The joint Watch Hill Conservancy and Watch Hill Fire District team of Wardens (security officers)and Naturalists (biologist/educators) are once again cooperating in the management of Watch Hill's most important natural area, the Napatree Conservation Area. In its two years of operation, the Napatree Conservation Program has been widely recognized as making a valuable contribution to residents and visitors. - Underground Utility Project
The Conservancy is in the planning stage of its new Underground Utility Project, a program to remove 73 unsightly utility poles in the historic core of Watch Hill and to bury the utility wires. The project will be completed in two phases, the first being along Bay Street and Fort Road and scheduled to begin in October 2009 and conclude in May 2010. It is anticipated that Phase II, Larkin Road and part of Lighthouse Road, Bluff Avenue and Plimpton Road, will take place between October 2010 and May 2011. In early 2007, the Fire District and the Conservancy convened a diverse committee to review the special future planning needs of Watch Hill and to develop a five-year strategic plan, elements of which can be incorporated in the new Westerly Town Comprehensive Plan. Watch Hill Vision 2012 was drafted over the spring and summer, was circulated to all Watch Hill residents, reviewed at a District-wide meeting in July, adopted by the District Council in September, and forwarded to the Westerly Comprehensive Plan Committee. To view this document, please click on Vision 2012 link below. The Conservancy is continuing to offer design services for new construction in the Village, a significant strategy for maintaining the area's character. The Conservancy's Annual Gala took place at the Beach Club of the Misquamicut Club on Naptree Beach on Saturday, June 28th; it was a great success. Approximately 350 people participated in the festivities, which included both live and silent auctions. A convertible Smart Car was the highlight of the live auction, while the silent auction of 22 items ranged from meals and theater tickets to jewelry and sailing cruises. All of this was accompanied by the usual excellent food and drink prepared by the Misquamicut Club. - Napatree Point Conservation Area Investigators
The Conservancy encouraged children to "go coastal this summer" and join the Watch Hill Conservancy Naturalists to learn about the sandy beach and who and what lives there. Click on the link below to get details. Our first two issues of the Conservancy's new newsletter, The Watch Hill Conservator, are now available for your convenience in PDF format. Please click on the link below to download them. - Saturday Morning Walks on Napatree Point
Every Saturday through August 30, 2008, the naturalists of Napatree will be leading nature walks for adults and families. The walk starts at 9:30 a.m. The meeting place is at the entrance to Napatree next to the Misquamicut Beach Club. For questions and further information, please call 401-439-9891 or email napatreenaturalist@live.com. |