Naturalist program offers up-close look at native marine life
PROVIDENCE – The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces that the aquarium at Beavertail State Park will open for the season starting next week. To mark the opening, DEM is hosting 'Bioluminescence Night' at Beavertail on Tuesday, August 21 starting at 5 p.m. The event will include an outdoor viewing of the Disney movie, Moana, stargazing, and illumination jelly fish and local sea creatures.
Numerous improvements have been made at the aquarium such as roof repairs and the installation of additional tanks, new tank filters, and other equipment upgrades.
Beavertail State Park offers some of the most beautiful vistas along the New England coastline and is a popular destination for sightseeing, saltwater fishing, hiking, and marine education. The RI Park Naturalist program runs the Beavertail Aquarium, which is housed in what was the foghorn house for the Beavertail Lighthouse. The tanks in the aquarium are set up to imitate the environment of the Jamestown shoreline. Staff collect samples of marine life for the aquarium and return them to their natural habitat after a couple of weeks. From crabs to fish and shellfish – and even tropical clown fish who find their way on currents to Rhode Island waters - there's always something new to discover at the aquarium. They also facilitate tidal pool explorations along the shore at low tide, and host special events such as Bioluminescence Night.
The Beavertail Aquarium is open starting August 21 to early November, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. To schedule a group education class, email RI State Park Naturalist Emily Gamage at emily.gamage@dem.ri.gov. For more information follow the aquarium on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BeavertailAquarium.
For more information about DEM divisions and programs, visit www.dem.ri.gov. Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RhodeIslandDEM or on Twitter (@RhodeIslandDEM) for timely updates.