Audubon Celebrates Pollinators in June Birds, Butterflies, and One Giant Bumblebee!

(April 30, 2018) – Bees, butterflies and birds…Audubon celebrates pollinators in June by lighting up the Rhode Island State House like a giant bumblebee, hosting a Pollinator Palooza and Bee Rally, leading butterfly walks, workshops and more! Join Audubon and see what the buzz is about!

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.

FREE Audubon Wednesday Morning Bird Walks
Locations Across the State
June 6, 13, 20, 27, 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 (www.asri.org) 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+.

Saturday Nature Walks with Audubon
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI*
Saturdays Throughout the Summer; 2:00 pm
Join Audubon for weekly nature walks on Saturdays. Ramble down the trails with an Audubon naturalist as your guide. Please note this program is weather dependent. No registration required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission. Ages: All.

E-Waste and Recycling Event
“Don’t Dump, Donate!”
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI*
June 1- 14, 2018; 9:00 am-5:00 pm
The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is partnering with Goodwill Industries to host a special two-week recycling event. Old electronic, textiles, clothes, shoes and select household goods are all welcome! No need to call or register in advance. A full list of accepted items is provided on the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free.
Pollinator Palooza
Citizens Bank Free Family Fun Day
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI*
June 2, 2018; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thanks to Citizens Bank, the Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium is open free to the public the first Saturday of every month. No need to register.
June 2, 2018: Pollinator Palooza
Audubon is buzzing with excitement about pollinators! Discover how these amazing animals help plants produce flowers and food. Join the fun and learn about bees, butterflies, and more!
10:00 am-2:00 pm: Pollinator Craft Table
10:30 am and 1:30 pm: Pollinator Story Time
11:00 am: Make Your Own Insect Hotel – Insect hotels are a great way to provide shelter for insects like solitary bees that help pollinate plants. Having an insect hotel in your yard encourages pollinators to visit your garden.
2:00 pm: Animal Interview
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free. Ages: All.

Audubon Spring Craft Fair
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
June 2, 2018; 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
New for 2018! Local vendors will offer a variety of nature and wildlife related wares, including jewelry, children's items, decorative accents, stationery and more! You are sure to find the perfect gift for the nature enthusiast in your life.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Free.

Introduction to Tree Identification
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
June 9, 2018; 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Learn how to recognize major families of trees and shrubs as well as a number of common species in the wild and home landscape. Invasive species and good choices of plantings to attract wildlife will also be reviewed. Class will be part indoors/part outdoors, so dress for the weather. Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI. Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Caratunk BioBlitz Scavenger Hunt
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
June 10, 2018; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Search the refuge for all the living things you can find within an hour! Families and groups will be assigned an area to scour, create lists and take as many photos as possible. Audubon naturalists will review the findings and create a master list of living things found at the refuge. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy walking shoes, bring insect repellent, sunscreen and a water bottle.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member adult, $5/member child; $14/non-member adult, $7/non-member child. Ages: 9+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Twilight River Cruise Aboard the Explorer
June 15, 2018; 7:00 – 8:00 pm
Join an Audubon naturalist aboard the Blackstone Valley Explorer 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. There is on-site parking available. The Explorer is a covered boat and will go out rain or shine. Co-sponsored with the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council.
Departs from the Central Falls Dock, corner of Broad Street and Madeira Street, Central Falls, RI. Fee: $15/adults; $12/children. Ages 7+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Raptor Photo Shoot with Audubon
Audubon Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, Smithfield, RI
June 16, 2018; 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Bring your camera and take advantage of this special opportunity to get up close with a Great Horned Owl, an American Kestrel, a Red-tailed Hawk, and a Barred Owl. Each bird will be placed in a natural setting for that perfect shot. No tents. No crowds. No jostling for position. While you focus and click, a naturalist will discuss each species, their natural history and their ecological place in Rhode Island. Space is limited.
Powder Mill Ledges Wildlife Refuge, 12 Sanderson Road, Smithfield, RI; Fee: $65/member; $75/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Bird Banding with Audubon
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI*
June 16, July 14, August 18, 2018; 9:30 – 11:30 am
Join Audubon and witness bird banding, where experts capture, band, measure and release songbirds in order to record their movements. 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. Register early.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; 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.

