Dr. Rachael E. Bonoan- Nutritional Ecologist
Dr. Rachael Bonoan is an Assistant Professor of Biology at Providence College, where she teaches in the Environmental Biology major and leads the Bonoan (aka Providence Pollinator) Lab. The Providence Pollinator lab focuses on insect pollinators, which get most of their nutrients by collecting protein-rich pollen and sugary nectar from flowers. Hailing from Tiverton, RI, she is grateful to be studying insect pollinator nutrition and behavior in her home state.
Rachael and her students have surveyed insect pollinator diversity on Westerly Land Trust properties using bee hotels, bee bowls, and field observations. These data are part of the Providence Pollinator Lab’s reference collection of RI insect pollinators, with a focus on bees. Students in the Providence Pollinator Lab are also investigating which flowering plant species are most visited by bees, and the nutritional content of those flowers. Taken together, these data can be used to inform native pollinator-friendly plantings on Westerly Land Trust properties and beyond. Preliminary data show that if you want to plant for pollinators, dense blazing star (Liatris spicata) is a pollinator magnet, that is also nutritious!
Outside of research and teaching, Rachael is co-founder of the Tufts Pollinator Initiative and founding member/past president of the Boston Area Beekeepers Association. She is passionate about sharing her research with diverse audiences and engaging children in science through encouraging curiosity, which is the topic of her TEDx talk and children’s eBook, Dress Like a Scientist Day.
RELEVANT LINKS:
- https://providencepollinators.com/
- https://sites.tufts.edu/pollinators/
- https://dresslikeascientistday.com/
- https://youtu.be/KsA8V-yooFA
- Photo collection of pollinators
To learn more about the scientists & stewards on our land click HERE.
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We want to spread our wings! With spring on its way and our outdoor programing ramping up, will you help us share all that the Westerly Land Trust has to offer? 🦋
Do you know someone who might enjoy a walk in the woods, outdoor yoga, or a nature-themed book club?🌲
🌱Please tag three friends who you think would like to learn more about WLT’s programing and land conservation efforts.
❗️In return, you could be selected on Monday, March 10 to receive a Westerly Land Trust swag bag that includes a hand-crafted birdhouse, a bright orange logoed beanie, a jar of honey fresh from Barlow Nature Preserve, our 2025 calendar, and some WLT stickers.
#nature #conservation #outdoors #yoga #hike #family #instagram #follow #like #love #landtrust #trees #bird #books #waldenpond #rhodeisland #westerlyri
We want to spread our wings! With spring on its way and our outdoor programing ramping up, will you help us share all that the Westerly Land Trust has to offer? 🦋
Do you know someone who might enjoy a walk in the woods, outdoor yoga, or a nature-themed book club?🌲
🌱Please tag three friends who you think would like to learn more about WLT’s programing and land conservation efforts.
❗️In return, you could be selected on Monday, March 10 to receive a Westerly Land Trust swag bag that includes a hand-crafted birdhouse, a bright orange logoed beanie, a jar of honey fresh from Barlow Nature Preserve, our 2025 calendar, and some WLT stickers.
#nature #conservation #outdoors #yoga #hike #family #instagram #follow #like #love #landtrust #trees #bird #books #waldenpond #rhodeisland #westerlyri
☘️ Not to jinx things, but could it be that the worst of winter is behind us?
While weather in New England is most unexpected, let’s focus on the joys of March: in one week we’ll set our clocks ahead giving us more light at the end of the day for evening walks. Continue reading for details about each event mentioned in the pictures!
🔸Nordic Walking Kick-Off, Is it right for you? Wednesday, March 5, 5:30-6:30 pm at Barlow
🔸View the full Thursday Hike schedule through the “Hikes, Paddles, and Wellness” tab in the link in our bio!
🔸Weekend Volunteer Stewardship Day
Sunday, March 9, 11 am-1 pm at Grills Preserve
🔸Spring Equinox Yoga Hike
Thursday, March 20, 5-7 pm at Grills Preserve
🔸Setting Up Your Hive
Thursday, March 27, 5:30-7pm inside Barlow
🔸Support WLT and our local birds by ordering a hand-built birdhouse. Click the “Shop & Support” tab through the link in our bio to order!
🔸Head over to @echo_rock_flowers and @frontierfarmri to check out their CSA’s and flower subscriptions!
🌈Follow the link in our bio or head over to our website, westerlylandtrust.org to find our “Calendar of Events” for more information about each event!
#march #spring #flowers #hike #yoga #springequinox #family #outside #nature #conservation #beekeeping #rhodeisland #westerlyri #stoningtonct
☘️ Not to jinx things, but could it be that the worst of winter is behind us?
While weather in New England is most unexpected, let’s focus on the joys of March: in one week we’ll set our clocks ahead giving us more light at the end of the day for evening walks. Continue reading for details about each event mentioned in the pictures!
