The Environment Council of Rhode Island gave the General Assembly a B for its work during the past two legislative sessions. And in a midterm analysis of Governor Carcieri's work, the council concluded that his environmental record "shows potential but needs improvement."

The council, which represents most of the state's environmental organizations, graded the legislature by how it voted on bills promoting clean-energy use, smoke-free workplaces, separation of powers, funding for habitat restoration, strengthening the freshwater wetlands act and financing the burying of high-voltage power lines at India Point in Providence.

The legislature got a B for passing those top-priority bills, as well as bills strengthening protection of Narragansett Bay and putting $70 million on the November ballot for open space, farm preservation, recreation and protecting water resources.

Also passed were bills requiring employers who subsidize employee parking to offer transit passes as an alternative and a new state transit commission, and resolutions encouraging a less toxic landscape, the reduction of mercury pollution from auto parts and electronic waste, and the use of organic biodiesel.

The legislature did not get an A, according to the council, because it failed to pass bills that would have reduced mercury pollution, required manufacturers of toxic electronic equipment to take responsibility for its disposal, phased out cesspools or established minimum energy-efficiency standards for commonly used appliances.

The council named to its Green Honor Roll state Senators J. Michael Lenihan, D-East Greenwich; V. Susan Sosnowski, D-South Kingstown; David E. Bates, R-Barrington; Teresa Paiva Weed, D- Newport; and Elizabeth Roberts, D-Cranston.

The council named the following representatives to its Honor Roll: Edith Ajello, D-Providence; Gordon Fox, D-Providence; Raymond Gallison Jr., D-Bristol; Peter Ginaitt, D-Warwick; Arthur Handy, D- Cranston; Joseph McNamara, D-Warwick; and Paul Moura, D-Providence.

The council said it was happy with Carcieri's attention to Narragansett Bay pollution and air quality. It praised him for vetoing the proposed megaport at Quonset, supporting strict standards on auto pollution, supporting the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority and health studies at T. F. Green Airport, and signing the Clean Energy Act and the Smoke-Free Workplace Act.

But the council said it is concerned that the governor has not appointed a permanent director for the state Department of Environmental Management and that the agency doesn't have sufficient funds for all of its programs.

For a copy of the report card, go to www.environmentcouncilri.org/ greenreportcard.htm.

Chemical-free lawns, gardens recognized

The Toxics Information Project, in Providence, awarded prizes recently to groups and individuals who showed they could create gardens and lawns without using toxic chemicals.

The awards were issued in three categories: to those who could demonstrate what a healthy landscape looks like, what methods could be used to achieve a healthy landscape and why homeowners should be concerned about using toxic products.

Special awards went to Kate Lacouture of Green Circle Design in Providence, Barbara Ann Bourgette of North Providence and Aimee Reisman of Smithfield for supporting the Less Toxic Landscaping campaign during the year.

A special award also went to Barbara Malone and Cub Scout Pack 7 of Warwick for its group organic-gardening project. The pack decided to donate its prize -- a lawn-care program from NaturaLawn of America -- to its host church, SS. Rose & Clements Parish.

Wendy Bradshaw and Mary Greene of Providence took top awards in the "What" and "How" categories.

Other winners were Troy West and Jean Williams of Wakefield, Sarah Sloane of Saunderstown, Sue Lussier of Saunderstown, Alta Carroll of Worcester, Jodi Malone of Providence and Thomas Masotto of Wakefield.

Emily Rochon of Clean Water Action received an award for writing an article about why toxics are harmful.

A full list of judges, winners and prizes can be found at http:// www.toxicsinfo.org/lesstoxic.htm.

Tour, walk set

at Wright farm

The role of a farm woodlot will be explored during a walk and tour at 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the Wright farm on Breakheart Hill Road in West Greenwich.

The tour is sponsored by the Rhode Island Tree Farm Program and the West Greenwich Land Trust.

"This is an opportunity to see how our woodlots can help the average farmer make a go of it," said Willie Wright, chairman of the land trust. "We'll have a variety of logging and farming equipment on hand, along with Heidi Wright demonstrating how to make wreaths. There's a lot of history to talk about on the farm, too."

The event is free and open to the public. The land trust is offering lunch. No registration is required. For more information, call (401) 568-3421 or go to www.rifco.org.

Water-protection workshop offered

An educational workshop on private well-water protection is being offered from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Ponagansett High School Auditorium.

The workshop will provide information on protecting and maintaining private wells, identifying major contaminants and making arrangements for water tests.

Registration is required. Call (401) 874-5398.

The workshop is sponsored by the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension, the state Department of Health, the Northern Rhode Island Conservation District and the Providence Water Supply Board.

Audubon to push renewable energy

The Audubon Society of Rhode Island has scheduled its 107th annual meeting for next Sunday, and it plans to use the event to launch a program to encourage Rhode Islanders to use renewable energy.

The meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Audubon Society's Environmental Education Center in Bristol.

Max Kohlenberg, president of the society's board of directors, says the group will kick off its We Have the Power campaign in partnership with the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund, Narragansett Electric and Smart Power of Hartford, Conn.

Reservations are required. Tickets are $19, and brunch will be provided. To reserve a ticket, call the society at (401) 949-5454.

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 e-mail at plord@projo.com or by writing him, care of The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, R.I. 02902