or looking to build confidence before your first season, this beginner-friendly workshop covers the fundamentals of deer hunting. Participants will learn about local regulations, scouting techniques, gear selection, safe firearm handling, and ethical hunting practices. Led by experienced hunters and educators, this workshop is designed to give you the knowledge and tools you need to get started in the field.

  • Date: Sunday September 21
  • Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
  • Location: Wallum Lake Rod and Gun Club
Event Type: All DEM Events Fish & Wildlife Hunter EducationContact: For questions please contact [email protected]___

Fly Fishing for Women

Man fishing at sunset by a calm lake surrounded by nature.

Date:

Location: Carolina Trout Hatchery

Saturday, September 20, 2025 – 9am-3pm

Carolina Trout Hatchery – Richmond, RI

Fee: $30/person. Registration Required

Ladies, here is your chance to learn how to fly fish with other like-minded women! Join RI DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife, in partnership with RI Trout Unlimited, to learn about fly fishing: what equipment you need, how to tie flies, how to cast the line, and so much more. During this full day workshop, you will even have a chance to put those skills to work and fish a stocked pond! All equipment needed for a fun day of fishing is provided as well as a light lunch. Space is limited and REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. For more information, contact Kimberly Sullivan – [email protected].

To Register: Print the registration form and send in along with check or money order to the address listed on the form. Do not send cash. – Go, HERE

___

BankNewport Charitable Foundation Grant for AgInnovation Farm Experiential Learning Initiative

BankNewport representatives recently joined educators and students at the Portsmouth AgInnovation Farm (AgInnovation), on Jepson Lane in Portsmouth, to celebrate another successful growing season and summer camp experiential learning initiative. The Bank extended a $5,000 grant to the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District (ERICD) to help complete construction of a solar-powered electric door for the AgInnovation Farm’s tractor shed.  This funding helped support the final phase of a critical infrastructure project that enhances farm productivity, storage efficiency, and food security efforts across Aquidneck Island.

AgInnovation serves as both a student-run farm and a hub for food donations across the region. In 2023, the farm donated more than 480 pounds of produce and 120 eggs to Aquidneck Island food banks while hosting 107 student participants. With the additional storage capacity from the completed shed, the farm will free up space in its seasonal high tunnel to grow more produce and expand its variety of crops—targeting a 20% increase in food donations during the 2025 growing season.

Group of people posing outdoors with wooden pallets and tools.

BankNewport Vice President/Residential Loan Officer, Karen Vebber (second from left) and Vice President/Premier Banking Manager, Evan Rose (far right) joined AgInnovation Farm Educator, Lisa Brew (far left) and some camp students to celebrate another successful summer growing season.

AgInnovation’s produce reaches food banks that serve nearly 6,000 residents across Aquidneck Island communities including the Martin Luther King Jr. Center in Newport, where 98% of households served meet federal SNAP income guidelines.

By supporting a fully enclosed, solar-powered structure, the Bank grant also aligns with ERICD’s mission to promote sustainable, environmentally friendly practices.  Previous BankNewport grants have helped support a sunshade that covers the Farm’s outdoor classroom, where programming takes place throughout the year, along with essential attachments for the Farm’s tractor.

–

 

About BankNewport:

Founded in 1819 and headquartered in Newport, BankNewport offers a full suite of loan and deposit products and services for families and businesses throughout Rhode Island. BankNewport is one of the oldest banks in the United States and, as a mutual organization, is committed to the financial success of its customers, employees, and the community for 206 years. BankNewport has nineteen branch locations, a community lending center in Central Falls, and a commercial lending office in Providence. OceanPoint Marine Lending, a business line of BankNewport, specializes in consumer marine and recreational vehicle financing programs.

___

Sailing!

Two people sailing a small boat on the water.

Sail Newport Announces Purchase of New J/7 Keelboat Fleet – See the new boat at the Boat Show in the J/Boat Exhibit
Sail Newport has contracted with J/Boats of Newport for a new fleet of fourteen J/7 keelboats to replace the current J/22 fleet. This decision is a part of our strategic planning, led by Brad Read and Kim Hapgood, to keep Sail Newport’s equipment state-of-the-art for the community’s use.

When J/Boats reached out with the plans for the new J/7, we recognized that the boat had the potential for everything we had wanted in a new design. Also, our decision was supported by the financial aspect that now is the opportune time to sell the J/22 fleet while they are in excellent condition. When our fellow nonprofit sailing center, Sail Maine, confirmed that they were ready to purchase the entire J/22 Fleet this year, plans to purchase the new J/7 fleet were set in motion.

We’re confident that members, renters and students will love the new J/7 23′ daysailer. With an extra-large and comfortable cockpit, this boat is designed to accommodate up to six adults, making it perfect for family and group sailing experiences. Its adaptability for single-handed sailing, along with an optimized deck layout for simplicity and efficiency, ensures a comfortable and enjoyable sailing experience for all.

One of the major advantages of the new J/7 is its stability. The boat’s bulb keel, with twice as much lead ballast as the J/22, ensures a stable and secure sailing experience, even in challenging conditions.

The new J/7 sailboats will play a central role in all of our keelboat instructional and racing programs, enhancing the learning and competitive experiences for our members and renters.

“This is a significant upgrade to our keelboat fleet. We loved the J/22, and it served as a wonderful teaching and club racing platform. The J/7 allows for more room for instructors and students, as well as a five or even six-person group to sail in our rental or Try Sailing Program,â€says Brad Read, Sail Newport executive director.

The first to use the new boats in April of 2026 will be Newport Public School fourth-graders in the Sail Newport Pell Elementary School Science & Sailing Program. The unique program is in its ninth year and takes place during the school day. In collaboration with teachers, the program integrates shoreside standards-based science curriculum and STEM topics with the learn-to-sail activities on the water.

For those of you who participate in racing, the sizable cockpit allows for four crew members to sit side-by-side, offering more weight balance options for upwind sailing. The boats will come equipped with symmetrical spinnakers.

Sail Newport’s collaboration with Newport-based J/Boats over the past season to test the boat and experience its handling, sail design, and comfort ensures that the new fleet of J/7 sailboats meets the highest standards of Sail Newport’s programs for our sailors of all ages.

___

Have RI area outdoor activities coming up?  Send to [email protected]

Posted in ,

Leave a Comment