Outdoors in RI: Squish it like a Bug, Tree Care, Shooting Sport Month, Hunting Fishing Ed, Clamming

Transform Your Landscape Now: Unearth 7 Proven Tree Care Tips

by John Campanini Technical Director, RI Tree

August is “tree check month.†It’s the perfect time to inspect your trees. They can face more stress in the summer when temperatures rise, making them more vulnerable to pests and diseases. Early detection is key to saving trees. It helps you maintain their health, prevent widespread damage, and keep your landscape vibrant. A quick check now can save your trees from serious issues later.

Why is August important? Because it creates ideal conditions for many tree pests and diseases to thrive. Pests become more active and easier to spot in August. Similarly, many diseases show symptoms this month. Trees stressed by summer heat are more vulnerable to infestation and infection. By inspecting your trees in August, you can identify problems early and act, giving your trees a better chance to recover before the cooler months come.

Common Tree Pests and Diseases in Rhode Island

New Englanders must deal with many tree pests and diseases to help trees survive the summer. Below are some of the most common pests and diseases:

• Spotted Lantern Fly: Adults emerge in mid-to-late summer, typically around July, and remain active until the first hard frost, often in November.See below.

• Emerald Ash Borer (EAB):EAB was first detected in Rhode Island before 2019. The mortality of ash trees has been increasing since then.
• Winter Moth:Winter moth populations saw a resurgence in Rhode Island. Approximately 9,000 acres of forest canopy damage from winter moths occurred in 2023.
• Beech Leaf Disease (BLD):BLD has spread rapidly throughout Rhode Island. An estimated 1,064 acres of American beech trees were moderately to severely infected in 2022.
• Spongy Moth (formerly Gypsy Moth):While a major outbreak occurred in 2016 (affecting an estimated 200,000 acres), populations have fluctuated since. Surveys in 2023 found very few egg masses, suggesting lower defoliation risk for 2024.
• White Pine Needle Disease (WPND):This disease caused 50 acres of mortality in one site in 2022. An additional 386 acres experienced moderate to severe crown discoloration.
• Cedar-Apple Rust:This fungal disease requires two hosts to complete its life cycle: juniper (cedar) and apple/crabapple trees. On junipers, it forms woody galls that produce bright orange, gelatinous spores in the spring. On apple/crabapple trees, it causes yellow to bright red spots on leaves, leading to defoliation.

The impact of diseases in our area is particularly severe on ash and beech populations, while other pests contribute to weakening and mortality across various tree species. The long-term consequences for forest structure and composition are substantial. See RI Tree’s website for more information on pests and diseases.

Inspect Trees Systematically

Inspecting trees for pests and diseases systematically can help you catch problems early and maintain your trees’ health. Below are seven steps you’ll want to include in your process:

1. Assess the entire tree—Look at the trees shape, balance, and crown. Is it leaning? Are the branches evenly spread out? A thinning canopy or an unbalanced look is often a sign of a problem.
2. Examine the leaves and foliage—Look for discoloration (yellowing or browning), wilting, or unusual patterns like spots, holes, or chew marks. Also, check for any sticky residue (honeydew) or a powdery substance, which can indicate the presence of certain pests or fungi.
3. Inspect the branches and twigs—Check for dead or broken branches, especially in the canopy. Signs of disease or pests on branches include holes, cracks, cankers (sunken or missing bark), or fungal growth.

4. Check the trunk —Inspect the tree’s trunk for cracks, cavities, and fungal growths like mushrooms. Check for oozing or bleeding sap, which can signal infection. Also, look for small holes or sawdust (frass) at the tree’s base as signs of wood-boring insects.
5. Examine the base and root zone.A tree’s health starts with its roots. Look for exposed roots, soil erosion, or any signs of decay like mushrooms or other fungi growing at the base of the trunk.
6. Consider the surrounding environment.Think about what’s happening around the tree. Are other plants in the area showing similar symptoms? Is there a lot of foot traffic or construction that could compact the soil or damage the roots?
7. Document and seek professional help.Take notes and photos of any issues you find. If you’re unsure about what you’ve discovered or if the problem seems serious, consult a certified arborist or experts at RI Tree, who can help diagnose a tree pest or disease and guide you on a treatment plan.

August is an ideal time to check your trees. Inspecting your trees in August can pay off. It can help you identify pests and diseases early on and enable you to address critical issues proactively. So, inspect your trees this month using the systematic process described above. It can save you time and money later on.

