Wonder Walk
2026-08-12 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | WildRoots, Dunns Corners Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Walk, wonder, and grow with us!
Join WildRoots and the Westerly Land Trust once a month for Wonder Walks, a guided family hiking series designed to spark curiosity and nurture a lifelong love of nature. All walks are offered at no cost to you and your family.
Through shared exploration and hands-on discovery, families will connect with Westerly Land Trust’s beautiful natural spaces while building a deeper appreciation for the plants, animals, and ecosystems that make each property unique. By fostering curiosity 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 wonder of the natural world together. We begin every program with a thoughtfully selected nature story before heading out on the trails to explore. Children are invited to use tools like bug vacuums, waders, magnifying glasses, and digital microscopes to get a closer look at nature and investigate what sparks their curiosity. Westerly Land Trust and WildRoots guides will lead each adventure, creating opportunities for exploration while supporting discovery and inquiry.
August’s Wonder Walk is located at WildRoots off Dunn’s Corners Rd. This program offers a special opportunity to help WildRoots create a whimsical fairy village. As we explore their trails, children will gather fallen natural materials—such as twigs, pinecones, acorn caps, bark, leaves, and stones—and use their imagination to design and create. This creative activity encourages children to see the beauty and possibilities within nature while practicing respectful stewardship.

Registration is required for all participants
An adult must accompany their child/children during program. This is a great way to adventure together!
Location/ Parking: Details regarding parking and address will be sent via Eventbrite email prior to program.
Restrooms are available at this site.

Click HERE to sign up!
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 Wonder Walks Schedule
– Wednesday, Aug 12– WildRoots
– Wednesday, Sept 9 – Flora Whiteley Preserve
– Wednesday, Oct 7– Winnapaug Farm Preserve
– Wednesday, Nov 11– Camp Quequatuck/ Riverwood Preserve
– Wednesday, Dec 9- Wahaneeta Preserve
– Wednesday, Jan 6- Grills
– Wednesday, Feb 17 – Champlin Farm Preserve
– Wednesday, March 17 – Barlow Nature Preserve
– Wednesday, April 21– Cottrell Family Preserve
– Wednesday, May 19- Wildwood
– Wednesday, June 23– Crandall Family Preserve

Date Night Picnic hosted by Echo Rock Flowers
2026-08-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Rd, Westerly, RI 02891, USA
Join Echo Rock Flowers for a magical date night amongst the flowers!
Click Here for More Info & to Sign Up!
If you’re looking for a unique date night – a quiet escape where you can connect with your loved one – then keep reading.
Imagine this: you come to the farm and upon entering, you are offered a cold drink and your own picnic basket that has already been lovingly filled with tasty treats. You take in the beauty around as you choose your own table amongst the rows of flowers. At your table is a pre-picked bucket of flowers, 2 vases, and simple directions on how to make your own arrangement. Together you work on creating your floral designs as you sip your libation, snack on light refreshments and enjoy the serenity of the farm in the glow of a Summer evening.
Your Date Night includes:

1 drink per person (for 21+ your options include IPA, Light Lager, Rosé or white wine)
Infused-water station & seltzers for nonalcoholic options
2 Vases + Flowers for you to design with and take home. If you are a couple and/or family, perhaps you keep one arrangements at home and give the other away. If you are friends joining us, then you each get your own!
Refreshments for 2 packed in a picnic basket (*basket not included to take home, allergies accommodated – please list during checkout). Options include, but are not limited to – a charcuterie box, fresh fruit and veggies, croissants with whipped butter and a couple of sweet treats.

