The Survey has accomplished many remarkable things in its first 30 years; we need a strong vision to reach new heights in our 4th decade. With input from members, friends, board and staff, and peer organizations, we created a new strategic plan that restates the… Continue reading
by Robert D. Kenney Three of the previous installments in this Marine Mammals of Rhode Island series have been about seals that occur in our region—harbor seals, harp seals, and gray seals. Gray seals were also the subject of an article in the Fall 2022… Continue reading
In 2021, the Survey managed to expand in a number of directions despite the challenges of the continuing pandemic. If you missed the Survey’s 2022 annual meeting, which was held online on April 7, you can still catch up on all the news, including the finance report, nominating committee report, and program report, by taking a look at this PDF of the 2022 annual meeting slideshow that was shown that night.
On April 1, scientists from the Natural History Survey traveled to the Barrington River to investigate a possible Plesiosaur sighting. “We’ve wondered why reptiles like diamondback terrapins thrived in 100 Acre Cove but nowhere else…now maybe we know,” said URI herpetologist Jauncy Farakker. If the… Continue reading
Publishing a periodical bulletin is a great way for the Natural History Survey to fulfill its mission to connect those knowledgeable about Rhode Island’s animals, plants, ecological systems. It is also a great way to memorialize research results, discoveries, commentary, and art pertaining to those… Continue reading
Dear Survey Members and Friends, Normally around this time of year we all would be getting together for the Survey’s annual meeting…an update on the organization’s programs, strategy, and finances, a vote for the directors, and an informative and inspiring talk. The speakers for the… Continue reading
The Rhode Island Natural History Survey is excited to announce the return of its periodic publication, the Rhode Island Naturalist. This publication covers local natural history stories written by professional and amateur scientists and naturalists. The Survey will publish two issues per year, Summer and… Continue reading
By Scott Buchanan, Ph.D., Herpetologist, RIDEM Division of Fish & Wildlife … As I neared my home about midnight, there was virtually no amphibian activity, and so a stout frog sitting in the road near an area of unpromising oak woodland could not help but… Continue reading
by Robert D. Kenney Gray seals (“grey” seals in Canada and Europe) are the second most likely seal species to be encountered in Rhode Island, after harbor seals (harbor seals are covered in installment 5 in this series). Unlike harbor seals, which are found in… Continue reading
by Robert D. Kenney I know what you’re saying—“He’s really gone off the deep end now! There are no gray whales in the Atlantic.” That’s sort of true (take your pick about which part), but not entirely. In May of 2010 marine biologists conducting a… Continue reading