Program Partners

The URI Healthy Landscapes Program is a collaborative effort with URI Cooperative Extension Programs and the Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island that began in September 2002.

The URI Healthy Landscapes Program includes the following partners:

URI Cooperative Extension Home*A*Syst Program, one of four programs within the URI CE Water Quality Program, provided the overall coordination of the program, including installation of the demonstration sites, as well as the development of educational materials and workshops promoting healthy landscape techniques.

URI GreenShare Program provided the link with the professional landscape community. They conduct professional training and publicize healthy landscape tips via Channel 10 TV’s The Plant Pro.

URI Master Gardener Program provided volunteers to host and assist with local demonstration sites. Master Gardeners have been trained in healthy landscapes techniques and provide education at events and programs.

Town of North Kingstown, RI -- Town Council, Conservation Commission, Groundwater Committee, departments of Water Supply & Planning and Development, and Town Manager's office all partnered in this project. Town members were the original inspiration behind this project’s efforts and continue to promote healthy landscape techniques to community members. Protecting and conserving water resources is of utmost importance to the Town.

Technical Resources
The Healthy Landscapes Program relies on a technical team that provides support in the development of Program Resources including demonstration sites, printed materials, and media outreach. This Team consists of URI faculty, staff, master gardeners, and landscape professionals. In addition, the University of Connecticut faculty and staff lead an effort to coordinate and share information, resources and programs on the topic of sustainable landscaping among Cooperative Extension Water Quality Programs throughout the New England Region.

University of Rhode Island:

URI College of the Environment and Life Sciences

Department of Plant Sciences

Department of Natural Resources Science

RI Natural History Survey

URI College of Human Science and Services
URI Institute of Human Science and Services - providing technical assistance with program evaluation.

Landscape Professionals
Richard Clark, Clark Farms and past President, RI Nursery and Landscape Association
Frank Crandall, Wood River Evergreens
Mike Merner, Earth Care Farm
David Renzi, Out In Front Horticulture
Paul Thompson, Thompson Organic Landscaping

Retail Garden Supply Stores in the North Kingstown Area:

Gillette's Home and Garden Center (Kingston Agway)
Allen's Seed Store
Wickford Lumber

The Northeast State and Caribbean Islands Regional Water Center, USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
The NESCI Regional Water Center works to improve water quality management through educational knowledge and extension programming that emerges from a research base. The program builds on the strengths of the Extension Water Quality Programs at the Land Grant Universities throughout New England.

University of Connecticut Faculty and Staff
The Sustainable Landscaping Focus Area is being led by the University of Connecticut (UCONN) Cooperative Extension Service with support from UCONN, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources faculty and staff.

UConn Water Quality and the Home Landscape

USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture
NIFA advances knowledge for agriculture, the environment, human health and well-being, and communities through national program leadership and federal assistance. USDA NIFA is funding both the Healthy Landscapes Education Program and the NESCI Regional Water Center.