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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It’s hard to believe that we are already nearing the end of summer. Just last week, we bid farewell to our summer interns: Quincy Rome, Ella Anderson (both thanks to support from Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation), and Will Wholean.
🍄🐝Quincy is a Rhode Island native who joined WLT as the Conservation Programs intern, supporting our youth education programming. Here’s his main take away from teaching Westerly’s kiddos this summer: “There is no better way to raise an environmentally conscious citizen than to expose them to nature at a young age, and prioritize fun while doing it.” Clearly Quincy gets it! Over his term, it was a pleasure to watch him grow and encourage the students to grow, too. Best of luck at Appalachian State University this fall, Quincy!
🌸🌲Ella worked with @frontierfarmri and @echo_rock_flowers as the Sustainable Farming intern. She brought with her years of experience from the (literal) field—she’s worked on her family’s Christmas tree farm since 2013. Through her internship experience, Ella learned “sustainable practices including responsible land stewardship, no tilling, in ground raised beds, the use of cover crops, watering systems, natural fertilizers, pest prevention, and more.” WLT is proud to play a role in encouraging young people to learn these sustainable methods to support the land long into the future. Wishing you a happy return to UCONN, Ella!
🥾🪚Will returned to WLT for his second summer, this time as the Land Stewardship intern. He tackled projects all over Westerly, including blazing trails at Champlin Farm Preserve, tending to the native plant garden at Barlow Nature Preserve, and constructing bridges at Avondale Farm Preserve. One of his main projects was setting up trail cameras at various properties to monitor the types of local wildlife. Stay tuned for his results, coming soon! Will, we’re cheering you on as you head back to Clark University!
Thank you for all your hard work this summer! 🌳💚
🌿✨ Nature Journaling Series ✨🌿
Join us this fall for a 3-part Nature Journaling series led by educator, naturalist, and artist Jonah Salsich!
📓 Intro to Nature Journaling – FREE!
Saturday, Sept 6 at 9:30 AM at Barlow
All ages welcome
Discover the joy of observing the natural world through words, sketches, and numbers—no artistic experience needed!
🖋️ Workshop 1
Saturday,Sept 20 at 9:30 AM at Wahaneeta Preserve
Ages 18+
$10 WLT members / $25 non-members
Explore deeper connections to nature and yourself through creative journaling.
🍁 Workshop 2
Saturday, Oct 4 at 9:30 AM at Wahaneeta Preserve
Ages 18+
$10 WLT members / $25 non-members
Continue the journey with this relaxed, inspiring group and build your journaling practice.
Bring a notebook, pencils, and your curiosity. Come curious—leave inspired! 🌱
Follow the link in our bio to our Calendar of Events to learn more and register for each program!
Farm Squad summer = exploring, creating, growing, and fun in the sun!
Thanks for growing with us! 🌱☀️
#farmsquad #gardening #farming #friends #garden #farm #nature #explore #natureplay #learn #grow
Last year, to focus on permanently protecting the 90-acre Champlin Farm Preserve, we pressed pause on the Farm Dinner. This year, in celebration of this success and all the work we do to connect our community with local agriculture, we are bringing back the Farm Dinner concept—celebrating the bounty of the land by dining together al fresco—with some exciting new twists. 🌳💚
First, this will be a smaller, more intimate experience held at Barlow Nature Preserve, which has been our “home base”, our “hub”, our “headquarters” since we moved here in 2020. For five years, we have gotten to know this beautiful landscape, and helped it grow into a centerpiece of our work, complete with two vibrant working farms, Frontier Farm and Echo Rock Flowers, a farm stand, and the heart of our youth education program.
🧑🍳And, rather than dividing the courses among different chefs, Julian ElFedayni-Connell from @thetinpeddler in Stonington and @barbarycoastct in Mystic will be curating the entire dinner which is sure to please.
So join us for our 2025 Farm Dinner on Saturday, September 13th beginning at 3:30pm — gather with friends and neighbors out on the land and enjoy a fabulous meal entirely prepared with local ingredients.
