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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❄️❄️ read the caption!
If you snapped any pics while exploring the snowy WLT trails, send them to [email protected] to be entered in our 2026 Calendar Photo Contest!
#westerlyri #rhodeisland #landtrust #hike #nature #outside #conservation #winter #snow #photography
❄️❄️ read the caption!
If you snapped any pics while exploring the snowy WLT trails, send them to [email protected] to be entered in our 2026 Calendar Photo Contest!
#westerlyri #rhodeisland #landtrust #hike #nature #outside #conservation #winter #snow #photography
📢 PAID SUMMER 2025 INTERNSHIPS 📢Thanks to the generous support from the Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation.
Will you help us find:
1.) a Conservation Programs Intern 🐛🦉who will assist with diverse tasks relating to environmental education and land stewardship, and
2.) a Sustainable Farming Intern🥕🌻who will assist in the daily operations of two working farms (Frontier Farm and Echo Rock Flowers) located on WLT’s Barlow Nature Preserve.
🍅For more information and to apply, please follow the link in our bio and select “Join Our Team”!
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 #conservation #education #environmentaleducation #farming #internship #environmental #conservation #sustainableagriculture #agriculture
📢 PAID SUMMER 2025 INTERNSHIPS 📢Thanks to the generous support from the Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation.
Will you help us find:
1.) a Conservation Programs Intern 🐛🦉who will assist with diverse tasks relating to environmental education and land stewardship, and
2.) a Sustainable Farming Intern🥕🌻who will assist in the daily operations of two working farms (Frontier Farm and Echo Rock Flowers) located on WLT’s Barlow Nature Preserve.
🍅For more information and to apply, please follow the link in our bio and select “Join Our Team”!
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 #conservation #education #environmentaleducation #farming #internship #environmental #conservation #sustainableagriculture #agriculture
Thank you @cinderrestaurant for a delicious night! 🌮
Our staff and family holiday party was so much fun last night! Such a cozy place to share laughs and yummy food! Thanks again, Cinder💚
Thank you @cinderrestaurant for a delicious night! 🌮
Our staff and family holiday party was so much fun last night! Such a cozy place to share laughs and yummy food! Thanks again, Cinder💚
Thank you @safetrailsfirstaid for providing a fantastic trailside first aid course. 🚑🩸
WLT staff and many of our dedicated volunteers received training in first aid, CPR/ AED, and Stop the Bleed to help us be prepared and keep each other safe while exploring the trails and beyond! 🌳
#firstaid #trailsafety #cpr #aed #training #westerlyri #wilderness #landtrust #conservation #safetyfirst
Thank you @safetrailsfirstaid for providing a fantastic trailside first aid course. 🚑🩸
WLT staff and many of our dedicated volunteers received training in first aid, CPR/ AED, and Stop the Bleed to help us be prepared and keep each other safe while exploring the trails and beyond! 🌳
#firstaid #trailsafety #cpr #aed #training #westerlyri #wilderness #landtrust #conservation #safetyfirst
🦉WHOOOOOOOO did we spot this week in the 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙎𝙪𝙣’𝙨 “𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙧”?!? WLT’s very own Conservation Programs Coordinator Emma Stahl! Learn a bit more about our friend Emma by following the link in our bio and clicking “WLT in the News.”
🦉WHOOOOOOOO did we spot this week in the 𝙒𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙡𝙮 𝙎𝙪𝙣’𝙨 “𝙀𝙖𝙨𝙮 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙞𝙧”?!? WLT’s very own Conservation Programs Coordinator Emma Stahl! Learn a bit more about our friend Emma by following the link in our bio and clicking “WLT in the News.”
Happy National Bird Day! 🦉🪶
❄️ As winter settles in, let’s lend a hand to our feathered friends. Keep bird feeders stocked with seeds, offer fresh water, and provide shelter with trees, shrubs, fallen branches, or birdhouses.
📸 Thanks to Jim Burke for the amazing bird shots!
#birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #winter
Happy National Bird Day! 🦉🪶
❄️ As winter settles in, let’s lend a hand to our feathered friends. Keep bird feeders stocked with seeds, offer fresh water, and provide shelter with trees, shrubs, fallen branches, or birdhouses.
📸 Thanks to Jim Burke for the amazing bird shots!
#birds #birding #birdwatching #birdphotography #winter
Happy January!❄️
Are you looking for ways to get outside and stay connected with nature during the colder months?! We have some fun events coming up! Follow the link in our bio to our Calendar of Events to learn more about each event!
#winter #snow #hike #january #landtrust #nature #rhodeisland #westerlyri #stoningtonct #connecticut #conservation
Happy January!❄️
Are you looking for ways to get outside and stay connected with nature during the colder months?! We have some fun events coming up! Follow the link in our bio to our Calendar of Events to learn more about each event!
#winter #snow #hike #january #landtrust #nature #rhodeisland #westerlyri #stoningtonct #connecticut #conservation
As we reflect on all we accomplished in 2024 we want to say a big thank you to all of our amazing supporters. We couldn’t do all that we do without you!!
We are so excited to see what 2025 will bring!🎇
As we reflect on all we accomplished in 2024 we want to say a big thank you to all of our amazing supporters. We couldn’t do all that we do without you!!
We are so excited to see what 2025 will bring!🎇