Rhode Island
Nature-Based Printables Help Rhode Island Families Turn Beach Days into Learning Adventures
Explore Rhode Island
Mindful Printables US launches comprehensive Ocean State nature guides featuring local hot spots and expert identification tips
Providence, Rhode Island – June 21, 2025 – As summer vacation begins, Rhode Island families are discovering a new way to transform ordinary beach walks and nature hikes into interactive learning experiences. Mindful Printables US has launched a comprehensive collection of downloadable nature guides specifically designed for the Ocean State, featuring everything from seashells found at Napatree Point to wildflowers blooming in local parks.
“Rhode Island’s diverse ecosystems-from our 400 miles of coastline to our inland forests-offer incredible learning opportunities right in our backyard,” says Rey Doon, founder of Mindful Printables US. “Our guides help families identify what they’re seeing while exploring the specific places where these discoveries are most likely to happen. When a child finds a moon snail shell at East Beach, they can learn not just what it is, but why it’s there.”
Comprehensive Rhode Island Nature Collection
The Rhode Island series includes five specialized guides covering the state’s most popular outdoor activities:
Seashells Guide: Features shells commonly found along RI’s shoreline with a curated list of the top 10 shelling locations, from East Beach in Charlestown to Mohegan Bluffs on Block Island, complete with parking information, peak seasons, and insider tips.
Wildflowers Guide: Identifies native and naturalized flowers throughout Rhode Island’s parks, trails, and coastal areas with seasonal blooming information.
Birds Guide: Showcases species found across the state’s varied habitats, from coastal birds at Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge to woodland species in local parks.
Leaves & Trees Guide: Helps families identify Rhode Island’s diverse tree species, perfect for walks through places like Lincoln Woods or Arcadia Management Area.
Butterflies Guide: Features the colorful butterflies and moths found in Rhode Island gardens, fields, and conservation areas.
Each guide goes beyond simple identification, including tracking logs for recording discoveries, fun facts about local ecosystems, engaging games like crosswords and word searches, and detailed hot spot recommendations with practical visiting information.
More Than Just Identification
“What sets our guides apart is the local expertise,” notes Doon. “We don’t just show you what a surf clam looks like-we tell you that East Matunuck State Beach is one of the best places to find them, especially after a storm, and that you should arrive early on weekends for the best shelling experience.”
The printables are designed for various learning styles and age groups, featuring clear photographs, easy-to-read descriptions, interactive activities, and space for children to sketch their own discoveries. Teachers and homeschooling families have particularly embraced the guides for incorporating hands-on science into their curricula.
Local families report that the guides have transformed their outdoor experiences. “My kids used to get bored on beach walks,” says one Providence parent. “Now they’re actively hunting for specific shells and asking questions about what they find. It’s turned every beach day into a treasure hunt.”
Supporting Rhode Island’s Outdoor Education
The guides reflect Rhode Island’s commitment to environmental education and outdoor recreation. By highlighting specific locations and providing practical visiting information, Mindful Printables US supports local beaches, parks, and conservation areas while encouraging responsible exploration.
Each location featured in the guides includes website links, parking information, and seasonal tips to help families plan successful outings while respecting these natural spaces.
About Mindful Printables US
Founded by Rey Doon, Mindful Printables US creates state-specific educational resources that connect children and families with their local natural environments. The company’s mission is to make outdoor education accessible while fostering environmental stewardship and curiosity about the natural world.
Purchase Rhode Island nature guides: https://sites.google.com/view/mindfulprintablesus/by-region/rhode-island
Media Contact:
Rey Doon
reydoonvalley@gmail.com
High-resolution images, sample guide pages, and founder interviews available upon request.
Lalley Blvd,
Fairfield CT 06824
Rey Doon
Email: reydoonvalley@gmail.com
MindfulPrintablesUS creates nature-inspired printables to help families connect, slow down, and explore
We believe that spending time outdoors and observing the natural world brings a sense of mindfulness, wonder, and calm. Our products are designed to encourage families, educators, and kids to slow down, look closely, and engage with the world around them-whether it’s on a beach, in a backyard, or during a walk in the woods.
