World Migratory Bird Day: Guided Bird Count
2023-05-13 06:30 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Celebrate World Migratory Bird Day with the WLT and expert ornithologists by getting outside and experiencing the spring migration.

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 (worldmigratorybirdday.org/about).
Join us as we welcome back the neo-tropical migrants as they return to their summer territories — from thrushes to warblers, bluebirds to tanagers and beyond. This years WMBD theme is water- groups will observe birds across a variety of habitats, including wetlands and learn about the importance of water to birds and beyond.
Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! We will meet at Barlow Nature Preserve. Groups will head out to different WLT properties and gather back at Barlow to share our counts, stories and coffee and snacks.

Registration required, spots are limited.
FREE for members, $10 for not-yet-members.
Not a member and would like to be? CLICK HERE!

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From World Migratory Bird Day 2023
Water: Sustaining Bird Life
Water is fundamental to life on our planet. The vast majority of migratory birds rely on aquatic ecosystems during their life cycles. Inland and coastal wetlands, rivers, lakes, streams, marshes, and ponds are all vital for feeding, drinking, or nesting, and also as places to rest and refuel during their long journeys.
Unfortunately, aquatic ecosystems are becoming increasingly threatened around the world and so are the migratory birds that depend on them. The increasing human demand for water, as well as pollution and climate change, are having a direct impact on the availability of clean water and the conservation status of many migratory birds. (Bonn, 1 December 2022. worldmigratorybirdday.org)

Historic Cemetery Tour: Quaker Burial Ground
2023-05-16 17:30 - 19:30 | Quaker Burial Ground, 108 Old Post Rd, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Back by popular demand! Join us for part 1 of 3 historic cemetery tours offered this Spring.

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 first stop on our Spring tour: Quaker Burial Ground.
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.

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: Dunn's Corners (Grades K - 2)
2023-05-17 15:45 - 17:15 | RI
Living Laboratories for Dunn’s Corners 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: Dunn's Corners (Grades 3-4)
2023-05-18 14:30 - 16:00 | 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
