On Friday, October 4, the Friends of Canonchet Farm wrapped up the second year of the habitat restoration project at Lake Canonchet. Starting in March 2012, volunteers have been removing invasive vegetation such as Japanese knotweed and Black swallowwort from the eastern edge of the pond so that bayberry, clethra, and other native species already present can thrive. And the natives, like the rose mallow below, are indeed thriving.

Many, many thanks to the 101 volunteers who worked at the site this year and to all our members, whose encouragement and financial support have made the project a success.

Here are links to two slide shows that show the progress we have made:

Rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)

Need more information? Click here to e-mail Kathie Kelleher and she will fill you in on Restoring Habitat at Lake Canonchet and other volunteer opportunities.

The Friends of Canonchet Farm is a private, not-for-profit organization founded in 2007 that hopes to manage Canonchet Farm with the Town of Narragansett in the State of Rhode Island. The Town of Narragansett will retain control and policy responsibility for Canonchet Farm in what we anticipate will be a public-private partnership.

Thanks to the generosity of many individuals, the Friends of Canonchet Farm has raised funds, and will seek to raise additional funds, to transform Canonchet Farm into a model for recreational and educational parks nationwide.

Canonchet Farm is currently an underutilized resource. The Friends hope to increase its use many times over. The Friends plan to work closely with the Town of Narragansett to manage the farm. Management duties will include but not be limited to: grant writing, raising funds, relating with public, clearing invasive plants, building bridges, fertilizing trees, pruning trees, thinning trees to open up vistas, removing dead trees and plants, removing dangerous trees and plants, showcasing glacial rocks, showcasing ancient rock walls, repairing damaged rock walls, protecting vernal pools and controlling erosion.

Our plan is to improve and protect the 174 acres of Canonchet Farm. We intend to work closely with the RI DEM, the RI DOT, the EPA, the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the CRMC, and to coordinate efforts and goals with the South County Museum.

The Friends of Canonchet Farm foresees a future working with the community and park user groups to ensure that Canonchet Farm remains an enjoyable experience for all park visitors. Advisory boards comprised of community residents will work with the Friends on a range of projects and issues. The Friends are firmly committed to improving, managing and preserving the Town of Narragansett's park. We intend to incorporate the public to become better stewards of this irreplaceable treasure.

Photos by Bill Krul

The mission of the Friends of Canonchet Farm
is to improve, manage and preserve Canonchet Farm
in partnership with the public for the enjoyment
of present and future generations.

Restoring Habitat at Lake Canonchet

Thanks to you, something beautiful is happening here!

Send e-mail to FriendsCanonchet@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 2007 - 2013 Friends of Canonchet Farm Last modified: December 6, 2013

Thanks to you, something
beautiful is happening here!

Send e-mail to FriendsCanonchet@aol.com with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2007 - 2013 Friends of Canonchet Farm
Last modified: December 6, 2013