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
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🌎 Our Earth Day celebrations continued today with our 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 Book Club, in partnership with @westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark. We gathered ‘round the fire in Wahaneeta Preserve’s cozy cabin and discussed Henry David Thoreau’s life and works, specifically his book 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯. Then we took a peaceful hike through the woods with Thoreau’s words fresh in our heads. Consider his line: “It would be worth the while if in each town there were a committee appointed to see that the beauty of the town received no detriment.” We at the Westerly Land Trust are proud to play a role preserving Westerly’s charm and character by protecting open spaces for the enduring benefit of our community.
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#westerly #westerlyri #westerlyrhodeisland #watchhill #stoningtonct #landtrust #landconservation #environment #southcountyri #walden #henrydavidthoreau #waldenpond #earthday #thoreau #westerlylibrary #westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark
🌎 Our Earth Day celebrations continued today with our 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯 Book Club, in partnership with @westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark. We gathered ‘round the fire in Wahaneeta Preserve’s cozy cabin and discussed Henry David Thoreau’s life and works, specifically his book 𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘯. Then we took a peaceful hike through the woods with Thoreau’s words fresh in our heads. Consider his line: “It would be worth the while if in each town there were a committee appointed to see that the beauty of the town received no detriment.” We at the Westerly Land Trust are proud to play a role preserving Westerly’s charm and character by protecting open spaces for the enduring benefit of our community.
.
.
#westerly #westerlyri #westerlyrhodeisland #watchhill #stoningtonct #landtrust #landconservation #environment #southcountyri #walden #henrydavidthoreau #waldenpond #earthday #thoreau #westerlylibrary #westerlylibraryandwilcoxpark
🌎Happy Earth Day!!
Big thanks to everyone who joined us for Clean-Up Crews & Brews yesterday! Over 300 pounds of trash was collected!
🌳Our crews dispersed around town to collect trash near multiple WLT properties and the surrounding roads including; Winnapaug Farm Preserve, Dr. John Glacier Park, Barlow Nature Preserve, Wildwood, Flora Whitely Preserve, Cottrell Family Preserve, Community Garden, Ice Rink, and Hawkewood! 🌳
🍺Participants scored a free pint from @greysail for helping keep our community clean!
#earthday #earthweek #westerlyri #rhodeisland #stoningtonct #stonington #southcounty #cleanup #trashpickup
🌎Happy Earth Day!!
Big thanks to everyone who joined us for Clean-Up Crews & Brews yesterday! Over 300 pounds of trash was collected!
🌳Our crews dispersed around town to collect trash near multiple WLT properties and the surrounding roads including; Winnapaug Farm Preserve, Dr. John Glacier Park, Barlow Nature Preserve, Wildwood, Flora Whitely Preserve, Cottrell Family Preserve, Community Garden, Ice Rink, and Hawkewood! 🌳
🍺Participants scored a free pint from @greysail for helping keep our community clean!
#earthday #earthweek #westerlyri #rhodeisland #stoningtonct #stonington #southcounty #cleanup #trashpickup
The Westerly Land Trust and Westerly Hospital are joining forces to offer a full day of wellness discovery at Avondale Farm Preserve on May 18, 2024. 💟🌳🩺
Here, you’ll get moving and sample some of the many options for health and wellness within our community, all while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the preserve. Local wellness partners will be on hand to help guide your day. Bring the whole family or simply treat yourself!💆♀️🧘♂️
🌸Here are a few of the day’s activities🌸
•Health screenings
•Yoga (chair, youth, adult)
•Chair massage
•Forest bathing
•Meditation
•Healthy snacks and beverages
No registration is required for this FREE event. Simply show up and enjoy. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Sunday, May 19.
☮️For a full list of participating vendors and wellness partners, please visit www. westerlylandtrust.org/portfolio/wellness-for-everybody or follow the link in our bio.
