Forest Bathing
2025-06-21 08:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Wahaneeta Preserve, 118 Moorehouse Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Slow down, awaken your senses and connect with Nature as you luxuriate in a Forest Bath!

Join Deirdre O’Connor for a slow and easy walk in Wahaneeta Preserve. Forest Bathing is the pleasant practice of spending time in nature to enhance health and happiness. Evidence-based research confirms that time in nature has profound healing benefits for physical and emotional well – being. The term Forest Bathing comes from the Japanese tradition of “shin-rin yoku” literally translated to “bathing in the atmosphere of the forest”. On this walk you will experience and learn about how the regular practice of Forest Bathing can restore health and vitality by strengthening immune function, lowering stress hormones, improving mood and sleep, and stimulating creativity. Forest Bathing also offers us the opportunity to deepen our relationship with the natural world.
You will be walking slowly for about one mile on mostly flat but uneven forest trails as you are offered a series of invitations to explore the landscape with your senses and connect with the natural world. We will be walking and sitting for 2 hours and will finish our walk by sharing tea together. This experience is open to ages 15 and up.

Registration is required. Spots are limited.

Free for WLT members, $10 for not-yet-members (If you’d like to join WLT, please click here.)

Parking is limited please carpool if possible.

Deirdre O’Connor is a Certified Forest Therapy Guide through the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy. Deirdre is delighted to share the Healing power of Nature through Forest Bathing where Nature and our true natures come to know one another. She resides in Westerly, enjoying birding, botany, bicycling and exploring the next cool place to share Forest Bathing.

Kayak, Yoga, Float & Flow
2025-06-29 09:00 - 11:30 | 197 Potter Hill Rd, 197 Potter Hill Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Start your adventure with a guided yoga session at WLT’s Flora Whiteley Preserve to warm up for a beautiful paddle on the Pawcatuck River.

Certified yoga teacher, Janice Fifer, will guide us through Sun Salutations with a focus in hip and shoulder openers to prepare for a paddle up the Pawcatuck River. We will stop along the way for a short meditation and ride the river’s gentle current back to the put-in point. The morning will end with relaxation and a closing circle. This is a moderate paddle for kayakers with some experience, with the emphasis on relaxing and enjoying nature.
What to bring: BYO Kayak, Paddle, Life Jacket, Yoga Mat, Large Towel (to put under your yoga mat), Water, Bug Repellent. Be aware that your shoes will get wet and muddy.
Please note: Rhode Island State Regulations require that everyone, regardless of age, MUST wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket, fastened in the manner the manufacturer intended.
This event is FREE for members, and $10 per person for not-yet members. Not a member and would like to be? CLICK HERE!
Registration required, spots are limited.

Outdoor Yoga Flow
2025-07-13 09:00 - 10:00 | Winnapaug Farm Preserve, 117 Shore Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States, 117 Shore Rd, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
If you’re looking for a special opportunity to connect breath to movement in the great outdoors, this is it!

Join Westerly Land Trust’s very own Lauren Barber, who is also a BarreCoast yoga instructor, for a one-hour outdoor yoga flow at the beautiful Winnapaug Farm Preserve.

Bring your yoga mat, another mat or sheet/blanket to place underneath, and a bottle of water.
Winnapaug Farm Preserve is located off of Shore Road in Westerly. Take a left off Shore from Winnapaug Road. You will see the field ahead to your right. Approximately 1/4 mile down you will drive through the red gate and park where cars are lining up. You’ll be a few steps from where class will be held!

Advanced Registration Required.

Westerly Land Trust members, contact Erika Lebling
elebling@westerlylandtrust.org for reduced price registration of $10

CLICK TO REGISTER FOR OUTDOOR YOGA FLOW

Yin Yoga and Sound Bath Journey
2025-08-10 09:00 - 10:00 | Winnapaug Farm Preserve, 117 Shore Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States, 117 Shore Rd, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Outdoor Yin Yoga with Sound Bath at the Winnapaug Farm Preserve!

Join us for a tranquil journey of mind and body led by Jill Lyndes and Maddy McCann from BarreCoast. Explore the restorative power of YinYoga postures accompanied by sound.

Bring your yoga mat, another mat or sheet/blanket to place underneath, and a bottle of water.
Winnapaug Farm Preserve is located off of Shore Road in Westerly. Take a left off Shore from Winnapaug Road. You will see the field ahead to your right. Approximately 1/4 mile down you will drive through the red gate and park where cars are lining up. You’ll be a few steps from where class will be held!

