The Westerly Land Trust

Thursday Hikes: Grills Preserve, Bradford
2023-03-02 10:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Grills Preserve, 198 Bowling Lane, Westerly, RI, 02808, United States
This walk on WLT’s 500-acre preserve is over primarily flat terrain often along the Pawcatuck River on clear, wide trails. We will be able to see some newly discovered foundations. There is a gorgeous scenic view from the top of aptly named, Big Hill, which requires a bit of steep climbing. Meet at the parking lot at the cul-de-sac end off Bowling Lane in Bradford Village.
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. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Hikes leave promptly.
PLEASE NOTE:

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.

Voices of the Land: Invasive species in Rhode Island forests
2023-02-23 17:30 - 19:00 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Join us for an active discussion on invasive species in RI. Dr. Lisa Tewksbury will provide an update from the URI Biocontrol Lab.

Lisa Tewksbury will discuss the URI biocontrol lab’s surveys for invasive species and implementation of biological control using natural enemies, when available. Projects on Westerly Land Trust properties have included a survey of the southern pine beetle, a southern pest that has migrated north, and a forest pest survey for exotic species. These projects are in collaboration with RIDEM and the USDA. Refreshments included!
This event is located at Barlow Nature Preserve. Parking is available in the main parking lot, with overflow parking in the field behind the outbuildings to the east (up the farm road). Registration is required.
Discussion is open to WLT members. Not a member and would like to be? Sign up HERE.

Thursday Hike: Bradford Preserve, Bradford
2023-02-23 10:00 - 12:00 | RI
A hidden treasure along Rt 91 in Bradford. The trail is in fact a cross country trail for the Westerly High School but open to the public when not in use by them. The trail is blazed orange but be sure to keep an eye for them at turns and intersections. To access the trailhead from the parking area you must cross the large grass field to the right. You will find the trailhead at the back end of the field. A short entrance trail will be the first part of the hike. Turn left at the intersection to do the orange blazed loop. The trail climbs slowly and steadily uphill for a bit passing stonewalls, a vernal pool and a fern covered forest first heading northerly before turning to the south. Ahead a trail to the left will lead you into the Woody Hill Management Area. We will go into Woody Hill Management Area then return to continue straight to follow the blazes. When you reach the southern end of the loop you will come upon a large open field filled with tall grass and wildflowers. A path to the left will lead you back into the woods. Turn right here and follow the path along the edge of the woods keeping the field to your left. Take your time here and enjoy the sights. Soon the field path enters back into the woods and the trail starts it long descent downhill. Keep an eye out for a spur trail to the left. This trail leads you to a monument in the woods built in 1886 in honor of the Vars family who first came to the colonies in 1680. After stopping by the monument continue along the orange blazed trail, still descending to the entrance trail. Here you will want to turn left and cross the field once again to the parking area. Directions from Westerly: Take Rt 91 heading toward Bradford.
To sign up, contact hike leader: Sally Hanson, (401) 348-9109 (h), (401) 932-5295 (c), and email: sallyhanson242@gmail.com
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Hikes leave promptly.
PLEASE NOTE:

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 the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and the last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Birds Over Break
2023-02-21 10:00 - 11:30 | Barlow Nature Preserve, 449 Westerly Bradford Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
Spend a day during Westerly Public School’s February break discovering the life of a bird with WLT educators.

Soar into a bird’s life and explore why their beaks are so important, especially when it comes to finding food during the winter.
This event is FREE and open to youth.
Parent/ guardian is required to accompany their student at the event. This is a great opportunity to adventure together!

Thursday Hike: Riverwood Preserve, Westerly
2023-02-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Riverwood Preserve, 5 Boy Scout Drive, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
This walk will be about 3 miles. The start and finish are on very flat and easy terrain, but in the middle of the hike, there will be rocky ascents and descents in order to see the best views in the preserve. Highlights include scenic viewpoints, gorges, and viewpoints along the Pawcatuck River. Meet and park on Old Hopkinton Road at the end of Boy Scout Drive. We will walk into the preserve from there.
To sign up, contact hike leader: Jeff Walker, 401-447-1879 and email: Jeffrey.walker@cox.net
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Hikes leave promptly.
PLEASE NOTE:

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.

