The RI Blueways Alliance seeks nominations for the "Blueways Stewardship Award."

This award is for an individual who exemplifies dedication to the stewardship and conservation of Rhode Island’s rivers, lakes and coastal waters. The Blueways Alliance would like to recognize an individual who is a volunteer working on watershed conservation, who is well respected by their peers and who has notable accomplishments in watershed management. The accomplishments can be wide-ranging -- perhaps someone who has been a long term water quality monitor, someone who has helped develop recreational paddles that can be used as water trails, someone working on land use issues in the watershed or an artist helping to promote the watershed. Or something else entirely! Nominations must be received by February 7, 2012.

The recipient will be announced at a brief award ceremony at the March 10 Land & Water Conservation Summit. More details...(PDF format)

Before Paddling in the Winter...

Winter is here and while it may look tempting to head out for some cold weather paddling, only experienced paddlers with appropriate gear and training should be on the water during the "cold water season." Rhode Island's waters cool off during the fall and don't really warm up again until early summer. During this time gear such as wet suits or dry suits are an essential part of a paddler's gear. So, please enjoy Rhode Island's beauty safely during the winter and if you are not prepared for cold water paddling, leave the boats in storage until next summer. and always, always remember to wear your life jacket!

Hunting Season Reminder

Remember, in Rhode Island all users of state management areas and other designated undeveloped state parks must wear at least 200 square inches (e.g., a hat or vest) of solid daylight fluorescent orange clothing from the third Saturday in October to the last day of February and from the last Thursday in April to the last day in May, except during shotgun deer season (generally in December) when all users must wear 500 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange clothing (e.g., a hat and a vest). For more details contact RI DEM or the park or management area you plan to visit.

Similar regulations apply in Massachusetts except that hunting is not permitted on Sunday so orange clothing is not required on Sundays. For more information contact the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife or the park or forest you plan to visit.