Dr. Scott Buchanan- State Herpetologist
Scott Buchanan has been the state herpetologist (amphibian and reptile biologist) with the Rhode Island Division of Fish and Wildlife since 2018. He completed his MS in 2012 studying hognose snakes on Cape Cod, and completed his PhD in 2017 studying freshwater turtles in Rhode Island. Rhode Island is home to 18 native amphibians and 19 resident native reptiles, plus four migratory species of sea turtles. Using the best possible science, the RIDFW Herpetology Program strives to improve the understanding of the distribution and abundance of amphibians and reptiles on the Rhode Island landscape and employ the most effective strategies for their conservation and management. Scott has worked with the Westerly Land Trust since 2020 surveying for populations of eastern spadefoot toads (Scaphiopus holbrookii) in Westerly. The eastern spadefoot toad is Rhode Island’s only state-listed Endangered amphibian. The collaboration has led to new insights into where the species occurs and led to new opportunities for conservation.
To learn more about the scientists & stewards on our land click HERE.
Photo Credit: Sarah Petrarca
Photo Credit: Sarah Petrarca
Photo Credit: Scott Buchanan
Photo Credit: Sarah Petrarca
Photo Credit: Scott Buchanan
Photo Credit: Sarah Petrarca
Photo Credit: Scott Buchanan
❄️𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨!
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season—the grueling travel, the endless shopping, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 the cookie eating—winter snuck in, quiet as a mouse.
The word solstice has Latin roots: 𝘴𝘰𝘭 meaning “sun” combined with 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦 meaning “to stand still.” It is named for that moment in time when the sun, forging a certain trajectory for half a year, appears to pause in the sky before reversing directions.
𝙏𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡. What a foreign concept for so many of us these days. We are always on the move, always in hot pursuit, always burdened by a never ending to-do list or the heavy weight of current affairs. But, today, on the Winter Solstice, take a cue from nature. Pause, reflect, and consider the beauty that surrounds us all.
As we all follow our own trajectories into 2025, we hope you’ll carve out intentional time to 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭— not only in celebration of the two solstices, but throughout the year. From all of us at WLT, we wish you happy holidays and a joyous New Year full of peace and calm
❄️𝙎𝙤𝙡𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙂𝙧𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨!
Amidst the hustle and bustle of the holiday season—the grueling travel, the endless shopping, 𝘢𝘭𝘭 the cookie eating—winter snuck in, quiet as a mouse.
The word solstice has Latin roots: 𝘴𝘰𝘭 meaning “sun” combined with 𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘦 meaning “to stand still.” It is named for that moment in time when the sun, forging a certain trajectory for half a year, appears to pause in the sky before reversing directions.
𝙏𝙤 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡. What a foreign concept for so many of us these days. We are always on the move, always in hot pursuit, always burdened by a never ending to-do list or the heavy weight of current affairs. But, today, on the Winter Solstice, take a cue from nature. Pause, reflect, and consider the beauty that surrounds us all.
As we all follow our own trajectories into 2025, we hope you’ll carve out intentional time to 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭— not only in celebration of the two solstices, but throughout the year. From all of us at WLT, we wish you happy holidays and a joyous New Year full of peace and calm
💐The frosting hasn’t even set on our holiday cookies, and here we are,promoting our Summer 2025 internships!
But, we’ve got a busy summer planned, so let’s get a head start...
Thanks again to the generous support from the Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation, we’ve just posted two PAID internship positions for Summer 2025.
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”!
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. 🌈🦋🌦️
💐The frosting hasn’t even set on our holiday cookies, and here we are,promoting our Summer 2025 internships!
But, we’ve got a busy summer planned, so let’s get a head start...
Thanks again to the generous support from the Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation, we’ve just posted two PAID internship positions for Summer 2025.
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”!
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. 🌈🦋🌦️
The holidays are right around the corner, and we have some awesome last-minute gift ideas for you! 🎄❄️
If you’d like a WLT bright orange beanie or 2025 calendar, follow the link in our bio to order. 🗓️
💐Do you know someone who would love a fresh basket of produce or bouquet of flowers each week, @echo_rock_flowers subscription or @frontierfarmri CSA would be a perfect gift. Follow the link in our bio to visit both farmers’ websites!
To gift a friend or family member a WLT Membership, follow the link in our bio and select “Levels of Support”. 🌳
🔪 @graygoosecookerywatchhill will sharpen your knives when you make a donation to WLT at the Gray goose cookery! Sharp knives are safe knives!
