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Rare Atlantic White Cedar forest protected in Tiverton – What's Up Newp

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Rare Atlantic White Cedar forest protected in Tiverton – What's Up Newp


The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces the permanent conservation of 38.27 acres of Atlantic White Cedar forest in Tiverton. The protected land, part of the Pocasset Cedar Swamp off Bears Den Road, represents a globally imperiled forest species under threat from sea level rise.

The conservation effort is a partnership between DEM, the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust, and Bally’s Corporation. The land holds significant cultural and sacred value for the Pocasset Wampanoket Tribe of the Pokanoket Nation, the ancestral people of the greater Tiverton and Fall River area.

“This land is significant as the ancestral heartbeat of the Pocasset Pokanoket people,” said Chief George Spring Buffalo, Chairman of the Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe of the Pokanoket Nation. “This is the site of King Phillip’s War, one of the most devastating conflicts to native people in American history. We will create trails, explore the lands, and discover what our ancestors left us there. DEM was an honest partner through this process, and we’re looking forward to more collaborations with them.”

The Pocasset Cedar Swamp was the site of The Battle of Pocasset Swamp during King Phillip’s War, where both Sachem Weetamoo and King Phillip (Chief Metacomet) fought.

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Atlantic White Cedar forests have faced extensive commercial harvesting, now comprising only a small percentage of forest cover in the region. Over the past century, these forests along the Atlantic seaboard have been considerably degraded and reduced.

“We are excited to be working in partnership with the Pocasset Pokanoket Tribe and believe firmly in this project and the public benefit of protecting the Pocasset Cedar Swamp,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Rhode Islanders are proud to be a diverse people, with diverse cultures and we celebrate our tribal communities.”

The purchase price for the nearly 40-acre property is $60,000. A $40,000 grant committed in 2022 through DEM’s competitive Local Open Space Grant Program plays a crucial role in financing the project. Funds for this program come from voter-approved Green Economy Bonds.

This is the first portion of the Pocasset Cedar Swamp to be conserved in Rhode Island. The land in green, labeled Bears Den, is now owned by the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust who are a tribal land trust established to protect ancestral tribal lands. Map Credit: Paul Jordan, DEM.

The Local Open Space Grant Program has protected nearly 1,700 acres statewide over the past five years. Almost every town in Rhode Island has received funding through the program, with over 200 grants administered since 1990, thanks to voter-approved bond measures.

This conservation effort aligns with broader initiatives to protect endangered habitats and support tribal rematriation efforts. The Atlantic White Cedar forest’s preservation not only safeguards a rare ecosystem but also returns culturally significant land to its ancestral stewards.

The Pocasset Cedar Swamp project demonstrates the potential for collaboration between state agencies, tribal nations, and private corporations in land conservation efforts. It sets a precedent for future initiatives that combine ecological preservation with cultural heritage protection.

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For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, interested parties can visit www.dem.ri.gov or follow the department on various social media platforms.

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St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Your Guide To Fun In Rhode Island

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St. Patrick’s Day 2026: Your Guide To Fun In Rhode Island


Rhode Islanders who plan to join in the global celebration of Irish culture can choose from big and small events, including a parade in Providence.

The March 17 holiday falls on a Tuesday this year, and many big events will be held the weekend of March 14-15. Originally a modest, religious feast day honoring the patron saint of Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day today is a vibrant, boisterous holiday observed by millions of people regardless of their heritage.

The Providence parade is March 21.

We’ve rounded up 10 more events to help you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. But first, are you planning an event this spring? Feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!

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Here’s your guide to St. Patrick’s Day fun in Rhode Island:





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Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash

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Married couple from R.I. identified as victims in fatal Swansea crash


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The two victims were identified as a husband and wife from Rhode Island, local officials said.

A Rhode Island husband and wife in their 50s were identified as the two people killed in a Swansea car crash Friday night.

Carlolyn Carcasi, 54, and James Carcasi, 53, of Bristol, Rhode Island, were killed in the Feb. 27 crash, the office of Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said in a press release Monday.

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The crash occurred at the intersection of Route 136 and Route 6 in Swansea, Quinn’s office said.

Police in Cranston, Rhode Island identified the driver who allegedly hit the couple as Demitri Sousa, 28. Sousa allegedly shot and killed a man in Rhode Island nearly four hours before the crash, Cranston police said.

At around 12:18 a.m. Friday, Swansea police spotted Sousa’s Infiniti barreling down Route 6, Swansea officials said previously.

The couple was driving southbound on Route 136 when the Sousa crashed into the side of a Subaru Ascent. Both cars had “catastrophic damage,” and the Subaru was engulfed in flames, Swansea fire and police officials said. 

Both occupants of the Subaru were declared dead at the scene, Swansea officials said.

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Sousa was transported to a local hospital, where he is being treated for serious injuries. He is expected to live and will be held in Cranston police custody until he is medically cleared, police said Sunday.

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event

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Women’s Fund of Rhode Island, leaders celebrate Women’s History Month with panel event


Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday.

The event was held at the Cranston Public Library at 9 a.m.

Reed and other leaders of WFRI hosted a panel discussion with women leaders in environmental and agricultural advocacy, education, community resilience, housing, finance, workforce development, and more, officials said.

Women’s Fund of Rhode Island and U.S. Sen. Jack Reed celebrated Women’s History Month in Cranston with a panel discussion on Monday. (WJAR)

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“Women have played a critical role in this process, most often without any recognition,” Reed said. “Today’s panel brings together an extraordinary group of women who are addressing the challenged of sustainability from various angles and I want to thank you all for your great efforts.”

The panelists highlighted their experiences, shared insights and tips on lifting up women’s voices, provided strategies for sparking change and more.

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According to officials, some of the panelists included Executive Director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council Nessa Richman, Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives at Rhode Island College Kim Bright, Newport Housing Authority Executive Director Rhonda Mitchell and more.

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