Colleen Keenan, Events & Outreach Coordinator / Environmental Educator
she/they
Our team is at the heart of everything we do at the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council, and we’re excited to share their stories with you! In our “Meet the Team” series, we’ll highlight the passionate individuals who make our work possible—sharing their roles, inspirations, and favorite moments along the river. From personal reflections to environmental insights, this series is a way for you to connect with the people behind the WRWC and learn what drives them to protect and celebrate the Woonasquatucket River and its watershed.
Hi, what’s your name and pronouns?
Colleen Keenan, she/they
What’s your role here at WRWC?
I am the Events and Outreach Coordinator and also an Environmental Educator with WRWC. Through both of these roles I get to engage community members in the natural wonders in the watershed and on our Greenway.
How long have you been part of the WRWC team?
It’s been 11 months since I started with WRWC!
Is there something about the Woonasquatucket River or the work WRWC does that you wish more people understood? What would you like to shout from the rooftops about our mission?
I would love more people to appreciate how much biodiversity the river holds and supports because it is such a source of wonder and inspiration to me. In the spring when we host our educational field trips in Riverside Park, the air is full of birdsong and we identify dozens of species just in one afternoon. Through our electrofishing program, we are able to capture, identify, catalogue, and release fish to see the multitude of aquatic life that the river supports. I’m excited to bring more of these programs to the public where we can make observations and do citizen science to see why this river is worth exploring and protecting.
What’s an environmental issue close to your heart that you’d love to see the community tackle? Why is this one especially important to you?
I’d really like the community to get behind pedestrian and bike safety. It’s a win-win to design our green and urban spaces with public safety in mind and also encourage people to ditch cars in favor of walking and biking whenever possible.
Do you have a favorite spot along the river or in the watershed? What makes it special to you?
Waterplace Park is an underappreciated gem on the Woonasquatucket River that represents the incredible impact that humans have had on this river and will continue to have in shaping its future. I was awestruck to learn that Waterplace Park and the area where Downtown Providence was developed was once the Great Salt Cove, an expansive body of water and a diverse habitat for species that thrive in brackish water. This cove was a gathering place and food source for Native Americans for thousands of years before Roger Williams established Providence here. I’m humbled by the resilience of the people, plants, and animals who call this river home and have persisted throughout many dramatic transformations of the landscape.
If you could share one small action with people that would help make a difference for the environment, what would it be?
Being kind to your neighbors can go a long way. If we care for our communities and extend that care to the living things and spaces around us, we can be a part of positive change.
If you could instantly master any skill or hobby, what would it be?
I would master songwriting and be a multi-instrumentalist. Being a great musician is like speaking another language and I would love to be fluent in turning my thoughts and feelings into music. 🙂
Is there an animal (wild or pet) that you feel a special connection to, or one that always makes you smile?
I grew up never shying away from anything scaly or slimy– I love the cool smoothness of a snake and the delicate magic of a salamander. I get so excited to spot reptiles and amphibians in the wild like painted turtles and red efts. I can’t wait until they emerge again this spring!