The Westerly Land Trust Earns National Recognition with Renewed Accreditation
In 2022, the Westerly Land Trust renewed its accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, proving once again that, as a part of a network of more than 450 accredited land trusts across the nation, we are committed to professional excellence and to maintaining the public’s trust in conservation work. Through this process, we continue to demonstrate that we have sound finances, practice ethical conduct and responsible governance, and can ensure lasting stewardship.
In 2017, WLT underwent the voluntary, yet rigorous process to achieve accreditation for the first time. Accreditation is not a one-time action, but a tool to foster continuous improvement; therefore, participating land trusts repeat the process every five years to ensure growth and development of the organizations.
Accredited land trusts now steward almost 20 million acres- the size of Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire combined.
We are humbled by the support of the Westerly community. You’ve signaled that care deeply about the protection and conservation of local open space. Thank you for your partnership!
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June 15th is Nature Photography Day—a time to celebrate nature through photography and highlight its role in conservation.
! Have you taken any pictures on WLT properties??
‼️Enter the Westerly Land Trust Photo Contest ‼️
We want to see WLT land through your eyes (and lens)! Snap shots of trails, plants, animals and landscapes, and send them to Erika at [email protected] by October 6th for a chance to be featured in our 2026 WLT calendar! 🌳🌸
#rhodeisland #westerlyri #Nature #NaturePhotography #NatureLovers #NatureGram #EarthFocus #OurPlanetDaily #MotherNature #WildernessCulture
Our friends at Tractor Supply in Pawcatuck went above and beyond, donating loads of garden supplies, including seeds and seedlings, for our upcoming summer sessions of Farm Squad! 🥗
In just a few weeks we’ll kick off this program at Barlow Nature Preserve. Here, Westerly’s K-4th graders will learn through first-hand experience how seeds grow into vegetables, along with lots of other lessons of farm life.
Thank you, @tractorsupply , for supporting local environmental and agricultural education! 🚜
#community #donation #gardening #childrensgarden #summer #nature #grow #vegetables
Barlow’s Farm Stand Opening Saturday, June 14!!
🥗Visit the farm stand at Barlow Nature Preserve (449 Westerly-Bradford Rd) for opening day on Saturday, June 14 from 12pm-4pm. The farm stand is operated by the two farms on the property: Frontier Farm and Echo Rock Flowers. Through out the summer, they’ll also have on hand Ever-Breeze Farm’s eggs and WesterBee’s honey. Their regular summer schedule will begin on Thursday, June 19:
Shoppable Hours:
Thursdays, 3-6pm
Fridays, 3-6pm
New in 2025: Saturdays, 12-4pm
#farmstand #farm #organicfarmers #organicfarming #organic #vegetables
📚The Little Free Library at Barlow Nature Preserve is now open! Local woodworker David Osborne, one of WLT’s many talented volunteers, hand-crafted a one-of-a-kind mini library and installed it in front of the Barlow Farm Stand, facing the Education Cottage. Come take a seat on the bench and peruse the books—take one or leave one—that’s what they are here for!
🥗And don’t miss the seed exchange drawer on the back.
Thank you, David, and thanks to all those who donated books and seeds! 💚📖
#library #littlefreelibrary #bookexchange #naturebooks #nature #reading #mindful
That’s a wrap on the 2025 Spring Semester at the Westerly Land Trust!
This was our FIFTH spring semester of Living Laboratories, our afterschool program for WPS K-4 students, plus we added some new programs to engage even more of our community’s youth: WLT visited Trinity Lutheran pre-k, and this was our first spring semester partnering with local homeschool families. We topped it all off with a busy field trip season, welcoming students from all three local elementary schools and Richmond Elementary School to Barlow Nature Preserve, each school bringing between 50 and 80 kids! Plus, we hosted our first field trip at Riverwood Preserve, where we had a great time with St. Michael School’s middle schoolers.
Next, we are flying right into our summer program Farm Squad in which students will learn first hand where our food comes from, how to grow vegetables from seeds, how to compost (and why), and the importance of pollinators in food production!
