Poison ivy pointers

If only there was a market for poison ivy

Kristen Curry 

Knowing how to identify poison ivy can
help you avoid it. (URI Photos / M. Peach)

Michelle Peach has a lot of personal and professional experience spending time outdoors, navigating diverse landscapes in and around Rhode Island. A clinical associate professor in the University of Rhode Island’s Department of Natural Resources Science, her work in the Ocean State brings the Wakefield resident into a range of local settings, from the woods to coastal communities. She also recently completed a 50-hikes-in-a-year challenge and spent an extra lot of time exploring natural areas in Rhode Island in that time.

As the coordinator of URI’s Master of Environmental Science and Management program, Peach works with graduate students gaining and applying their professional skills to solve contemporary environmental challenges.

With so much work outdoors, both professionally and personally, Peach shares some tips to contend with one challenge the outdoors can present throughout the year.

Whether outdoors in summer, hiking in fall, or working in one’s yard in the spring, Peach’s top tips to avoiding poison ivy when outdoors are: stay on trails when hiking; know how to identify poison ivy so you can avoid it; and wear long pants and close-toed shoes when needed.

Get ready!

And be careful...

Victoria Gu's homeowner insurance protection bill goes to Governor for signature

A modest aid to a growing, serious problem

The General Assembly approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Samuel A. Azzinaro and Sen. Victoria Gu to require insurers to provide customers with advance notice of nonrenewal for homeowners and residential fire insurance policies.

The legislation (2026-H 7066A, 2026-S 2011A) would require insurers to provide written notice of nonrenewal at least 60 days before the renewal date for homeowners and residential fire insurance policies, beginning July 1, 2027.

“Insurance companies are being a lot more selective about the location and the condition of the houses they insure, declining to cover homes in coastal areas or with older roofs or water heaters,” said Senator Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown). “The 60 days’ advance notice will help homeowners find alternative insurance coverage and find tradespeople if they need to fix something at their house in order to continue insurance coverage.”

In recent years a number of insurers in Rhode Island have stopped providing home insurance, mirroring a national trend of higher prices and fewer options for homeowners.

The legislation now goes to the governor for his consideration.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Cathy and I had our homeowner policy cancelled TWICE last year due to increased risk from climate change. It was hard to find ANY carrier willing to replace our coverage. Having extra time to deal with such a mess is greatly appreciated  - Will Collette

Senate approves Sen. Gu’s shoreline access education bill

Local fake fire districts who block beach access also need "educating" 

The Senate today approved legislation from Sen. Victoria Gu to educate tenants and short-term rental guests about public shoreline access rights.

“This bill expands upon the work we’ve done to codify shoreline access and educate buyers of shoreline property about the public’s right to access the shore,” said Senator Gu (D-Dist. 38, Westerly, Charlestown, South Kingstown). 

“While a lot of people in Rhode Island are aware of the public’s right to access the shoreline, people coming in from other states to rent or book a short-term rental aren’t necessarily aware of them. This is an important consumer protection and education measure to ensure that people renting ocean front real estate understand the public’s right to access the shoreline.”

Senator Gu sponsored a new law in 2024 that requires similar disclosure to buyers of shoreline property. This bill (2026-S 2734A) would extend this disclosure to tenants of shoreline properties, requiring landlords to provide renters with written shoreline access disclosure before the start of tenancy.

The disclosure would include the public’s rights and privileges to the shore up to 10 feet above the recognizable high tide line, requires the landlord to disclose any known rights of way to the tenant and advise the tenant to contact CRMC to find out if any public rights of way or permits are tied to the property.

Rep. Spears honors great-nephew of Ellison ‘Tarzan’ Brown for completion of Boston Marathon

Congratulations Thawn 

The House approved a resolution from Rep. Tina L. Spears honoring the great-nephew of Ellison “Tarzan” Brown for his completion of the Boston Marathon 90 years after Brown’s first Boston Marathon victory.

Thawn Sherenté Harris of Charlestown completed the marathon in an official time of 3 hours, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, making him the third member of the Narragansett Tribe to complete the race and giving him the second-fastest recorded time among the tribe.

The resolution (2026-H 8539) sponsored by Representative Spears (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly) declared that “Ellison ‘Tarzan’ Brown rose to national prominence in the 1930s, winning the Boston Marathon in 1936 and again in 1939, and competing in the 1936 Olympic Games, while bringing recognition and pride to the Narragansett people. 

