November 26, 2018
Long-tailed Duck by Ed Hughes
Celebrate Nature This Season!
December 2018 Nature Programs and Events
at Audubon Society of Rhode Island
Join the Audubon experts on a winter birding trip, search for owls on the evening trails, or create a festive wreath that entices your feathered friends. Take a break from the holiday rush and celebrate the natural world with your family this season!
Download a beautiful color copy of our Program Guide featuring September - December 2018 Nature Programs:
Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online through the events calendar. You may also click on each program title to register or learn more.
East Bay Newspapers 20th Annual Photos with Santa and Audubon Tree Sale
Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 1, 2018; 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
All available reservations have been fully booked for East Bay Newspaper's Photos with Santa event on Saturday, December 1st at the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium. Unfortunately they will not be able to accommodate day-of arrivals without a reservation for this portion of the day's activities. However, the Nature Center and Aquarium will be open to the public for free on this day thanks to Citizens Bank. Crafts, activities, walking trails, the aquarium and the Christmas Tree Sale can be enjoyed by all.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.
Audubon Holiday Craft Fair
Artisan Gifts with a Natural Flair
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
December 1, 2018; 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
With local vendors selling a variety of nature and wildlife related wares, you are sure to find perfect gifts for the nature enthusiasts on your list. Jewelry, children's items, ornaments, stationery and other locally made treats are just a few items to choose from. The Audubon Nature Shop will also be featuring a variety of bird feeders, seed and field guides.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Free. Ages: All.
Winter Birding Van Trip: Waterfowl and Seabirds at the Shore
Locations Across the State
December 1, 2018; 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Join Audubon for a van trip to Rhode Island's coastal habitats and ponds in search of winter waterfowl and seabirds. Stop at different birding hot spots to search for a variety of waterfowl including Barrow's Golden-eye, Canvasback, Common Eider and more. We'll be visiting beautiful coastal locations such as Trustom Pond, Point Judith, and Quonochontaug Pond. Please dress for the weather, bring a lunch and optics.
Departs from Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $50/member; $60/non-member. Ages: 16+. Register here.
Cocoa & Coffee at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 2, 2018; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Bring the kids to the big white barn at Caratunk for come cocoa or coffee, cookies and casual fun. Visitors will meet an animal, create a craft, sip some cocoa and take an easy hike. Cocoa and crafts will be available from 1:00 - 3:00 pm, with an animal interview at 2:00 pm. Dress for the weather.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $8/member adult & child; $10/non-member adult & child; All additional children $4; Ages: All. Register here.
FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across the State
December 5, 12, 19, 2018; 9:00 – 11:00 am
Audubon offers FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks with naturalist Laura Carberry. Each week a new birding destination will be chosen. Please visit the Audubon website homepage (ww.asri.org) or Facebook Page for the location. Contact Laura at lcarberry@asri.org for more information.
Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2019; 9:00-11:00 am; Ages: 14+.
Owl Prowl at Eppley
Audubon Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, West Kingston, RI
December 6, 2018; 7:00-9:00 pm
Bundle up and join Audubon at the Marion Eppley Refuge on an early December night in search of owls. Start indoors in the Cook House to meet a live owl and then venture out with an Audubon guide who will call for different species as you travel through meadow 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.
Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge, Dugway Bridge Road, West Kingston, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register here.
Sea Glass Jewelry Workshop
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 8, 2018; 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Come create a beautiful pendant with sea glass found on local beaches. Learn how to choose the right piece of glass and transform it into creative jewelry using quick and easy wire wrapping techniques. Program includes all materials. Find something special on the beach? Bring that too! Advance registration is required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register here.
Seals, Birds and the History of Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
December 8, 2018; 9:45 am – 4:45 pm
Come to Prudence Island for an all-day adventure and exploration of this beautiful island. Make several stops to look for a variety of birds in protected ponds and coves. Grebes, eiders, mergansers and more may be seen. In the afternoon, shift gears and seek out the resident harbor seals, often visible close to shore on the island's southern tip. Along the way, your guide will share with you the centuries-old history of human land use on Prudence Island.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10+. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register, click here.
