Field Trips and Early Childhood Programs

Discover, Learn, and Connect with Nature

The Westerly Land Trust’s preserves offer an array of ecosystems to explore, providing excellent opportunities for students to study wildlife, habitats, geology, and botany, while connecting with the natural world. Our education initiative supports the Rhode Island Environmental Literacy Plan and SEL (Social-Emotional Learning), aligning with NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) to apply science education goals to the land. Our programs are hands-on, will keep your students engaged, and are offered at NO COST to the students, thanks to generous community support.

We have an opportunity and responsibility to nurture a lifelong love of nature. We offer support with connecting your curriculum to conservation to get the most out of our programs. There is so much to learn from the great outdoors, both academically and socially, as well as emotionally.

Field Trips

Our field trips take place on Westerly Land Trust preserves, offering students an immersive experience in nature. Some programs are uniquely designed for specific preserves that highlight distinct ecological or geological features, while other properties offer a diverse range of natural habitats, making them ideal for a variety of educational programs.

Elementary School

Arbor Adventure: Discover how trees do so much more than just stand tall! Students will learn how trees provide homes and food for countless animals, support diverse habitats, and contribute to clean air and soil. Through interactive activities and outdoor discovery, students will see how every tree is an important part of a thriving ecosystem and why protecting forests matters for our environment.
Feathered Friends: Take flight into the amazing world of birds and explore how they survive and thrive! Students will learn how different beaks and behaviors help birds find food, how they help spread seeds to grow new plants, and practice identifying local species through observation and fun activities.
Interesting Insects: Discover the fascinating world of insects and the important roles they play in nature! Through hands-on activities and outdoor exploration, students will observe bugs in their natural habitats and learn how these tiny creatures help keep ecosystems healthy and thriving.
Preserve Pollinators at Barlow Nature Preserve: Use technology to identify birds and get a closer look at insects. Learn how to catch, observe, and release Barlow’s busy bees, and embark on a nature hike around the farm. From bees and butterflies to birds and beetles, students will explore the important jobs these tiny creatures do.
Weather Watchers: Explore the wacky weather of New England and how it shapes our environment! Through hands-on activities and outdoor exploration, students will learn how weather affects local ecosystems and why understanding it is important for conservation.

Middle School

Into the Forest: This nature program immerses students in the wonders of the forest, combining navigation skills, the fascinating world of mushrooms, and a hike focused on biodiversity. Students will learn how to read maps, use a compass, and understand the incredible variety of plants, animals, and fungi that make up our natural world.
Restore & Rewild – Youth Stewardship in Action at Avondale Farm Preserve: Get your hands dirty and make a difference! In this hands-on program, youth will help restore native habitats at Avondale Farm Preserve. Learn to identify and remove invasive shrubs to protect grassland ecosystems, then collect and sow native wildflower and grass seeds to support local biodiversity – at the preserve and at home.
Science Sleuths: This immersive experience blends outdoor adventure with scientific inquiry – perfect for curious minds ready to explore, observe, and uncover nature’s hidden clues. Students will study the relationship between climate and tree growth as dendrologists as they hike through the forest, then grab a dip net and head to the pond to examine aquatic life and assess water quality.
Trail Blazers: Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to explore the natural world like never before! This engaging, hands-on field trip introduces students to essential hiking and outdoor skills while deepening their ecological awareness and understanding of local ecosystems. Students will learn how to read trail maps, follow trail markers, and plan safe, enjoyable hikes. Along the way, they’ll use field guides and observation techniques to identify common native species, gaining insight into the importance of biodiversity and environmental stewardship.
WildWatch: Join us on the trail with WildWatch, an immersive field experience where students become nature detectives! While hiking through local ecosystems, students will observe, identify, and record a wide range of organisms — from towering native trees to sneaky invasive species, buzzing insects to hidden mushrooms, and scurrying animals to delicate wildflowers. This program inspires students to connect with nature, sharpen their observation skills, and understand the importance of protecting biodiversity.

Early Childhood Programs

Offered at your Daycare, Pre-K, or Preschool. We want to help you bring nature into the classroom.

Bugs & Buds: Discover the buzzing bugs and busy birds that help plants grow and use engaging technology to discover the wonders of the natural world. Bonus: Take home your very own seed ball to launch and watch grow!
Bird Buddies: Join WLT as we fly into the world of birds and encourage little learners to spread their wings! Through play-based learning, exploration, and creative activities, students will soar into their creativity, fine motor, and listening skills.
Interesting Insects: Buzz into the fascinating world of insects and crawl into discovery! Through the use of technology and imaginative activities, students will get a closer look at nature, grow their creativity, observation skills, and love for nature, one tiny step at a time.
Little Gardeners: Dig, plant, and grow! In this hands-on program, young learners will explore the basics of gardening and farm life. They’ll plant seeds, learn what plants need to grow, and discover fruits, veggies, and helpful critters in the soil. A fun, messy adventure that connects kids to where soil comes from!
Little Sprouts: Dig into the world of plants with this hands-on exploration of seeds, sprouts, and soil! Through planting activities, sensory bins, and up-close observations, young learners will discover how plants grow and change.
Nature’s Colors: Explore the colors of nature through hands-on play and discovery! Little ones will explore colorful leaves, flowers, and crystals, and explore how animals use and experience color in their environment.
Terrific Trees: Little learners will branch out into the world of trees and take root in nature! Through hands-on exploration, creative play, and sensory-rich activities, students will grow their curiosity, counting skills, and love for the outdoors, one leaf at a time. From tree ring investigations to leaf art and matching games, this program invites students to connect with the forest.
Tiny Trackers: Become a nature detective and search for clues animals leave behind! From footprints and fur to feathers and nests, students will explore tracks, signs, and habitats to uncover the secret lives of local wildlife.