March 2018 Highlights from the Audubon Society of Rhode Island
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 bring the kids for Audubon’s Camouflaged Egg Hunt. Just pull on those boots and go!
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!
Owl Prowl at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 1, 2018; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Bundle up and join Audubon at the Caratunk Wildlife Refuge on a winter night in search of owls. Your guide will call for different species as you 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 boots and dress in layers. Bring a flashlight. Hike will be canceled in the event of inclement weather or icy trails.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 8+.
March Madness on Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
March 3, 2018; 9:45 am – 4:45 pm.
Spend the entire day exploring Prudence Island: observe beautiful winter ducks to basking harbor seals and explore wide expanses of salt marshes and protected beaches. We will make several stops throughout the day and take some short walks to observe the many habitats that make up this gem in the middle of the Bay. For more information on Prudence Island programs, including ferry details please click on the program link above.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $8/non-member child. Ages: All.
Wonderful Whales
Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
March 3, 2018; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thanks to the Citizens Bank, the Environmental Education Center is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month. Join us for crafts, nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more. No need to register!
March 3, 2018: Wonderful Whales
What makes whales so wonderful? How does echolocation work? What do whales like to eat? Stop in to learn the answers to all of these questions and more. Try your hand at echolocation and make your own whale craft to take home.
10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Whale Craft Table
10:30 am: Whale Story Time
11:30 am and 2:30 pm: Echolocation Experiments – Become a whale scientist and find out how echolocation works.
1:30 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.
Feed Your Backyard Birds
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
March 4, 2018; 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Bring the whole family and make your own birdseed ornaments and water feeders for our feathered friends! Learn which seeds will attract certain birds to your yard and take a short walk to see the Environmental Education Center's bird feeders. We’ll also talk about how to identify the birds you might see in your yard. This program is perfect for beginning birders and young naturalists alike. Allergy note: no peanut product will be directly used, however we cannot guarantee that seeds are peanut free from processing.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member; $12/non-member. Ages: All.
FREE Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across the State
March 7, 14, 21, 28, 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 News & Events Blog or Facebook Page for the location. Contact Laura at lcarberry@asri.org for more information.
Locations determined weekly; Every Wednesday through June 2018; Ages: 14+.
Maple Sugaring
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
March 10, 2018, 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. Sample pancakes, muffins and doughnuts - 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; Fee: $12/member adult, $6/member child; $18/non-member adult, $9/non-member child. Ages: 5+.
Nature Origami with Audubon
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
March 10, 2018; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Discover your inner artist through nature origami! Local origami artist, author and inventor Ben Coleman will guide you through simple, yet infinitely applicable, origami techniques. After reviewing some of his botanical origami sculptures, Ben will lead a hands-on folding demonstration for attendees. All materials provided.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $15/member; $20/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult.
Felted Rabbits: March Hares and Easter Bunnies
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
March 11, 2018; 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Join fiber artist Tala Wunderler-Selby and learn how to make a rabbit from wool. Participants will sculpt their own bunny by needle felting, using a notched needle to “stab” fluffy, colorful wool until it becomes solid. This class is for beginners - no felting experience or artistic skills necessary! All materials provided.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; March 11, 2018; 2:00-4:00 pm; Program Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult.
Junior Naturalists for Home-schooled Families: Shark Science
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
March 13 & 14, 2018; 1:30 – 3:00 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.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member child, $6/member siblings; $12/non-member child, $8/non-member siblings. Ages: 6-12.
Pysanky Workshop
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
March 17, 2018; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Come try your hand at the Ukrainian tradition of dyeing eggs called Pysanky. Participants will learn about design, planning and, finally, dyeing their eggs. Information will 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 as dyes are permanent.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: 12+.
Advanced Beekeeping
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
March 18 & 25, 2018; 2:30 – 4:30 pm
Expand your knowledge beyond the basics! If you enjoyed “Intro to Beekeeping” last year, this program is for you. Join Kevin England for this two-session advanced beekeeping session to enrich your skills.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member; $24/non-member. Ages: Adult.
Providence Birding Adventure #2
Providence, RI
March 21, 2018; 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Join us for a free guided bird walk in downtown Providence. Meet at the fountain in Burnside Park to start our walk. We will look for the raptors, waterfowl and other birds that call the city home.
Since parking is tricky downtown, we encourage use of public transit. If you do need parking, you can look for street parking or park in the garage at the Providence Place Mall or at the Convention Center."
Thanks to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s Urban Bird Treaty Program, and a partnership between the Providence Parks Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, these free, monthly bird walks will be held at various locations around Providence for the next two years. Click here to learn more about the Urban Bird Treaty Program, and about other participating cities.
Where’s Your Walden? A Guide to Your Own Refuge in Nature
Lecture at the Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
March 22, 2018; 7:00 – 8:30 pm
Many of us have a favorite personal place in nature where we find refuge. Typically it’s a place where an elixir of rock, water, air and woodland soothe our spirits. Come hear how writing “The Guide to Walden Pond” helped Professor Robert Thorson better understand Henry D. Thoreau and how this understanding can enrich your own space and experience. The author will answer questions and be available to sign copies of his seven books. His most recent, “The Guide to Walden Pond” (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt) will be published in March, 2018 as a contribution to the year-long bicentennial celebration of Thoreau’s birth.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult.
Seals and Seabirds
Prudence Island, RI
March 22, 2018; 1:30 - 6:30 pm
Head out for a day of exploring beautiful Prudence Island with a focus on seals and seabirds. Begin by looking for a variety of bird species in a number of protected ponds and coves. Expect to see grebes, eiders, mergansers and many others. After warming up with lunch, we will head back out to the south end of the island to view the winter population of harbor seals that enjoy basking on the offshore rocks. For more information on Prudence Island programs, including ferry details please click on the program link above.
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: All.
Preschool Adventures
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
March 23, 30, April 6 13, 2018; 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 10 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; Fee for four-week series: $40/member child, $50/two member siblings; $44/non-member child, $54/two non-member siblings. Ages: 3-5.
Spring Arrives at Maxwell Mays
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, Coventry, RI
March 27, 2018; 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
The Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge boasts wonderful trails through fields and forests. In the spring, plants will be emerging and vernal pools will come alive with frogs and salamanders. Join Scott Ruhren, director of conservation, for an easy walk through the woods.
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member. Ages: 8+.
Audubon Camouflaged Egg Hunt
Three Locations Offered (See Below)
March 24, 2017; 9:30 Check-in, Egg Hunt 10:00 – 11:00 am
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.” Please bring a basket. Check-in will begin at 9:30 am. The Egg Hunt starts promptly at 10:00 am and is held rain or shine. Advance registration is required - Click on the location below to register.
- Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI
- Powder Mill Ledges, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI
- Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI
Program Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 3-10.
