March 29, 2024

It’s Time to get Your Boots a Little Muddy…Spring is Here! March 2016 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island

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(January 27, 2016) – With warmer weather on the way, there is not a better time to get outside! Experience sweet maple sugaring, go birding with an expert, or enjoy a guided walk through a beautiful salt marsh. Pull on those boots and go!

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online at www.asri.org.  A complete listing of programs are detailed in the Audubon Nature Tours and Programs, a free guide to connecting with the natural world. Download a copy online at www.asri.org.

March 2, 9, 1, 23, 30, 2016 Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Around the State 9:00 – 11:00 am
Audubon offers FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry. Walks will begin at 9:00 am. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Please visit Audubon's website or Facebook Page for the location. You may also contact Laura directly at lcarberry@asri.org for more information.  Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday, weather permitting; 9:00-11:00 am; Fee: Free. Ages: 14+.

March 4 & 5, 2016 Pysanky Workshop
Two Dates and Locations Offered
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA See Times Below
Come try your hand at the Ukrainian tradition of dyeing eggs called Pysanky. Participants will learn about design, planning and dyeing eggs. Handouts will also be given regarding where to obtain Pysanky tools and dyes to continue the tradition at home. All supplies are provided. Participants will create one egg. Wear clothes that can get messy (or a smock) as dyes are permanent. Register online at www.asri.org.

- Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; March 4, 2016; 6:30-8:30 pm; Program Fee: $25/member, $30/non-member. Ages: 12+.

- Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; March 5, 2016; 10:00 am-12:00 pm; Program Fee: $25/member, $30/non-member. Ages: 12+.

March 5, 2016 Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Admission to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Environmental Education Center will be free on the first Saturday of every month, courtesy of a grant from Citizens Bank. Families can explore environmental exhibits representing Rhode Island’s diverse habitats, from upland meadow and cornfields to wetlands, salt marshes and the Narragansett Bay shoreline.
Situated on the beautiful 28-acre McIntosh Wildlife Refuge, visitors can enjoy nature trails.

Awesome Amphibians
Spring is just around the corner. Gear up for the arrival of spring peepers, green frogs, bullfrogs, spotted salamanders and more with a day dedicated to our local amphibian species! Programs and admission are free thanks to Citizens Bank.
9:00 am to 5:00 pm - Spot the Salamander: Spot all ten salamanders hidden in our exhibit hall and get a prize!
10:00 am-2:00 pm - Nature Craft Table
10:00 am - Amphibian Stories
11:00 am and 2:00 pm - Amphibian Interview: Meet a live salamander!
1:00 pm - Amphibian Games. Can you race like a tadpole? Can you join in on our frog chorus?
2:30 - Guided Nature Walk. Talk a walk through our wildlife refuge and look for signs of spring!
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI.

March 6 to April 6, 2016 Wild for Birds
Photography Exhibit by Heidi Farmer Piccerelli
Audubon Environmental Education Center Bristol, RI 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Heidi Piccerelli’s admiration of birds and wildlife runs deep in her roots. As one of artist Frank Weston Benson’s great-great-grandchildren, she grew up surrounded by avian etchings, watercolors, and oil paintings. It wasn’t until recently, however, that her own love of wildlife and bird photography developed. Heidi’s passion for nature and birds is reflected in this amazing series of wildlife images. View Heidi’s work at www.heidipiccerelliphotography.com. Meet the artist at the opening reception on Sunday, March 6, 2016 from 1:00 to 3:00pm.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: Free with Admission. Ages: All.

March 6 and April 3, 2016 Prudence Island Tour and Seal Watch
Three Dates Offered
Prudence Island, RI 9:45 am – 4:45 pm
Come explore Prudence Island with a chance to see seals at one of the best haul-out spots in Narragansett Bay and learn about ecological research happening in and around the Bay. The seals will be viewed using spotting scopes and a brief presentation will provide you with information about the seals’ life cycle and migration. Participants will also tour the island by van with stops along the way to visit several unique historical and natural features.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Program Fee; $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10+. For more details on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit www.asri.org.

