River Rangers: Dunn's Corners (Grades 3-4)
2023-05-18 14:30 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | RI
Living Laboratories for Dunn’s Corners Elementary School Grades 3-4

Join WLT educators to explore the plants and animals that call the river home. Use a dip net to trap and observe these animals in their natural habitat. Discover the important role rivers play on our Earth. Grade 3 – 4 will have the opportunity to perform a water salinity test using more advanced technology!
Program is FREE thanks to a partnership with WPS.
Bus transportation available to and from program.

Historic Cemetery Tour/Hike: Grills Preserve- CANCELED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
2023-05-20 10:00 - 12:30 | Grills Preserve, 198 Bowling Lane, Westerly, RI, 02808, United States
Join us for part 2 of 3 Spring Historic Cemetery Tours. This tour includes a bonus hike!

There are nearly 90 historic burial grounds in Westerly, five of which are on Westerly Land Trust properties. The WLT is hosting Larry Hunter, local commissioner of the Rhode Island Advisory Commission on Historic Cemeteries and member of Rediscovering History, Inc. and Michael Carroll, Executive Director of Rediscovering History, Inc. for our second stop on our Spring tour: Grills Preserve.
Larry will walk us through “Cemetery 101”, which explains orientation and types of headstones, the use of footstones and field stones, and the types of materials. We will also discuss the dos and don’ts of visiting cemeteries, cleaning, maintenance, and restoration of stones. This historic cemetery is nestled in the woods so be sure to bring your hiking boots/sturdy shoes.
Hike will be led by WLT, Land Stewardship Manager, Marc Doherty along the Grills Blue trail with a stop at the Polly Coon Bridge stretching over the Pawcatuck River. Bring along water and a little lunch or snack (carry in/carry out).

Tours are recommended for adults.
Please prepare for being out in the grass and woods, and bring bug repellant and water.
Sign up for 1 or all 3 tours as each burial ground offers its own unique characteristics and experience.
Tours are FREE for WLT members and $10 for not-yet-members, which Larry has generously pledged to donate to WLT.

Not a WLT member yet, but would like to be? CLICK HERE. Joining us with a family member? Sign up for our family membership and get not only a discount on attending all three tours but also all our other monthly adventures!

Historic Cemetery Picnic Tour: Winnapaug Farm Preserve
2023-05-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Winnapaug Farm Preserve, 109-119 Rhode Island 1A, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join us for our last stop of our Spring Historic Cemetery Tours and discover the history of cemetery picnics.

There are nearly 90 historic burial grounds in Westerly, five of which are on Westerly Land Trust properties. The WLT is hosting Michael Carroll, Executive Director of Rediscovering History, Inc. and Larry Hunter, local commissioner of the Rhode Island Advisory Commission on Historic Cemeteries and member of Rediscovering History, Inc. for our last stop on our Spring tour: Winnapaug Farm Preserve.
Pack your picnic baskets, beverages, and blankets or lawn chairs, and experience a fad of the past! Michael will take us back in time to the 19th and early 20th century when picnics in cemeteries were a fashionable and respectful way to stay connected to both the living and the dead. Larry will lead us through a history lesson and Cemetery 101 introduction.

Carry in/ Carry out
Tours are recommended for adults.
Please prepare for being out in the grass and woods, and bring bug repellant and water.
Sign up for 1 or all 3 tours as each burial ground offers its own unique characteristics and experience.
Tours are FREE for WLT members and $10 for not-yet-members, which Larry has generously pledged to donate to WLT.

Not a WLT member yet, but would like to be? CLICK HERE. Joining us with a family member? Sign up for our family membership and get not only a discount on attending all three tours but also all our other monthly adventures!

River Rangers: State Street (Grades K - 2)
2023-05-24 15:45 - 17:15 | RI
Living Laboratories for State Street Elementary School Grades K-2

Join WLT educators to explore the plants and animals that call the river home. Use a dip net to trap and observe these animals in their natural habitat. Discover the important role rivers play on our Earth. Grade 3 – 4 will have the opportunity to perform a water salinity test using more advanced technology!
Program is FREE thanks to a partnership with WPS.
Bus transportation available to and from program.

River Rangers: State Street (Grades 3-4)
2023-05-25 15:45 - 17:15 | RI
Living Laboratories for State Street Elementary School Grades 3-4

Join WLT educators to explore the plants and animals that call the river home. Use a dip net to trap and observe these animals in their natural habitat. Discover the important role rivers play on our Earth. Grade 3 – 4 will have the opportunity to perform a water salinity test using more advanced technology!
Program is FREE thanks to a partnership with WPS.
Bus transportation available to and from program.

Pollinator Safari
2023-06-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Avondale Farm Preserve, Quail Run, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Get your bug nets ready, it’s pollinator week! Come explore and discover the diverse pollinating insects in your backyard environment.