#wellness #wellnessforeverybody #yoga #gongbath #forestbathing #outside #hike #meditation #nature #spring #kids #adults #allages #westerly #westerlyri #stoningtonct #connecticut #southcountyri
The Westerly Land Trust and Westerly Hospital are joining forces to offer a full day of wellness discovery at Avondale Farm Preserve on May 18, 2024. 💟🌳🩺
Here, you’ll get moving and sample some of the many options for health and wellness within our community, all while enjoying the beautiful landscape of the preserve. Local wellness partners will be on hand to help guide your day. Bring the whole family or simply treat yourself!💆♀️🧘♂️
🌸Here are a few of the day’s activities🌸
•Health screenings
•Yoga (chair, youth, adult)
•Chair massage
•Forest bathing
•Meditation
•Healthy snacks and beverages
No registration is required for this FREE event. Simply show up and enjoy. In case of inclement weather, the event will be held on Sunday, May 19.
☮️For a full list of participating vendors and wellness partners, please visit www. westerlylandtrust.org/portfolio/wellness-for-everybody or follow the link in our bio.
#wellness #wellnessforeverybody #yoga #gongbath #forestbathing #outside #hike #meditation #nature #spring #kids #adults #allages #westerly #westerlyri #stoningtonct #connecticut #southcountyri
🦞Just one of the many critters students found while
dipping-netting in the pond at Wahaneeta Preserve.🦞
Crayfish are found in fresh water in many places around the world. They have a hard and protective exoskeleton that sheds as they grow. A single tail flip can propel them through the water when they feel threatened, perfectly demonstrated by our little friend in the video.
🐝🥕There are still spots open for our next two Living Laboratories sessions- Interesting Insects and Farming with Friends. 🍅Our Farm Squad 4-week FREE summer program is still open as well. If the session you’re interested in is full, please join our waitlist! Select “Youth Education” in the link in our bio to register. 🌳
#naturesclassroom #crayfish #students #pond #dipnet #waders #elementaryschool #outside #explore #hike #wildlife #naturalist #westerlyrhodeisland #westerlyri ##rhodeisland
🦞Just one of the many critters students found while
dipping-netting in the pond at Wahaneeta Preserve.🦞
Crayfish are found in fresh water in many places around the world. They have a hard and protective exoskeleton that sheds as they grow. A single tail flip can propel them through the water when they feel threatened, perfectly demonstrated by our little friend in the video.
🐝🥕There are still spots open for our next two Living Laboratories sessions- Interesting Insects and Farming with Friends. 🍅Our Farm Squad 4-week FREE summer program is still open as well. If the session you’re interested in is full, please join our waitlist! Select “Youth Education” in the link in our bio to register. 🌳
#naturesclassroom #crayfish #students #pond #dipnet #waders #elementaryschool #outside #explore #hike #wildlife #naturalist #westerlyrhodeisland #westerlyri ##rhodeisland
🌎Earth Day is coming up, help us clean-up our community and then celebrate with a FREE tasty pint at Grey Sail Brewing Company of RI.
Join us for Clean-up Crews & Brews on Sunday, April 21, 11:30-2:30 pm for an Earth Day-inspired trash pick-up in and around WLT properties, then head to Grey Sail for a post clean-up brew. 🚮
🍻Everyone who participates in the clean-up will receive a token to be used at Grey Sail for 1 FREE drink as a thank you for volunteering to help keep our environment clean and safe.
Many thanks to @greysail for hosting our clean-up crews!
Registration required to help us determine how many preserves we will be able to tackle with our crews! Follow the link in our bio to our calendar of events to register. We recommend comfy shoes and you may consider wearing long sleeves. Please bring gloves and buckets if you have them– we’ll share what we have. 🧤🪣
#earthday #cleanup #trashcleanup #trash #landtrust #keepitclean #westerlyri #southcountyri #rhodeisland #stoningtonct
🌎Earth Day is coming up, help us clean-up our community and then celebrate with a FREE tasty pint at Grey Sail Brewing Company of RI.
Join us for Clean-up Crews & Brews on Sunday, April 21, 11:30-2:30 pm for an Earth Day-inspired trash pick-up in and around WLT properties, then head to Grey Sail for a post clean-up brew. 🚮
🍻Everyone who participates in the clean-up will receive a token to be used at Grey Sail for 1 FREE drink as a thank you for volunteering to help keep our environment clean and safe.
Many thanks to @greysail for hosting our clean-up crews!
