The Westerly Land Trust

Pollinators & Planting Homeschool Ages 5-9
2025-05-08 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Dig your hands in the soil and discover proper planting and care techniques for a thriving garden at Barlow Nature Preserve.

Dig your hands in the soil and discover proper planting and care techniques for a thriving garden at Barlow Nature Preserve. Bonus: Take home your own seedling to nurture!

NO COST thanks to generous community support
Registration closes for all programs on March 28, 2025

Pollinators & Planting Homeschool Ages 10-14
2025-05-08 12:00 - 14:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States

Wildlife & Watersheds Homeschool Ages 5-9
2025-05-15 09:30 - 11:30 | Wahaneeta Preserve, 118 Moorehouse Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
From pond to trails put your observation skills to the test!

From pond to trails, put your observation skills to the test and use technology to discover the fascinating creatures that call Wahaneeta Preserve home.

NO COST thanks to generous community support
Registration closes for all programs on March 28, 2025

Wildlife & Watersheds Homeschool Ages 10-14
2025-05-15 12:00 - 14:00 | Wahaneeta Preserve, 118 Moorehouse Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States

Farm Squad (Ages 5-10)
2025-07-08 09:00 - 2025-07-31 12:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Grab your friends, head to the farm, and join our Farm Squad to learn directly from the land.

Each Tuesday and Thursday for 4 weeks we will gather at Barlow Nature Preserve (home to Frontier Farm, Echo Rock Flowers, and WLT’s pollinator and children’s garden), to explore different entities of the farming world; planting, pollinators, soil health, biodiversity around the farm, harvesting, composting, microgreens, and hydroponics. The fun doesn’t stop there! We will dig into nature art, hiking, nature themed literature, and even get our taste buds involved for a well-rounded, engaging, summer learning adventure.
Tuesdays & Thursdays: July 8 – July 31 (8 total programs) 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.

NO COST thanks to generous community support.
Registration is required. Spots are limited. Farm Squad is open to ALL students regardless of what school you attend (including homeschool). By registering for this “event” you are registering for all 8 programs.
Absentee’s: up to 2 planned absentee’s.
Ages: 5 – 10.
Transportation to and from program is required.

CLICK HERE to hear from our 2024 Farm Squad!!
Questions- please email Lauren Barber, lbarber@westerylandtrust.org or call 401-315-2610 x1.

Story Time in the Garden
2025-08-05 09:00 - 09:45, 2025-08-12 09:00 - 09:45, 2025-08-19 09:00 - 09:45, 2025-08-26 09:00 - 09:45 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Nature-themed books and hands-on fun for kids every Tuesday in August!

Join us for Storytime in the Garden, a gentle and engaging outdoor program designed for children to connect with nature through books and hands-on fun. Each session is offered on Tuesdays through the month of August (8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26) and features a read-aloud of a beautifully illustrated, nature-themed story -celebrating wildlife, flowers, pollinators, and the outdoors. After the story, participants are invited to enjoy a simple, hands-on activity inspired by the book. From binoculars to plants and bug vacuums, every week offers a new way to explore, create, and imagine.
Best for ages 5 and under, but open to all. Parents/caregivers are required to attend and encouraged to participate. Please register in advance to help us best prepare for nature activities.
This program is offered at NO COST thanks to generous community support!
Not able to make it? Check out our Little Free Library by our farm stand at Barlow Nature Preserve.
Parking is available in the main parking lot at Barlow Nature Preserve, with overflow parking in the field behind the outbuildings to the east (up the farm road).

Prints, Paths, and Play!
2025-11-11 10:30 - 12:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join WildRoots and The Westerly Land Trust (WLT) for a collaborative morning of exploration, discovery, and play!

We’re teaming up as neighbors to bring young naturalists a unique experience that begins at Barlow Nature Preserve and ends with creative free play at WildRoots.
We’ll start our journey with an engaging, hands-on lesson about animal tracks and signs, led by our WLT team. Then we’ll head out on a guided hike through the preserve, using our new skills to look for evidence of wildlife all around us. After our hike, we’ll arrive at WildRoots where children will enjoy open-ended nature play at thoughtfully designed free play stations.
This program encourages curiosity, observation, and creativity, all while connecting with the natural world. This program is open to children ages 5-10.
About the Hosts
WildRoots Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community where children and families can nurture connection, holistic development, and Earth stewardship through immersive experiences in nature and play.
The Westerly Land Trust is a nonprofit organization committed to conserving open space, revitalizing neighborhoods, and building community in Westerly, Rhode Island. By preserving and managing lands like Barlow Nature Preserve, WLT provides opportunities for education, recreation, and engagement with the natural world.
Parking is available in the main lot at Barlow Nature Preserve, with overflow parking in the field behind the outbuildings to the east (up the farm road).

