Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management RIDEM

Happy Water Resource Recovery Operator Appreciation Day 💧 ! Join us in celebrating the RICWA Rhode Island Clean Water Association’s Clean Water Week from April 6 – 12! DEM Environmental Engineer Matt Puglia and Assistant Superintendent of the Warwick Wastewater Treatment Plant (Warwick Sewer Authority), Nick Thompson, took us on a tour to discover how Rhode Island’s wastewater treatment facilities keep our water clean.  Every day, hundreds of dedicated water resource recovery professionals operate the state's 19 facilities to treat 120 million gallons of wastewater from nearly 800,000 million residents and thousands of businesses. These complex systems are vital to protect our waterways, health, and environment. 🌊🌱 Check this 💩 out yourself! RICWA is hosting FREE tours and open houses at several facilities this week. Find a tour near you and learn more at www.dem.ri.gov/cleanweek #CleanWaterWeek #WaterHeroes #RhodeIsland #WastewaterTreatment #WaterConservation   

🎉Opening day of trout season is almost here! ⏰ Set your alarms for the first cast at 6 AM on Saturday April 12 📅 .    🎣 Over 100 locations will be stocked with 60,000 brook, brown, rainbow, and golden rainbow trout.  View the list of trout stocked waters near you at www.dem.ri.gov/troutwaters.       🚨 Keep it ‘reel’ and respect fellow anglers. Fishing is prohibited in all trout-stocked waters until Opening Day. Even in non-stocked waters, no trout or salmon can be kept before April 12. The closed season allows DEM staff to stock waters across the state and gives the trout time to acclimate and distribute, allowing a more successful season for everyone.     🏆 Go for the gold! Catch a golden rainbow trout from Opening Day to May 6 to receive a golden trout pin. Simply take a picture and email it to dem.fishri@dem.ri.gov for verification.    📌 Know the Rules: Check this year’s fishing regulations for updated information about stocked freshwaters and size and creel limits for all freshwater fish species: https://lnkd.in/e3axaGpP     📸 Charlie Chupko reeled in his first trout last year – a golden rainbow trout!    🔗 Learn more at https://lnkd.in/eEFx9EZ8     #401Fishing #FishRI #RIFishing #TroutFishing #GoldenTrout #OpeningDay #TroutWaters  

🌲🎉 Exciting news for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts! DEM has conserved close to 151 acres of forested land in Burrillville for habitat restoration and public recreation 🎯🌱 .   Known as "Sweet’s Hill," this newly acquired land will become part of the Black Hut Management Area. It will be open to the public for hunting 🏹 , hiking 🥾, wildlife observation 🦆, and other passive outdoor recreation. Funded by a grant from the US Fish & Wildlife Service along with Voter-Approved Green Bond funds, the land will be managed by DEM’s Division of Wildlife to protect open space and conserve important habitats, including forests 🌳 , streams, vernal pools 🐸 , and pollinator-friendly plants 🌼 . 📸 Photo credit: Lauren Miller-Donnelly.  🔗 Find more information and a map of the area at https://lnkd.in/eQDUEZYv.   

Don’t let this opportunity go to waste 🗑 – share your feedback on RI’s Solid Waste Management Plan ♻     DEM, the Rhode Island Division of Statewide Planning, and the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation are creating a plan to help manage waste in our state for the next 20 years. Join the conversation to learn about the plan and share your thoughts on the goals and priorities for the future. 💬    📅 WHEN: Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, from 12 PM – 2 PM   📍 WHERE: Online via Zoom  💻 Register for the workshop at https://lnkd.in/ekKUEK68     📩 Can’t make it? No problem! You can still share your thoughts online at https://lnkd.in/eysUMsXA 

#ICYMI – This week DEM Director Terry Gray participated in a panel at the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) spring meeting in Washington D.C., discussing the important role state and territorial governments play in protecting the environment and driving economic growth 🌎💼 .  