Registration required to help us determine how many preserves we will be able to tackle with our crews! Follow the link in our bio to our calendar of events to register. We recommend comfy shoes and you may consider wearing long sleeves. Please bring gloves and buckets if you have them– we’ll share what we have. 🧤🪣
#earthday #cleanup #trashcleanup #trash #landtrust #keepitclean #westerlyri #southcountyri #rhodeisland #stoningtonct
Did you know skunk cabbage is one of the first plants to emerge in the spring?🦨🌱
Even if all the ☔️ we had this winter was snow, you could still see their dark purple leaf, known as the spathe, poking up through the surface. This is part of the flower that blooms before the bright green cabbage-like foliage unfolds. 🌡️The process of cyanide-resistant cellular respiration allows this unique plant to produce heat at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, melting any snow or ice surrounding it.
If you step on skunk cabbage or it becomes injured in any way, the stench will most likely turn your stomach. BUT! Flies, beetles, and other pollinators are attracted to the skunk-like odor and help the plant reproduce. 🦟🪳🐝
#nature #spring #conservation #bloom #landtrust #westerlyri #rhodeisland #stoningtonct #getoutside #hike
Did you know skunk cabbage is one of the first plants to emerge in the spring?🦨🌱
Even if all the ☔️ we had this winter was snow, you could still see their dark purple leaf, known as the spathe, poking up through the surface. This is part of the flower that blooms before the bright green cabbage-like foliage unfolds. 🌡️The process of cyanide-resistant cellular respiration allows this unique plant to produce heat at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, melting any snow or ice surrounding it.
If you step on skunk cabbage or it becomes injured in any way, the stench will most likely turn your stomach. BUT! Flies, beetles, and other pollinators are attracted to the skunk-like odor and help the plant reproduce. 🦟🪳🐝
#nature #spring #conservation #bloom #landtrust #westerlyri #rhodeisland #stoningtonct #getoutside #hike
☔️The Westerly Land Trust believes rain sparks inspiration and builds resiliency!
We’re so proud of the State Street School students who braved the rain this week to search for critters at Wahaneeta. 🪳🪱🐸
#rainyday #explore #pond #stream #crayfish #youtheducation #westerlyrhodeisland #westerlyri
☔️The Westerly Land Trust believes rain sparks inspiration and builds resiliency!
We’re so proud of the State Street School students who braved the rain this week to search for critters at Wahaneeta. 🪳🪱🐸
#rainyday #explore #pond #stream #crayfish #youtheducation #westerlyrhodeisland #westerlyri
💐We’ve made it to April— the start of the second quarter of the year. Spring is officially here as evidenced by the glorious daffodils and budding forsythia.
April is a funny month— the days are longer and the flowers are blooming, but here in New England that wind sure is brisk. Don’t put away those winter coats just yet! ❄️
🌳Nevertheless, we at the Westerly Land Trust look forward to getting outdoors and taking in all the sights and sounds of the changing season. We hope to see you there.
Follow the link in our bio to our Calendar of Events to register for more info and to register for each event. Keep an eye out for registration info on Crews & Brews soon!
👩🌾CSAs
🥕Veggies: frontierfarmri.com
💐Flowers: echorockflowers.com
📸🦊: Holly Sisco-Bowen, Avondale Fox, featured for the month of April in our 2024 Calendar
#spring #april #youtheducation #bloom #hike #bookclub #youtheducation #earthday #earthweek #westerlyri #rhodeisland #southcounty
💐We’ve made it to April— the start of the second quarter of the year. Spring is officially here as evidenced by the glorious daffodils and budding forsythia.
April is a funny month— the days are longer and the flowers are blooming, but here in New England that wind sure is brisk. Don’t put away those winter coats just yet! ❄️
🌳Nevertheless, we at the Westerly Land Trust look forward to getting outdoors and taking in all the sights and sounds of the changing season. We hope to see you there.
Follow the link in our bio to our Calendar of Events to register for more info and to register for each event. Keep an eye out for registration info on Crews & Brews soon!
👩🌾CSAs
🥕Veggies: frontierfarmri.com
💐Flowers: echorockflowers.com
📸🦊: Holly Sisco-Bowen, Avondale Fox, featured for the month of April in our 2024 Calendar
#spring #april #youtheducation #bloom #hike #bookclub #youtheducation #earthday #earthweek #westerlyri #rhodeisland #southcounty