Summer Bounty Floral Design Workshop hosted by Echo Rock Flowers
2026-08-22 16:00 - 17:30 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Rd, Westerly, RI 02891, USA
Celebrate the height of the growing season with an immersive, hands-on floral design experience set right in the fields of Echo Rock Flowers
In this workshop, guests will learn the fundamentals of garden-inspired floral design while creating a lush, seasonal centerpiece using flowers harvested at their absolute peak. We’ll begin with a design demonstration covering color balance, movement, mechanics, and how to work with the natural shapes of summer blooms. From there, you’ll begin your own creative design as you enjoy light refreshments and the company of fellow enthusiasts.
This workshop is perfect for flower lovers of all experience levels – whether you’re brand new to floral design or simply want to slow down and create with beautiful, locally grown flowers.
Click HERE for more information and to sign up for the workshop.
Stephanie is generously donating 10% of all workshop proceeds to support the Westerly Land Trust and our mission to conserve open space, revitalize significant properties, and provide environmental programs for the enduring benefit of our community!
Stephanie Bennett is the proud owner and operator of Echo Rock Flowers in Westerly, RI. She has been growing specialty cut flowers for retail markets since 2019 and works hard to offer fresh, unique, and sustainably-grown local flowers to her customers. Her operation began in the garden at the Barlow Nature Preserve and she has since expanded and continues to grow.
Her operation is seasonal, running primarily from April until October. She offers bouquet subscriptions (Spring, Summer, and Dahlia) that sell out every year with people on the waitlist! You can also find her whimsical farm bouquets at Sandy’s Fine Food Emporium, William Wright & Co., The Cheese Corner, and the Farm Stand at Barlow. Follow along on Instagram @echo_rock_flowers or visit her website at www.echorockflowers.com

Date Night Picnic hosted by Echo Rock Flowers (Dahlia focus)
2026-09-19 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-09-26 18:00 - 19:30 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Rd, Westerly, RI 02891, USA

Fungal Foray
2026-10-07 16:30 - 18:00 | Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park, 5 Kettle Close, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join Denison Pequitsepos Nature Center and Westerly Land Trust to learn about local mushroom foraging. We will begin with an introduction to mushroom foraging, followed by a hike to identify local mushrooms on the trail. Participants will have the opportunity to explore Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park during this program.
Important Info:

Participants will meet at Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park, 5 Kettle Cl, in Westerly, RI.
This program is for adults and older, interested children. Advanced registration required.
There is no cost to attend this program
Restrooms are not available on site; the closest is at Stop & Shop

Click HERE to register!

WTAC Grills Trail Race 10K and 10M
2026-10-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Grills Preserve, 198 Bowling Lane, Westerly, RI, 02808, United States
Presented by Westerly Track & Athletic Club, with a special thank-you to the Westerly and Hopkinton Land Trust for allowing us to host on their properties.
Location: Grills Preserve, 198 Bowling Lane, Bradford, RI
Start times:
9:00am: Check-in and bib pick-up opens
10:00am: 10M and 10K races start
Race cut-off time: Out of respect for volunteers’ time, our cutoff for the 10-mile course is 2 hours 30 minutes (15 minute/mile pace). Beyond this time, we do not have a guarantee of support, recording a finishing time, food, etc. If you have not reached the half-way water stop by 11:30am, we ask that you turn around and follow the dirt road road back one mile to the start.
Walkers are welcome at all of our events; HOWEVER, in consideration of our volunteers’ time, we respectfully ask walkers to choose the shorter 10K course.
Race format: Mass simultaneous start for both 10-Mile and 10K start. Course split at 1-mile. Not providing race shirts will keep our costs (and yours) lower. We will use our own timing instead of professional chip timing. This will keep the race logistics easier and less expensive, and accordingly, your entry fees will also be LOW!
Location: Both courses start and finish at Grills Preserve, Westerly.
Course Description: Both courses showcase Grills Preserve in Westerly, and the 10-Mile course also features beautiful trails, bridges, and riverfront in the Grills Wildlife Sanctuary in Hopkinton. The course is a mix of about 80% single-track and 20% double-track.
Requirement: Each participant and volunteer must wear at least 200 square inches of orange. Anyone not wearing orange will not be allowed to race per State of RI DEM mandate.
Entry fees:
– Early registration (up to Oct 4): $23 adults, $18 age 18 and under
– Regular registration (Oct 5 – 23): $30 adults, $25 age 18 and under
– Race day registration (Oct 24): $35 adults, $30 age 18 and under
$5 discount to all WTAC members; $2 to all Mohegan Striders
Awards:
Awards to overall M/F finishers, plus top 1 in each M/F age group:
19 and under, 20-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, 80+
Note awards will be low cost and more of a fun nature.
Food (including pizza truck) and refreshments are served post-race for participants. Strollers and dogs prohibited on the course.
For more info, contact info@westerlytrackclub.org or (401) 447-1879 .

