As part of its mission, the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society provides opportunities through field trips, walks, workshops, courses, and lectures to learn about native plants and their habitats while enjoying the outdoors. Children are welcome at a number of family-friendly events, so bring the kids along and give them a chance to learn. Pre-registration is necessary for most RIWPS events. For information, or to register, please contact the RIWPS office, (401) 453-3777, or office@riwps.org.

WALK AT THE PARDON GRAY PRESERVE
Tiverton, RI
Sunday, July 9, 12:30- 3:00 p.m.
PRE-Registration required (401) 453-3777, office@riwps.org
Fee: $3 members, $5 non-members
This property, which was saved from development by the Tiverton Land Trust, includes a marvelous collection of natural communities. We’ll skirt a seventy-acre open habitat now being shared between agricultural use and grassland restoration. Our trail then enters a black gum swamp, passes a vernal pool, then rises into a beautiful oak-holly forest community. Hiking along a low ridge we’ll explore glacially fractured ledge outcrop that was home to the last population of timber rattlesnakes in the southern New England region before their extirpation in the 70’s. Descending back to rich mesic soils, we’ll see some magnificent northern red oaks, hickory, and yellow birch. And of course, all along this route we will identify a host of summer wildflowers, led by Garry Plunkett. Moderate.

SUMMER AT SNAKE DEN
Johnston, RI
Saturday, July 15, 10 a.m. -noon
PRE-Registration required (401) 453-3777, office@riwps.org
Fee: $3 members, $5 non-members
The east side of this state park is bordered by utility lines. The utility companies keep the tract free of trees creating open wetlands and shrublands. There are some steep hills that are very dry at the top and very wet at the bottom. We will explore the diverse plant communities that thrive in each area. Strenuous.

FRESHWATER POND ECOLOGY
South Kingston, RI
Sunday, July 16, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Pre-Registration Required, registrar@newfs.org, or 508/877-7630, ext. 3303.
Fee: $70M/$84NM
By midsummer freshwater pond water temperatures have risen sufficiently to stimulate flowering among shoreline plants and emergent aquatics, as well as floating-leaved and submerged aquatic plants. During this day-long field program we will be looking at how freshwater environments influence the structure and habit of the plants found growing within various aquatic zones. In visiting several ponds, we will discover how vegetative life-forms reflect environmental factors such as hydrology, water clarity, soil type, and available nutrients. An ecological perspective will be emphasized, and some familiarity with the plants typically found in freshwater ecosystems would be helpful, though not necessary. Participants should bring a hand lens, water, lunch, and be prepared for sun, insects, ticks and wet feet. Instructor: Hope Leeson, Field Botanist

CARNIVOROUS PLANT WALK
West Kingston, RI
Co-sponsored with the New England Carnivorous Plant Society
Saturday, July 22, noon-3:00 p.m.
PRE-Registration required (401) 453-3777, office@riwps.org
Fee: $3 members, $5 non-members
With such an ominous name it is not surprising that the Great Swamp is a place to find carnivorous plants. There are several species. We hope to all of them in bloom along with some other uncommon species. Moderate.

EDIBLE PLANT WALK WITH RUSS COHEN
Blackstone River State Park, Lincoln, RI
Co-Sponsored with the Blackstone River Watershed Association
and the Blackstone Corridor Keepers Group
Tuesday, August 1, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
PRE-Registration required (401) 453-3777, office@riwps.org, Fee: $3
Take the afternoon off from work and join expert forager Russ Cohen on a three-hour, three mile hike through the refuge to learn about at least two-dozen wild edibles. Keys to the identification of each species will be provided, along with information about edible portion(s), season(s) of availability and preparation methods along with guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging. Easy-moderate.

TOUR OF WILCOX PARK
Westerly, RI
Saturday, August 5, 10:00 a.m.-noon
PRE-Registration required (401) 453-3777, office@riwps.org
Fee: $3 members, $5 non-members
Alan Peck, park curator, will guide us through downtown Westerly’s oasis, Wilcox Park. The park was designed by Warren H. Manning, a former associate of Frederick Law Olmsted, and has many unique species of trees, a dwarf conifer collection, and perennial and annual flower beds. Easy-Moderate.

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY WITH DIGITAL CAMERAS WORKSHOP
Bristol, RI
Co-Sponsored With Blithewold
Saturday, August 5th , 9:00 a.m.-noon
PRE-Registration required (401) 453-3777, office@riwps.org
Fee: $25 members, $30 non-members
Using the grounds and gardens of Blithewold as your canvas, learn to take stunning landscape and botanical images that are fit for framing. Award-winning photographer Jan Armor discusses all aspects of picture-taking including composition, lighting, and special issues and techniques using a digital camera. Any type of digital camera is suitable for this outdoor workshop, but class participants must have full knowledge of the use of their cameras. Please bring a tripod, if available, and a towel or mat for laying on the ground.
Jan Armor is an award-winning fine art photographer, practicing for more than fifty years, and specializing in landscape photography. He has taught photography classes throughout the region, including the Newport Art Museum. He is the founder and former owner of Armor and Martel Photography in Portsmouth. Moderate.

SIN AND FLESH BROOK
Tiverton, RI
Sunday, August 6, 9 a.m. - 12 noon
Pre-Registration Required, registrar@newfs.org, or 508/877-7630, ext. 3303.
Fee: $21 M/$24
The loveliness of this meandering brook belies the lurid name given to it in colonial times following a bloody encounter between resident Pocasset Indians and a Quaker preacher in transit to Newport. The stream flows through a mature eighty-acre maritime hardwood forest, Fort Barton Woods, a site reeking with history and plant diversity. Streamside wetlands, vernal pools, and glacial upland soils provide an opportunity to see an impressive array of wild flowers and ferns. The terrain is rugged so the walk will require good stamina, and participants should prepare for muggy, August forest conditions. This program is rated "PG" (Plunkett-Guided). Leader: Garry Plunkett, Co-chair, Town of Tiverton Open Space Commission

MOUNT HOPE FARM WALK
Co-Sponsored with the RI Natural History Survey (RINHS)
Bristol, RI
Saturday, August 19, 9:00-11:00 a.m.
PRE-Registration required (401) 453-3777, office@riwps.org
Fee: $3 members; $5 non-members
Mount Hope Farm is the quintessential saltwater farm consisting of over 200 acres of fields, woods, streams, and ponds with expansive water views. The landscape is abounding with wildlife, handcrafted stone walls, terraces, flowers, mature shrubs and indigenous trees. The site of the 2005 RINHS Bioblitz, David Gregg (Director of RINHS) will lead the walk. Moderate.

COASTAL HABITATS OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND
Narragansett and Conanicut Island, Rhode Island
Tuesday, August 22, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Pre-Registration Required, registrar@newfs.org, or 508/877-7630, ext. 3303.
Fee: $70M/$84NM
Coastal habitats are in their prime in August. This is also prime time at the beach so the course is timed to avoid weekend crowds. Students will explore cobble beach, rocky shore, coastal scrub, and salt marsh habitats. They will learn about the ecology of these systems and begin to identify the fascinating array of graminoides, forbs, and woody plants that grow in and on the edges of these challenging environments. Bring a hand lens and a bag lunch since one of the best views in Rhode Island will be the setting for the midday break. Instructor: Lisa L. Gould, Senior Scientist, Rhode Island Natural History Survey, and co-author of Coastal Plants from Cape Cod to Cape Canaveral


Erin Fournier, Director
The Rhode Island Wild Plant Society
P.O. Box 2488
Providence, RI 02906
(401) 453-3777
www.riwps.org