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Who we are

About NRICD

A quasi-public, non-profit conservation district serving Providence County — governed by a volunteer board and run by a team of conservation professionals.

The Northern Rhode Island Conservation District (NRICD) is a non-profit, quasi-public organization that functions as a facilitator for meeting the needs of the local land user in the conservation of soil, water and other related natural resources.

NRICD is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, consisting of five voting directors and several associate directors. These local individuals provide administrative guidance and focus the actions of the Northern District.
Our Board represents various communities and environmental interests throughout Providence County. There are three appointed and two elected voting directors.

NRICD Board Meetings are held virtually on the 4th Tuesday of each month @ 4:30pm, with no meeting in July. Meetings are open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Please call for zoom instructions and to be sure there has been no change in scheduled date.

Volunteers are needed to serve as Associate Directors on our Board or to assist with projects. Please call the office for more information at (401) 934-0840.

2021 Annual Report

Conservation professionals

Meet the staff

Find the right person for technical assistance, education, land conservation, or district programs.

Gina DeMarco

Gina DeMarco

Special Projects Manager

Email Gina
MD

Mark Ducharme

Snake Den Farm Manager

Email Mark
Todd Le

Todd Le

Environmental Education and Outreach Manager

Email Todd
Sam Thibault

Sam Thibault

Land Conservation Program Manager

Email Sam
Jessamy LeBeau

Jessamy LeBeau

Outreach and Administrative Specialist

Email Jessamy
Molly Kimball

Molly Kimball

Environmental Field Technician

Email Molly
Amanda Paulhus

Amanda Paulhus

Environmental Field Technician

Email Amanda

Volunteer leadership

Board of Directors

NRICD is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors — three appointed and two elected voting directors, plus associate directors — representing communities across Providence County.

Meetings are open to the public.

Held virtually on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 4:30pm, with no meeting in July.

Request the Zoom link

  1. Richard Went

    Chair (Appointed)

    Foster, RI Term expires January 2026

  2. Matt Tracy

    Vice Chair (Elected)

    Providence, RI Term expires November 2025

  3. Marc Tremblay

    Director (Elected)

    Pascoag, RI Term expires November 2025

  4. Deana Tempest

    Director (Appointed)

    Scituate, RI Term expires January 2025

  5. Paul Dolan

    Associate Director

    Scituate, RI

  6. Norm Hammond

    Associate Director

    Foster, RI

  7. Page Wooller

    Director (Appointed)

    Foster, RI Term expires March 2027

Why conservation districts exist

The essence of conservation districts

Conservation districts across the country have specialized in the reduction of non-point sources of pollution such as soil erosion, animal waste, pesticides and fertilizers, poorly operating septic systems, and household hazardous wastes since the dust bowl of the 1930's.

While the devastation of soil erosion by wind gave birth to the first Conservation Districts, agricultural impacts, increased development and urban sprawl have all challenged the Districts to take the lead in protecting natural resources through educating the public and providing technical assistance.

In Providence County, the Northern Rhode Island Conservation District works in partnership with private land owners, farmers, municipalities, state and federal agencies, as well as non-governmental agencies. NRICD is not a regulatory or enforcement agency, but rather provides assistance to those who desire to work as a team to face issues -- watershed by watershed.

Our vision

Helping people help themselves care for, restore and become stewards of our natural resources.

Our mission

The Northern Rhode Island Conservation District fosters a community-based approach to the stewardship of northern Rhode Island's natural resources through education and outreach into the communities, technical assistance and partnership with other agencies.

Protect and Conserve Water Resources

Working with our partners we seek to obtain fishable, swimmable waters throughout Providence County and to protect valuable drinking water supplies.

Reduce Soil Erosion

Reduction of soil erosion not only protects water bodies and ecosystems, but also ensures healthy top soil for plant production. We provide farmers, municipalities and private land owners with valuable information, as well as proper technical assistance.