Prof. Thomas Mather, left, and research associate Nate Miller collect ticks, off Route 1 in South Kingstown.

The Providence Journal / John Freidah

Even though Rhode Island has experienced several frosts, the state’s leading tick researcher warns that people should continue protecting themselves from deer ticks until the ground becomes frozen, probably next month.

Thomas Mather, an entomologist at the University of Rhode Island’s Center for Vector-Borne Disease, reported last week that the annual survey of tick abundance showed ticks were down about 24 percent in the spring and summer of 2008, compared with last year.

But ticks remained abundant in East Bay communities, which is a somewhat recent development. Until the early 1990s, ticks were primarily a concern for people in South County, Prudence Island or Aquidneck Island. But in the last few years, Mather’s surveys have found ticks throughout the state.

Deer ticks are a concern because they spread Lyme disease as well as babesiosis and other lesser-known diseases.

Mather’s team surveyed 61 sites in Rhode Island and found more ticks at 23 and fewer at 38.

Mather speculated the numbers were down because conditions were dry early in the year.

“Tick activity is dependent on environmental conditions, and they can’t survive more than about eight hours of low humidity conditions in their habitat,” Mather said. “In the early part of the season this year, we had a few days of less than optimal conditions when humidity levels in forests and wooded yard perimeters fell below 85 percent for extended periods. That may have been enough to reduce tick abundance compared to 2007.”

The active season for the tiny tick nymphs ended in July. But adult deer ticks are active now. Females are red and black; males are all black. Any tick biting people or pets this time of year is likely to be a deer tick, Mather said. They will be active any day the temperature is above freezing.

One out of every two deer ticks carries the spirochete that causes Lyme disease, Mather said.

For more information, go to www.tickencounter.org.

Water crisis film shown tomorrow

The Audubon Society of Rhode Island will host a screening and panel discussion on Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what some experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st century — FLOW: The World Water Crisis, tomorrow at 5:15 p.m. in Janikies Auditorium, Bryant University, Smithfield. The film gives viewers a look at the people and institutions providing practical solutions to the water crisis and those developing new technologies. To view the trailer, go to flowthefilm.com/trailer. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Visit audubonflow.eventbrite.com or call (401) 949-5454 to register.

A discussion will follow with panelists Joseph A. Ilacqua, professor of economics, Bryant University; Kathy Crawley, interim general manager, R.I. Water Resources Board; Kenneth D. Ayars, chief of agriculture and resource marketing, Department of Environmental Management; Gaytha A. Langlois, professor, department of science and technology, Bryant University; and Eugenia Marks, senior director of policy, Audubon Society of Rhode Island. Jan Reitsma, executive director of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, will moderate the discussion.

Topic: Calif. efforts to cut air pollution

Mary D. Nichols, one of the country’s leading environmental lawyers and the chairman of the California Air Resources Board, will discuss how California is trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as part of the University of Rhode Island’s annual fall Honors Colloquium on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in Edwards Auditorium on URI’s Kingston Campus. The lecture is free and open to the public.

The Honors Colloquium titled People and Planet: Global Environmental Change, explores human-caused global change, its consequences and potential responses through a series of lectures, films, exhibits and a cabaret. Weekly events run through Dec. 9.

As chairman of the California Air Resources Board, Nichols is responsible for setting air-pollution standards for motor vehicles and fuels as well as for implementing the state’s landmark greenhouse gas emissions legislation. That legislation led to a lawsuit filed by the State of California against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its failure to act on a request for authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions for cars and light trucks sold in the state. Rhode Island and 13 other states have joined in the lawsuit.

Nichols served as California’s secretary for natural resources from 1999 to 2003 and was professor of law and director of the Institute of the Environment at the University of California at Los Angeles. For information and updated schedule on future events, visit www.uri.edu/hc, call the URI Honors Center at (401) 874-2381 or e-mail debg@uri.edu.

Applications for grants due Sat.

The deadline for The Environment Council of Rhode Island Education Fund’s application process for the fourth annual Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Fund awards available to middle and high school science teachers, science club supervisors and environmental organizations working in schools is Saturday. Three grants up to $250 will be awarded. Awards will be made in January for projects to be undertaken in the spring that have student participation, lead to measurable improvement in an environment condition and involve the community beyond a school in some way. For information about application requirements, call (401) 621-8048 or e-mail environmentcouncil@earthlink.net.

URI Energy Expo is set for Nov. 16

The University of Rhode Island is sponsoring an Energy Solutions Expo that will offer tips on how individuals and businesses can save energy, while reducing their environmental impact on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ryan Center, on the Kingston campus. Admission is $5 if purchased online at www.rienergyexpo.org, and $8 at the door, with children under 12 and students with an ID admitted free.

Dozens of local companies are expected to exhibit products and services that provide greater energy efficiency, renewable energy, and alternative fuels for use in homes, businesses and communities. Also scheduled are workshops and demonstrations, a “Kids Energy Carnival,” music, food and the distribution of 1,000 free “Keep Rhode Island Warm” home energy efficiency kits to insulate and seal drafty doors, windows and electrical outlets.

For information, call Marion Gold at (401) 874-5705.

Mountain club walk planned for Nov. 16

The Narragansett Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club will hold a walk for new and prospective members on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 10:30 a.m. at Colt State Park in Bristol. Everyone is welcome, families included. There is no cost or obligation to join.

To register, e-mail shilohjones@fctvplus.net or call (401) 474-0515.

Smithfield man earns high praise

At its annual meeting held last week at Garden in the Woods in Framingham, Mass., The New England Wild Flower Society presented the Rhode Island State Award for Conserving Native Plants and Their Habitats to Peter Lockwood of Smithfield for dedicated, extensive and precise studies of the flora of Rhode Island, leading to the discovery of new rare and endangered species. He has contributed his skills to the Rhode Island Association of Wetland Scientists, the Rhode Island Natural History Survey and the Rhode Island Task Force of New England Plant Conservation Program, the society said.

For information, visit newenglandwild.org.

The Environmental Journal is a listing of brief news items about the actions of individuals, organizations and businesses that affect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the landscape that surrounds us. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact environment reporter Peter B. Lord at (401) 277-8036, or by email at plord@projo.com or by writing him, care of the Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, R.I. 02902.

plord@projo.com