These projects have become almost annual events. The first beach conservation project began in January of 1959, when a dozen members dragged approximately 300 used Christmas Trees onto East Beach and
place them in washed out areas on the beach face. By late Spring a new dune was growing from trapped sand that had blown and washed into these trees. In the following years, OPERA NON CHRISTMAS TREES grew and the placement of snow fence was added to strengthen the tree barriers. Soon, beach grass was filling in over the new dune lines. The CHRISTMAS TREE project became an annual family event that mushroomed beyond just using old trees for barriers and gained the participation of groups from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Some of the accomplishments from the efforts of these groups were:

• January 1968,40,000 Christmas Trees and three (3) miles of snow fence put in place along East Beach, Charlestown.
• April 1969, The beginning of beach grass transplanting on East Beach.
• April 1970, the beginning of planting Japanese Black Pine seedlings which were obtained by the state. This new concept in barrier beach protection and reforestation of the dune areas.
• Between 1972 and 1978, there, were over 30,000 Black Pine Seedlings planted on East Beach, Charlestown and Quonochontaug.
• Each year from 1979 and 1982, more Black Pine seedlings were planted. Also, poles and wire fencing was placed along the sand trails.
• RIMS worked on legislation to initiate National Beach Clean Up Day and each year has continued to gather volunteers from Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts to help clean the litter from the 'various South County beaches.
• RI.M.S. gained national recognition for its conservation projects in June of 1979, when R.I.M.S. received the American Motors Conservation Award. The award consisted of a citation, Bronze Plaque and $500.00 honorarium.

Club members voted to use the money for conservation projects only. The '80's were very productive years for R.I.M.S., as more and more we were being recognized by the public as being ready to get involved with any beach access and/or conservation issue that arose in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, i.e., Black Point and Cape Cod National Seashore. Case in point, the fight to maintain public access at Black Point in Narragansett during the late '80's. This area is still open today for use by the public, oceanography and marine biology studies and other activities.

Also R.I.M.S. became a member and/or gained representation on the Marine Fisheries Council of Rhode Island and Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs. We were represented in State studies to lateral access to the shore, and the Aquaculture of Narragansett Bay. It was during this decade that RIMS Park was developed and RI.M.S. Acquired additional property on Quonnie Beach.