Thursday Hike: Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park, Westerly
2023-02-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Dr. John Champlin Glacier Park- Tom Harvey Trailhead, Intersection of Tom Harvey Road & Newbury Dr., Westerly, RI, 02891, United States, United States
A walking tour of the WLT’s Glacier Park preserve featuring wooded trails with gentle hills and some rocky sections. This site’s unique geological features are worth the trip. Meet at the trailhead off of Tom Harvey Road just outside the entrance to Winnapaug Cottages. Please park in the designated area outside of the Winnapaug Cottages gate or in the parking lot across the street.
To sign up, contact hike leader: David Prigmore, (401)348-2855, and email: d.bprigmore@gmail.com
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Hikes leave promptly.
PLEASE NOTE:

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.

Souper Bowl Hike LVII- UPDATE: DATE CHANGE TO SUNDAY 2/5- SOLD OUT
2023-02-05 11:00 - 14:00 | Wahaneeta Preserve, 118 Moorehouse Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
UPDATE: EVENT DATE CHANGE TO SUNDAY 2/5
Kick-off the New Year with an All-Ages Hike at Wahaneeta Preserve!

Join fellow hiking superstars for a pass around the preserve and score a bowl of soup! Vegetarian and vegan options available.
This event is FREE for members, and $10 per person for non-members.
Registration required, spots are limited.
Parking will be available in the field at 118 Moorhouse Road, Westerly (Wahaneeta Preserve). In an effort to promote sustainability, consider bringing your own bowl and spoon to reduce waste. Cups, plasticware, and paper bowls will still be provided.

Thursday Hike: Barn Island, Pawcatuck, CT
2023-02-02 10:00 - 12:30 | RI
A different kind of walk – both uplands and salt marshes overlooking Little Narragansett Bay. The gravel tracks and footpaths in this area form a series of interlocking loops. Slopes are gentle. Take US 1 west from Pawcatuck for 2.5 miles to the traffic signal at Wequetequock Cove. Turn left on Greenhaven Road, then immediately right, on Palmer Neck Road. Follow Palmer Neck to the parking lot just before the boat ramp.
To sign up, contact hike leader: Janice Fifer, (401) 213-6479, and email: jhfifer@verizon.net
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Hikes leave promptly.
PLEASE NOTE:

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 the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and the last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Thursday Hike: Burlingame, Charlestown
2023-01-26 10:00 - 12:15 | RI
This 3 ½ mile easy to moderate out and back hike starts on Kings Factory Road, uses a small segment of the Vin Gromley trail then goes to Watchaug Pond. From Rte 1 in Charlestown travel about 2 miles on Kings Factory Road to the Schoolhouse Pond Preserve where there is a small parking lot on the right. Carpool if possible.
To sign up, contact co-leaders: Geoff & Sue Sewall, (401) 377-2826, and email: suemsew@gmail.com
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Hikes leave promptly.
PLEASE NOTE:

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 the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and the last Thursday in April to the last day in May, annually.

Thursday Hike: Flora Whiteley/Cottrell Preserve, Westerly
2023-01-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Flora Whiteley Preserve, 197 Potter Hill Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
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 Ton 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.
To sign up, contact hike leader: Marc Doherty, (508) 308-9787 (c) and email: mdoherty@westerlylandtrust.org
Thursday hikes are FREE. Be sure to wear hiking boots or good walking shoes. If the weather is icy you should bring stabilizers or something for traction. If a lot of snow bring snowshoes. Hikes leave promptly.
PLEASE NOTE:

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.

Friday by the Fire- SOLD OUT
2023-01-13 15:00 - 17:30 | Crandall Family Preserve, 79 Pound Road, Westerly, RI, 02891, United States
It may be the dead of winter, but let’s walk, talk and warm our souls with a guided hike, fire, and good eats.

After a nice late afternoon stroll through the hidden gem of Crandall Family Preserve, we will gather around the fire at the overlook to share food, drink and more! Bring warm layers, a headlamp/flashlight and an open heart. Hope to see you all there!
This event is FREE for members, and $10 per person for non-members. Not a member, but would like to be? Click here!
Registration required, spots are limited.
Parking is available on Pound Rd. on the left-hand side in the dirt lot. We will meet and gather at the lot then walk down to the preserve together.