Advanced Registration Required.

Westerly Land Trust members, contact Erika Lebling
elebling@westerlylandtrust.org for reduced price registration of $10

CLICK TO REGISTER FOR YIN YOGA AND SOUND BATH JOURNEY

Intro to Nature Journaling
2025-09-06 09:30 - 11:30 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Slow down. Look closer. Connect with nature.

Discover the joy of nature journaling—a fun, informal way to explore the outdoors using words, pictures, and numbers. Inspired by the practices of John Muir Laws and the Wild
Wonder Foundation, our group, welcomes all ages and experience levels. No artistic skill required!
Why Join?

Deepen your connection to the natural world
Boost curiosity, mindfulness, and appreciation for the environment
Reduce stress through quiet observation
Learn about plants, animals, and landscapes in a creative, personal way
Document your outdoor experiences in a meaningful way

What to Bring:

A notebook or sketchbook
Pens or pencils
Optional: colored pencils, markers, binoculars, magnifying glass

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).
Led by Jonah Salsich, a Westerly resident and experienced elementary teacher of over 18 years, who is also an amateur naturalist and artist. After discovering the power of nature journaling, he has blended his passions for teaching, observing, and creating into a practice that sparks wonder and connection. With experience in both journaling and leading nature journaling workshops, he is excited to invite others on this rewarding journey.
This is a relaxed, no-pressure group. We’re here to share inspiration, spend time outdoors, and grow our sense of wonder together—one page at a time.
All are welcome. Come curious!
To introduce everyone to the art of nature journaling and as part of Land Trust Days, this event is free for everyone and open to all ages. There will be two workshops following this intro open to ages 18 and up. Workshop 1 is on September 20, and Workshop 2 is on October 4. We hope to see you there.

Wahaneeta 5K Trail Run- Westerly Track & Athletic Club
2025-09-13 | RI
Start times
8:00am: Registration opens
9:00am: 5K race starts
Course Description
The terrain of the course is entirely dirt trails, with some technical single-track. In order to minimize bunching up at the race start, the course will first run across a short grass field before continuing on double-track for approximately one-half mile. Most of the rest of the course will be on single-track and include challenges such as stream crossings on narrow wooden bridges, hills, and rock gardens. During the course of the race, you will cross streams multiple times, with most but not all having bridge crossings. The course is very spectator friendly, as the start/finish is in the same area, and during the course of the race runners will pass through the start/finish area twice before finishing. Runners and walkers are welcome.
Location
5K course starting and finishing at Wahaneeta Preserve. Purchased by the Westerly Land Trust in 2012, this is a 72-acre conservation property that was run as “Camp Wahaneeta” by the Girl Scouts of RI from 1941 to 1996.
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.
For more information and/or to sign up click HERE.

Nature Journaling: Workshop 1
2025-09-20 09:30 - 11:30 | Wahaneeta Preserve, 118 Moorehouse Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Slow down. Look closer. Connect with nature.

Discover the joy of nature journaling—a fun, informal way to explore the outdoors using words, pictures, and numbers. Inspired by the practices of John Muir Laws and the Wild
Wonder Foundation, our group, welcomes all ages and experience levels. No artistic skill required!
Why Join?

Deepen your connection to the natural world
Boost curiosity, mindfulness, and appreciation for the environment
Reduce stress through quiet observation
Learn about plants, animals, and landscapes in a creative, personal way
Document your outdoor experiences in a meaningful way

What to Bring:

A notebook or sketchbook
Pens or pencils
Optional: colored pencils, markers, binoculars, magnifying glass

Led by Jonah Salsich, a Westerly resident and experienced elementary teacher of over 18 years, who is also an amateur naturalist and artist. After discovering the power of nature journaling, he has blended his passions for teaching, observing, and creating into a practice that sparks wonder and connection. With experience in both journaling and leading nature journaling workshops, he is excited to invite others on this rewarding journey.
This is a relaxed, no-pressure group. We’re here to share inspiration, spend time outdoors, and grow our sense of wonder together—one page at a time.
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).
Cost: $10 for WLT members and $25 for non-members. Jonah is generously donating a portion of the proceeds to the Westerly Land Trust to support our conservation efforts.
This workshop is geared toward ages 18 and up, but don’t be afraid to channel your inner child, come curious!
This event is part of our Nature Journaling Series. Prior to this event, we are offering a FREE introduction to nature journaling on September 6 open to all ages. Nature Journaling Workshop 2 will be held on October 4.