Join the Westerly Land Trust and the amazing Dr. Rachael Bonoan, head of the Providence College’s Pollinator Lab, for this all-ages, family-friendly event.
Dr. Bonoan will guide us through beautiful Avondale Farm Preserve where we will find, capture and identify the bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects doing the critical work of keeping our local ecosystems in balance. Get up close to these winged critters and learn how to use “bug vacuums”, nets, and field guides to catch, identify, and release some amazing pollinators. Learn from the experts how pollinators do their jobs, why they are important, and what we can do to help them!
Please prepare to romp out in the sun and tall grass; sturdy shoes, pants, sun/bug protection and water are recommended. There are no restroom facilities at Avondale, so plan accordingly.
Parking- Park at the Quail Run parking lot. Overflow parking will be available at Grassland Way. Please meet at Quail Run Parking lot at 10:00 AM.

Registration required.
Event is open to ALL ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Children under 12 are FREE.
Event is FREE for WLT members and $10 for not-yet-members.
CLICK HERE to become a member today!

To learn more about Rachael and her lab click here.

Mini BioBlitz
2023-08-05 16:00 - 20:00 | 13-29 Christian Hill Rd, 13-29 Christian Hill Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Calling all curious humans! Let’s get out there and find all the life that surrounds us, both small and large.

A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many living species as possible. From fungi to trees, mammals to insects and everything in between, we will try to catch ‘em all, this time at WLT’s newest property, the Cottrell Family Preserve. This is a great opportunity to explore a new property and help WLT build our baseline data for these 21 acres along the Pawcatuck River filled with mountain laurel, a small meadow, wetlands, exposed ledge and riparian habitat.
This is a FREE, all-ages, all-abilities and family-friendly event – it doesn’t matter if you are an expert naturalist or have never stepped into the woods before. The event will be from 4pm to 8pm, but participants can arrive or leave any time they would like to.
There will be snacks and refreshments and a whole bunch of adventure! And thanks to our friends at the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association, we will have canoes and kayaks to explore the river on!
There are some great tools out there besides field guides and experts that can help you identify all kinds of different species of plants and animals out there. Be sure to download apps like iNaturalist or Seek from the App Store. Play around with them and be sure to show up with a full battery! Click here to join the Cottrell Mini Bioblitz iNaturalist Project.
Any questions? Email Marc Doherty at mdoherty@westerlylandtrust.org

Living Laboratories: Wild Westerly- Flying Squirrels (Grade K-2)
2023-08-10 09:30 - 11:30 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
This program is open to students in grades K – 2 that attend a Westerly Public Elementary School.

Join Westerly Land Trust outdoor educators for an 8-week hands on adventure to explore the great outdoors. Step into the boots of a new scientist or steward each Thursday to discover the weird and wild plants, animals and phenomena that make Westerly our beautiful home.
Thursdays: June 22 – August 10 (8 total programs)
9:30- 11:30 at Barlow Nature Preserve
Upcoming Programs
August 10: Scales, Shells, & Slime
– All participants must attend one of the following schools (Dunn’s Corners, Springbrook, or State Street).
– Program is FREE thanks to a partnership with Westerly Public Schools.
– Transportation to and from program is required.
– Please use the student name when registering.
– Spots are limited.
Any questions, please email Lauren Barber, lbarber@westerylandtrust.org or call 401-315-2610 x1.

Living Laboratories: Wild Westerly- Soaring Hawks (Grade 3-4)
2023-08-10 12:00 - 14:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
This program is open to students in grades 3-4 that attend a Westerly Public Elementary School.

Join Westerly Land Trust outdoor educators for an 8-week hands on adventure to explore the great outdoors. Step into the boots of a new scientist or steward each Thursday to discover the weird and wild plants, animals and phenomena that make Westerly our beautiful home. Grades 3 – 4 will use more advanced technology and techniques to make their discoveries.
Thursdays: June 22 – August 10 (8 total programs)
9:30- 11:30 at Barlow Nature Preserve
Upcoming Programs
August 3: Wacky Weather
August 10: Scales, Shells, & Slime
– All participants must attend one of the following schools (Dunn’s Corners, Springbrook, or State Street).
– Program is FREE thanks to a partnership with Westerly Public Schools.
– Transportation to and from program is required.
– Please use the student name when registering.
– Spots are limited.
Any questions, please email Lauren Barber, lbarber@westerylandtrust.org or call 401-315-2610 x1.

Family Winter Seed Sowing
2024-01-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Calling all curious kids and parents to join us as we learn how to grow native plants from seed.

We are calling all curious kids and caregivers to join us as we learn how to grow native plants from seed!
Growing native plants at home is an excellent way to support local biodiversity and help build a beautiful and resilient garden.
Rare plant monitor, experienced youth education coordinator, and 12-year veteran of the nursery industry George Christie will lead us as we learn about seeds, cold dormancy, germination, and why winter sowing is the best way to grow many of our native plants. Both sun-loving and shade-tolerant native plants will be available so you can grow what you sow no matter the conditions in your home garden!
This event is FREE and open to youth.
Parent/ guardian is required to accompany their student at the event! This is a great opportunity to adventure together!
You can email Marc (mdoherty@westerlylandtrust.org) with any questions.