The Dahlia Workshop hosted by Echo Rock Flowers
2026-11-01 13:00 - 15:30 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Rd, Westerly, RI 02891, USA
Dig, Divide, and Store: An End-of-Season Dahlia Workshop
Imagine stepping into the world of Dahlia care with confidence and skill! This November, join Echo Rock Flowers for a hands-on workshop dedicated to preparing your Dahlias for the winter and ensuring they thrive next season. This is the perfect opportunity to learn how to care for your Dahlia tubers at the end of their growing season.
Click HERE for more information and to sign up for the workshop.
Stephanie is generously donating 10% of all workshop proceeds to support the Westerly Land Trust and our mission to conserve open space, revitalize significant properties, and provide environmental programs for the enduring benefit of our community!
Stephanie Bennett is the proud owner and operator of Echo Rock Flowers in Westerly, RI. She has been growing specialty cut flowers for retail markets since 2019 and works hard to offer fresh, unique, and sustainably-grown local flowers to her customers. Her operation began in the garden at the Barlow Nature Preserve and she has since expanded and continues to grow.
Her operation is seasonal, running primarily from April until October. She offers bouquet subscriptions (Spring, Summer, and Dahlia) that sell out every year with people on the waitlist! You can also find her whimsical farm bouquets at Sandy’s Fine Food Emporium, William Wright & Co., The Cheese Corner, and the Farm Stand at Barlow. Follow along on Instagram @echo_rock_flowers or visit her website at www.echorockflowers.com

Dried Flower Workshop hosted by Echo Rock Flowers
2026-11-29 15:00 - 16:30 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Rd, Westerly, RI 02891, USA
Winter Ornament Workshop
Celebrate the season with a festive and creative Winter Ornament Workshop! Join Echo Rock Flowers for a cozy afternoon in our conference room, surrounded by the warmth of holiday cheer, as we craft unique ornaments using our beautiful dried flowers. This workshop is the perfect way to make heartfelt gifts for loved ones or to create something special for your own holiday decorations.
Enjoy the holiday spirit with Christmas music, warm cider, and cookies while you craft. Stations will be set up with all the materials you need to create three stunning ornaments, including thick wire, dried flowers, ribbon, hot glue guns, and scissors. Each participant will also receive a labeled to-go box to neatly carry their ornaments home.
Click HERE for more information and to sign up for the workshop.
Stephanie is generously donating 10% of all workshop proceeds to support the Westerly Land Trust and our mission to conserve open space, revitalize significant properties, and provide environmental programs for the enduring benefit of our community!
Stephanie Bennett is the proud owner and operator of Echo Rock Flowers in Westerly, RI. She has been growing specialty cut flowers for retail markets since 2019 and works hard to offer fresh, unique, and sustainably-grown local flowers to her customers. Her operation began in the garden at the Barlow Nature Preserve and she has since expanded and continues to grow.
Her operation is seasonal, running primarily from April until October. She offers bouquet subscriptions (Spring, Summer, and Dahlia) that sell out every year with people on the waitlist! You can also find her whimsical farm bouquets at Sandy’s Fine Food Emporium, William Wright & Co., The Cheese Corner, and the Farm Stand at Barlow. Follow along on Instagram @echo_rock_flowers or visit her website at www.echorockflowers.com