Wednesday Wonder Walk - Feathered Friends
2026-01-14 10:00 - 11:15 | Grills Preserve, 198 Bowling Lane, Westerly, RI, 02808, United States
January’s theme is Feathered Friends. Come walk, wonder, and grow with us!

We are teaming up with our friends from WildRoots once a month for Wednesday Wonder Walks, a guided family hiking series curated to spark curiosity and nurture a lifelong love of nature. Our partnership blends playful discovery with embedded teaching, helping children build knowledge naturally as they explore. By connecting families to the land and encouraging stewardship, we hope to inspire the next generation to care for—and protect—the wild places around them.
Each session invites children and their families to slow down, look closely, and discover the magic of the natural world together. Every month features a new theme and a new Westerly Land Trust property, giving young explorers the chance to get to know their local environment in a meaningful and memorable way.
January’s theme is Feathered Friends and will be held at Grills Preserve. Through playful discovery, gentle guidance, and curiosity-driven exploration, we will set out on a wonder walk to search for feathers, tracks, nests, and other clues that reveal which birds call our preserve home. Along the way, young naturalists will practice careful observation, deepen their connection to the winter landscape, and uncover the hidden stories carried on the wings of local birdlife.

Programs are NO COST thanks to generous community support
Registration is required for all participants

An adult must accompany their child/children during program. This is a great way to adventure together!
Parking is available on sight.

About the Hosts
WildRoots Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community where children and families can nurture connection, holistic development, and Earth stewardship through immersive experiences in nature and play.
The Westerly Land Trust (WLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to conserving open space, revitalizing neighborhoods, and building community in Westerly, Rhode Island. By preserving and managing lands like Barlow Nature Preserve, WLT provides opportunities for education, recreation, and engagement with the natural world.
WLT & WildRoots Wednesday Wonder Walks Schedule
– Wednesday, Dec 10- Terrific Trees (Wahaneeta Preserve)
– Wednesday, Jan 14- Feather Friends (Grills Preserve)
– Wednesday, Feb 18- Rhody Rocks (Glacier)
– Wednesday, March 11- Sprout Scouts (Barlow)
– Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day!)- Habitat Hunters (Champlin)
– Wednesday, May 13- Eco Engineers (Mastuxet Brook South)
– Wednesday, June 17- Buds & Bugs (Avondale)

Wednesday Wonder Walk - Rhody Rocks
2026-02-18 10:00 - 11:15 | Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park, 5 Kettle Close, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
February theme is Rhody Rocks. Come walk, wonder, and grow with us.

We are teaming up with our friends from WildRoots once a month for Wednesday Wonder Walks, a guided family hiking series curated to spark curiosity and nurture a lifelong love of nature. Our partnership blends playful discovery with embedded teaching, helping children build knowledge naturally as they explore. By connecting families to the land and encouraging stewardship, we hope to inspire the next generation to care for—and protect—the wild places around them.
Each session invites children and their families to slow down, look closely, and discover the magic of the natural world together. Every month features a new theme and a new Westerly Land Trust property, giving young explorers the chance to get to know their local environment in a meaningful and memorable way.
February’s theme is Rhody Rocks and will be held at Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park . Through playful discovery, gentle guidance, and curiosity-driven exploration, we will search for stones, glacial erratics, and other rocky clues that reveal how glaciers once shaped Rhode Island’s landscape. Along the way, young naturalists will practice careful observation, deepen their connection to the region’s ancient geology, and uncover the hidden stories carried in the stones scattered across our preserve.

Programs are NO COST thanks to generous community support
Registration is required for all participants
An adult must accompany their child/children during program. This is a great way to adventure together!
Car pooling is ideal for this sight. Parking instructions will be emailed out closer to the program date.

About the Hosts
WildRoots Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community where children and families can nurture connection, holistic development, and Earth stewardship through immersive experiences in nature and play.
The Westerly Land Trust (WLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to conserving open space, revitalizing neighborhoods, and building community in Westerly, Rhode Island. By preserving and managing lands like Barlow Nature Preserve, WLT provides opportunities for education, recreation, and engagement with the natural world.
WLT & WildRoots Wednesday Wonder Walks Schedule
– Wednesday, Dec 10- Terrific Trees (Wahaneeta Preserve)
– Wednesday, Jan 14- Feather Friends (Grills Preserve)
– Wednesday, Feb 18- Rhody Rocks (Glacier)
– Wednesday, March 11- Sprout Scouts (Barlow)
– Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day!)- Habitat Hunters (Champlin)
– Wednesday, May 13- Eco Engineers (Mastuxet Brook South)
– Wednesday, June 17- Buds & Bugs (Avondale)

Land Leaders
2026-02-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
A student-led event where young learners share the knowledge and skills they’ve gained through hands-on experiences with the land.