🔸Nordic Walking Kick-Off, Is it right for you? Wednesday, March 5, 5:30-6:30 pm at Barlow
🔸View the full Thursday Hike schedule through the “Hikes, Paddles, and Wellness” tab in the link in our bio!
🔸Weekend Volunteer Stewardship Day
Sunday, March 9, 11 am-1 pm at Grills Preserve
🔸Spring Equinox Yoga Hike
Thursday, March 20, 5-7 pm at Grills Preserve
🔸Setting Up Your Hive
Thursday, March 27, 5:30-7pm inside Barlow
🔸Support WLT and our local birds by ordering a hand-built birdhouse. Click the “Shop & Support” tab through the link in our bio to order!
🔸Head over to @echo_rock_flowers and @frontierfarmri to check out their CSA’s and flower subscriptions!
🌈Follow the link in our bio or head over to our website, westerlylandtrust.org to find our “Calendar of Events” for more information about each event!
#march #spring #flowers #hike #yoga #springequinox #family #outside #nature #conservation #beekeeping #rhodeisland #westerlyri #stoningtonct
This chilly weather is really making us miss warmer days! 🌻
#wildlife #conservation #summer #spring #grow #explore #westerlyri #rhodeisland #outside #stoningtonct #hike #love #nature #photography
This chilly weather is really making us miss warmer days! 🌻
#wildlife #conservation #summer #spring #grow #explore #westerlyri #rhodeisland #outside #stoningtonct #hike #love #nature #photography
Collect & Craft! 🌲🪺
Students and their families joined us at Wahaneeta Preserve to identify pine trees, create pinecone bird feeders, and search for animal tracks in the snow! ❄️
#wildlife #birds #birding #birdfeeder #winter #snow #hike #conservation #nature
Collect & Craft! 🌲🪺
Students and their families joined us at Wahaneeta Preserve to identify pine trees, create pinecone bird feeders, and search for animal tracks in the snow! ❄️
#wildlife #birds #birding #birdfeeder #winter #snow #hike #conservation #nature
🌲3 PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES🌲
The Westerly Land Trust has three paid internship opportunities this summer, two of which are generously sponsored by our partners at the Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation.
1.) a WLT/SNEC Conservation Programs Intern who will assist with diverse tasks relating to environmental education and land stewardship, 🐸🌎
2.) a WLT/SNEC Sustainable Farming Intern who will assist in the daily operations of two working farms ( @frontierfarmri and @echo_rock_flowers ) located on WLT’s Barlow Nature Preserve, and 💐🥕
3.) WLT Land Stewardship Intern who will assist in building WLT’s long term capacity, supporting WLT’s land conservation and stewardship efforts. 🌲🦌
For more information and to apply, please follow the link in our bio or head to our webpage and click “Join Our Team”.
And feel free to share this with your network of college students who are working towards degrees in environmental science, biology, education or a related field. 🧬🌱🐟
#westerlyri #rhodeisland #landtrust #hike #nature #outside #conservation #intern #internship #collegelife #wildlife #nature #landstewardship #agriculture #sustainableagriculture #farming #organic
🌲3 PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES🌲
The Westerly Land Trust has three paid internship opportunities this summer, two of which are generously sponsored by our partners at the Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation.
1.) a WLT/SNEC Conservation Programs Intern who will assist with diverse tasks relating to environmental education and land stewardship, 🐸🌎
2.) a WLT/SNEC Sustainable Farming Intern who will assist in the daily operations of two working farms ( @frontierfarmri and @echo_rock_flowers ) located on WLT’s Barlow Nature Preserve, and 💐🥕
3.) WLT Land Stewardship Intern who will assist in building WLT’s long term capacity, supporting WLT’s land conservation and stewardship efforts. 🌲🦌
For more information and to apply, please follow the link in our bio or head to our webpage and click “Join Our Team”.
And feel free to share this with your network of college students who are working towards degrees in environmental science, biology, education or a related field. 🧬🌱🐟
#westerlyri #rhodeisland #landtrust #hike #nature #outside #conservation #intern #internship #collegelife #wildlife #nature #landstewardship #agriculture #sustainableagriculture #farming #organic
Happy Sunday❄️
#winter #snow #ice #nature #photography #hike #landtrust #conservation
❤️Are you still searching for a gift for your Valentine?!
We’ve got you covered with many options to help spread the love of nature!! 🌱💕
Follow the link in our bio for more information about each! 💐
#love #nature #conservation #outside #valentines #lovebird #rhodeisland #westerlyri
❤️Are you still searching for a gift for your Valentine?!
We’ve got you covered with many options to help spread the love of nature!! 🌱💕
Follow the link in our bio for more information about each! 💐
#love #nature #conservation #outside #valentines #lovebird #rhodeisland #westerlyri
❄️🌲
#winter #snow #hike #conservation #landtrust #westerlyri #rhodeisland