Aquidneck Resilience is inviting island residents to help shape an islandwide Climate Resilience Plan through a series of community listening sessions beginning Aug. 25.
The plan is intended as a guidebook for reducing the island’s climate risks — flooding, extreme heat and cold, and severe storms that cross town lines. Aquidneck Resilience has engaged more than 40 organizations so far, including the three island municipalities and Naval Station Newport, and has spent the summer collecting stories and project ideas at local events.
“These sessions are designed to be accessible to everyone across Aquidneck Island,” said Director Paige Myatt. “If you’ve never attended a public meeting on environmental issues or climate impacts, we especially hope you join us for these events. We welcome and encourage anyone who loves this place to share their big ideas to some of our island’s toughest challenges, as well as stories of how things like flooding or extreme weather have impacted their day-to-day lives.”
Land — Tuesday, Aug. 25, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 141 Pelham St., Newport. Topics include transportation, food systems and land use. RSVP: tinyurl.com/8-25-CRPland
Water — Thursday, Sept. 10, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Innovate Newport, 513 Broadway. Topics include water quality, flood mitigation and coastal resilience. RSVP: tinyurl.com/CRPwater
People — Thursday, Sept. 17, 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown. Topics include community engagement, circular economy and emergency preparedness. The sanctuary is opening its trails free beforehand. RSVP: tinyurl.com/CRP-people
Spanish-language session and community meal — Wednesday, Oct. 14, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Center, 20 Dr. Marcus Wheatland Blvd., Newport, held with Conexión Latina. Dinner and emergency preparedness kits will be provided at no cost.
Each session includes light refreshments, door prizes, raffle giveaways and kid-friendly activities. Registration is appreciated but not required.
Those who can’t attend can complete a five-minute survey at tinyurl.com/islandCRP. More information is at aquidneckresilience.org.
Aquidneck Resilience is a collaboration between the City of Newport, the Town of Middletown, the Town of Portsmouth and Naval Station Newport, hosted at the Aquidneck Island Land Trust.