Join us for Land Leaders, a hands-on family adventure where kids become the teachers! Inspired by WLT’s Living Laboratories after-school programs, students will guide their families through exciting exploration stations, featuring everything from microscopes and binoculars to nature art, hiking, and more.
As you visit each station, you’ll explore together, talk about what you’re seeing, and collect stamps for your adventure passport. Students get to share what they’ve learned, and adults get a window into how they experience the world around them.
This event is all about connection: adult to student, family to land, and community to conservation.
Know Before You Go!

Programs are NO COST thanks to generous community support.
Open to all ages!
Registration is required for all participants.
An adult must accompany their child/children during the program. This is a great opportunity to adventure together!
Parking is available in the main lot at Barlow Nature Preserve, with overflow parking in the field behind the outbuildings to the east (up the farm road).
This program will be both inside and outside. Please wear warm layers.
WLT is able to offer ALL youth programs for FREE thanks to generous community support. If you’d like to help keep programming free and transportation available for after-school enrichment, please consider donating!

Wednesday Wonder Walk - Sprout Scouts
2026-03-11 10:00 - 11:15 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
March’s theme is Sprout Scouts. Come walk, wonder, and grow with us.

We are teaming up with our friends from WildRoots once a month for Wednesday Wonder Walks, a guided family hiking series curated to spark curiosity and nurture a lifelong love of nature. Our partnership blends playful discovery with embedded teaching, helping children build knowledge naturally as they explore. By connecting families to the land and encouraging stewardship, we hope to inspire the next generation to care for—and protect—the wild places around them.
Each session invites children and their families to slow down, look closely, and discover the magic of the natural world together. Every month features a new theme and a new Westerly Land Trust property, giving young explorers the chance to get to know their local environment in a meaningful and memorable way.
March’s theme is Sprout Scouts and will be held at Barlow Nature Preserve. We will head out on a wonder walk to search for early signs of life waking beneath the cold New England landscape. Along our walk we invite you to look closely for swelling buds, stubborn green shoots pushing through the soil, moss on rocks, and tiny seedlings glowing in sunny patches. With careful observation and curious minds, we will discover how plants prepare for spring long before the weather warms. After exploring, we will sow seeds to give new life a gentle head start for the seasons to come.

Programs are NO COST thanks to generous community support
Registration is required for all participants
An adult must accompany their child/children during program. This is a great way to adventure together!
Parking is available on sight.

About the Hosts
WildRoots Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community where children and families can nurture connection, holistic development, and Earth stewardship through immersive experiences in nature and play.
The Westerly Land Trust (WLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to conserving open space, revitalizing neighborhoods, and building community in Westerly, Rhode Island. By preserving and managing lands like Barlow Nature Preserve, WLT provides opportunities for education, recreation, and engagement with the natural world.
WLT & WildRoots Wednesday Wonder Walks Schedule
– Wednesday, Dec 10- Terrific Trees (Wahaneeta Preserve)
– Wednesday, Jan 14- Feather Friends (Grills Preserve)
– Wednesday, Feb 18- Rhody Rocks (Glacier)
– Wednesday, March 11- Sprout Scouts (Barlow)
– Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day!)- Habitat Hunters (Champlin)
– Wednesday, May 13- Eco Engineers (Mastuxet Brook South)
– Wednesday, June 17- Buds & Bugs (Avondale)

Wednesday Wonder Walk - Habitat Hunters
2026-04-22 10:00 - 11:15 | Champlin Farm Preserve, 64 boombridge Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
April’s theme is Habitat Hunters. Come walk, wonder, and grow with us for this years Earth Day celebration!

We are teaming up with our friends from WildRoots once a month for Wednesday Wonder Walks, a guided family hiking series curated to spark curiosity and nurture a lifelong love of nature. Our partnership blends playful discovery with embedded teaching, helping children build knowledge naturally as they explore. By connecting families to the land and encouraging stewardship, we hope to inspire the next generation to care for—and protect—the wild places around them.
Each session invites children and their families to slow down, look closely, and discover the magic of the natural world together. Every month features a new theme and a new Westerly Land Trust property, giving young explorers the chance to get to know their local environment in a meaningful and memorable way.
April’s theme is Habitat Hunters and will be held at Champlin Farm Preserve. For Earth Day, Habitat Hunters will set out on an outdoor adventure to search for the hidden homes of the creatures that share our landscape. With curious eyes and gentle footsteps, students will look for nests tucked in branches, burrows beneath roots, tracks crossing muddy paths, and cozy shelters made from leaves, bark, and stone. Along the way, they’ll uncover the clues animals leave behind and learn how each habitat provides food, safety, and space to grow. By exploring these sercret worlds, we will discover how every creature big or small, fits into the beautiful web of life we celebrate on Earth Day.

