May is for the Birds!

(April 7, 2016) – Grab your binoculars and search for spring migrants with an Audubon guide, observe bird banding, or bring the brood and learn all about migratory species through games and crafts. Get outside and join the fun!

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. A complete listing of activities and programs are detailed in the Audubon Nature Tours and Programs, a free guide to connecting with the natural world. Register online at www.asri.org or call (401) 949-5454.

May 5 & 6, 2016 Animal Tales
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 10:00 - 11:00 am
Enjoy a nature story with your preschooler each month. Programs include a story with a nature lesson followed by a craft. Often a live animal comes to visit! See below for dates and times.
May 5 & 6, 2016: The Hermit Crab by Carter Goodrich
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI. Program Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child; Ages: Ages 3-5. Register online www.asri.org.

May 7, 2016 Birding with the Kids
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
Smithfield, RI 9:00 – 11:00 am
The month of May is the perfect time to get outdoors, take a stroll and try out the largest growing hobby in the country - birding. Bring some binoculars, your favorite field guide and let’s look for some birds to get you started. Explore the wildlife refuge and learn about using optics, spotting birds and how to identify species. This class is great for families with children ages 6 and older. Dress for the weather and wear sturdy, closed toe shoes.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $10/member adult/child pair; $5/each additional member; $14/non-member adult/child pair; $7/each additional non-member. Ages: 6+. Register online at www.asri.org.

May 7, 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.

International Migratory Bird Day
Come learn all about migratory birds and their habitats through games, crafts and more! Programs and admission are free thanks to Citizens Bank.
- 9:00 am to 5:00 pm: Spot the Birds. Can you find all 10 birds hiding in our exhibit hall? Spot them all to receive a prize to take home.
- 10:00 am to 2:00 pm: Avian Craft Table
- 10: 00 am and 2:00 pm: Bird Nature Story
- 11:00 am and 1:00 pm: Owl Presentation
- 2:30 pm: Guided nature walk.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI.

May 11, 2016 Animal Tales
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
Smithfield, RI Times vary, see below.
Enjoy a nature story with your preschooler each month. Programs include a story with a nature lesson followed by a craft. Often a live animal comes to visit! See below for dates and times. May 11, 2016: the Salamander Room by Anne Mazar
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; 11:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00–2:00 pm; Program Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child; Ages: Ages 3-5. Register online www.asri.org.

May 12, 26, June 2, 9, 2016 Li’l Peeps
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 9:45 – 10:45 am
This popular program introduces children ages 18 to 36 months to the delights of nature through age-appropriate, hands-on activities. Along with a nature lesson, activities may include nature walks, crafts, songs and stories. This is also a wonderful opportunity to make new friends with the other children and parents. Class is limited to 10 children so please register early. Adults must accompany children and there are no refunds for missed classes. In order to maintain an age-appropriate program we ask that older siblings not accompany the parent/child team.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program fee for four week series: $40/member child, $50/two member siblings; $44 non-member child, $54/two non-member siblings. Ages: 18 to 36 Months. Register online at www.asri.org.

May 19 & 20, 2016 Junior Naturalists for Home-schooled Families
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 10:00-11:00 am
Join other home-schooled kids to learn about nature and science! This hour-long program will introduce participants to a different topic each class, with hands-on experiments and nature-based activities that are sure to foster a love of the natural world. Classes are limited to 15 children, so please register early. Adult must attend with child.
May 19 & 20, 2016: Birds, Birds, Birds
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; 10:00 – 11:00 am; Program Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6+. Register online www.asri.org.

May 21, 2016 Eco-stories and Art
Audubon Environmental Education Center Bristol, RI 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Bring a snack and relax while an Audubon naturalist reads a nature story. Then create a unique work of art from different recyclable materials and found objects. Will it be a bouquet of flowers made from plastic bottles? A bird’s nest made from scrap paper and yarn? Join us and find out! No registration required.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $3 materials fee plus admission. Ages: All.

May 21, 2016 Build Your Own Bluebird House
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge
Seekonk, MA 2:00 – 3:30 pm
You can help bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds survive in your area by providing them with a sturdy nesting box to use. Participants will learn about bluebirds and other cavity nesters, when and where to place the nest box and how to care for it. Each adult/child pair will get one kit to complete. Additional kits may be purchased for $20 each. All building materials are provided in each kit, but participants should bring a hammer and safety glasses for each builder.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Program Fee: $25/member adult & child pair; $30/non-member adult & child pair; $20 each additional kit. Ages: 6+. Register online at www.asri.org.

May 22, June 19, July 24, August 21, 2016 Bird Banding
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 9:15 – 11:15 am
Join Audubon for a bird banding demonstration on the grounds of the Environmental Education Center. Bird banding provides scientists with valuable information on bird migration, life span and habitat use. Experts will demonstrate how birds are captured, measured, banded and released. The life history and migratory habits of each species will be discussed. Participants are encouraged to bring a camera and binoculars. Programs are limited to 15 participants, so please register early.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/ non-member adult, $6 non-member child. Ages: 6+. Register online at www.asri.org.

May 26, June 2, 9, 16, 2016 Preschool Adventures
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 10:00 – 11:00 am
Nature comes alive for children ages 3-5! Children will participate in games, hikes, crafts, songs, hands-on activities and more as they are introduced to the wonders of nature. Space is limited to 12 children so please register early. Adults must accompany children and there are no refunds for missed classes. Younger siblings are not permitted to attend.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee for four week series: $40/member child, $50/two member siblings; $44 non-member child, $54/two non-member siblings. Ages: 3-5. Register online at www.asri.org.

May 28, 2016 Letterboxing with Audubon
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Join us for a letterboxing adventure through the wildlife refuge! An Audubon educator will teach you how to use a compass and map, and be your guide as you search for clues through different habitats. Can you complete the whole series and discover the mystery animal? Adults must accompany children. Registration is required.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6+. Register online at www.asri.org.

May 30, 2016 Memorial Day with Audubon
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Bring the kids and discover the natural world with fun-filled family activities.
- Nature Craft Table: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
- Nature Story: 10:00 am and 2:30 pm
- Seashore Exploration: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm (weather permitting)
- Animal Interview: 1:30 pm
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6+.