The Westerly Land Trust

Historic Cemetery Tour: Quaker Burial Ground
2023-05-16 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | 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!

Thursday Hike: Sheep Farm, Groton, CT
2023-05-18 10:00 - 12:30
A former sheep farm, this hilly property is maintained by Groton Open Space Association (GOSA). The well marked trails travel over rocks and ledges along a stream with 2 waterfalls for about 31/5 miles. (Spoiler Alert: The waterfalls look much bigger in pictures.) This is an example of typical New England upland, mostly deciduous forest that was saved from development due to the high cost of building there. Directions: Take Route 95 South to CT exit 88. Turn left and take the first left onto Hazelnut Hill Rd. The parking area is up the hill on the right. There are some picnic tables if you want to bring a lunch.
To sign up, contact hike leader: Janice Fifer, 401-213-6479 Email: jhfifer@verizon.net
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes.
PLEASE NOTE:

Hikes leave promptly.
Ending times are estimated as it difficult to ascertain when it will finish due to number of people, how fast/slow the hikers walk, etc.
Please sign up with leader so that person will know how many are coming. If no one signs up the leader may not show up.
Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
If you wish to bring a dog please contact the leader as some properties do not allow them. However, if a dog is present, they must be leashed at all times.

FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

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!

Thursday Hike: Level Best Farm, Richmond
2023-05-25 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a walking tour around the private property at Level Best Farm, in Wood River Junction (town of Richmond). Ken will also give some brief history about the land and the surrounding area. Mostly flat terrain, on well kept trails, and an easy hike consisting of three loops (~ 1 mile each) that meet in the middle near the parking area. Enjoy various types of pine and deciduous forests, swamp views, meandering streams, meadows, and fields. There are also two milkweed meadows for the monarch butterflies. From the Westerly area, take route 91 east, towards Carolina. Drive through Bradford and continue past Alton Pond / Wood River and the Village of Alton. Turn left onto Homestead Road (located between the Alton Fire Station and the, “Food Truck on 91”). Meet at the end of the ~ ¼ mile dirt road. Address: 22 Homestead Rd, Wood River Junction, RI.
To sign up, contact Co-hike leaders: Ken and Rebecca Mitchell Call/text 269-808-5623 OR Email: rebecca.paperwork@gmail.com
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes.
PLEASE NOTE:

Hikes leave promptly.
Ending times are estimated as it difficult to ascertain when it will finish due to number of people, how fast/slow the hikers walk, etc.
Please sign up with leader so that person will know how many are coming. If no one signs up the leader may not show up.
Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
If you wish to bring a dog please contact the leader as some properties do not allow them. However, if a dog is present, they must be leashed at all times.

FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Thursday Hike: Herman E. Sheets Family Preserve, North Stonington, CT
2023-06-01 10:00 - 12:00
This preserve offers an enchanting hike through a mixed forest and features vernal pools, active beaver dams, high views of the Green Fall River and various stone foundations of Laurel Glen one of North Stonington’s original villages. The hike is 2.5 – 3.0 miles on a variety of surfaces including packed dirt, grass, pine needles, small boardwalks, occasional rocks and roots, lots of short ups and downs and a switchback or two making it somewhere between easy and slightly moderate in difficulty. Trailhead and parking are located at the mailbox of 94 Puttker Rd, just off of Denison Hill Road. Parking is limited, if you are able, please carpool. Dogs on leash are permitted.
To sign up, contact hike leader: Deirdre O’Connor , 860-287-7281. Email: deirdreo@snet.net (email preferred).
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes.
PLEASE NOTE:

Hikes leave promptly.
Ending times are estimated as it difficult to ascertain when it will finish due to number of people, how fast/slow the hikers walk, etc.
Please sign up with leader so that person will know how many are coming. If no one signs up the leader may not show up.
Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
If you wish to bring a dog please contact the leader as some properties do not allow them. However, if a dog is present, they must be leashed at all times.

FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Thursday Hike: Carter Preserve, Charlestown
2023-06-08 10:00 - 13:00
This 5-mile walk on Nature Conservancy property has trails through various terrain, including grassland and woods. Easy trails on rolling hills with beautiful scenery. Mountain laurel will hopefully be in bloom during our visit. Meet and park at 400 Old Mill Road. Follow short dirt road under power lines to parking area.
To sign up, contact hike leader: Jeff Walker # 401-447-1879. Email: Jeffrey.walker@cox.net
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes.
PLEASE NOTE:

Hikes leave promptly.
Ending times are estimated as it difficult to ascertain when it will finish due to number of people, how fast/slow the hikers walk, etc.
Please sign up with leader so that person will know how many are coming. If no one signs up the leader may not show up.
Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
If you wish to bring a dog please contact the leader as some properties do not allow them. However, if a dog is present, they must be leashed at all times.

FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

POP-UP: Bloomin' Brunch
2023-06-10 11:00 - 13:00 | Crandall Family Preserve, 79 Pound Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 10!! After keeping a watchful eye on the Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurel blooms we believe this will be the best time!

Join us for a guided hike through Crandall Family Preserve and walk through the forest of mountain laurel and rhododendrons. We will end the hike at the overlook where we will gather for a light brunch and mimosas. The trail we will be hiking is only accessible through special guided hikes such as this event. You won’t want to miss these plentiful blooms that line the trails in every direction. Hike is approximately 3.5 miles total.
This event is $5 for members, and $10 per person for not-yet members. Not a member, but would like to be? CLICK HERE!
Registration required, spots are limited.

POP-UP: Bloomin' Brunch
2023-06-10 11:00 - 13:00 | Crandall Family Preserve, 79 Pound Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 10!! After keeping a watchful eye on the Rhododendrons and Mountain Laurel blooms we believe this will be the best time!

Join us for a guided hike through Crandall Family Preserve and walk through the forest of mountain laurel and rhododendrons. We will end the hike at the overlook where we will gather for a light brunch and mimosas. The trail we will be hiking is only accessible through special guided hikes such as this event. You won’t want to miss these plentiful blooms that line the trails in every direction. Hike is approximately 3.5 miles total.
This event is $5 for members, and $15 per person for not-yet members. Not a member, but would like to be? CLICK HERE!
Registration required, spots are limited.

Thursday Hike: Flora Whiteley/Cottrell Preserve, Westerly– End of Season Get Together
2023-06-15 10:00 - 12:00
The WLT’s Flora Whitely Preserve abuts the Pawcatuck River upstream of the Potter Hill dam and features a boat portage at the bridge. The WLT Cottrell Preserve is 21 acres which is boarded on the north by the Pawcatuck River and on the south by the Westerly Town Forest. It will be a moderate woods walk. Parking is still a challenge so we will meet at Flora Whitely Preserve on Potter Hill Road. We will return to Flora Whitely to have a picnic. Bring your own lunch, beverage and lawn chair.
To sign up, contact hike leader: David Prigmore # (401) 348-2855. Email: d.bprigmore@gmail.com
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes.
PLEASE NOTE:

Hikes leave promptly.
Ending times are estimated as it difficult to ascertain when it will finish due to number of people, how fast/slow the hikers walk, etc.
Please sign up with leader so that person will know how many are coming. If no one signs up the leader may not show up.
Inclement weather cancels and if in doubt, contact leader.
If you wish to bring a dog please contact the leader as some properties do not allow them. However, if a dog is present, they must be leashed at all times.

FLUORESCENT ORANGE REQUIREMENTS:
In State Management areas everyone is required to wear 200 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange from last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

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.