If you need more information about checking the trees on your property, contact RI Tree at (401) 764-5885. John Campanini is the technical director of the Rhode Island Tree Council (RI Tree). A graduate of the University of Rhode Island, he was city forester for Providence for more than twenty years before retiring and joining RITree.

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Outdoor Activity Ideas from RI DEM

Spend some time outdoors this fall by attending an educational program with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW)! Get outdoors while learning new skills; from fishing days to hunter education classes to guided walks, there’s something for everyone. Join DFW’s Aquatic Resource Education, Hunter Education, Wildlife Outreach and volunteer staff to learn, explore, and enjoy! Most programs being offered this fall are free and family friendly. Below is a list of programs and registration information.

Aquatic Resource Education Programs:

Come Clam with Me

The Aquatic Resource Education program invites you to “Come Clam with Me!†Learn how to dig for clams, what equipment you need, and what management strategies support Rhode Island’s quahogging industry. Longtime quahogger Jody King will be instructing people of all ages about the ins and outs of recreational clamming. Space is limited, registration required. $10/person for participants 8 years old and older.

• Date: Tuesday, Sept. 9
• Time: 3 – 6 PM
• Location: North Kingstown Town Beach
• Register here: https://dem.ri.gov/events/come-clam-me-12

Introduction to Saltwater Fly Fishing

Saltwater fly fishing is on the rise, come learn the basics! Enjoy a day by the river with expert instructors, hands-on practice, and technique tips for effective saltwater fishing. Lunch and equipment provided; be sure to bring your own chest waders. Open to families with kids 12+. To register, please contact Kimberly Sullivan, [email protected].

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 27
• Time: 9 AM – 3 PM
• Location: Narrow River, Narragansett
• Fee: $30/ person.

Hunter Education Programs:

Intro To Deer Hunting Workshop

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. You 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.

• Date: Sunday, Sept. 21
• Time: 9 AM – 4 PM
• Location: Wallum Lake Rod and Gun Club
• Register here: https://forms.gle/2tFGaChQZrQsREVJA

Tiverton Rod and Gun Club – Hunter Education

This class promotes safety, skill building, and a lifelong love of the outdoors!  Through classroom and hands on instruction, participants learn firearm safety, hunting ethics, conservation, and regulations. Ideal for beginners or those looking to refresh their knowledge. Youth under 16 or without transportation must attend with an adult. Minimum age to hunt in RI is 12. Those who successfully complete the course and pass exam, earn a Hunter Safety Education Certificate, required for a RI firearm hunting license.

• Dates: Saturday, Sept. 6 and Sunday, Sept. 7
• Time: Saturday: 8 AM – 5 PM Sunday: 12 PM- 5 PM
• Location: Tiverton Rod and Gun Club
• Register here: https://forms.gle/Ybzx7UvbCsPXVvRFA

Tiverton Rod and Gun Club – Bowhunter Education

Through a blend of classroom and hands on instruction, learn about wildlife conversation and safe, legal, and ethical, archery hunting practices. Ideal for beginners, new bowhunters, and anyone seeking to refresh their knowledge of bowhunting practices. Youth under 16 without transportation must attend with an adult. There is a 50-question multiple choice test at the end of the class.

• Date: Saturday, Sept 13
• Time: 8 AM – 5 PM
• Location: Tiverton Rod and Gun Club
• Register here: https://forms.gle/Mu28qJnroSZPB5gx7

2025 Youth Waterfowl Hunt and Training Day

DFW is partnering with RI’s chapters of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Ducks Unlimited, and others for the annual Youth Waterfowl Training & Mentored Hunt this fall. The event includes a Training & Cookout for youth and their parents on Saturday, Oct. 4, followed by a mentored youth waterfowl hunt on Saturday, Oct. 25. Open to youth ages 12 to 15 with a Hunter Education certificate. RI hunting license and HIP permit required. Apace is limited, apply by Aug. 30. For details and application: https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources- bureau/fish-wildlife/outreach-education/hunter-education/rhode-island-youth

Cross Mills Library Multi-Day Hunter Education Cass

This class promotes safety, skill building and a lifelong love of the outdoors! Through classroom and hands on instruction, participants learn firearm safety, hunting ethics, conservation, and regulations. Ideal for beginners, new hunters, or anyone seeking to refresh their knowledge of safe and responsible hunting practices. Under 16 without transportation must attend with an adult. Minimum age to hunt in RI is 12. Those who successfully complete the course and pass exam, earn a Hunter Safety Education Certificate, required for a RI firearm hunting license.

