Senator John H. Chafee Conservation Leadership Awards
Honoring the memory of the late Senator and his dedication to protecting and preserving the natural environment, the ECRI Education Fund honors four RI organizations each year for their efforts toward improving the health of the Rhode Island environment.
The awards highlight the outstanding efforts of Rhode Island groups to promote community sustainability through conservation of our natural resources. The programs and projects recognized may become a model for other communities, and in doing so, provide significant benefits to the citizenry, community, ecological system and natural resources of Rhode Island.
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association
2011 John H. Chafee Conservation Leadership Award Recipient
Kids First: “Rhode Island Farm Produce to School Lunch Program”
Pawtucket, RI
The “RI Farm Produce to School Lunch Program” began in 1999 with the goal of improving children's nutrition and wellness and providing Rhode Island Farmers with a steady income
Realizing that strong local support was essential to obtaining the school districts' approval to serve local produce, Kids First developed a successful and innovative program to educate virtually everyone in the chain of approval by creating teams of food professionals: nutritionists, dietitians, chefs, and food service experts to provide “on site” education to all those involved in integrating locally grown products into school lunch programs. Farm visits have been an important part of the educational experience. Thousands of students and school community members participated in the Kids First initial educational programs.
Training was followed by introduction of produce into schools. In addition to classroom presentations, guest chefs provided demonstrations of tasty recipes followed by sampling to student in cafeterias. Occasionally PTA groups are invited to attend. Sampling is very popular and helps establish almost immediate approval of previous unknown vegetables.
Today all 36 Rhode Island school districts are involved in the program. During 2010, more than 200,000 pounds of locally grown foods were served in RI Schools.
The program is a win win for farmers and students. Schools: students can include fresh fruit or vegetables daily. Farmers: schools have become an important and reliable market for 26 farmers.
Community awareness of the importance of fresh produce has been raised and children are requesting more local produce in family meals. Increasing demand for local produce insures predictable farm revenue and sustainable farming practices thus preserving farmland.
Outstanding 2011 Conservation Projects and Programs
The Arpin Group
West Warwick, RI
Recharging station for electric powered vehicles.
Arpin Group is a locally owned moving company with national and international moving and storage operations. Environmental protection and sustainability are important to Arpin and consistent with its operations, its goals and values. In its search for new technology to reduce emissions and cut costs, Arpin became intrigued by the concept of vehicles powered by electricity rather than gasoline. The Arpin Renewable Energy division is exploring methods of reducing carbon footprint and energy consumption and is now interested in the possibility of incorporating electric cars and trucks into their moving and storage business.
Not an organization to wait for something to happen, Arpin was the first RI firm to accept the National “Project Get Ready Challenge” — a program to prepare Rhode Island for the introduction and expansion of electric powered vehicles. Arpin purchased a state of the arts electric charging station capable of charging both 110 volt and 240 volt power systems. They installed it in the conveniently located Cardi Furniture parking lot close to I-95. The recharging station is open to the public 24 hours/day.
Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association
Charlestown & Richmond, RI
Dam Removal, Lower Shannock Falls.
The first dam removal on the Pawcatuck River. The removal will allow passage for migratory herring species — a significant benefit to commercial fishermen and sea food lovers. In the planning phase many additional benefits were developed. The dam locale was the site a fierce fight between the Narragansetts and the Pequots. Tribe representatives were consulted. Their interest in preserving the site will be acted upon. With the new free flow of the river, improved water quality is reviving interest in recreational fishing; improved launching sites draws paddlers. The revitalization of Historic Shamrock Village is notable while the town of Richmond is also developing a public park and river access on the site of a former textile mill associated with the dam.
Shalom Housing
Warwick, Rhode Island
Green Retrofit Program.
This 1980's building has 101 apartments that house seniors and the disabled. It was recently totally upgraded to meet all current standards for efficient energy and water use. Energy Star appliances were installed and the boiler was replaced. The renovation was completed with the installation of a 37 meter wind turbine capable providing power for all of the numerous common areas. It will offset 92,802 pounds of carbon dioxide, 279 pounds of nitrous oxide, and 742 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
©2011
Environment Council of Rhode Island • PO Box 9061 • Providence, RI 02940 • (401) 621-8048