by NRF Media | Sep 29, 2026
Join us and our friends at the Newport Tree Conservancy for a special Tree Talk and Ceremonial Planting at Rough Point. We will plant a grafted clone of the grand Turkish Oak (Quercus cerris), a tribute to the vision of the Frederick Law Olmsted’s historic 1887-1891 landscape and an example of the Newport Tree Conservancy’s efforts in historical preservation through horticulture.
Know before you go:
- The program will be held outdoors, rain or shine
- Please wear appropriate footwear for walking on uneven ground
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible
About the Turkish Oak: The Turkish Oak is a Rhode Island State Champion Tree. At over 180 years old, the tree predates the construction of Rough Point and the design of the landscape in 1891.
In April 2026, Rough Point Achieved Level 1 Arboretum accreditation through ArbNet, which unites arboreta, botanic gardens with woody plant collections, and tree advocates around the world in a collaborative community dedicated to advancing the planting, study, and conservation of trees.
While this event is free for all, we ask that you please register here in advance.
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About the Newport Tree Conservancy:
The Newport Tree Conservancy is committed to supporting the health and resiliency of trees in Newport, RI. They are connecting the community with the city-wide arboretum, and planting the next generation of Newport’s urban forest.
Learn more at newporttreeconservancy.org.
by NRF Media | Mar 29, 2026
In celebration of Rough Point’s new arboretum certification status, we will be hosting a series of programs that share our resiliency work and showcase the historic landscape.
Join us for a free community celebration of Rough Point’s inauguration as a Level 1 Arboretum. Historic Rough Point is home over 200 trees, many of which were planted by Fredrick Law Olmstead over 130 years ago—and others that predate his time. To celebrate, we will be holding a walk-and-talk of Rough Point’s gardens and groundsNRF staff and our friends at the Newport Tree Conservancy will share the history of the grounds, point out Olmsted’s plantings, discuss the natural and organic maintenance of the .
While this event is free for all, we ask that you please register here in advance.
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About the Newport Tree Conservancy:
The Newport Tree Conservancy is committed to supporting the health and resiliency of trees in Newport, RI. They are connecting the community with the city-wide arboretum, and planting the next generation of Newport’s urban forest.
Learn more at newporttreeconservancy.org.
by NRF Media | Mar 29, 2026
In celebration of Rough Point’s new arboretum certification status, we will be hosting a series of programs that share our resiliency work and showcase the historic landscape.
In partnership with our friends at Aquidneck Resilience, join us on this interactive talk with “Tree Whisperers” Dr. Jim Conroy and Basia Alexander.
Rough Point is a coastal historic landscape with more than 200 trees—many of which are resilient but vulnerable to the impacts of the harsh (and changing) climate conditions of the site. Conroy and Alexander’s mindful methods rejuvenate vitality and balance in ecosystems. They will share their secrets for restoring functionality to the parts, systems, and interconnectivity of sick or climate-stressed trees, plants, crops and forests.
Weather permitting, enjoy an optional short, guided visualization exercise called “Stepping Inside a Tree’s World” at the end of the talk.
About the Tree Whisperers: Dr. Jim Conroy holds a PhD in Plant Pathology, and together with Ms. Basia Alexander, they have dedicated over 20 years to developing, practicing and teaching the art of Tree Whispering ®
Learn more at https://biobaliainstitute.org/
Know before you go: This tour will take place outdoors (rain or shine) and requires walking on uneven ground. Unfortunately, the grounds are not currently wheelchair accessible.
Get your tickets here
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About Aquidneck Resilience: Aquidneck Resilience, proudly hosted by the Aquidneck Island Land Trust, is an island-wide initiative focused on developing actionable strategies and implementing projects to increase our community’s ability to prepare for and respond to more frequent and intense weather events.
With dedicated staff, we can support our municipal and local non-profit partners by helping to secure funding, write grants, manage resilience projects, facilitate knowledge sharing across municipal boundaries, and engage and educate the community.
by NRF Media | Mar 29, 2026
In celebration of Rough Point’s new arboretum certification status, we will be hosting a series of programs that share our resiliency work and showcase the historic landscape.
Join us for a guided tour of Rough Point’s coastal historic landscape. Explore the nearly 11 acres of grounds and gardens while you learn about Frederick Law Olmsted’s impact, Doris Duke’s legacy gardens, and how we are planning for the future resiliency and sustainability of the landscape in the wake of climate change.
This tour is part of our Keeping History Above Water at 10 celebrations.
Know before you go: This tour will take place outdoors (rain or shine) and requires walking on uneven ground. Unfortunately, the grounds are not currently wheelchair accessible.
Tickets are limited! Secure yours here
About Telling Stories: Guided Tours.
Telling Stories: Guided Tours at NRF goes deeper into the legacy of Doris Duke through the exploration of her life—including how her work preserving, restoring, and sharing Newport’s cultural heritage impacts us today. Each tour takes a closer look at the people behind the places and collections we care for.
by NRF Media | Sep 27, 2025
Join us and our friends Aquidneck Resilience for a free community walk! We will discuss coastal resiliency and explore the Cliff Walk and Rough Point’s historic landscape on a 1.5 mile walk.
Meet at Rough Point (680 Bellevue Ave). There is limited parking onsite, and we encourage you to walk, bike, or take the trolley to get to Rough Point.
This hike will take place on the most difficult portion of the Cliff Walk, so please wear appropriate footwear. Please consider bringing a water bottle and dressing for the weather. This 1.5 mile walk will start at Rough Point, loop out by Bailey’s beach and around to end at the Cliff Walk portion by Rough Point (where we will re-enter through the Doris Duke swim gate).
This walk is free for all, but we ask that you kindly register in advance, here