Programs are NO COST thanks to generous community support
Registration is required for all participants
An adult must accompany their child/children during program. This is a great way to adventure together!
Parking is available on sight.

About the Hosts
WildRoots Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community where children and families can nurture connection, holistic development, and Earth stewardship through immersive experiences in nature and play.
The Westerly Land Trust (WLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to conserving open space, revitalizing neighborhoods, and building community in Westerly, Rhode Island. By preserving and managing lands like Barlow Nature Preserve, WLT provides opportunities for education, recreation, and engagement with the natural world.
WLT & WildRoots Wednesday Wonder Walks Schedule
– Wednesday, Dec 10- Terrific Trees (Wahaneeta Preserve)
– Wednesday, Jan 14- Feather Friends (Grills Preserve)
– Wednesday, Feb 18- Rhody Rocks (Glacier)
– Wednesday, March 11- Sprout Scouts (Barlow)
– Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day!)- Habitat Hunters (Champlin)
– Wednesday, May 13- Eco Engineers (Mastuxet Brook South)
– Wednesday, June 17- Buds & Bugs (Avondale)

Guided Bird Walk on World Migratory Bird Day
2026-05-09 07:00 - 10:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join us in welcoming back the neotropical migrants such as warblers, orioles and tanagers, as they return to their breeding territories.

World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.
This year’s WMBD theme, shared spaces, seeks to highlight how every community — whether urban, rural, or wild — can do things to support our migratory birds.
Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! Meet your birding leader, Maggie Jones, at Barlow Nature Preserve and then head out to explore other nearby WLT properties.
Important Info:

Registration is required; spots are limited
This event is no cost for WLT members and $10 for not yet member.
Not a WLT member yet, but would like to be? CLICK HERE
Parking is available on site
There is an outhouse at Barlow

What to Bring:

Comfortable clothing and shoes
Fluorescent orange is required (hat or vest), we will have some to share
Reusable water bottle
Binoculars, we will have some to share

Wednesday Wonder Walk - Eco Engineers
2026-05-13 10:00 - 11:15 | Rotary Park Parking Lot, 91 Airport Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
May’s theme is Eco Engineers. Come walk, wonder, and grow with us.

We are teaming up with our friends from WildRoots once a month for Wednesday Wonder Walks, a guided family hiking series curated to spark curiosity and nurture a lifelong love of nature. Our partnership blends playful discovery with embedded teaching, helping children build knowledge naturally as they explore. By connecting families to the land and encouraging stewardship, we hope to inspire the next generation to care for—and protect—the wild places around them.
Each session invites children and their families to slow down, look closely, and discover the magic of the natural world together. Every month features a new theme and a new Westerly Land Trust property, giving young explorers the chance to get to know their local environment in a meaningful and memorable way.
May’s theme is Eco Engineers and will be held at Mastuxet Brook Greenway South (we will meet at Rotary Park, trail is behind the playground). Our adventure will begin with a hike to observe how water flows, ripples, and gathers to identify the best spots a beaver might choose for building a dam. Students will then have the opportunity to step into waders and climb into the water to construct their own mini dams using sticks, stones, mud, and other natural materials. Through hands-on problem-solving and playful experimentation, we will discover how animals use design to shape their habitats and why beavers are such incredible ecosystem engineers.

Programs are NO COST thanks to generous community support
Registration is required for all participants
An adult must accompany their child/children during program. This is a great way to adventure together!
Parking is available on sight.

About the Hosts
WildRoots Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community where children and families can nurture connection, holistic development, and Earth stewardship through immersive experiences in nature and play.
The Westerly Land Trust (WLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to conserving open space, revitalizing neighborhoods, and building community in Westerly, Rhode Island. By preserving and managing lands like Barlow Nature Preserve, WLT provides opportunities for education, recreation, and engagement with the natural world.
WLT & WildRoots Wednesday Wonder Walks Schedule
– Wednesday, Dec 10- Terrific Trees (Wahaneeta Preserve)
– Wednesday, Jan 14- Feather Friends (Grills Preserve)
– Wednesday, Feb 18- Rhody Rocks (Glacier)
– Wednesday, March 11- Sprout Scouts (Barlow)
– Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day!)- Habitat Hunters (Champlin)
– Wednesday, May 13- Eco Engineers (Mastuxet Brook South)
– Wednesday, June 17- Buds & Bugs (Avondale)

Wednesday Wonder Walk - Buds & Bugs
2026-06-17 10:00 - 11:15 | Avondale Farm Preserve, Quail Run, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
June’s theme is Buds & Bugs. Come walk, wonder, and grow with us.

