RI Department of Environmental Management

Spotlight on Environmental Protection

Experience the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover at Fort Adams State Park May 5-17

The Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover brings one of the world's grand prix sailing events to one of the worlds premiere sailing venues, Fort Adams State Park in Newport. Rhode Island is the only North American stopover during the entirety of the 2014-2015 Volvo Ocean Race. The event promises to bring significant attention to everything that Newport and our state have to offer as a destination.

DEM has done so much, working with Sail Newport, Fort Adams Trust, and other partners over the past four years to improve Fort Adams State Park so that it can attract the best sailing races and events in the world. We are seeing the fruits of those labors now, as we host the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover.

Events like the Volvo Ocean Race are possible because of the fine facilities we have at Fort Adams State Park. DEM is excited and pleased to welcome you to the park and invites you to experience the excitement of the Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover. (Calendar of Events, Text Alerts Sign-up)

DEM Announces Weekend Opening of State Beaches Beginning on Saturday, May 9

DEM announces that state beaches in South County will be open weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. beginning on Saturday, May 9. (More info)

Westerly to Apply Mosquito Larvicide to Swamp Areas on Friday, May 8 in Yearly Routine

The Town of Westerly, as it has done on a routine basis each year since 1997, will apply granules of mosquito larvicide by helicopter to 500 acres of swamp to control mosquito breeding. The targeted areas are portions of Chapman Swamp and the swamp area adjacent to Hespar Drive. (More info)

Governor, DEM Seek Nominations for Climate Change Science and Technical Advisory Board

Governor Gina M. Raimondo and DEM Director Janet Coit are seeking nominations for the newly-created Rhode Island Executive Climate Change Science and Technical Advisory Board. (More info)

DEM Announces 2015 Dates for the Rhode Island Great Outdoors Pursuit; Registration Now Open

DEM invites Rhode Islanders to reconnect with the great outdoors, get active and have fun by joining the 2015 Great Outdoors Pursuit. (More info)

Governor Raimondo, DEM Director Coit, ALPC and Partners Celebrate Preservation of Lial Acres, 100^th Farm in Rhode Island Protected by ALPC from Development

Governor Gina Raimondo today joined DEM Director Janet Coit, members of the RI Agricultural Land Preservation Commission (ALPC) and others at an event in Warren to celebrate the preservation of Lial Acres. (More info)

DEM Announces Availability of Guidance Tools for Village Development and Transfer of Development Rights

DEM announces the release of Village Guidance: Tools and Techniques for Rhode Island Communities and the Rhode Island Transfer of Development Rights Manual. (More info)

DEM Says Now Is the Time to Plan to Treat for Winter Moth Caterpillars

DEM reports that winter moth eggs will start hatching once temperatures begin to warm this month. (More info)

DEM Accepting Applications for Grant Funding to Support Projects to Control Invasive Plants in RI Lakes and Ponds

DEM announces the availability of grant funding to aid projects that control aquatic invasive plants in freshwater lakes and ponds. (More info)

DEM Cautions Anglers About Cold Water Danger and Urges Them to Put Safety First on Opening Day of Trout Fishing Season and Throughout the Year by Wearing a Life Jacket

With the 2015 trout fishing season opening on Saturday, April 11, DEM reminds anglers – particularly those fishing from a boat – that even on a warm day water temperatures can hover in the low to mid 50s. According to a U.S. Coast Guard report, a boating accident is five times more likely to be fatal if the water is colder than 60 degrees. (More info)

DEM Announces Opening of Goddard Park Golf Course

DEM's Division of Parks and Recreation announces that the golf course at Goddard Memorial State Park in Warwick opened April 8 for the 2015 golfing season. The opening of the course was delayed this year due to impacts from the harsh winter. (More info)

DEM Recruiting to Fill Seasonal Positions at State Parks and Beaches, with Online Applications Being Accepted

DEM is continuing its efforts to fill a variety of seasonal employment positions at state parks, beaches and campgrounds this summer. There are still many jobs available throughout Rhode Island for residents 16 years of age or older. (More info)

DEM Reports Localized Mortality Events Involving Waterfowl As a Result of Severe Winter Conditions

DEM's Division of Fish and Wildlife has been receiving reports of bird mortality events throughout the state, primarily involving Canada geese. Wildlife biologists from the Division have inspected the dead geese at several locations and attributed the deaths to malnutrition as a result of the severe winter. (More info)

DEM'S Division of Agriculture Announces Upcoming TV Series About Farming in Rhode Island to Air on RI PBS Starting March 22

DEM announces that "Harvesting Rhode Island", a five-part pilot television series promoting Rhode Island-grown specialty crops, will air on RI PBS beginning this Sunday, March 22. (More info)

Rhode Island State Conservation Committee Releases the 2014 Update to The Rhode Island Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook

The Rhode Island State Conservation Committee, under the direction of DEM, has approved the adoption of updates to the Rhode Island Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Handbook. (More info)