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Nature Conservancy outlines potential Brown University partnership on native gardening and invasive management
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Summary
Nora Clark of The Nature Conservancy described a proposed collaboration with a Brown University class that would assist New Shoreham with climate‑safe gardening guidance, native-plant palettes, and invasive‑species management; commissioners encouraged providing local contacts and asked for follow-up after Clark’s meeting with the course TA.
Nora Clark, representing The Nature Conservancy, briefed the Conservation Commission on a potential partnership with a Brown University class that could provide research and outreach support on native-plant landscaping, climate‑safe gardening, and invasive-species management for Block Island.
Clark said the course typically sends about 30 students, who split into smaller teams to work with local groups on environmental projects. She described topics she proposed to the course TA: native planting recommendations, vegetative buffers, and invasive-species management strategies that could be packaged as homeowner guidance or outreach materials. “This is a Brown University class that partners with local municipalities and local groups, and has a group of about 30 students that can work with each of these local groups, on some sort of environmental science project,” Clark said.
Commissioners suggested specific priorities for student work, including: native, deer‑resistant plant lists; tactics for invasive‑species management that reduce reliance on herbicides (for example, targeted mowing timing for species such as black swallow‑wort); and organizing existing local gardening expertise into materials for homeowners and gardeners’ groups.
Action/direction: Clark said she will meet with the TA and return with more detail after Thursday’s class meeting; commissioners encouraged Clark to share the TA’s guidance and to identify local contacts who can support student projects. No vote was taken; the item is informational and staff will follow up.
Why it matters: The partnership could produce locally relevant educational materials and practical guidance for homeowners and land managers on native landscaping and invasive‑species control, leveraging university resources for community outreach.
Next steps: Clark will report back with further detail after meeting the course TA; commissioners and local gardening groups may act as contacts and sources of local knowledge.