#westerlyri #landtrust #youtheducation #environmentaleducation #explore #nature #getoutside #wildlife #watersheds #gardening #pollinators #planting #fieldtrip #homeschool
Our summer interns are here and they have hit the ground running, settling nicely into their new roles. WLT would like to thank the Southeastern New England Educational and Charitable Foundation (SNEC) for supporting the Conservation Programs and Sustainable Farming internships in 2025.
Quincy Rome 🐝🌿🍄
Conservation Programs
Quincy is a Rhode Island native who just completed his freshman year at Appalachian State University where he’s studying environmental science. A former youth baseball coach, he’s well versed in encouraging growth in young kids, so we’re excited to have him helping out with our summer youth programs.
Ella Anderson 👩🌾🥕🌱
Sustainable Farming
Ella is a UCONN Husky with a special interest in natural resources and sustainability. She has worked on a Christmas tree farm since 2013–not just around the holidays, but over the summers, too! It’s a safe bet that her agricultural skills will be put to good use with @frontierfarmri and @echo_rock_flowers .
Will Wholean 🪚🌳🐿️
Land Stewardship
You may remember this familiar face! Will was our Conservation Programs intern last summer, and he’s back for a second year to focus on land stewardship. Will is pursuing a degree in biology from Clark University, where, we are proud to report, he’s on the Dean’s List!
Welcome back, Will!
☀️Amidst the hustle and bustle of the upcoming summer, it can be easy to forget self-care. At the Westerly Land Trust, we want to help you make it a priority. Time in nature has proven mental and physical benefits, so here are some healthy summer suggestions: For every late-night clam bake, schedule in one walk in the woods. Be sure you’re fueling your body with nutrious, locally grown foods. Sign up for any of the hikes, paddles, and yoga sessions we have scheduled for June.
🌳If you’re a part of the WLT community, chances are you’re taking care of nature.
Make time this summer to let nature return the favor.
🥾Thursday Hike/ End of Season Get Together
June 12, 10-11:30am
Wahaneeta Preserve
Join the Thursday Hiking Group for their final hike of the season before they transition to paddles!
🐝Beehive Check- Caring for your colony
Rescheduled for Sat, June 14, 10-11:30AM
Barlow Nature Preserve
Dive into the art of hive inspection with this practical, hands-on workshop designed for beekeepers of all experience levels.
🧘♀️Outdoor Summer Solstice Yoga
Friday, June 20, 6-7pm
Winnapaug Farm Preserve
Come celebrate the summer solstice with a special outdoor yoga class led by Krystal Rose from @barre_coast . Westerly Land Trust members, contact Erika Lebling for reduced price registration of $10.
✨Forest Bathing
Saturday, June 21, 8:30-11am
Wahaneeta Preserve
Forest Bathing is the pleasant practice of spending time in nature to enhance health and happiness. Evidence-based research confirms that time in nature has profound healing benefits for physical and emotional wellbeing.
🌸Summer Solstice Flower Crown Workshop
hosted by Echo Rock Flowers
Saturday, June 21, 3-4:30pm
Barlow Nature Preserve
Surrounded by the peace and serenity of the budding flower field, you’ll learn how to craft your own stunning flower crown with expert guidance. @echo_rock_flowers is generously donating 10% of all workshop proceeds to support WLT’s work.
#summer #spring #sun #sunshine #outside #nature #trees #woods #animals #yoga #community #friends #westerlyri #rhodeisland #connecticut
Thank you to our friends at Westerly Library and Wilcox Park for donating a whole host of perennial plants to WLT following their Garden Market Sale. Our CCC volunteers went straight to work, giving these plants a new home surrounding the Barlow Nature Preserve Education Cottage. 🪻🌿
❗️Also, coming soon to Barlow: One of our talented volunteers is building a “Little Free Library”. 📚Do you have any field guides or children’s nature books that you’d like to donate? There will also be a compartment for seed exchange, so if you have any extra seeds, we’ll happily take them, too! Please bring your donations to our office at 449 Westerly Bradford Road. Thank you!
#westerlyri #wilcoxpark #garden #landscape #plants #summer #volunteer #landtrust #rhodeisland #nature #conservation #education