We are teaming up with our friends from WildRoots once a month for Wednesday Wonder Walks, a guided family hiking series curated to spark curiosity and nurture a lifelong love of nature. Our partnership blends playful discovery with embedded teaching, helping children build knowledge naturally as they explore. By connecting families to the land and encouraging stewardship, we hope to inspire the next generation to care for—and protect—the wild places around them.
Each session invites children and their families to slow down, look closely, and discover the magic of the natural world together. Every month features a new theme and a new Westerly Land Trust property, giving young explorers the chance to get to know their local environment in a meaningful and memorable way.
May’s theme is Buds & Bugs and will be held at Avondale Farm Preserve. Come explore blooming meadows in search of the tiny creatures that keep our world buzzing. Equipped with bug vacuums, we will carefully catch, observe, and identify pollinators before gently releasing them back to their homes. Along the way, students discover how flowers and bugs work together, learn why pollinators are so important, and practice careful observation skills. This hands-on adventure turns every meadow walk into a chance to discover the hidden helpers that keep plants, and our planet, thriving.

Programs are NO COST thanks to generous community support
Registration is required for all participants
An adult must accompany their child/children during program. This is a great way to adventure together!
Parking is available on sight. We will meet at Quail Run parking lot.

About the Hosts
WildRoots Play is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a community where children and families can nurture connection, holistic development, and Earth stewardship through immersive experiences in nature and play.
The Westerly Land Trust (WLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to conserving open space, revitalizing neighborhoods, and building community in Westerly, Rhode Island. By preserving and managing lands like Barlow Nature Preserve, WLT provides opportunities for education, recreation, and engagement with the natural world.
WLT & WildRoots Wednesday Wonder Walks Schedule
– Wednesday, Dec 10- Terrific Trees (Wahaneeta Preserve)
– Wednesday, Jan 14- Feather Friends (Grills Preserve)
– Wednesday, Feb 18- Rhody Rocks (Glacier)
– Wednesday, March 11- Sprout Scouts (Barlow)
– Wednesday, April 22 (Earth Day!)- Habitat Hunters (Champlin)
– Wednesday, May 13- Eco Engineers (Mastuxet Brook South)
– Wednesday, June 17- Buds & Bugs (Avondale)

First Day of Farm Squad!
2026-06-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
When you sign up for Westerly Land Trust’s summer youth education program, Farm Squad, you are enrolling your student in a total of 10 programs!
Each Tuesday and Thursday for 5 weeks, we will gather at Barlow Nature Preserve (home to Frontier Farm, Echo Rock Flowers, and WLT’s pollinator and children’s garden), to explore the fascinating world of farming and the environment. Together, we’ll dive into hands-on topics like planting, pollinators, soil health, farm biodiversity, harvesting, composting, microgreens, and hydroponics.
But the adventure doesn’t stop there! We’ll get creative with nature-inspired art, stretch our legs on guided hikes, discover nature-themed stories and literature, and even taste our way through the farm for a full sensory experience.
Throughout the summer, we’ll also welcome local scientists, farmers, and environmental stewards who will share their inspiring work in our community, showcasing real-world environmental careers and sparking curiosity and inspiration in the next generation of changemakers.
Tuesdays & Thursdays: June 30 – July 30 (10 total programs) 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM.
NO COST

Thanks to generous community support, there’s no cost to participate. If you’d like to help keep WLT youth education programs free for all, please consider making a donation!

WHO CAN JOIN?

Farm Squad is open to ALL students ages 5-10, regardless of what school they attend, including homeschool students
Transportation to and from the program is required

REGISTRATION

Registration is required. Spots are limited.
By registering for this “event,” you are registering for all 10 programs.
Registration is live for WLT members on February 2.

WLT members get first dibs! Not a WLT member but would like to become one? CLICK HERE

Registration is live for EVERYONE on March 2
Up to 2 planned absentees, spots are limited.

CLICK HERE for more information and to sign up for Farm Squad!
Questions- please email Lauren Barber, lbarber@westerylandtrust.org or call 401-315-2610 x1.
