Living Laboratories
In response to the altered school schedules and gathering limitations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Westerly Land Trust created a program called Living Laboratories, which is held outside on our preserves and provides hands-on, experiential lessons designed for grades K-8. Due to the program’s success, we are continuing Living Laboratories and offering afterschool programs to all Westerly Elementary schools. Programs are free of charge (like all of WLT’s educational programing), thanks to the generous support of our community and various foundations. Stay tuned for more program offerings and check out Living Laboratories featured in Eco RI News.
***To sign up for upcoming programs, please locate your school’s name and click the link next to the program you would like to attend. Please note, this will prompt you to fill out a participation agreement, completion of the participation agreement enrolls your student into that specific program.
Dunn’s Corners Elementary School (K-2)
| Grade | Date | Time | Location | Program | SIGN UP |
| K-2 | Jan 5, 2021 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Wahaneeta Preserve | Collect & Craft | COMING SOON |
| K-2 | March 30, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve | Nature to Nutrition | COMING SOON |
| K-2 | May 4, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Grills Preserve | Eco- Engineers | COMING SOON |
Dunn’s Corners Elementary School (3-4)
| Grade | Date | Time | Location | Program | SIGN UP |
| 3-4 | Jan 6, 2021 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Wahaneeta Preserve | Collect & Craft | COMING SOON |
| 3-4 | March 31, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve | Nature to Nutrition | COMING SOON |
| 3-4 | May 5, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Grills Preserve | Eco- Engineers | COMING SOON |
Springbrook Elementary School (K-2)
| Grade | Date | Time | Location | Program | SIGN UP |
| K-2 | Jan 12, 2021 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Wahaneeta Preserve | Collect & Craft | COMING SOON |
| K-2 | April 6, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve | Nature to Nutrition | COMING SOON |
| K-2 | May 18, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Grills Preserve | Eco- Engineers | COMING SOON |
Springbrook Elementary School (3-4)
| Grade | Date | Time | Location | Program | SIGN UP |
| 3-4 | Jan 13, 2021 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Wahaneeta Preserve | Collect & Craft | COMING SOON |
| 3-4 | April 7, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve | Nature to Nutrition | COMING SOON |
| 3-4 | May 19, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Grills Preserve | Eco- Engineers | COMING SOON |
State Street Elementary School (K-2)
| Grade | Date | Time | Location | Program | Sign Up |
| K-2 | Jan 19, 2021 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Wahaneeta Preserve | Collect & Craft | COMING SOON |
| K-2 | April 13, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve | Nature to Nutrition | COMING SOON |
| K-2 | May 25, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Grills Preserve | Eco- Engineers | COMING SOON |
State Street Elementary School (3-4)
| Grade | Date | Time | Location | Program | SIGN UP |
| 3-4 | Jan 20, 2021 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Wahaneeta Preserve | Collect & Craft | COMING SOON |
| 3-4 | April 14, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve | Nature to Nutrition | COMING SOON |
| 3-4 | May 26, 2022 | 3:30 – 5:00 | Grills Preserve | Eco- Engineers | COMING SOON |
Program Description
Collect & Craft: This program allows students to get outside and hands-on with the Westerly Land Trust. In this guided adventure, students will learn how to forage in the forest, identify local species, and build a nature-inspired craft, thereby becoming better stewards of our environment.
Nature to Nutrition: Students get a taste of what it takes to be a farmer. Students will analyze soil and crop health, learn how to compost, and study the many benefits of growing their own food / supporting your local farmer. Students will leave this program with a plant of their own to continue to learn from.
Eco-Engineers: In this adventure, students will use technology to explore WLT trails in search of different ecosystems, observe various habitats, and get creative by constructing an animal’s home using the nature that surrounds them.
If you have any questions, or you have signed up and can no longer attend, please contact Lauren Barber via email: lbarber@westerlylandtrust.org or phone 401-315-2610 x 1.
***COVID NOTES: The Westerly Land Trust follows Rhode Island Department of Health guidelines to determine group sizes and safety precautions.
Education as a Priority Objective
The Westerly Land Trust’s preserves offer an array of ecosystems to explore, providing excellent opportunities for students to study wildlife, habitats, geology, botany and connect with the natural world. WLT is currently working with several local schools, summer camps and scout troops to engage students in hands-on experiences aimed at instilling a deep understanding and appreciation for the environment.
Our education initiative supports the Rhode Island Environmental Literacy Plan. Rhode Island is among the first states in the nation to finish an Environmental Literacy Plan, opening the door for potential federal funding that will help equip teachers with skills, knowledge and confidence needed to integrate critical environmental and science learning into their curricula. Our educational programming also aligns with GEMSnet (Guiding Education in Math and Science Network) science standards to apply science education goals on the land.
For information on how your school group can participate in Westerly Land Trust Field Trips, please contact Lauren Barber at lbarber@westerlylandtrust.org or phone 401-315-2610 x 1.
Downloadable Lesson Plans are available:
Through thoughtful curating, we transformed our existing environmental and science-based curriculum and programming to meet the specific needs of the rising number of homeschool and distance learning families, tailoring our content for parents suddenly finding themselves in teaching roles.
WLT Downloadable Lesson Plans | K-2
WLT Downloadable Lesson Plans | 3-5
WLT Downloadable Lesson Plans | 6-8
