This article is part of an Earth Month series exploring environmental issues, climate initiatives and community stakeholders throughout Providence and Rhode Island.
As the Ocean State bids farewell to winter, the month of April — also known as Earth Month — presents Rhode Islanders with the opportunity to be more intentional about their sustainability practices. From river cleanups to seedling sales, statewide environmental organizations plan to host several unique climate-sustainability events this month — an opportunity for community members to touch grass, both literally and figuratively.
ecoRI News is hosting a spring social at Hurricane Hill Farm in Cranston on April 6 from 2:00-4:30 p.m. Participants will have the opportunity to tour the farm, meet animals, win raffle prizes and learn about home composting.
ecoRI News is a statewide news source focused on environmental and social justice reporting, according to its website.
Hurricane Hill Farm is a “small-scale fiber farm” that aims to provide “affordable land access to women farmers.” The farm is Rhode Island’s only licensed breeder of Leicester longwoods, an endangered breed of sheep that was very popular with former President George Washington.
To make your Earth Month celebrations a truly breathtaking experience, try thinking outside of the box — or maybe outside of this world.
NASA R.I. Space Grant will be organizing a viewing party for the April 8 partial solar eclipse on the Main Green from 2:00-4:00 p.m, The Herald previously reported. Providence expects to see 91.9% coverage. Event organizers will provide specialized telescopes and offer community members a safe viewing experience.
Looking for some family-friendly fun? Audubon Society of Rhode Island is organizing a free family fun day on April 13. Hosted from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium in Bristol, the event will offer a craft table, nature stories, animal interviews and clothing patching workshops.
Audubon Society of Rhode Island hopes to preserve wildlife and bird populations through conservation, education and advocacy, according to its website. The group hosts a variety of programming, including summer camps, hikes and political advocacy efforts.
The City of Providence is also hosting a Wonders of Water Family Crafts and Movie Night on April 18 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Roger Williams Park Gateway Center. Fun for all ages, the night will feature workshops on reducing plastic waste, short film screenings and popcorn.
The City of Providence plans to host a selection of events centered around its Earth Month 2024 theme, “The Wonders of Water.”
For those who have a green thumb, the Eastern Conservation District of Rhode Island is hosting its Native Plant Seedling Sale on April 20. Interested community members must order seedlings ahead of time from a catalog of Rhode Island native plants, then pick up their seedlings from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on April 20 at Greenvale Vineyards in Portsmouth.
Community members interested in volunteering at the plant sale can do so at Greenvale Vineyards on April 19 between 9:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Ever wondered what it would be like to ride one of the WaterFire gondolas? At the City of Providence’s April 20 Providence River Cleanup, you can fulfill that dream and help tidy up the Providence River. Participants will retrieve debris and other items from the river.
Craving academic discussion? Join Audubon for the “Transforming The Landscape Audubon Native Plants and Pollinators Symposium” on April 20 at Rhode Island College. From 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m, participants will hear from keynote speaker Doug Tallamy, professor and chair of the department of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware, as well as local garden designers, organizers and representatives of the Ocean State’s scientific community.
For those looking to add some variety to your daily runs — or those who want some more incentive to start running — Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District is hosting several “plogs,” which are group jogs in which participants also pick up debris.
Plog Tiverton will be on April 21 and interested participants should meet at Fogland Beach at 9:00 a.m. Newport Plog and Chug is happening on April 25 and interested participants should meet at 6:30 p.m. at Fastnet Pub to plog and enjoy a drink afterwards.
April 22 marks Earth Day. Every year, Brown’s Office of Sustainability and Resiliency hosts Earth Week — a culmination of events during the week of Earth Day. This year’s Earth Week will be from April 22 to April 26. Last year’s events included a sustainability fair, movie screenings, workshops and panel discussions.
End off your last weekend of Earth Month with the Narrow River Preservation Association’s Narrow River cleanup on April 27 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. Interested participants will meet at Narragansett’s Sprague Bridge parking lot and should plan to pick up litter along the roads, parks and parking lots in the area.
Tom Li is a Metro editor covering the health and environment and development and infrastructure beats. He is from Pleasanton, California, and is concentrating in Economics and International and Public Affairs. He is an avid RIPTA passenger and enjoys taking (and criticizing) personality tests in his free time.
