WRWC Awarded SNEP Mini-Grant to Boost Greenway Stewardship with E-Bike Watering and Restoration Tools

The Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) was honored to be recognized among Rhode Island organizations receiving funding through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Southeast New England Program (SNEP). The announcement, held at Roger Williams Park with Senator Jack Reed, Mayor Brett Smiley, DEM Director Terry Gray, and other leaders, celebrated more than $3.2 million in new investments for clean water, healthy ecosystems, and resilient communities across Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts.

Funded by EPA New England and administered in partnership with Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE), these SNEP grants support innovative local projects tackling stormwater, pollution, and habitat restoration. WRWC was one of 25 recipients of SNEP’s new Restoration Capital Mini-Grants, which help organizations purchase essential equipment and supplies that strengthen on-the-ground environmental work.

Powering-Up the River Ranger Team

With our mini-grant, WRWC will equip our River Ranger Stormwater Team with new tools that improve our ability to maintain and expand nature-based stormwater projects along the Woonasquatucket River and Greenway:

  • E-Bike Powered Greenway Watering System: A cleaner, more nimble way for the River Rangers to water and care for greenway plantings throughout the summer. The new cargo e-bike and trailer will carry a water tank and bins, reducing our carbon footprint and replacing the need for truck watering.

  • Power Chipper Shredder: This long-time wish-list item will allow the Rangers to recycle fallen branches and invasive brush into mulch, reducing waste while providing organic material for stormwater sites. It is both sustainable and efficient, turning maintenance byproducts into useful resources.

  • Outdoor Storage Tent: With a new workshop and surrounding land, the River Rangers now have a place to store equipment securely and work year-round. The new weatherproof tent will protect tools, materials, and the chipper from the elements.

Building a Cleaner, Healthier Future

As Senator Reed said at the announcement, “SNEP brings together a diverse coalition of partners and advances their best ideas to improve the health of Narragansett Bay and its regional watershed.”

For WRWC, this investment strengthens our ability to care for the Woonasquatucket River and the communities that depend on it, keeping our Greenway clean, healthy, and resilient for years to come.

We are deeply grateful to EPA New England, Restore America’s Estuaries, DEM, and all SNEP partners for supporting local action that makes a lasting difference.

Learn more about the Southeast New England Program at epa.gov/snep.