Ken Ayars, chief of the R.I. Department of Environmental Management’s Division of Agriculture, was recently honored with the Rhode Island Nursery and Landscape Association’s Award of Merit. The award was presented during the organization’s annual trade show and seminar held on Jan. 17 at the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Biotechnology and Life Sciences. Ayars, who has worked for DEM’s Division of Agriculture since 1987, has collaborated with RINLA on policy issues and solutions for green-related industry issues and needs. He was also issued a citation from the Rhode Island House of Representatives in recognition of the RINLA merit award, and for providing outstanding service to the state’s horticultural, agricultural and landscape communities. Ayars holds bachelor’s degrees in zoology, agriculture and resource technology, in addition to a master’s degree in plant sciences from the University of Rhode Island. more

The R.I. Emergency Management Agency released a public advisory Thursday urging residents and businesses to make immediate preparations for tomorrow’s “historic” winter storm, and to expect snowfall of at least 12 inches along with high drifts and white-out conditions. more

The nine member states of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative plan to lower the program’s greenhouse gas pollution cap by 45 percent, the RGGI said Thursday. more

Businesses that package their own brands are facing increased pressure in Rhode Island to take more responsibility, including more of the financial burden, for reducing, recycling and disposing of packaging materials. more

The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island approved the state’s offer to purchase the remaining 82 acres of Rocky Point land in Warwick to develop a state park, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management announced Wednesday. more

There are $150,000 of farm viability grant funds available to Rhode Island farmers from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management to help “enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops” grown in the Ocean State. more

A weather system that may drop more than a foot of snow in parts of the U.S. Great Plains is expected to move into New England tomorrow, the region’s third winter storm in as many weeks. more

To the Editor: Recently Rhode Island saw a promising step for Narragansett Bay when Rep. Maria Cimini introduced a bill in the R.I. House of Representatives to ban disposable plastic shopping bags in the state. more

Thursday morning, the R.I. Department of Environmental Management completed the purchase of the remaining 82 acres of land at Rocky Point Park from the U.S. Small Business Administration. more

BOSTON – Two Massachusetts-based companies with Rhode Island ties were recognized for their climate leadership by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at its Climate Leadership Conference this month. more