Sachuest Point Birding
Sachuest National Wildlife Refuge, Middletown, RI
December 9, 2018; 9:00 – 11:00 am
Take a break from holiday prep! Go birding with Audubon birding expert Lauren Parmelee at Sachuest Point to look for winter waterfowl. All birding levels welcome! Dress for the weather and bring binoculars if you have them.
Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge, 769 Sachuest Point Road, Middletown, RI; Program Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register here.
Woodlands Before Winter
Audubon Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, RI
December 10, 2018; 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Parker Woodland offers some of the best hiking in Rhode Island. Join Audubon Senior Director of Conservation Scott Ruhren on a hike up and down rolling hills in mature forests to see the seasons change into winter. This is a mostly hilly hike on established trails. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy walking shoes.
Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, Maple Valley Road, Coventry, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 6+. Register here.
Wreath Making for Wildlife
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
December 15, 2018; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Make a winter wreath that is both beautiful and edible to birds and other wildlife. Using wire or straw wreath bases, add greens, dried flowers, seed heads, leaves, fruit and nuts to entice your feathered friends to visit. All items will dry nicely if you prefer to keep the wreath for decorative purposes. Each participant will make one wreath, materials will be provided. Participants may bring their own needle nose pliers or wire snips.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $30/member; $35/non-member. Ages: 14+. Register here.
Where Do Animals Live at Caratunk?
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge; Seekonk, MA
December 16, 2018; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Come to the big white barn and learn about animal homes such as burrows, cavities, nests and lodges. Then hike out on the refuge in search of some of these wildlife homes. Please dress for the weather.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member Child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10+. Register here.
Junior Naturalists for Home-schooled Families
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 19, 2018; 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Our popular home-school program now lasts an hour and a half. That means more time for outdoor exploration, so come dressed for the weather. Join other home-schooled kids to learn about nature and science. This 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.
December 19, 2018 – Wonderful Whales
Audubon Nature Center & Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member child, $6/member siblings; $12/non-member child, $8/non-member siblings. Ages: 6-12. Register here.
December School Vacation Week
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
December 27, 28, 29, 2018; 10:00 am – 2:30 pm
Don't know what to do with the family during school vacation break? Audubon is the solution! Nature crafts will be from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. each day, as well as a nature story at 10:30 am and 2:30 pm. An animal interview will also be held at 1:30 pm. Special programs and activities are available each day and are free with admission. Registration is not required.
These special programs for children ages 6+ are available each day at 11:00 am.
December 27: Cooking for the Birds
Young birding enthusiasts become “bird chefs” and create unique and tasty dishes for feathered friends in their backyards. Will we make a Tweet-Tweet Trail Mix or perhaps a Suet Sundae? Come find out!
December 28: Owl Pellet Dissection
Learn all about how owls hunt then use simple and safe tools to take apart an owl pellet. Identify the bones inside and discover what your owl ate—was it a mouse? A mole?
December 29: Icy Investigation
Discover the science behind ice! Kids will investigate what makes ice melt, why it floats, and more.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; December 27, 28, 29, 2018; 10:00 am-2:30 pm; Free with Admission. Ages: 6+.
Holiday Hike at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge; Seekonk, MA
December 30, 2018; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Join Audubon to explore some secret areas of Caratunk during an hour and a half hike and then return to the barn for hot cider and snacks. Hikers should dress warmly, wear boots and be able to hike along trails that are rocky and uneven.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 10+. Register here.
Birds of New England - Works on Paper
Art Exhibit by Brenda Wrigley Scott Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Through December 31, 2018; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Artist Brenda Wrigley Scott grew up in Bucks County, PA and painted with local artists from an early age. She has degrees in art, has been working at Wrigley Ceramic Designs and concentrating on large-scale bird paintings for several years at her studio in Tiverton 4 Corners. Her exhibit will feature paintings of New England birds in acrylic.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.
