Nature Tales, Snowy Trails, and Lots of Frosty Fun!

(December 5, 2016) – Get the kids off the couch, pull on some warm and wooly mittens, and take a walk on Moonstone Beach or head out to search for animal tracks. Winter is a wonderful time to explore nature!

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.

January 4, 2017 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.
January 4, 2017: One Winter’s Day by M. Christina Butler
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.

January 7, 2017 Audubon Owl Prowl at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge
Seekonk, MA 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Bundle up and join us for a night hike on the Caratunk Refuge in search of owls. We will call for different species of owls as we travel through mixed and pine woods. While we never know if we'll actually get to hear or see an owl, participants will be sure to learn a lot and have a great night hike. Wear warm socks and shoes or boots and dress warmly. Bring a flashlight. Hike will be canceled in the event of inclement weather or icy trails. Children must be age 12 or older. Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Program Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 12+. To register, visit www.asri.org.

January 7, 2017 Family Fun Day
Eco-Engineers
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Come discover what engineering has to do with nature! Take our Eco Engineering challenge, combine science with art at our craft table and learn about some awesome animal engineers! No registration necessary.
10:00 am-2:00 pm: Science and Art Craft table
10:00 am: Animal Engineers Nature Story
11:00 am and 1:30 pm: Eco Engineers Challenge - Use engineering skills to solve environmental challenges! Kids brainstorm, design, build and test for the best solutions to Eco Challenges.
(Eco Engineer Challenges recommended for ages 6 and up.)
2:30 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Programs are free with Admission.
Ages: All.

January 12, 19, 26 & February 2, 9, 16, 2017 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 six week series: $60/member child, $76/two member siblings; $65/non-member child, $82/two non-member siblings. Ages: 18 to 36 Months.

January 16, 2017 Martin Luther King Day Nature Activities
Audubon Environmental Education Center Bristol, RI 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Discover nature’s winter wonderland. Head outside for a winter walk then come in to warm up with a good nature story. Meet a live animal and play animal games. No registration is required.
9:00 am-5:00 pm: Spot the Snowflake - Can you spot all 10 snowflakes in our exhibit hall? Spot them all and receive a prize to take home.
10:00 am -2:00 pm: Nature Craft Table
10:00 am: Winter Stories
11:00 am: Guided Winter Walk (weather dependent)
1:00 pm: Animal Games
2:00 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: Free with Admission.

January 17 & 18, 2017 Junior Naturalists for Home-schooled Families
Audubon Environmental Education Center
Bristol, RI 1:30 – 3:00 pm
NEW- Audubon’s popular home-school program now has extended class time. That means more time for outdoor exploration, so dress for the weather!
Join other home-schooled kids to learn about nature and science. This program introduces 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.
January 17 & 18: Kooky Chemistry
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $10/member child, $6/each additional member sibling; $12/non-member child, $8/each additional non-member sibling $8. Ages: 6-12. Register online www.asri.org.

January 11, 2017 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. January 11, 2017: In the Snow – Who’s Been Here? by Lindsay Barrett George. 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.

January 21, 2017 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.

January 21, 2017 Animal Tracks and Signs for Families
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge
Smithfield, RI 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Bring the kids and learn how to identify different tracks and other signs of our native mammals and birds. We will explore track patterns (can you hop like a 'bounder' or strut like a 'perfect stepper'), investigate artifacts and try our hand at making plaster tracks to take home. Participants will venture out on the trails to see what evidence can be found that wild things have been there. Although all are welcome, this class will be geared for families with children. Dress for the weather. 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: 5+. Register online at www.asri.org.

January 28, 2017 Winter Beach Walk
Moonstone Beach
South Kingstown, RI 1:00 – 3:30 pm
Join naturalist Bob Kenney for an afternoon walk along Moonstone Beach, without the summer crowds or closed piping plover nesting areas. Our visit is timed to the low tide, perfect for beach combing and bird watching. Even though Moonstone is known as a “clothing optional” beach, the only option today is likely to be whether to wear three, four, or five layers. Bring your binoculars; we’ll have a spotting scope available. Expect to walk one or two miles in soft sand. Moonstone Beach Road, South Kingstown, RI; Program Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: All. Register online at www.asri.org.