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PROVIDENCE, RI – The Rhode Island Green Infrastructure Coalition (RIGIC) will host its fourth annual Stormwater Innovation Expo in partnership with the Providence Stormwater Innovation Center, the American Planning Association Rhode Island, and The Rhode Island Public Works Association. The event will take place on November 30 from 8:30AM-3:30M at the Roger Williams Park Casino (1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence, RI 02907). Attendees will discover new and innovative products and services being used in the construction and maintenance of green stormwater infrastructure across Rhode Island and the industry.
When rain hits a hard surface, it becomes stormwater runoff. It flows down our streets and sidewalks – picking up fertilizer from lawns, animal droppings, automotive fluids, de-icing chemicals, and litter. This polluted water then enters the watershed through a storm drain or directly into a river or pond. The result is water that is unsafe for human use or for the aquatic ecosystem. Sara Churgin of the Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District and the RIGIC Leadership Team said, “Green Infrastructure refers to landscape construction using natural and artificial components to soften hard urban structures in order to slow down and absorb this polluted stormwater. These measures mitigate the impact of human development on water quality and temperature.”
The expo will include ample time to peruse vendor exhibits and network with stormwater management professionals. The theme of this year’s event is “leveraging federal, state, and municipal funding and financing for natural infrastructure and stormwater management.”
General admission tickets include access to the full day of events as well as lunch and a light breakfast. RIDOT is covering the admission fee for Rhode Island state and municipal employees. Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities are available, please email Greg Gerritt at gerritt@mindspring.com for information.
New this year – Green Wave Awards recognizing outstanding green infrastructure projects in Rhode Island. Nominate a project here: https://forms.gle/NdXy2q5y99kNKcKM8
RIGIC (a coalition of over 50 non-profits, businesses, and government agencies focused on managing stormwater with natural methods) has been very active in Rhode Island, focusing on projects that research and implement Green Infrastructure.
For more information contact Sara Churgin at 401.934.0842 or schurgin.ericd@gmail.com. Learn more about RIGIC at www.greeninfrastructureri.org. Tickets and sponsorships available for purchase at https://gicexpo2022.eventbrite.com.
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Ryan Belmore is the Owner and Publisher of What’sUpNewp.
Belmore has been involved with What’sUpNewp since shortly after its launch in 2012, proudly leading it to be named Best Local News Blog in Rhode Island by Rhode Island Monthly readers in 2018, 2019, and 2020 and an honorable mention in the Common Good Awards in 2021.
Born and raised in Rhode Island, Belmore graduated from Coventry High School and the Community College of Rhode Island. In addition to living in Newport for 10 years, he has lived in Portsmouth, Coventry, Providence, Smithfield, Burrillville, and East Greenwich.
Belmore currently serves as Vice President of the Board Of Directors for Fort Adams Trust and on the Board of Directors for Potter League For Animals. He previously served on the Board of Lucy’s Hearth and the Arts & Cultural Alliance for Newport County.
Belmore and his wife, Jen, currently live in Alexandria, Virginia, a move they made in 2021. Read more about that here – https://whatsupnewp.com/2021/09/letter-from-the-publisher-some-personal-news/
Belmore visits Newport every couple of weeks to support the 12+ paid contributors What’sUpNewp has on the ground across Rhode Island, a place he called home for 39 years.
Belmore is a member of Local Independent Online News (LION) Publishers, Society of Professional Journalists, and the North American Snowsports Journalists Association.
In 2020, Belmore was named Member of the Year by LION and won the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County’s Dominque Award.
Belmore can be contacted at ryan@whatsupnewp.com and 401-662-1653.
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