Woonsocket Radio News Room

NO, NOT LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS. DEM OFFERS VIRTUAL OUTREACH PROGRAMS ON BOBCATS AND BATS AND TURKEYS!

Collared bobcat in South Kingstown. Photo credit: R. Saxon

PROVIDENCE – The Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Fish and Wildlife is partnering with local public libraries to host a series of virtual outreach programs this fall. The programs are designed to spread awareness of wildlife management and conservation efforts across the state in a fun, interactive setting.

 

“This is a wonderful opportunity for Rhode Islanders to learn about bobcats, bats and turkeys and the interesting research that is happening right in our own backyards,” said DEM Wildlife Outreach Coordinator Mary Gannon. “Although it’s been very different this year because we are not able to run programs in person due to COVID-19 restrictions, we’re reaching a lot of Rhode Islanders by offering virtual programs and information about local wildlife conservation in a fun way!”

Collared bobcat in South Kingstown. Photo credit: R. Saxon

"All About Bobcats" will be presented on Thursday, October 22 at 6:30 p.m. in partnership with the Langworthy Public Library in Hope Valley. Attendees will learn about bobcat natural history and current research efforts in the state. DEM Wildlife Outreach staff will be joined by Amy Gottfried Mayer of the University of Rhode Island's Wildlife Genetics and Ecology Lab (WGEL), who will share tracking and home range data from a recent collaborative bobcat project. DEM has partnered with the WGEL to study genomics and distribution of Rhode Island's bobcat, black bear, New England cottontail, and brook trout populations, through funding provided by the Federal Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program.

 

On Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00 p.m.– just in time for Halloween – Wildlife Outreach staff will present “Bat Chat,” in partnership with the East Smithfield Public Library. Attendees will participate in bat ‘myth-busting,’ learn about bat research efforts in Rhode Island, and how everyone can get involved to helping these important flying mammals.

 

Lastly, on Tuesday, November 10 at 6:30 p.m., Wildlife Outreach staff will present “Turkey Talk,” in partnership with the Davisville Free Library in North Kingstown. This program will cover the basics of wild turkey natural history and current population data collection efforts.

 

All programs are free and family friendly. Registration is required to receive a link to access the program via Zoom. Each program will run for about an hour. Links to the registration forms are listed below.

 

Bobcat registration link: https://forms.gle/g8dUvQCoMCS5Kdmy8

Bat registration link: https://forms.gle/rL6tEgBmkxNRBoCQ7

Turkey registration link: https://forms.gle/YdFzttWkyPtKhe9w9

 

For more information on Rhode Island’s wildlife, visit www.dem.ri.gov/wildlifeoutreach. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM and www.facebook.com/RIfishandwildlife, on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM), and Instagram (@rhodeisland.dem and @RI.FishandWildlife) for timely updates.

 

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.

 

The Supreme Court will hear arguments today on former President Donald Trump's claim he has absolute immunity on charges of attempting to overturn the 2020 election. The outcome could determine whether Trump faces a federal trial this year on four felony counts brought by special counsel Jack Smith, which include conspiracy to defraud the U.S. and obstruction of an official proceeding.        The abortion issue was front and center in America on Wednesday. First, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case is over whether Idaho's near-total abortion ban conflicts with a federal law requiring hospitals to provide patients emergency care. A decision is expected in June. Later in the day, Arizona's House of Representatives voted to repeal a Civil War-era abortion law that bans nearly all abortions, and the bill now heads to the state Senate.        The seven World Central Kitchen workers killed in Gaza will be honored this morning at Washington National Cathedral. The workers were killed in an Israeli airstrike on April 1st while bringing food aid to people in the war torn Palestinian territory.        The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing the Federal Trade Commission over its banning of noncompete agreements. The FTC voted Tuesday to block new noncompete agreements and require employers not to enforce current noncompetes, with an exception for senior executives. Business groups argue that these agreements are actually necessary to protect their intellectual property. They accuse the FTC of regulatory overreach.       A Beatles guitar that's been missing for over 50 years has been discovered in the attic of a British house. Julien's Auctions says the 12-string Hootenanny acoustic guitar is the same one John Lennon played on classics like "Norwegian Wood," and he can be seen playing the guitar in the movie "Help!" It will be going up for auction next month in New York City.        The road to the NBA Finals continued on Wednesday. The Miami Heat pulled off a 111-101 upset victory over the Boston Celtics in Game Two at TD Garden. Out West, the Oklahoma City Thunder crushed the New Orleans Pelicans 124-92 at the Paycom Center.        

Old News Archives