• Dates and Times:
• Thursday, Oct. 2, 6 – 8 PM
• Saturday, Oct. 4, 9 AM – 12 PM
• Thursday, Oct. 9, 6 PM – 8 PM
• Thursday, Oct. 16, 6 – 8 PM
• Saturday, Oct. 18, 9 AM – 12 PM
• Location: Cross Mills Library, Charlestown, RI
• Register Here: https://forms.gle/6ao3ZwAYgSAqL7J5A

Muzzleloading Rifles Public Range Day

Muzzleloader deer season is almost here! Get your hunting muzzleloader sighted in right at the Great Swamp Shooting Range during this special session! No range permit needed. Non-permitted users can use muzzleloading firearms only and must sign a waiver. Staff will also offer one-on-one intro instruction with  inline and percussion cap muzzleloaders, first-come, first-serve. Questions? Contact Range Supervisor Branton Elleman at [email protected], or 401-575-6331.

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 18
• Time: 9 AM – 12 PM
• Location: Great Swamp Shooting Range, 277 Great Neck Road, West Kingston, RI 02892
• No pre-registration required; first come, first serve, with time limits per staff discretion

Wildlife Outreach Programs:

Coexisting with Coyotes

Coyotes are often misunderstood, but their fear-instilling behavior is usually just part of their survival strategy. Still, these critters can become a nuisance, especially if they den under decks and dine out of chicken coops. Understanding their behavior is key to solving problems. Join DFW to learn about coyote habits, discoveries made by the Narragansett Bay Coyote Study, and ways to coexist with them.

• Date: Thursday, Sept. 4
• Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
• Location: Clark Memorial Library
• Cost: Free
• Age group: Adults
• Register here: To register, email [email protected] or call 401-364-6100
• Date: Thursday, Oct. 23
• Time: 4 – 5 PM
• Location: Willett Free Library
• Cost: Free
• Age group: Adults
• Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfDzHH-obxmyDv9mSZIy_ayCw7f3B9aiDPxhqTlVR-F0J_yNA/viewform

Bear Necessities

Black bears have been spotted ambling around RI! While these large mammals can be intimidating, coexistence is possible when you are “Bear Aware.†Join DFW staff to learn about these beautiful creatures and actions you can take to avoid issues with bears. This event is free to attend, but registration is required.

• Date: Tuesday, Sept. 30
• Time: 6 – 7 PM
• Location: North Kingstown Library
• Age group: Adults
• Cost: Free
• Register here

Bat Mythbusters

With Halloween around the corner, bats might be on your brain! Sit back, relax, and learn about RI’s unique bat species and the conservation work being done to help these misunderstood mammals. Bust some bat myths with DFW staff, bring your batty questions, and make a cute bat craft to take home! This program is FREE, but registration is required.

• Date: Thursday, Oct. 9
• Time: 6 – 7 PM
• Location: Greene Public Library
• Age: Ages 8 and up
• Cost: FREE
• Registration: https://forms.office.com/g/3q12M81uyn

Volunteer Programs:

Summer Deer Survey

Help track RI’s deer population! From August through Sept. 30, DFW needs your help reporting sightings of live deer, does, fawns, and bucks statewide. Your reports provide biologists valuable data on the health, trends, and distribution of RI’s white-tailed deer population and helps inform management decisions. Whether you’re out walking or in your car, every observation helps – submit deer sightings here.

Herp Observer

Securely submit your sightings of frogs, toads, salamanders, snakes, and turtles to RI’s State Herpetologist (reptile and amphibian biologist) through our easy-to-use smartphone app, Herp Observer. Observations of species, both common and rare, are welcome. Your reports will help biologists identify where these animals are in the state, and in turn, where to focus conservation efforts for RI’s scaly and slimy critters – this is a great volunteer opportunity for families! Learn more at www.dem.ri.gov/herpobserver.

RI Wild Bee Observer

Want to help us protect the bees of Rhode Island? Join DFW as a community scientist by contributing to our RI Wild Bee Observer project through the free iNaturalist app! It’s an easy way to document bee species anywhere in RI, from your neighborhood to your favorite hiking spot – this is a great volunteer opportunity for families! For project instructions, including tips for taking photos of bees, follow this link: https://dem.ri.gov/media/63796/download

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“From the earliest days of our great national story, hunters, fishers, sportsmen, and gun owners have carried forth a storied legacy of recreation and competition, proudly embodying our timeless principles of liberty, responsibility, and self-reliance.  This National Shooting Sports Month, my Administration honors these cherished American traditions—and we pledge to keep them alive and flourishing for generations to come.