We look forward to seeing you at the table! 🌸
Follow the link in our bio to reserve your seats today. But hurry, they’re going quick!!
#farmdinner #farmtotable #farmers #farming #community #westerlyri #rhodeisland #conservation #nature
Happy August!! 🌻
We have lots of opportunities to connect with nature and foster community this month!
📚Story Time in the Garden
Join us every Tuesday in August starting at 9 am for stories in the garden followed by a hands on nature experience! Best for ages 5 and under but open to all ages! Story times are offered at NO COST thanks to generous community support!
🚣Thursday Paddles
Join the Thursday Paddlers at various locations through RI and CT. Check out of Hokes, Paddles, and Wellness webpage for the full paddle schedule.
🧘♀️Yin Yoga and Sound Bath Journey
Sunday, August 10, 9-10am
Winnapaug Farm Preserve
Join us for a tranquil journey of mind and body led by Jill Lyndes and Maddy McCann from BarreCoast. WLT members, contact elebling@westerlylandtrust.org for reduced price registration of $10.
🐝From Hive to Jar
Thursday August 21, 5:30-7pm
Barlow Nature Preserve
Join Cail Calder, aka “The Beeman“, of Westerbee Honey for a sweet and informative workshop dedicated to the art of harvesting honey.
🌸 Echo Rock Flowers Date Nights and Workshops
Barlow Nature Preserve
The farm is in full bloom and Echo Rock Flowers has lots to offer in August! Date Nights are on August 8th and 29, and a Floral Design Workshop is on August 29th.
🌱The Barlow Farm Stand, operated by Frontier Farm and Echo Rock Flowers, is open! In addition to produce and flowers from these two farms, look for Ever-Breeze Farm eggs and Westerbee honey.
Farm stand hours are Thursday & Friday, 3-6pm, and (new in 2025) Saturday, 12-4pm.
Follow the link in our bio to our Calendar of Events to register and learn more information about each event!
#westerlyri #westerly #stoningtonct #nature #conservation #wildlife #landtrust #explore #yoga #farmstand #fresh #flowers #summer #august
Thanks to everyone who explored with us last weekend during our 4th Annual Mini BioBlitz at Champlin Farm Preserve!! We discovered an abundance of species on this recently protected 90-acre property and are excited to continue to explore it! 🐛🌲
#bioblitz #citizenscience #nature #explore #landtrust #conservation #westerlyri #pollinators #nativespecies
Birds, beaks, binoculars, oh my!
We had so much fun last week teaching three classes at Littlebrook Child Development Center all about birds! Students became birdwatchers with binoculars, explored how beaks match diets, and even built their own nests while learning how birds adapt to their environment! 🐦🪺
#birds #binoculars #beak #preschool #summer #nature #learning #explore #westerlyri #rhodeisland
📚Join us for Storytime in the Garden, a gentle and engaging outdoor program designed for children to connect with nature through books and hands-on fun.
Each session is offered on Tuesdays through the month of August (8/5, 8/12, 8/19, 8/26) and features a read-aloud of a beautifully illustrated, nature-themed story -celebrating wildlife, flowers, pollinators, and the outdoors. After the story, participants are invited to enjoy a simple, hands-on activity inspired by the book. From binoculars to plants and bug vacuums, every week offers a new way to explore, create, and imagine. 🌸🌳
Best for ages 5 and under, but open to all. Parents/caregivers are required to attend and encouraged to participate. Please register in advance to help us best prepare for nature activities. Use the link in our bio to go to our Calendar of Events webpage!
This program is offered at NO COST thanks to generous community support!
Not able to make it? Check out our Little Free Library by our farm stand at Barlow Nature Preserve.
Also, a huge THANK YOU to Susi Brodie @brodie401 for the generous donation of her amazing nature themed children’s book collection! We have no shortage of good stories to read this summer!💚
#storytime #summerreading #reading #garden #childrensbook #family #preschool #summer #free #westerlyri #rhodeisland
