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Compiled by ecoRI staff 

State Landfill Now Accepting Used Cooking Oil

The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation is working with Newport Biodiesel on this new venture.JOHNSTON — The Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation is now accepting used cooking oil at the Central Landfill. The service is free for Rhode Island households.

Resource Recovery has placed two 55-gallon drums in the small vehicle drop-off area, which is where it accepts small loads of household waste, recycling, tires, appliances and motor oil.

“This is yet another material for which we offer a disposal alternative for Rhode Islanders,” said Sarah Kite, director of recycling services. “Instead of throwing the oil in the trash, which is messy, or pouring it down the drain, which is dreadful for plumbing, people can bring it to (us) for recycling.”

Resource Recovery is working with Newport Biodiesel, a Newport company, to dispose of the oil dropped off at the state landfill. The company will use the oil to produce a clean-burning and sustainable fuel from vegetable oil waste.

Resource Recovery will recycle the containers used to carry the used vegetable, corn and olive oil to the landfill.

The Central Landfill is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m.-3:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 6 a.m.-noon. For more information, call 401-942-1430, ext. 775, or visit rirrc.org.

Be On the Lookout for Wild Turkeys

Be on the lookout for wild turkeys and their young.The state Department of Environmental Management (DEM) is asking Rhode Islanders to assist its Division of Fish and Wildlife’s wild turkey project by reporting any sightings of wild turkey hens with — or without — broods of young turkeys (poults). DEM biologists need the information to evaluate this year’s reproduction of wild turkeys, the survival of the young and the population of the state’s flock.

Last year, the public reported 514 turkey sightings, according to Brian Tefft, principal wildlife biologist at DEM and head of the wild turkey project. However, less than half of the hens were reported with young. The total number of adults reported was 1,016, while 1,537 poults were reported for a brood index of 1.5 young per hen.

“This information helped us determine the number of young birds that survived after various mortality factors such as predators, poor weather, road kills or domestic cats took their toll,” Tefft said.

The index also helps determine turkey population trends. The 2009 brood index of 1.5 young per hen surviving until fall is the lowest index ever recorded in the state and is well below the 10-year average of 3.5 young per hen.

With declining brood production, the overall turkey population has declined in the past few years. Weather related factors and predators can dramatically affect brood production in ground nesting birds such as wild turkeys. Warm, dry weather favors the survival of turkey poults and other ground nesting birds, while cool and rainy conditions in early summer can reduce survival and result in dead broods.

Tefft estimated the overall statewide turkey population at about 5,000 birds.

The wild turkey restoration project began in 1980 with releases of wild trapped birds that established new turkey flocks in Exeter, Burrillville, Little Compton, West Greenwich, Foster, Scituate and Tiverton. Restoration of the wild turkey was funded by state hunting license fees and the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration program. Wild turkeys were abundant prior to the 1700s but were decimated because of habitat destruction and subsistence hunting.

To report wild turkey sightings, including hens with or without broods, participants should record the date, the location and the total number of hens and poults seen. Brood report forms can be downloaded at: dem.ri.gov/programs.

Participants also can send the information via e-mail to brian.tefft@dem.ri.gov, by mail to Brian Tefft, Wild Turkey Project, 277 Great Neck Road, West Kingston, RI 02892, or by calling 401-789-0281.

State Landfill Accepts Books for Donations to Reading Tree

Unwanted books dropped off at the Central Landfill in Johnston will be donated to Reading Tree, a nonprofit working to solve the issue of excess books in our nation’s landfills as well as the global issue of a lack of books in areas that desperately need them.

Reading Tree accepts all types of books — children’s, adult, hardcover and paperback. Children’s books will be donated to schools, family literacy programs and international libraries. More than 1.6 million books were donated to such programs in 2008. Some books may be sold to help pay for Reading Tree’s programs.

“While books are recyclable in Rhode Island, it’s better to find someone who might enjoy the book when you are finished with it,” said Sarah Kite, director of recycling services at the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, which runs the state landfill. “Rather than rip off the hard covers on bound books so you can recycle the pages, drop off all your hardcover books and your paperbacks, too, at the Central Landfill during regular hours.”

The Central Landfill is open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. and Saturdays from 6 a.m. to noon. For more information, visit rirrc.org or call 401-942-1430, ext. 775.

Money Available to Help Protect R.I. Forestlands

WARWICK — The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service has made $500,000 in Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) funds available to assist with forestland planning and management.

“Forests not only provide clean water, they are the backbone of rural economies by providing a sustainable source of renewable energy, forest products, outdoor-related recreational opportunities and tourism,” said R. Phou Vongkhamdy, state conservationist for NRCS in Rhode Island. “Forests include a wide array of natural communities that are home to countless types of fish and wildlife, many of which depend on large contiguous forest blocks. However, with much of this land being subdivided and sold, these vast forests are now at risk.”

To keep these lands as forests, this initiative will assist landowners in conservation planning and management to ensure sustainability. There is no minimum acreage or income level to apply for this money.

Rhode Island landowners should visit ri.nrcs.usda.gov to submit an application and complete the necessary paperwork to establish eligibility.

Explore Rhode Island Paddling a Boat

The Rhode Island Blueways Alliance wants to help everyone explore the full range of paddling options offered in southern New England with Paddle 2010, a summer-long series of trips lead by local watershed organizations and outfitters.

“The events listed in Paddle 2010 will help people familiarize themselves with great areas for flat water paddling in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts,” said Denise Poyer, a Blueways board member. “Additionally, many of the trips will have an educational component, teaching about the ecology and local history of the rivers and ponds. It’s a wonderful way for people to connect with their local environment, engage in a healthy activity, and have fun.  Most of the trips are suitable for beginner paddlers or the whole family.”

Continuing through Aug. 15, participants can join one or more trips. All trips for Paddle 2010 require pre-registration with the sponsoring group. Participating watershed groups include the Salt Ponds Coalition, Buckeye Brook Coalition, Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, Ten-Mile River Watershed Council, Blackstone Valley Watershed Council, Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, Narrow River Preservation Association, Pawcatuck River Authority and the state Department of Environmental Management.

For more information, visit exploreri.org.