BIRA at Work
- We are actively working with the Town to accelerate efforts to dramatically reduce the deer population on the Island. At our Annual Meeting this past September, Dr. Sam Telford, Professor of Infectious Disease and Global Health at Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine, was our guest speaker. His talk, “Lyme and Other BI Tick-Borne Diseases: Causes, Prevention, and Potential Solutions,” which can be viewed on the BIRA YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@BIRA02807, gave an up-to-date report on the status of ticks on Block Island and warned the community that if we do not act now, the lone star tick, a carrier of the alpha gal syndrome, will cause many on Block Island to become allergic to red meat. This has happened already on Martha’s Vineyard, where many restaurants are now vegan since this allergy can be fatal if red meat is consumed.Through surveys, research papers, attendance at Town Council meetings and guest experts like Dr. Telford, BIRA has kept the focus on the deer crisis and on tick-borne diseases and we’ve provided the Town Council with important information, helping to prompt it to recently pass a resolution that now labels Block Island’s deer issue as a critical Public Health issue rather than simply a deer management issue and begin to take further actions. We are so grateful that for the health and safety of its residents and visitors, the Town Council has resolved to become more proactive in its efforts to reduce and even eliminate the deer population on the Island.
- BIRA continues to support efforts to promote available and affordable housing on the island. In cooperation with the Block Island Housing Board and the Block Island Housing initiative, BIRA recently sponsored a public forum for homeowners, renters and those seeking housing. An informative video of the Forum may also be found on our YouTube Channel, https://www.youtube.com/@BIRA02807
- BIRA has been involved in a supportive role with Block Island organizations that deal with climate change. This coming April, in cooperation with the Block Island Coastal Resilience Committee, BIRA will sponsor a community knowledge event to foster better understanding of the potential threats to the island posed by sea level rise and climate change and to explore models on how Block Island can best respond. Watch for more information coming soon.
- 2026 is an important election year — locally, statewide and nationally. In October, BIRA will once again moderate the Island’s only Candidates’ Forum.
- Finally, BIRA continues its tradition of supporting many Island organizations including, the Block Island School, the Senior Advisory Committee, Block Island Health Services, the International Student/Worker Program at Harbor Church, and Helping Hands to provide across the board support to the community.
You can read more about BIRA’s 2025 community support on our website.
If you would like to get more involved, drop us a line at info@BIRA02807.org