Farewell and Thank You to Our 2025 Seasonal River Rangers

As the active growing season comes to an end and we prepare to say goodbye to our 2025 Seasonal River Rangers, we are reflecting on everything this team achieved.

“As we wrap up the active growing season for 2025 and get ready to say goodbye to this year’s Seasonal River Rangers, I feel extremely proud of the Team and all that we have accomplished this year. The Greenway and Ranger Team went through some restructuring in early spring and began the busy season with both new leadership staff and new seasonal Rangers. Watching everyone rise to the challenge and grow into a skilled, supportive crew has been one of the best parts of the year,” said Renee Stoops, Greenway Operations Manager.

Caring for the River and the Greenway

The main mission of the River Rangers is to care for the Woonasquatucket River Greenway and the parks, habitats, and neighborhoods around it. This work includes pruning, planting, mulching, watching for pests or disease, litter cleanups, removing invasive plants, restoring benches and picnic tables, maintaining signs, taking care of stormwater systems, installing new native plants, supporting community events, and teaching the public about the Greenway.

This season, WRWC also focused on building long-term professional skills within the Ranger team. We created three smaller groups within the crew. These groups are the Greenway Team, the Stormwater Team, and the Special Projects Team. This structure helps us support the health of the watershed in a more organized and effective way.

Highlights From the Season

Even with a busy schedule, some moments stood out this summer:

  • Uncovering a beautiful art mural on Aleppo Street that had been hidden by invasive plants

  • Spotting a black-capped night heron fishing below the Riverside Park fish ladder

  • Planting thousands of new pollinator plants along the Providence and Johnston parts of the trail. These plants provide food, shelter, and egg-laying space for bees, wasps, and other insects that help our local food system

  • Solving a repeated vandalism problem on San Souci Drive by replacing bollard posts with compact native plants

  • Gaining a workshop space where we can repair tools and signs ourselves

These accomplishments show the creativity and dedication that define this team.

Who Are the River Rangers?

The WRWC River Rangers are year-round and seasonal staff who care for, improve, and expand the Woonasquatucket River Greenway. Rangers join the team for many reasons and gain new professional and personal skills as they work.

Rangers care for urban gardens, manage invasive plants, maintain stormwater systems, mow and trim the trail, remove trash, and support community cleanups and events. They also work with local artists and meet neighbors who use the parks and bike path. Rangers learn canoe and kayak skills while helping protect the watershed from the river itself.

Their work helps keep the Greenway clean, healthy, and welcoming. Rangers also teach youth, guide volunteers, and help the community learn how to take care of natural spaces.

A History of Stewardship

The River Ranger program began in 1999 when the Woonasquatucket River Greenway Project hired its first group of youth stewards. At that time, many of the parks we know today did not even exist. The goal was to give young people along the river a chance to improve their neighborhoods, learn stewardship skills, and make real changes to the river and nearby parks.

The Rangers’ role grew as the Greenway expanded. In 2014, WRWC partnered with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation, which began funding bike path maintenance. This unique partnership made it possible for WRWC to hire a professional Ranger crew to care for the Greenway and protect many years of improvements.

Looking Ahead

We will begin hiring Seasonal River Rangers for next year in February. We look forward to welcoming a new team and continuing this important work.

To our 2025 Rangers, thank you. Your hard work, care, and commitment helped the Woonasquatucket River Greenway thrive. The parks, the river, the wildlife, and everyone who loves the Greenway are better off because of your efforts. We are grateful for everything you contributed this season.