Take Time to Explore the Great Outdoors! Audubon Society of Rhode Island June 2017 Programs and Events for Children and Families

(May 8, 2017) – School’s out! Let the kids explore the great outdoors. Let them scoop with nets in the wetlands, search for lightning bugs or discover bird banding. Unplug and start summer off right - in the natural world.

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 through the events calendar at www.asri.org or call (401) 949-5454.



We Love Wetlands!
Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
June 3, 2017; 9:00 am-5:00 pm
Wetlands are the one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems. At the Audubon Environmental Education Center, wetlands are home to turtles, frogs, ducks and more. Come celebrate this important habitat! Programs and admission are free thanks to Citizens Bank.

10:00 am- 2:00 pm: Wetlands Craft Table
10:00 am- 2:00 pm: Wetlands Biofact Table: Stop by the Biofact Table to investigate turtle shells, dragonfly wings, crayfish exoskeletons, and more!
10:00 am: Wetlands Nature Story
11:00 am and 2:00 pm: Guided Wetlands Walk
1:00 pm: Turtle Interview

Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.




Tales and Trails
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
June 7, 2017; 10:00 – 11:00 am
Join us for an hour-long story time and trail exploration just for preschoolers. Learn about the local animals that live in the habitats on the wildlife refuge - and maybe even spot a few!
June 7, 2017: Enjoy a reading of Buggliest Bug by Carol Diggory Shields and learn about some amazing insects. Then take a walk to the meadow where we will use butterfly nets and bug boxes to find and observe local insects.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child. Ages: 3-6. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.


Audubon Wetlands Exploration for Families
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
June 11, 2017; 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Take a journey to the wetlands with Audubon and discover just how important this habitat is. Keep your eyes open for turtles, frogs and ducks. We will explore the water with nets and basins, then use magnifying glasses and guide books to identify what we find. Will it be a tadpole? A dragonfly nymph? Snail eggs? Come find out! Wear clothes that can get dirty. Adults must accompany children.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child. Ages: 4+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.


Bird Banding with Audubon
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
June 11, July 9, August 13, 2017; 9:15 -11:15 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.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $12/non-member adult, $6/non-member child. Ages: 6+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.


Junior Naturalists for Home-schooled Families
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
June 13 & 14, 2017; 1:30 – 3:00 pm
Audubon's popular home-school program now has extended class time! 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. June 13 and 14, 2017 - Attack of the Invasives
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $10/member child, $6/each additional sibling; $12/non-member child, $8/each additional sibling. Ages 6-12. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.



Preschool Story Time at Powder Mill Ledges
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
June 14, 2017; 10:00 – 11:00 am and 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Enjoy a nature story with your preschooler each month. Programs include the reading of a nature story with hands-on activities followed by a nature craft or live animal visit. Adults must accompany children.
June 14, 2017: I Wish I Were a Butterfly by James Howe
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Program Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 3-5. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.


Blackstone River Twilight Cruise Aboard the Explorer
June 15, 2017; 7:30 – 8:30 pm
Join an Audubon naturalist for a relaxing evening cruise along the beautiful and historic Blackstone River. Sit back and gaze out over the Valley Falls wilderness area as we watch for birds and other wildlife that live along America's "hardest working river." Participants may wish to bring insect repellent. The Explorer is a covered boat and will go out rain or shine. Co-sponsored with the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.
Departs from Central Falls Landing, 20 Madeira Ave, Central Falls, RI; Program Fee: $15/adult; $12/child. Ages: 7+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.


National Pollinator Week at Audubon
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
June 19 - 25, 2017
Come celebrate pollinators and help spread the word about how to protect them. Ten years ago, the U.S. Senate designated a week each June as National Pollinator Week - a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations. This week is now an international celebration of the valuable services that bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles provide for ecosystems. Join Audubon for fun and educational programs all week!

-June 19 – 25, 2017: Pollination Station. Make a pollinator craft, test your knowledge of local pollinators, check out some pollinator specimens, and browse our informative brochures. The pollination station has something for everyone! Free with admission.
-June 19 – 25, 2017: Spot the Bumble Bee. Spot all ten bumblebees in our exhibit hall and get a prize! Free with admission.
-June 25, 2017: 11:00 am- 12:00 pm: Insect Investigation for Families. See program description below for details.
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI.


Ice Cream and Lightning Bugs
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
June 23, 2017; 7:30 – 9:00 pm
Just as it starts to get dark, the lightning bugs appear. Join Audubon at Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge and learn all about these amazing insects. Start the evening by making ice cream sundaes and learning about what makes these insects so special. Then head out for a guided hike and look for their flickering lights. If we are lucky, we may also spot a resident beaver along the way. This program is fun for the whole family! Please bring a flashlight.
Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI; Program Fee: $12 member adult/ $6 member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 6+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.


Audubon Insect Investigation
Three Dates Offered
Audubon Environmental Education Center, Bristol, RI
See Dates and Times Below
Join an Audubon naturalist and search for six-legged friends! Try your hand at using a net to comb the edge of the meadow, catching grasshoppers, milkweed bugs, butterflies and more. We will observe insects in bug boxes, use magnifying glasses and field guides to identify them and take a peek at some of our awesome insect biofacts! Come dressed in sturdy shoes, long pants, hats, and wear sunscreen. Adults must accompany children. Program is weather dependent.
June 25, 2017: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
July 20 & August 17, 2017: 10:00 – 11:00 am
Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Program Fee: $5/member child, $7/non-member child. Ages: 4+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.