Since the ratification of the Second Amendment in 1791, shooting sports have instilled the values of focus, discipline, and confidence in our citizens—connecting generations, binding together communities, and reminding us of the freedoms that define our Republic.  Sports like hunting and fishing also provide a glimpse into the beauties of God’s creation and allow countless Americans to experience the splendors of the great outdoors.  For as long as I am President, the Federal Government will abide by the premise that the God-given right to bear arms shall not be infringed.

This National Shooting Sports Month, we honor the generations of sportsmen who have carried forward our traditions of marksmanship, responsibility, outdoorsmanship, and freedom.  We encourage every citizen to promote a culture of firearm safety.  And above all, we recommit to the eternal truth that our constitutional rights do not come from the hands of government, but from the hands of Almighty God.”

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RI Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure

Governor Dan McKee and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) have announced over $370K in Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grants to seven local food businesses and organizations. Funded by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) through the American Rescue Plan (ARP), these equipment grants support supply chain resilience and food system sustainability.

“Supporting local food businesses and producers through these grants is key to DEM’s mission of building a stronger, more resilient food system,†said DEM Director Terry Gray. “This funding strenghtens Rhode Island’s food security and supply chain, grow our local food economy, and improve access to fresh, locally sourced products for consumers.â€

These grants will help expand the production and distribution of RI Grown products by improving local capacity for processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, and selling products like specialty crops, dairy, grains, aquaculture, and other food products, excluding meat and poultry. The grant awardees are:

Kenyon’s Grist Mill LLC, West Kingston

o  Award amount: $40,882

o  Project description: Kenyon’s Grist Mill will purchase labeling, packaging, and cold storage equipment to enhance processing and storage capacity for local grains. The specialized packaging equipment will streamline and expand options in self-branded and privately labeled products. The mill will expand the quantity and variety of grains purchased from local producers and bring at least three new products to ten new markets.

Sanctuary Herbs of Providence, LLC, Hope

o  Award amount: $16,971

o  Project description: Sanctuary Herbs of Providence, LLC will purchase drying and packaging equipment that enhances processing capacity of local fruits and herbs for value-added production of tea and culinary herb products from locally sourced apples, blueberries, rosemary, and thyme. This will enable expansion into new retail and wholesale markets across New England and increase sourcing from over a dozen RI farms.

West Passage Oyster Company, North Kingstown

o  Award amount: $66,035

o  Project description: West Passage Oyster Company will enhance the distribution capacity of local farmed oysters through the purchase of a refrigerated cargo van that will improve coordinated logistics and ensure temperature compliance, benefiting four local oyster producers with expanded market opportunities.

Robert’s Precut Vegetables, Cranston

o  Award amount: $36,631

o  Project description: Robert’s Precut Vegetables will enhance processing capacity for local produce by purchasing software and labeling equipment for product tracking, storage, and information technology systems. The improved supply chain traceability at this Cranston facility will meet food safety standards and improve market access to institutional buyers by featuring farm origin information. This will enable 50 local producers to access 10 new regional and institutional markets, and market entry of 50 new products.

Pat’s To Go Commercial Kitchen, East Greenwich

o  Award amount: $70,000

o  Project description: Pat’s Pastured will enhance processing capacity for local produce and eggs through new equipment including a dough sheeter, oven, and a freezer to enable value-added production of bakery and prepared meal products in an existing East Greenwich commercial kitchen facility – and benefit Pat’s Pastured and other local farms by opening new market opportunities.

Rhody Wild Sea Gardens, Narragansett

o  Award amount: $40,000

o  Project description: Rhody Wild Sea Gardens, a kelp and oyster farm, will purchase a customized barge, electric outboard engine, and batteries. This infrastructure will provide electricity to process and transport farm-raised oysters and kelp to wholesalers and markets on the Sakonnet River – bolstering the kelp industry in local and regional market channels and benefiting at least five local oyster and kelp producers.

Matunuck Oyster Farm LLC, Wakefield

o  Award amount: $100,000

o  Project description: New blast chiller to bring fresh products to local retail and wholesale markets in Rhode Island.

DEM supports RI’s green economy by helping farmers and fishers grow their businesses, invest in infrastructure, and access incubation space to new farmers at Urban Edge Farm and Snake Den Farm. With more than 1,000 farms and the nation’s highest percentage of beginning farmers (2022 Census of Agriculture), Rhode Island’s farming sector is growing. From 2017 to 2022, both farm numbers and farmland grew, showing strong statewide support for local agriculture, boosting the economy, protecting the environment, and strengthening food security.

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