📢 We want your input! Join the RI Executive Climate Change Coordinating Council (EC4) for a discussion on reducing RI’s carbon emissions. Hear updates on the 2025 RI Climate Action Strategy and provide feedback to help ensure fair, effective policies for an equitable, cleaner, more sustainable future🌎. 📅 Monday, March 31 🕒 6:15 PM – 8:00 PM  📍 Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Rhode Island, 600 Social St, Woonsocket 📌This family-friendly event will feature light refreshments and offer Spanish interpretation services. 🔗 Registration is encouraged but not required. Find a full list of events and register at https://lnkd.in/eV2uBiPU

🌱 Supporting local farms means strengthening small businesses and boosting Rhode Island’s food security 🚜🌾 . Yesterday, Governor Dan McKee, Rhode Island General Assembly members, and DEM announced the 2025 Local Agriculture and Seafood Act (LASA) grant winners at Farm Fresh Rhode Island in Providence. This year, $486,000 is being invested in 33 local farmers 👩🌾 , fishers 🦪 , and specialty food producers 🍅 to help grow, develop, and market of RI's vibrant agriculture industry. Congrats to all the incredible grantees:     Annie’s Farm, Providence  Aquidneck Island Oyster Company, South Kingstown  Ayers Foundation, Westerly  Big Train Farm, North Scituate  Chai Thao dba Daily Farm, Providence  Chou Vang, Hope  Commercial Fisheries Center of RI, Wakefield  Eliya Ntahondereye, Providence  Farm Coast Brewery dba Gnarly Vines Farm, Tiverton  Farm Fresh Rhode Island, Providence  Farmacy Herbs LLC, Providence  Grateful Bee Apiary, North Smithfield  Hallene Farm Products, West Kingston  Hmong RI Association, Inc., Providence  Hoofprint Farm, Foster  Interstellar Microgreens, West Warwick  Local Patch LLC, Portsmouth  Lovewell Farms, Hope Valley  Lucayda Farm LLC, Cranston  Narragansett Indian Tribe, Charlestown  Northern Rhode Island Conservation District, Johnston  Open fArms Retreat, Cumberland  P&L Bayside Apiary, Barrington  Phoenix Ocean Farm, Portsmouth  Poter’s Farm, Providence  Quonnie LLC, Charlestown  Sanctuary Herbs of Providence, Smithfield  Small World Farm, LLC, Little Compton  Smithfield Growers, Smithfield  Stonehenge Farm, Pascoag  The Cove Oyster Co., Narragansett  West Passage Oyster Company, North Kingstown  Wicked Tiny Farm LLC, Narragansett 🔗 Learn more and read about the awards at https://lnkd.in/ej3kYqNA     #EatLocal #RIAgriculture #RIGrown 

Help shape Rhode Island's climate future! 🌎 Join Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management RIDEM & OER for a collaborative discussion on how the RI Climate Action Strategy can help the state reduce carbon emissions on March 31 from 6:15-8:00pm at the Woonsocket Boys & Girls Club. Check out the flyer for more information! 

📢 Calling all municipalities, non-profits, and organizations looking to enhance community green spaces - know of an area that could benefit from free design support (think parks and trails) 🌲 ? DEM’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is teaming up with the University of Rhode Island's Regenerative Community Design Lab to work with local communities to develop conceptual green space plans that conserve, enhance, connect, and protect natural resources 🌳🌱. 📅 Apply now! Applications for Summer 2025 projects are being accepted through April 18th.  🔗 Find more information and how to apply at dem.ri.gov/urbanforestry 

🌷🌞 Celebrate the beginning of spring with us on a guided hike!  Join our Park Naturalists for a 4-mile hike at East Beach State Beach in Charlestown 🌊 🥾 . Discover the unique flora 🌱 and fauna of one of RI’s last undeveloped coastal barrier beaches!  📅 WHEN: Saturday, March 29, 2025  ⏰ TIME: 10:00 AM   📍 WHERE: East Beach State Beach, Charlestown This hike will be on uneven, soft, and sandy ground and will be held rain 🌧 or shine ☀ . No registration is needed— bring the whole family; children must be accompanied by an adult.   🔗 Find more information and check back for future hikes at  https://lnkd.in/eEa8rsSY     #OptOutside #ExploreRI #HikeRI #GuidedHike