CELS Kathleen M. Mallon Outreach Center

Coastal Landscapes Program

Kate Venturini, Coordinator

Coastal Landscapes Program Background

The URI Outreach Center has partnered with the RI Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) to develop new approaches to landscape management in coastal areas in Rhode Island.

The goal of the Coastal Landscapes Program is to create a climate of cooperation among property owners, landscapes, and other green industry professionals, and State regulatory agencies to protect environmental quality and encourage environmental stewardship in Rhode Island.

In addition to raising general awareness about the value of eco-centric landscape management on coastal properties to promote habitat restoration, stormwater management, and resource conservation, part of this process includes in-house revisions to the Greenwich Bay Special Area Management Plan (SAMP). To compliment the revised regulations, a multi-tiered education, outreach and demonstration program has been developed for CRMC staff, RI property owners, and green industry professionals. The program covers topics including:

• Conducting Landscape Site Assessment on coastal properties
• Native Landscape Design
• Managing Landscapes in CRMC-designated Coastal Buffer Zones
• Invasive Plant Management in CRMC-designated Coastal Buffer Zones
• Low Impact Development (LID) Practices for Stormwater Management on coastal properties
• Sustainable Installation, Maintenance and Monitoring of coastal landscapes

Coastal Landscapes Program Components

• IN DEVELOPMENT - The Native Plant Design Manual for Greenwich Bay, a native landscape management manual to guide coastal property owners and professionals working in areas governed under the Greenwich Bay SAMP.


• The Invasive Plant Management Certification Program, a two-day training for green industry professionals providing invasive management service to clients in coastal areas leading to certification as a RI Coastal Invasive Manager.


• The Interactive and Searchable RI Coastal Plant Guide for use by home gardeners, landscape professionals and regulatory staff.


• Public Workshops on topics including:


• Coastal Landscape Site Assessment


• Ecological Landscaping for Habitat Restoration, Stormwater Management, and Resource Conservation in Coastal Areas


• Native Planting Design in Coastal Areas


• Invasive Plants 101

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CLICK HERE FOR UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

• A Coastal Buffer Restoration on Warwick Neck Avenue at Warwick Cove


• The 2007 Coastal Landscapes Certification Program for green industry professionals conducting landscape design or management in coastal areas governed under the Greenwich Bay SAMP

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• A Managed Landscapes Training Program for CRMC staff (January 2006)