March 9, 2016 Armchair Naturalist Lecture:
Vernal Pools aka Wicked Big Puddles
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
Smithfield, RI 6:30 – 8:00 pm
These mysterious springtime pools often come and go without much notice, but they are an absolutely vital habitat to so many creatures. Come learn about what makes a vernal pool so special and why the lives of some animals depend on them.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $10/member, $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online at www.asri.org.

March 9 and April 5, 2016 Seal Watch on Prudence Island
Two Dates Offered
Prudence Island, RI 9:45 am – 3:00 pm
Observe harbor seals at one of the best haul-out spots in Narragansett Bay! The seals will be viewed from land using spotting scopes and binoculars. The program includes a presentation on these amazing animals. Participants will also tour the island via passenger van, learning about the cultural and natural history of Prudence, as well as some of the current research projects at the Research Reserve.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Program Fee; $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: 8+. For more details on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit www.asri.org.

March 12, 2016 Maple Sugaring
and Pancake Breakfast
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge
Seekonk, MA
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Step back in time at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge and experience the history of maple sugaring. Learn how maple sugaring started with Native Americans and how to make the sweet syrup in your own backyard. Participants taste first hand this delectable treat over breakfast in the big white barn. Sample pancakes, muffins and other breakfast treats - all with fresh maple syrup. Tours start every 15 minutes. Please register in advance, this is a popular program and space is limited. Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Program Fee: $12/member adult, $6/member child; $18/non-member adult, $9/non-member child; Ages: 5+. Register online at www.asri.org.

March 16, 2016 Winter Waterfowl Birding
Prudence Island, RI 9:45 am – 3:00 pm
One of the highlights of winter in New England is the amazing abundance of birds that visit our shoreline. Come explore Prudence Island and search for Eiders, Grebes, Goldeneyes, Mergansers and much more! We'll traverse the island in a comfortable passenger van and make several stops at ponds, coves and marshes throughout the day.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Program Fee; $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: 8+. For more details on Prudence Island trips and to register, visit www.asri.org.

March 19 and April 16, 2016 Sea Glass Jewelry
Two Dates Offered
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Come design and create a beautiful pendant with sea glass found on local beaches. Learn how to choose the right piece of glass and transform it into fun, creative jewelry using quick and easy wire wrapping techniques. Program includes all materials. Find something special on the beach? Bring that too! This class fills quickly so don’t wait! Advance registration is required as space is strictly limited to 10 participants.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $30/member, $35/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online at www.asri.org.

March 25, 2016 Natural Egg Dyeing
Workshop for Families
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Discover a fun and eco-friendly way to decorate your Easter eggs! Kids wrap eggs in leaves and other natural items, and then color them using all-natural dyes. Beautiful impressions will be left on the surface of the eggs! Please bring a dozen hardboiled eggs to the workshop. We will provide the rest of the materials. Please register in advance. Adult must attend with child.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $10/member child, $14/non-member child. Ages: 4+. Register online at www.asri.org.

March 26, 2016 Audubon Camouflaged Egg Hunt
Offered at Three Audubon Locations:
Bristol, Exeter and Smithfield, RI 9:30 am – 11:00 pm
Here’s a fun alternative to the same old Easter Egg Hunt! Children, ages 3 to 10, hunt for brown eggs in a natural setting and quickly learn how well the eggs camouflage. Prizes are awarded to all children, with grand prizes given to the finders of the “golden eggs.” Participants are asked to bring a basket. Check-in will begin at 9:30 am. The Egg Hunt will start promptly at 10:00 am and is held rain or shine. Advance registration is required.
- Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI
- Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI
- Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI
Program Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child; Ages: Ages 3-10. Register online at www.asri.org.

March 30, 2016 Salt Marsh Exploration
Audubon Lathrop Wildlife Refuge
Westerly, RI 9:30 - 11:30 am
Coastal habitats such as salt marshes are fascinating areas at any time of year. The Lathrop Wildlife Refuge protects a large part of the north shore of Winnapaug Pond. Join Audubon and look for natural treasures on the marsh and birds on the pond. This is a low tide walk but marshes are wet. Please dress appropriately. Binoculars are recommended.
Lathrop Wildlife Refuge, Route 1A, Westerly, RI; Program Fee: $10/member, $14/non-member. Ages: 5+. Register online at www.asri.org.

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