The Westerly Land Trust

Souper Bowl Hike LX
2026-02-07 11:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Rd, Westerly, RI 02891, USA
Kick off the New Year with a hike at Barlow Nature Preserve followed by a feast of soups!

LOCATION CHANGE: Barlow Nature Preserve

All ages are welcome!
Registration required and spots are limited.
Parking is available in the field at Wahaneeta Preserve.
To reduce waste, please consider bringing your own bowl and spoon
Fluorescent orange is required! We will have some to share.

This event is $10 for WLT members, and $20 per person for non-members. Not a member, but would like to be? Click here.

A Celebration of Red-Wings
2026-04-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join us for a Wood-Pawcatuck Wild & Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council event hosted at The Westerly Land Trust Barlow Nature Preserve for a naturalist-guided exploration of a vibrant freshwater marsh habitat, home to nesting Red-winged Blackbirds.
This immersive experience combines real-time wildlife observation with engaging mini-talks about:

The ecological importance of freshwater marshes
How marsh habitats support our Wild & Scenic rivers
The significance of Red-Winged Blackbirds as indicators of healthy wetlands

What to Know

Registration is required; spots are limited.
This event is no cost thanks to the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council
Parking is available on site at 449 Westerly Bradford Road
Restrooms are available on site
Event is rain or shine, dress for the weather
All abilities and ages welcome

What to Bring

Lawn chair
Binoculars
Camera, if you have one and would like to take photos

Meet Your Guides

Bruce Fellman: A longtime observer, teacher, photographer, and writer of natural history, Bruce brings decades of experience to the field. Residing in North Stonington, his talents come together in his long-running columns for The Westerly Sun.
Sue Palmer: Although claiming she is retired, Sue is one of Rhode Island’s most energetic birders, and for each of the last six years has recorded over 300 species of birds in Rhode Island alone. Her bird photography has been published nationally. Sue lives in Westerly and brings deep knowledge and enthusiasm to the field.
Tripod-mounted optics will be available for comfortable extended viewing.

Stay In Touch

Not a Westerly Land Trust member and would like to be? CLICK HERE.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook

Clean-Up Crews & Brews 2026
2026-04-26 11:30 - 14:00 | 14 Canal St, 14 Canal Street, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Help us clean-up our community and then celebrate with a tasty pint at Grey Sail Brewing Company of RI.

This year, The Westerly Land Trust and The Greater North End Community Development Corporation are teaming up to expand our Earth Day–inspired community trash pick-up.
Volunteers will help clean up areas in and around Westerly Land Trust properties, as well as the historic North End. After the clean-up, everyone will gather back at the Canal Street parking lot at 1:30 PM to consolidate trash, which will be transported to the dump the following day, weighed, and reported back to all participants.
As a thank-you for your efforts, participants will receive a token to enjoy a complimentary beverage of their choice at Grey Sail Brewing Company of Rhode Island. Please note, token must be used on day of the cleanup.
We will head to Grey Sail around 2:00 PM where Geoff Kaufman will be playing live music and Crews & Brews participants will have a chance to win a gift card to Jonnycake Center of Westerly, where you can find almost everything – vintage and new!
Many thanks to Grey Sail Brewing Company of Rhode Island for hosting our clean-up crews and to Jonncake Center of Westerly for their gift card donation. Vetrano’s Wood Fired Pizza will be open for purchase.
Things to Know

Registration is required to help us determine how many preserves we will be able to tackle with our crews!
We will all meet in the parking lot at 14 Canal Street at 11:30 AM, then disperse into our cleanup crews from there.
We will meet back at Canal Street Parking at 1:30 PM and head to Grey Sail around 2:00 PM to keep the fun going.
We recommend comfy shoes, and you may consider wearing long sleeves.
Please bring gloves, buckets, and trash pickers if you have them– we’ll share what we have.
Wear solid daylight fluorescent orange above the waist and visible in all directions – we will bring some extra vests if needed

National Trails Day Hike
2026-06-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Champlin Farm Preserve, 64 boombridge Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Celebrate National Trails Day with the Westerly Land Trust!

Join us for a morning of exploration at Champlin Farm Preserve. Recently protected and opened to the public, this 90-acre preserve offers a beautiful landscape of quiet forest, flowing streams, and prime agricultural fields along the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Pawcatuck River.
What is National Trails Day?
National Trails Day is a nationwide initiative established by the American Hiking Society to celebrate and protect the trails that connect us to nature and one another. It is a day to advocate for equitable trail access and to leave the land better than we found it. By joining us, you are part of a massive movement of hikers, bikers, and outdoor enthusiasts across the country who are coming together to honor our public lands and the trails that make them accessible.
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: Available on site
Restrooms: Please note that there are no restroom facilities available at this preserve

What to Bring:

Wear comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes suitable for uneven terrain, as this is a newer trail system
Reusable water bottle
Hiking stick or poles, if you use them

Historic Cemetery Hike
2026-06-24 18:30 - 20:00 | Champlin Farm Preserve, 64 boombridge Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Step into history and explore one of WLT’s newest protected landscapes.

Join us for a guided hike and historic cemetery tour at Champlin Farm Preserve, led by WLT volunteer and Rhode Island Historic Cemetery Commissioner Larry Hunter. Along the way, Larry will bring the past to life with stories, insights, and the hidden history behind the cemetery sites found on the property.
Located on Boombridge Road, Champlin Farm Preserve was permanently protected in October 2024 and spans 90.57 acres along the Wild and Scenic Pawcatuck River. This beautiful landscape features a mix of forest, streams, and fertile farmland that has long supported crops and grazing—offering a rich blend of natural beauty and cultural history to discover.
Important Info:

Tours are recommended for adults
There are no restroom facilities available on site
Registration is required; spots are limited
This event is no cost for WLT members and $10 for not yet member, which will be generously donated back to WLT by Larry.
Not a WLT member yet, but would like to be? CLICK HERE

What to Bring/Wear:

Be prepared for grassy and wooded terrain with sturdy footwear
Long pants and socks
Reusable water bottle
Insect repellent
