An update from BIRA President, Joe Loya
Over the past two years, BIRA has been active on a variety of important issues to BI, so I want to take a moment to thank all of our members for being part of the Block Island Residents Association (BIRA). Your membership—and your engagement—truly make a difference. BIRA’s work relies on the collective support of our members, and we are grateful to have you as part of our community.
Here are a few highlights:
- Housing: In the fall of 2025, BIRA collaborated with the Block Island Housing Board and Housing Initiative to sponsor a Housing Forum for residents and stakeholders. The program, which was well-attended, provided updates on housing availability, ordinances, and current housing projects. Because it was recorded, the program continues to serve as a resource for the community.
- Public Health & Deer Management: At BIRA’s 2026 Annual Meeting. our guest speaker was Sam Telford, Professor of Infectious Disease and Global Health at Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, and recipient of a Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) degree from Harvard University. Dr. Telford is a leading researcher on vector-borne infections specializing in tick-borne infections. He provided a comprehensive update on the risks Block Islanders are facing from Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses. His warnings about the spread of the lone star tick and alpha-gal syndrome helped to persuade the Town Council to re-frame our deer management issue as a critical public health crisis.
- Advocacy on Key Issues: In coordination with the Town Council, BIRA created a letter-writing campaign to support state legislation (H8451) directed at giving the Town of New Shoreham greater flexibility in implementing an effective deer management plan tailored to the Island. The proposed legislation, based on the Town Council’s revised view of deer management and herd reduction is aimed at confronting this critical public health crisis on Block Island.
- Tick Awareness Campaign (Summer 2026): In partnership with the Block Island Health Center, BIRA launched a comprehensive Tick Awareness and Prevention campaign that started Memorial Day Weekend and will run throughout the summer. This campaign combines public education with practical tools to help residents and visitors reduce the risk of tick exposure. According to experts, in the absence of effective deer reduction, this strategy provides the most effective protection against tick-borne diseases. Features of the campaign include:
- Promoting the use of permethrin-treated socks, which can kill or repel ticks on contact and help stop them before they reach the skin—particularly important because ticks most often attach at the feet and ankles.
- Making the purchase of permethrin-treated socks available on the island through the Chamber of Commerce’s Visitors’ Center and local retailers.
- Distributing informational materials, signage, and outreach across the island as part of an overall educational and outreach effort aimed at better protecting the community.
- Ambrose Swamp Bridge: BIRA actively engaged in opposing the proposed Ambrose Swamp bridge project. It reached out to the community via a member survey and submitted formal comments to the Town Council and a comprehensive letter to the RI DEM to help ensure community concerns were clearly represented.
- Coastal Resiliency: BIRA partnered with the Town’s Coastal Resources Commission and Leah Hill, Nantucket’s Coastal Resilience Advisory Coordinator, to host a forum on coastal resiliency, focused on sea level rise, erosion, and long-term adaptation planning for Block Island.
At our recent strategic planning session, the Board reaffirmed a clear focus on a small number of high-impact priorities—particularly deer management, targeted ordinance enforcement, and strengthening how we communicate and engage with the broader community.
Much of this work happens behind the scenes, but it reflects a consistent effort to keep BIRA engaged, relevant, and effective on the issues that matter most to Block Island.
A quick reminder
If you haven’t yet renewed your $50 annual membership, we encourage you to do so HERE. Membership support is what sustains BIRA’s work.
And for those who are able, additional contributions help us expand our efforts—whether that’s bringing expert speakers to the island, supporting advocacy work, or launching initiatives like this summer’s tick awareness campaign.
Thank you again for your continued support and your engagement with BIRA.
Warm regards,
Joe Loya
President
Block Island Residents Association
Want to get involved? Drop us a line at info@BIRA02807.org