Entries by Mary

Woonasquatucket River Greenway

On March 13, 2021 Alicia Lehrer, Executive Director of the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, spoke at our annual meeting about the organization’s work with emphasis an on invasive plants.

Finding Gibbs Swamp – Garry Plunkett

Long time RIWPS member and volunteer Garry Plunkett dedicates his efforts to land conservation in his town.  Read about his experiences collecting data on a newly acquired property of the Tiverton Land Trust.

Doug Tallamy – 2 programs

Doug Tallamy, has spent years studying the relationship between plants and the insects they support. He is passionate about how to create biodiverse habitats in as many places as possible, including ones own landscape.

Enhancing Delaware Highways: Lessons from the Roadside

Dr. Susan Barton discusses how the lessons learned in planting and editing roadsides can be applied to a variety of landscapes and illustrate strategies for managing landscapes sustainably and provide guidelines for promoting native plants and combating invasive plants in public and private spaces.

In Memory, Robert Fain and Michael Lapisky

We are saddened by the passing of two RIWPS members.

Robert Fain first joined RIWPS in 2008. In addition to his interest in Rhode Island Plants he worked professionally and personally on social justice issues.  He died last July.  See obituary

Michael Lapinky was an 11 year member. He was known for his willingness to share his knowledge and experience on all things gardening.  Michael died in January of this year.  See obituary

‘Canary in the Mine’ for the Salt Marsh

If you’ve never experienced the sunrise over a salt marsh, inhaling the distinctive fragrance of hydrogen sulfide given off by decomposing smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) and hearing the dawn chorus of marsh birds, you might want to explore one sooner rather than later. The marshes are disappearing at an alarming rate.

In Memory: Mabel “Sindy” Hempstead

In early December of 2020, at the grand age of 95, RIWPS Life member and former Co-President, Mabel “Sindy” Hempstead passed on.  Sindy was a RIWPS member since 1994 and […]