Ron Henderson, a key contributor to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Forest Park, will address the Rhode Island Tree Council's 16th annual conference at the Aldrich Dexter Mansion on Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island have announced the winners of their eighth annual amateur photo competition. The judges for the contest were Jim Hazelwood and Matt Wunsch.

Elizabeth Kolbert, a staff writer at The New Yorker and author of a prize-winning book about the consequences of climate change, will be the first speaker Tuesday night for the University of Rhode Island's three-month honors colloquium on global climate change.

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Programs. 949-5454, ext. 3041; www.asri.org. Advance registration. - Sat. Map 'n' Compass, Powder Mill Ledges Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield.

By Richard C Dujardin NORTH PROVIDENCE -- The owners of the former Cher's restaurant and lounge at 83 Waterman Ave. have won permission from the Zoning Board of Review to demolish the nightspot and build a 12-unit condominium project.