From nature trackers and birdwatching journals to printable scavenger hunts and creative prompts, our resources are crafted with intention and a love for learning. Every product is designed to make outdoor exploration and nature education accessible and fun. Thank you for visiting-we hope our creations help you pause, explore, and enjoy the moment.
This release was published on openPR.
Rhode Island
Bodycam footage shows moments police respond to Pawtucket shooting
Police bodycam footage shows the moments officers arrived to the scene of a deadly mass shooting in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
The shooting on Feb. 16 at the Dennis M. Lynch Arena killed Rhonda Dorgan and Aidan Dorgan, the ex-wife and son of the shooter, who died by suicide.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or chat live at 988lifeline.org. You can also visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional support.
Gerald Dorgan, Rhonda’s father, died from his injuries this week. His wife, Linda Dorgan, and family friend Thomas Geruso remain hospitalized.
Around five minutes after the first officer arrives, he beings helping paramedics with a man who identifies himself as Aidan. Twelve minutes in, Aidan Dorgan is transported to the hospital, where he would later die from his injuries.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline by calling 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), visiting www.thehotline.org or texting LOVEIS to 22522.
For the last 10 minutes of the footage, the officer then begins helping paramedics transport the other three gunshot victims.
The video ends with police prepping witness interviews.
The shooting rocked the Pawtucket community. Chris Librizzi, head coach of the Blackstone Valley Schools hockey team impacted by the shooting, said the players and coaching staff “are devastated over the events that took place at Lynch Arena on Monday and intimately affected one of our teammates.”
As authorities continue investigating the shooting in Pawtucket, three patients remain in critical condition.
“We will lean on each other and support one another, as we have always done as a team,” he added.
Pawtucket police said two handguns were found at the scene after the shooting, a Sig Sauer P226 and Glock. Other weapons have been seized at the suspect’s storage unit in Maine.
Investigators continue reviewing all video evidence from before, during and after the shooting, including surveillance footage from the Dennis M. Lynch Arena, police body-worn camera footage and other records — a high school sports livestream captured the shooting from a distance — police said.
Rhode Island
Man killed in RI shooting; suspect involved in Mass. car crash that killed 2 others
A man has died after a shooting in Cranston, Rhode Island, and investigators say a suspect was later involved in a car crash in Swansea, Massachusetts, that killed two other people.
The shooting victim was found Thursday on Legion Way, shot multiple times in the chest, Cranston police told NBC affiliate WJAR-TV. He was taken to Rhode Island Hospital where he later died. His name has not been released.
The suspect initially fled on foot, setting off a shelter-in-place order while investigators searched the area.
Police said Friday that investigators identified a suspect vehicle, which was later spotted by Massachusetts State Police. A trooper followed the car down Route 6 and Interstate 195, but stopped when it crossed back into Rhode Island. The car was later involved in a crash on Route 136 in Swansea, Mass.
Swansea police say that crash on Route 136 (James Reynolds Road) resulted in the deaths of two other people.
According to the Swansea Police Department, two officers saw a white Infinity G37 speed past them around 12:18 a.m. Friday on Route 6, otherwise known as Grand Army of the Republic Highway. Moments later, officers observed that the vehicle had crashed into the side of a blue Subaru Ascent that had been traveling southbound on Route 136.
Both vehicles sustained catastrophic damage, police said.
The vehicle that was struck was fully engulfed in flames. First responders and bystanders tried to extinguish the fire, but both occupants — a man and a woman — were pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Their names have not been released.
The 28-year-old Infinity driver, who struck the victims’ Subaru, was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with serious injuries and later into custody by Cranston Police. They have not been publicly identified at this time.
Swansea police said they are aware that the Infinity was the subject of a police pursuit, and know the driver was wanted in connection to the Rhode Island homicide investigation. While Swansea police had been alerted to be on the lookout for the suspect’s vehicle, however, they say they were not involved in the pursuit and were not pursuing the vehicle at the time of the deadly crash.