👗👠 @second.serve.resale strives to lower the consumption of new clothing by promoting the benefits of resale. When you shop Second Serve Resale and select WLT at checkout, 85% of your sale will be generously donated back to WLT. Follow the link in our bio and select “Shop and Support” to check out the pieces they have.
As we wrap up 2024 we want to say a big heartfelt thank YOU to all of our volunteers, supporters, sponsors, and community partners! We couldn’t do all we do without you! 😊💚
#westerlyri #landtrust #conservation #rhodeisland #stoningtonct #newengland #winter #fall #seasons #newyear #2024 #2025 #landtrust #nature
The holidays are right around the corner, and we have some awesome last-minute gift ideas for you! 🎄❄️
If you’d like a WLT bright orange beanie or 2025 calendar, follow the link in our bio to order. 🗓️
💐Do you know someone who would love a fresh basket of produce or bouquet of flowers each week, @echo_rock_flowers subscription or @frontierfarmri CSA would be a perfect gift. Follow the link in our bio to visit both farmers’ websites!
To gift a friend or family member a WLT Membership, follow the link in our bio and select “Levels of Support”. 🌳
🔪 @graygoosecookerywatchhill will sharpen your knives when you make a donation to WLT at the Gray goose cookery! Sharp knives are safe knives!
👗👠 @second.serve.resale strives to lower the consumption of new clothing by promoting the benefits of resale. When you shop Second Serve Resale and select WLT at checkout, 85% of your sale will be generously donated back to WLT. Follow the link in our bio and select “Shop and Support” to check out the pieces they have.
As we wrap up 2024 we want to say a big heartfelt thank YOU to all of our volunteers, supporters, sponsors, and community partners! We couldn’t do all we do without you! 😊💚
#westerlyri #landtrust #conservation #rhodeisland #stoningtonct #newengland #winter #fall #seasons #newyear #2024 #2025 #landtrust #nature
We had so much fun making wreaths last week! Some of the greenery came directly from WLT land foraged by our very own WLT elves!🎄
Big thanks to everyone who helped out and to all who ordered one!! And thanks to @frontierfarmri for letting us use the greenhouse and @broadview_florist_ri for some extra greenery! 💚
#wreaths #holidays #happyholiday #season #christmas #winter #snow #pine #spruce #forage
We had so much fun making wreaths last week! Some of the greenery came directly from WLT land foraged by our very own WLT elves!🎄
Big thanks to everyone who helped out and to all who ordered one!! And thanks to @frontierfarmri for letting us use the greenhouse and @broadview_florist_ri for some extra greenery! 💚
#wreaths #holidays #happyholiday #season #christmas #winter #snow #pine #spruce #forage
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition? 🍂
For the team at the Westerly Land Trust, one of our favorites has become our annual hike out into the woods of Barlow Nature Preserve in late November to take a group photo. We coordinate a clothing accessory— last year was scarves; the year before that, flannel shirts. This year we chose vests. Someone joked that the caption should read:
Thank you for inVESTing in local land conservation.
(I’ll spare you the details of which teammate made that dreadful pun.)
Joking aside, 2024 was a big year for the Westerly Land Trust: Our education program is booming, complete with a new program designed for our community’s homeschool families. We successfully transferred the Ice Rink to the Town of Westerly— a big win for our Urban Initiative. And most recently, we grew by 90 acres with the permanent protection of Champlin Farm Preserve. 🌳
These Westerly Land Trust successes belong to our community—the real drivers of our growth and achievements.
Without you, we couldn’t do what we do. And maybe it’s this recognition that makes our annual November stroll into the woods that much sweeter— it is a time for us as a team to reflect on the work we do, where we do it, while thinking of the people who make it all possible.💚
From all of us at the Westerly Land Trust,
Happy Thanksgiving!🦃
#landtrust #westerlyri #community #thankful #thanksgiving #thankyou #nature #conservation #rhodeisland #stoningtonct
Do you have a favorite Thanksgiving tradition? 🍂
For the team at the Westerly Land Trust, one of our favorites has become our annual hike out into the woods of Barlow Nature Preserve in late November to take a group photo. We coordinate a clothing accessory— last year was scarves; the year before that, flannel shirts. This year we chose vests. Someone joked that the caption should read:
Thank you for inVESTing in local land conservation.
(I’ll spare you the details of which teammate made that dreadful pun.)
Joking aside, 2024 was a big year for the Westerly Land Trust: Our education program is booming, complete with a new program designed for our community’s homeschool families. We successfully transferred the Ice Rink to the Town of Westerly— a big win for our Urban Initiative. And most recently, we grew by 90 acres with the permanent protection of Champlin Farm Preserve. 🌳
These Westerly Land Trust successes belong to our community—the real drivers of our growth and achievements.