Tarzan Brown’s 1936 victory included his legendary passing of race favorite Johnny Kelley on the hills of Newton, an iconic moment that gave rise to what is now known as ‘Heartbreak Hill.’ In completing the Boston Marathon, Thawn symbolically followed in his great-uncle’s footsteps along that same historic stretch, retracing the site of one of Brown's most celebrated achievements.”

Don't fry

Sen. Sosnowski reappointed chairwoman of Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture

South Kingstown Dem holds powerful committee positions 

Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) has appointed Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski (D-Dist. 37, South Kingstown, New Shoreham) to serve as chairwoman of the Committee on Environment and Agriculture.

The committee considers issues relating to the conservation of air, land, water, plants, animals, minerals and other natural resources of the state. This is Senator Sosnowski’s second time as chairwoman, having served in that capacity from 2003 until 2021, when she was named chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Commerce.

Toxics, trolls and trucks in Ninigret Park

February 26 Town Council Meeting Preview

By Charlestown Residents United

We've known about hazardous waste left behind by
the Ninigret Naval Air station since at least 1987.
Here is a 2015 map. Much of it is still there.
Current information will be part of the 
Corps of Engineers presentation at the Council meeting.

The Charlestown Town Council will hold their second February meeting on Monday, February 26.

 

First, there will be an executive session meeting, at 6:30 pm, to discuss pending litigation regarding a zoning matter.

 

The regular Council meeting will begin at 7 pm in the Council Chambers. Here are some of the topics that will be of interest:

 

• The Council will discuss, and possibly approve, the agreement with the South County Tourism Council for the placement and maintenance of the Thomas Dambo Trolls artwork in Ninigret Park.
• Consideration and possible approval of Charlestown Craves food truck nights at Ninigret Park on May 9 and June 6.
• The Council will continue the discussion about Special Use Permit changes needed to conform with State law.
• The Council will discuss and possibly approve a resolution requesting the RI General Assembly amend RIGL § 45-24-38- regarding Substandard Lots of Record. Explanatory memos from the Building Official and Town Planner are included in the packet after the draft resolution.

The entire agenda, including the procedure for streaming access, can be viewed here.

 

In 2004, former Charlestown Citizens Alliance President Virginia Wooten chaired a committee to look at toxic waste problems in Ninigret. They issued a 2.5 page long report (you can read it HERE). Above☝, you can see their top recommendation.

There will also be a special meeting in the Town Hall Council Chambers on Thursday, February 29, starting at 6 pm with a presentation from the Army Corps of Engineers concerning an update of the testing and monitoring activity in Ninigret Park and the Environmental Land Use Restrictions (ELUR) proposed to the Town. The meeting packet includes a lot of background information.

Even after lockdowns eased, pandemic depression persisted across social classes – new study

In Rhode Island, Health Department offers assistance

Catherine Ettman, Boston University and Sandro Galea, Boston University

One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, we found that more than 1 in 5 U.S. adults reported probable depression in both spring 2020 and spring 2021. 

We also found that financial assets helped reduce the persistence of symptoms – but only to a point. 

Our recently published research highlights COVID-19’s continuing mental health effects on the U.S. population.

We launched a national study in March 2020 measuring mental health and assets. COVID-19 was a national emergency, as deaths were on the rise. Schools, workplaces and government offices closed as Americans were urged to stay home. 

At that time, we found that 27.8% of U.S. adults in our study reported symptoms of depression, such as losing interest in activities or feeling down or hopeless. This number was over three times as high as the national pre-pandemic depression estimate of 8.5%.

Most striking to us was that a year into the pandemic, depression rates remained high, despite hopeful signs of reducing infections and deaths. In April 2021, people were lining up for COVID-19 vaccine shots, doctors were finding better COVID-19 treatments and efforts to reopen society were under way. But by that point, the share of adults in our survey reporting symptoms of depression had gone up to 32.8%.

Worse yet, that higher 2021 number included 20.3% who had reported symptoms of depression both in April 2020 and in April 2021. This finding suggests that poor mental health driven by the pandemic was both prevalent and persistent.

