Chill Out with Nature This Summer

(June 6, 2024) – Avoid the heat in July and explore nature when the temperatures are cool - and so is the wildlife. Evenings bring fireflies in the field, bats overhead, and insect symphonies. Enjoy morning breezes and bird banding at Audubon, where experts capture, band, measure and release songbirds to record their movements. Go ahead, chill out with nature this summer!

Unless noted, registration is required for all programs. Register online and view a complete listing of programs through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Fur and Feathers: Wildlife Photography for a Cause
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 1 – August 31, 2024; 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Dave Downey is an amateur wildlife photographer who first picked up a camera in 2021. His goal to capture the beauty of wildlife has taken him on journeys close to home and to larger destinations such as Yellowstone National Park and the Bahamas. From common backyard birds to more elusive creatures, he focuses on the unique characteristics of each animal. Dave donates 60% of proceeds from his photography back to local conservation organizations where the photos were taken.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

Free Family Fun Day – Birds are Natural Architects
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 6, 2024; 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month. Join us for nature stories, animal discoveries, hikes and more. No need to register!
10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Craft Table
10:00 am: Nature Story
11:00 am and 2:30 pm: Animal Interview
1:00 pm: Birds are Natural Architects – Come look at real bird’s nests collected from nature, dissect some, and then try to put them back together again! Can your nest survive the elements? For ages 6 and up.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.

Wednesday Walk and Watercolor
Audubon Maxwell Mays Art Studio, Coventry, RI
Four-week Sessions; See Dates and Times Below
Come to the Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge on Wednesday mornings in the summer for walks and watercolor painting. Meet at the parking lot at 9:30 am, then settle in at the studio before you head out on a short walk. Painting begins at 10:00! A new watercolor technique will be explored each week and put into practice with a seasonal theme. At the end of each series an 11”x14" matted painting will be ready to frame! All materials and morning coffee / tea provided.
Session 1: July 10, 17, 24, 31, 2024; 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Session 2: August 7, 14, 21, 28, 2024; 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI; Fee for 4-week session: $140/member, $150/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Open Studio Thursdays
Audubon Maxwell Mays Art Studio, Coventry, RI
Four-week Sessions; See Dates and Times Below
It’s open Studio! Bring your artwork on Thursdays to share and work in the studio space or outdoors En Plein Air. Morning coffee / tea provided. Meet in the parking lot at 9:30 am.
July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 2024; 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
August 8, 15, 22, 29, 2024; 9:30 am – 1:00 pm
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI; Fee for 4-week session: $50/member, $60/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Fireflies!
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
July 12, 2024; 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Join Audubon for an evening celebrating the living lightshow that is the firefly. Learn about how they use their flickering lights to communicate and how to recognize them during the day. Make a glowing firefly craft to take home and end the evening by going out to the fields to watch for their blinking displays. Program will be rescheduled in the case of inclement weather.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Bird Banding at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
July 13, 2024; 8:00-10:00 am
Join Audubon and witness bird banding, where experts capture, band, measure and release songbirds in order to record their movements. Birds will be gently removed from tall “mist nets” set in Audubon’s shrubby habitats. The techniques of identifying, measuring, weighing, and banding the birds will be demonstrated before they are released. The migratory habits and life history of each captured species will be discussed. Bring a camera and binoculars. Programs are limited to 15 participants, please register early.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $20 member adult/ $10 member child; $25/non-member adult, $15/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 
 
Explore the Estuary for Kids!
Prudence Island, RI
July 17, 2024; 9:45 am – 4:45 pm
Bring the kids along and explore the amazing diversity of the estuary, from tidal creeks and salt marshes to the rocky shoreline! Kids will use different nets and search for fish, crabs, and shrimp in the shallow waters of Prudence Island. Walk the shoreline to see what the tide has left behind and watch the ospreys and egrets hunt for food. This is a great family program!
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $12/member adult, $6/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: All. For details on Prudence Island programs, and to register, visit www.asri.org/calendar 

Fish Printing Workshop for Kids
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 21, 2024; 10:00 – 11:30 am
Kids use real fish to create a unique, one-of-a-kind textile as they learn about the Japanese art of fish printing. This art form began over 100 years ago as a way for fisherman to keep a record of their catch. Please bring a light-colored fabric to print on, such as a t-shirt, pillowcase, tote bag, etc. Wear clothes that can get messy! Note: program is not recommended for children with seafood allergies. For ages 7 and up.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: Other; $12 members, $15 non-members Other. Ages: 7 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Edible Wild Plants Walk
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 24, 2024; 2:30 - 5:00 pm
The East Bay region is home to over 90 species of edible wild plants, some of which are more nutritious and/or flavorful than their cultivated counterparts. These include native species like Spicebush and Sassafras, edible weeds like Purslane and Chicory, and edible invasives like Wineberry and Black Locust. Join Russ Cohen, expert forager and author of “Wild Plants I Have Known...and Eaten” on an evening ramble through the wildlife refuge to learn about at least two dozen edible plant species, including coastal species like Orach and Sea Rocket. As each species is encountered, Russ will present information on identification tips, edible portion(s), season(s) of availability and preparation methods. Russ will also provide general guidelines for safe and environmentally responsible foraging.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $25/member; $30/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Bats and Beer
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
July 26, 2024; 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Join Audubon for local brews and learn about the fascinating world of bats! Start with a brief presentation and sip a beer as you learn about the bats that live in the area. Then head out onto the trails in search of these winged creatures. Stop at the pond to watch bats at work catching their evening meal and to look for the resident family of beavers at work. Please bring a flashlight.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Fee: $20/member; $25/non-member. Ages: 21 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Birding Banding with Audubon
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
Two Dated Offered
July 27, August 24, 2024; 8:00-10:00 am
Join Audubon and witness bird banding, where experts capture, band, measure, and release songbirds in order to record their movements. Birds will be gently removed from tall “mist nets” set in Audubon’s shrubby habitats. The techniques of identifying, measuring, weighing, and banding the birds will be demonstrated before they are released. The migratory habits and life history of each captured species will be discussed. Bring a camera and binoculars. Programs are limited to 15 participants, please register early.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $20/member adult, $10/member child; $25/non-member adult, $15/non-member child. Ages: 6 and up. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Paper Bead Making for Beginners
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI
July 28, 2024; 10:00 -11:00 am
Do you ever want to make jewelry at home but find that you don’t have the right beads? Join an Audubon naturalist and learn how to make your very own beads out of paper! This is a great way to get crafty at home with a few very simple materials. Beads are customizable to whatever color scheme and size you prefer. Come for an afternoon of creative paper bead making!
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $12 member adult/ $6 member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar. 

Protecting Pollinators in Your Landscape
Virtual Workshop
July 31, 2024; 6:30 – 8:00 pm
The pollinators of the world are losing ground at an alarming rate. Come learn what has been happening to their populations and what you can do on your property to support pollinator health. The food, nesting, and sheltering needs of pollinators will be discussed as well as simple changes you can make to your gardens. Maintenance schedules, curbing the use of pesticides, and growing native plants can all encourage these vital little beings to thrive. This is a virtual program. Registered participants will be sent the Zoom link and instructions.
Virtual Program. Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org/calendar.