The crash in Swansea is under investigation by Massachusetts authorities, including state police and the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. Meanwhile, Cranston police said they would give an update on their investigation around 1 p.m.
Rhode Island
RI House speaker unveils housing bills for 2026. What to know
House Speaker Shekarchi unveils 2026 RI housing legislative package
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi’s nine-bill package for 2026 seeks to cut red tape and relax rules on parking, dividing lots and staircases.
House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi is once again taking aim at the regulations he says are stifling new homebuilding.
The Warwick Democrat unveiled his sixth annual suite of housing legislation on Thursday, Feb. 26, a few weeks after announcing he would not be running for governor this year.
“We are still trying to play catch-up for all the years that Rhode Island was dead last in the country for new housing starts,” Shekarchi said. “While Rhode Island remains a relatively affordable option for people moving here from other states, our own residents are too often priced out of the neighborhoods they grew up in.”
The legislative text of the nine-bill housing package, and with it the specifics of how it would work, were not available for Thursday’s news conference.
But highlights of the package, according to summaries, include:
- Infill housing. Allow property owners to divide lots in single-family zoning districts, creating multiple dwellings instead of one, provided they have water and sewer service.
- Parking maximums. Put new limits on how much off-street parking communities require for new apartment buildings.
- Homeless Bill of Rights. Expand the state’s Homeless Bill of Rights to require 15-day notice to the occupants of encampments before local authorities clear them.
- Emergency shelters. Let communities build temporary shelters, such as the ECHO Village Pallet shelter in Providence, during a state of emergency.
- Stairs. Legalize the construction of four-story apartment buildings with a single staircase.
- Affordable housing taxes. Overhaul the tax system for income-restricted housing covered by the state’s “8 Law.”
Is land-use reform working?
Since Shekarchi was elected speaker in 2021, the General Assembly has passed dozens of bills he backed that tweaked state land-use statutes or streamlined the process for building.
How successful this approach has been is subject to debate.
Many local elected officials wary of development in their communities continue to rail against efforts to erode their power over construction.
Others in the growing Yes In My Back Yard movement see Rhode Island’s piecemeal approach as inadequate in comparison with the scale of the affordability problem and what other states are doing.
As evidence that his changes are making a difference, Shekarchi said Rhode Island saw a 70% increase in building permits in 2023 and a more modest increase in 2024. (Statistics for last year were not immediately available.)
Gov. Dan McKee’s 2030 plan calls for 15,000 new housing units built by that year.
Democratic primary challenger Helena Foulkes is slated to roll out her housing plan on Monday.
It is expected to include a millionaires tax to fund affordable housing, a revolving fund and target of 20,000 new homes.
What would the new laws do?
Letting property owners put multiple homes on a plot of land is one of the most direct ways that lawmakers can encourage the construction of more homes, but it is also one of the most controversial.
That’s especially true in areas zoned for large lots and single-family homes.
How far the new bill allowing lots to be subdivided in single-family zones goes is unclear. It is sponsored by Rep. Stephen Casey, D-Woonsocket.
Legislation setting maximum parking requirements for new developments, introduced by Rep. Joshua Giraldo, D-Central Falls, would apply to areas accessible by public transit.
Critics of off-street parking requirements say they make it harder to build new apartments and make the units that are built more expensive.
Shekarchi proposed the emergency shelter bill last year. It passed the House and died in the Senate.
It was the result of how long it took state officials to navigate Rhode Island’s building code and open the ECHO Village Pallet shelter in Providence.
The staircase bill, sponsored by Rep. June Speakman, a Warren Democrat and chair of the House’s home affordability study commission, follows a wave of cities and states relaxing rules on how many exits are required in new construction.
Currently, the state building code requires two stairways in buildings with more than three stories, and fire officials have opposed all efforts to change that.
Speakman’s bill would allow four-story buildings with a maximum of 16 units with a single staircase.
Supporters of single-stair buildings say they allow development of small sites that would otherwise sit vacant and allow family-sized units with more light and better ventilation.
A previous Rhode Island single-stair bill would have allowed six stories, but it died in committee.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order in mid-February to study the idea.
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