At the Mystic Aquarium

 

 

 

Barks, Chirps, Laughs: A Noisy May! With sea lion and seal barks, Mystic Aquarium residents can be a noisy bunch! Even at March Trek, bullfrogs are bellowing to attract mates. For this edition of Out of the Blue, we are going to make some noise surrounding recent news, upcoming events, and new additions on campus.

 

 

A Harp Seal Embarks on New Adventure  A recent visitor to Mystic Aquarium concluded his rehabilitation and returned to the ocean! A harp seal was found stranded a year ago in the New England area. He was underweight and appeared to be blind, so he was taken in to improve his health. During this process, the seal underwent eye surgery, and his right eye was removed to prevent further medical issues. Luckily, he passed his live fish trials which determined he is capable of hunting on his own. In April, the harp seal came to our Animal Rescue Clinic, and he had a smooth transition into the ocean!   Watch the release

 

Amplify Mystic Aquarium! USA Today already gave us a shout-out by nominating Mystic Aquarium as one of the top 20 aquariums in the United States! Our stellar exhibits, conservation efforts, and extensive research make Mystic Aquarium a leader in the aquarium industry. Help us amplify further by voting for us for USA Today's 10Best Readers’ Choice 2021: Best Aquarium! You can vote for Mystic Aquarium EVERY DAY until Monday, May 24 at noon ET. Each vote is important because it allows us to get one step closer to inspiring people to care for and protect our ocean planet through conservation, education, and research on the national level!   Vote Now!   Paint with a Sea Lion! Sea lions have a talent for roaring, but did you know they can also paint? Previously a virtual Animal Encounter, Paint with a Sea Lion is now available on-site! You select the colors of non-toxic paint, and the sea lion does the rest. As the sea lion paints, we'll chat about sea lion enrichment and training along with species biology, the world-class animal care received at Mystic Aquarium, and more. You even get to take home the painting with you!   Learn More!     Make the Aquarium Even Nosier! Summer Camp is Back! We are preparing weeks of laughter and fun for kids. Mystic Aquarium offers the perfect environment to enjoy and explore animals while having outdoor adventures in nature. In addition, each camp will have its own dedicated classroom within the Milne Ocean Science and Conservation Center to continue learning and exploration. Kids will be talking about Summer Campe for weeks, so don't miss out!    Sign Up today!

 

This Month's Events

 

Ocean Ambassador Coastal Clean Up Our May cleanup at Barn Island on May 8. Our goal is to remove 1000 pounds of marine debris, including ocean plastics, from local shorelines, and we need your help! Volunteers can choose a time slot, and we will break into smaller groups of no more than 15 people. Join us to clean up the ocean!   Horseshoe Crab Walk Head to the beach and witness these “living fossils” gather during our nighttime Horseshoe Crab Walk. Help Aquarium staff count the animals and learn about the role they play in our local ecosystem. Be prepared to get wet feet and hike a distance. Learn more!     Cocktails (or Mocktails) with Conservationists Join our Director of Education & Conservation for cocktails (or mocktails) and conversations with members of the Aquarium team as we explore the conservation efforts that support the Aquarium’s mission. Grab your favorite drink of choice for this week, as we celebrate both Endangered Species Day and dive into conversations about our work protecting endangered species around the world. Learn more or register.     Special Days at Mystic Aquarium Endangered Species Day (5/21): From vaquitas to African penguins, we’ll be celebrating the conservation efforts that are in place to help save some of our most threatened. Learn more. Long Island Sound Day (5/28): Celebrate our local estuary in style! You and your family will help can enjoy hands-on activities as together, we learn more about our precious Long Island Sound.

 

SUPPORT YOUR AQUARIUM  We’re making waves for the future of our ocean planet – won’t you join us?   GIVE TODAY

 

#DYK that the Mystic Aquarium community has unlocked hundreds of dollars in donations from AmazonSmile! When you shop using smile.amazon on your computer or enable AmazonSmile on your Amazon app, a donation is made at no cost to you.

 

⚠ COVID SAFETY You’ve always known our mission: To inspire others to care for and protect our ocean planet. During these unprecedented times, we are keenly focused on protecting our community as well. Click here to learn about current measures in place to ensure your safety.     Mystic Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to inspire people to care for and protect our ocean planet through conservation, education and research. MYSTIC AQUARIUM 55 Coogan Boulevard | Mystic, CT 06355