Without you, we couldn’t do what we do. And maybe it’s this recognition that makes our annual November stroll into the woods that much sweeter— it is a time for us as a team to reflect on the work we do, where we do it, while thinking of the people who make it all possible.💚
From all of us at the Westerly Land Trust,
Happy Thanksgiving!🦃
#landtrust #westerlyri #community #thankful #thanksgiving #thankyou #nature #conservation #rhodeisland #stoningtonct
There’s still time to order your holiday wreath! 🎄
Adorn your door with a hand-crafted wreath made from locally harvested foliage. Wreaths are $65 and when you order a wreath, you can order a 2025 WLT calendar for $15 ($5 discount).
Proceeds will benefit the Westerly Land Trust’s conservation efforts. 🌳
Wreaths will be ready for pick up at Barlow Nature Preserve (449 Westerly Bradford Road) December 4th-6th.
Follow the link in our bio or type the following url into your web browser to order your wreath and/or calendar! Thank you!💚
https://westerlylandtrust.org/support-our-work/shop-and-support/
#wreath #winter #holiday #christmas #thanskgiving #decoration #holidays #foliage #forage #landtrust #hike #westerlyri #rhodeisland
There’s still time to order your holiday wreath! 🎄
Adorn your door with a hand-crafted wreath made from locally harvested foliage. Wreaths are $65 and when you order a wreath, you can order a 2025 WLT calendar for $15 ($5 discount).
Proceeds will benefit the Westerly Land Trust’s conservation efforts. 🌳
Wreaths will be ready for pick up at Barlow Nature Preserve (449 Westerly Bradford Road) December 4th-6th.
Follow the link in our bio or type the following url into your web browser to order your wreath and/or calendar! Thank you!💚
https://westerlylandtrust.org/support-our-work/shop-and-support/
#wreath #winter #holiday #christmas #thanskgiving #decoration #holidays #foliage #forage #landtrust #hike #westerlyri #rhodeisland
The Westerly Land Trust Annual Meeting is open to all members. Join us as we recap 2024 and share plans for 2025. To RSVP, please call 401-315-2610 or email Erika at [email protected]. 🎄
❄️We’ll meet at Barlow Nature Preserve (449 Westerly Bradford Road) on Tuesday, December 3, from 5:30-7:30pm.
#landtrust #westerly #rhodeisland #westerlyri #southcounty #stoningtonct #annualmeeting #hike #nature #2024 #2025
The Westerly Land Trust Annual Meeting is open to all members. Join us as we recap 2024 and share plans for 2025. To RSVP, please call 401-315-2610 or email Erika at [email protected]. 🎄
❄️We’ll meet at Barlow Nature Preserve (449 Westerly Bradford Road) on Tuesday, December 3, from 5:30-7:30pm.
#landtrust #westerly #rhodeisland #westerlyri #southcounty #stoningtonct #annualmeeting #hike #nature #2024 #2025
It’s holiday wreath time!! The Westerly Land Trust elves are readying the workshop. 🎄
❄️This holiday season, adorn your door with a hand-crafted wreath made from locally harvested foliage. Wreaths are $65 and when you order a wreath, you can order a 2025 WLT calendar for $15 ($5 discount).
Proceeds will benefit the Westerly Land Trust’s conservation efforts. 🌳
Wreaths will be ready for pick up at Barlow Nature Preserve (449 Westerly Bradford Road) December 4th-6th.
Follow the link in our bio or type the following url into your web browser to order your wreath and/or calendar! Thank you!💚
https://westerlylandtrust.org/support-our-work/shop-and-support/
#wreath #winter #holiday #christmas #thanskgiving #decoration #holidays #foliage #forage #landtrust #hike #westerlyri #rhodeisland
It’s holiday wreath time!! The Westerly Land Trust elves are readying the workshop. 🎄
❄️This holiday season, adorn your door with a hand-crafted wreath made from locally harvested foliage. Wreaths are $65 and when you order a wreath, you can order a 2025 WLT calendar for $15 ($5 discount).
Proceeds will benefit the Westerly Land Trust’s conservation efforts. 🌳
Wreaths will be ready for pick up at Barlow Nature Preserve (449 Westerly Bradford Road) December 4th-6th.
Follow the link in our bio or type the following url into your web browser to order your wreath and/or calendar! Thank you!💚
https://westerlylandtrust.org/support-our-work/shop-and-support/
#wreath #winter #holiday #christmas #thanskgiving #decoration #holidays #foliage #forage #landtrust #hike #westerlyri #rhodeisland