Block Island Residents Association

07/23/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined the Tick Forum! We had a wonderful turnout, and it’s clear that this important public health issue is top of mind for many Block Island residents and visitors.

If you couldn’t attend or if you’d like to watch it again, the full recording is now available.

We encourage everyone to watch the recording and help spread awareness by sharing it with others who may benefit.

🎥 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://youtu.be/y42Mc6vkORA

A Public Forum and Q&A: Understanding Risks, Prevention and Long-Te...

07/21/2026

🚨 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝟲:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠! 🚨

Join us for an important community conversation about ticks on Block Island.

Whether you’re a year-round resident, seasonal resident, visitor, parent, pet owner, or simply someone who enjoys the outdoors, this forum will provide valuable information about local tick risks, tick-borne diseases, prevention, and practical steps you can take to protect yourself, your family, and your pets.

📅 𝗧𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 (𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆)
🕕 𝟲:𝟬𝟬–𝟳:𝟯𝟬 𝗣𝗠
💻 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺

🔗 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸:
www.bira02807.org/webinar

07/19/2026

Permethrin-treated socks help stop ticks before they reach your skin and can kill or repel ticks on contact. Whether you’re hiking, doing yard work, walking your dog, or exploring Block Island, they’re an easy way to add another layer of protection.

Permethrin-treated socks are available now at participating Block Island retailers.

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟭
𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 ➡️
www.bira02807.org/webinar

This summer awareness effort is brought to you by BIRA in cooperation with Block Island Health Center.

Learn more:
https://www.bira02807.org/tick-awareness-prevention-on-block-island/

07/10/2026

📍Join us for an important conversation about ticks on Block Island.

Learn more about the risks, prevention, and long-term solutions.

🗓️ 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝟲:𝟬𝟬–𝟳:𝟯𝟬 𝗣𝗠 | 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗭𝗼𝗼𝗺

Please see the flyer for additional event details.

💻 Join the webinar via Zoom:
www.bira02807.org/webinar

06/30/2026

✅ Prevention Checklist 📋

🥾 Heading out on the trails? Take a moment to protect yourself.

✔️ Stay on marked trails 🧭
✔️ Avoid tall grass and brush 🌾
✔️ Wear a hat 🧢
✔️ Wear closed-toe shoes 👟
✔️ Tuck your pants into your socks 🧦
✔️ Check yourself, children, and pets for ticks after every walk 🔎

Ticks are part of the landscape on Block Island, but a few simple precautions can go a long way in reducing your risk.

📖 Learn more about tick prevention on our website:

https://www.bira02807.org/tick-awareness-prevention-on-block-island/

06/25/2026

Many people know BIRA’s name. Fewer know the role it plays in bringing residents together around the issues and opportunities that shape our community. 🌊

The Block Island Residents Association’s primary mission is to advocate for, raise awareness of, and financially support programs and initiatives that address critical issues facing Block Island with particular attention to the environment, public policy, and our unique community. 🌿

Meaningful progress begins when residents are informed, involved, and engaged in the conversations shaping Block Island’s future. 🤝

What issues or ideas would you like to see discussed more in our community?

To learn more or become a member, visit www.BIRA02807.org

06/24/2026

Enjoy Block Island — Be Tick Aware
Ticks are common here, especially along trails, grassy areas, and brush. Their bites can transmit Lyme disease and, in some cases, cause alpha‑gal syndrome, a serious allergy linked to certain tick bites.
Preventing tick bites is the most effective protection.
Simple steps make a difference:
✔ Stay on trails
✔ Wear closed‑toe shoes
✔ Tuck pants into socks
✔ Check for ticks after time outdoors
Learn more: www.bira02807.org/tick-awareness-prevention-on-block-island/
A public education message from the
Block Island Residents Association
in cooperation with Block Island Health Center

05/16/2026

📣 Take 3 minutes today to protect Block Island public health
Yesterday’s Letter to the Editor in the Block Island Times highlighted a growing concern: tick-borne disease on Block Island, driven in part by our high deer population.
There is a concrete step we can take right now:

Contact RI House members in support of H8451, which would allow a more effective, locally tailored deer management approach for New Shoreham.

Please do ONE (or both):
1) Send a quick email (copy/paste template):
👉 https://www.bira02807.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sample-Email_Letter-to-RI-State-Representatives.docx

2) Make a quick call (script provided here):
👉 https://www.bira02807.org/take-action/
Everything you need is already prepared—this takes just a few minutes.
If you read the letter yesterday, this is the follow-through.

Let’s turn concern into action.
Please share this post so others take a moment to help.

Block Island is facing a growing public health threat driven by tick-borne diseases related to our high deer density. Legislation H8451 has been introduced to allow the Town of New Shoreham to implement for a two-year time-limited period a deer management plan targeted specifically to the needs of B...

04/27/2026

How can Block Island plan ahead for coastal erosion, flooding, and sea‑level rise?
Last weekend, BIRA and the Town of New Shoreham Coastal Resilience Committee hosted a community forum featuring Leah Hill, Coastal Resilience Coordinator for the Town of Nantucket. Hill shared lessons from Nantucket’s experience developing and implementing a long‑term Coastal Resilience Plan — and offered specific recommendations tailored to Block Island.
We’ve published a recap of the forum on our website, including:
• Key lessons from Nantucket
• Recommendations for Block Island
• What’s next and where to learn more
📄 Read the full story here:
👉 https://www.bira02807.org/building-coastal-resilience-lessons-from-nantucket-for-block-island-2/

🎥 A video of the full presentation will also be available on BIRA’s YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/f23_fz4SKkY?si=YG6ba35m541dPQ9S

Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation — community engagement remains central to building a resilient future for Block Island.

Building Coastal Resilience