Fall Equinox Yoga on the Farm
2025-09-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Winnapaug Farm Preserve, 117 Shore Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States, 117 Shore Rd, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join us for a special outdoor yoga class with Krystal Rose from BarreCoast as we celebrate the fall equinox!

Bring your yoga mat, another mat or sheet/blanket to place underneath, and a bottle of water.
Winnapaug Farm Preserve is located off of Shore Road in Westerly. Take a left off Shore from Winnapaug Road. You will see the field ahead to your right. Approximately 1/4 mile down you will drive through the red gate and park where cars are lining up. You’ll be a few steps from where class will be held!

Advanced Registration Required.

Westerly Land Trust members, contact Erika Lebling
elebling@westerlylandtrust.org for reduced price registration of $10

CLICK TO REGISTER FOR OUTDOOR FALL EQUINOX YOGA

Nature Journaling: Workshop 2
2025-10-04 09:30 - 11:30 | Wahaneeta Preserve, 118 Moorehouse Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Slow down. Look closer. Connect with nature.

Discover the joy of nature journaling—a fun, informal way to explore the outdoors using words, pictures, and numbers. Inspired by the practices of John Muir Laws and the Wild
Wonder Foundation, our group, welcomes all ages and experience levels. No artistic skill required!
Why Join?

Deepen your connection to the natural world
Boost curiosity, mindfulness, and appreciation for the environment
Reduce stress through quiet observation
Learn about plants, animals, and landscapes in a creative, personal way
Document your outdoor experiences in a meaningful way

What to Bring:

A notebook or sketchbook
Pens or pencils
Optional: colored pencils, markers, binoculars, magnifying glass

Led by Jonah Salsich, a Westerly resident and experienced elementary teacher of over 18 years, who is also an amateur naturalist and artist. After discovering the power of nature journaling, he has blended his passions for teaching, observing, and creating into a practice that sparks wonder and connection. With experience in both journaling and leading nature journaling workshops, he is excited to invite others on this rewarding journey.
This is a relaxed, no-pressure group. We’re here to share inspiration, spend time outdoors, and grow our sense of wonder together—one page at a time.
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).
Cost: $10 for WLT members and $25 for non-members. Jonah is generously donating a portion of the proceeds to the Westerly Land Trust to support our conservation efforts.
This workshop is geared toward ages 18 and up, but don’t be afraid to channel your inner child, come curious!
This event is part of our Nature Journaling Series. Prior to this event, we are offering a FREE introduction to nature journaling on September 6 open to all ages. Nature Journaling Workshop 1 will be held on September 20.

Grills Trail Race 10M and 10K- Westerly Track & Athletic Club
2025-10-25 | Grills Preserve, 198 Bowling Lane, Westerly, RI, 02808, United States
Start times
9:00am: Check-in and bib pick-up opens
10:00am: 10M and 10K races start
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.
Location
Both courses start and finish at Grills Preserve, Westerly. Due to parking limitations, carpooling is encouraged and registration will be capped at 100 runners.
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.
For more information and/or to sign up click HERE.

Spring Equinox Yoga Hike
2026-03-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Grills Preserve, 198 Bowling Lane, Westerly, RI, 02808, United States
Celebrate the arrival of Spring and embark on a mindful adventure through the forest where we will practice yoga and welcome new beginnings.

The Spring Equinox is a perfect time to get outside and take notice of nature during a period of rapid change and vibrant growth. Join hike leader and local yoga teacher, Janice Fifer, for a grounding experience through the forest of Grills Preserve.
This experience will begin at the trailhead with centering and a short breathing practice, followed by a mindful walk to the Polly Coon Bridge where we will meditate with the sounds of the river rushing over the rocks. On your way to Big Hill, we invite you to draw inspiration from plants and animals that reawaken this time of year. A series of standing yoga poses will be strategically sprinkled into this experience throughout the hike where we will pause to stretch, breathe, and balance amongst the trees.
We will cover ~ 3 miles total. No need for a yoga mat. Consider bringing an old towel or garden kneeling cushion to make sitting on the ground more comfortable.

All levels welcome, no yoga experience necessary.

Registration required; spots are limited.

This event is at NO COST to WLT members, and $10 per person for non-members, which Janice has generously pledged to donate to WLT.

Not a member and would like to be? CLICK HERE.