Caratunk's Summer Fields and Forests - Two Dates Offered
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
June 18, August 6, 2018; 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Join Audubon Director of Conservation Scott Ruhren on an easy nature trail walk exploring the fields and forests of Caratunk. We will look for native wildflowers, nesting birds and pollinators along the way. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy walking shoes, bring insect repellent, sunscreen and a water bottle. Don't forget your camera and binoculars if you have them!
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. $5/member child, $7/non-member child. Ages: 4+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Audubon Celebrates National Pollinator Week
Rhode Island State House, Providence, RI
State House Lighting in Bumblebee Black and Yellow: June 18 – 24, 2018
Bee Rally at the State House: June 19, 2018, 2:00 – 4:00 pm
Join Audubon and learn the buzz about pollinators! Over 180,000 different plant species depend on bees, beetles, butterflies and birds. Many pollinator populations are in decline due to loss of feeding and nesting habitat, pollution, misuse of chemicals, disease and climate change. Audubon lights up the State House like a giant bumblebee and hosts a Bee Rally to raise public awareness of the pollinator crisis and encourage State legislators to make pollinators a priority. Join garden experts, beekeepers, artists, farmers and more on June 19 to rally for the pollinators!
Rhode Island State House, 82 Smith St, Providence, RI; Free. Ages: All

Summer Solstice Celebration Hike with Mead and Honey Tasting
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI*
June 21, 2018; 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Join Audubon for Pollinator Week and ring in the season with our Summer Solstice Celebration. Enjoy a guided evening walk through the wildlife refuge and then sample local meads, ciders and honey. Discover the art of beekeeping and learn about honey production from local beekeeper Kevin England. Registration required.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $30/member, $35/non-member. Ages: 21+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Hiking Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
June 21, 2018; 1:30 – 6:30 pm
Welcome the summer solstice with an afternoon of hiking on Prudence Island. Home to several miles of trails that weave through a variety of habitats from forested wetlands to coastal meadow and pine barrens. Pace will be moderate and cover three to four miles over a mix of terrain.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $10/non-member adult, $5/non-member child. Ages: 10+. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register online, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Make Your Own Pollinator Seed Bombs
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI*
June 22, 2018; 10:30-11:30 am
Pollinators make plants possible! Join Audubon during this family-friendly Pollinator Week event as we create seeds bombs for you to take home for your garden. With a special mixture of pollinator friendly plants, you’ll be attracting bees, butterflies, and more in no time. For ages 5+.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member child; $7/non-member child. Ages: 5+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Ice Cream and Lightning Bugs
Audubon Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, Exeter, RI
June 22, 2018; 7:30 -9:00 pm
Just as it starts to get dark, the lightning bugs appear. Come make a delicious ice cream sundae and discover what makes these insects so special! A naturalist will also lead a hike to look for their flickering lights. If you are lucky, a resident beaver might be spotted along the way. 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; $18/non-member adult, $9/non-member child. Ages: 5+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

DIY: Birdseed Bag Totes or Aprons
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium
June 23, 2018; 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Plastic birdseed bags are not recyclable. Instead of sending them to the landfill, repurpose them into fashionable tote bags or aprons! Bonnie Combs from Bird Brain Designs will show you how. If you have a birdseed bag at home that you’d like to use, or a portable sewing machine, please bring them along! (Note: aprons require large bags).
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Fee: $5/member, $7/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Butterfly Walk at Caratunk
Audubon Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk, MA
June 24, 2018; 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
Come learn all about butterflies! An Audubon naturalist will teach participants how to identify butterfly species and will lead a field survey. Bring binoculars, camera, water and a snack. Please dress appropriately for hiking through fields.
Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk, MA; Fee: $10/member, $14/non-member. Ages: Teen to Adult. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

High Trails and Rhododendrons
Audubon Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge
June 25, 2018; 9:30 am – 12:00 pm
Long Pond Woods Wildlife Refuge and the Rockville area offer some of Rhode Island's most strenuous hiking. It is well worth the climb as you hike trails with an expert guide through rhododendrons on your way to a scenic overlook. Wear sturdy shoes and bring sunscreen, water and a snack.
Long Pond Woods, North Road, Hopkinton, RI; Program Fee: $10/member; $14/non-member. Ages: 10+. Register online through the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Butterflies of Prudence Island
Prudence Island, RI
June 28, 2018; 1:30 – 6:30 pm
Spend the day with Narragansett Bay Research Reserve staff and tour the island, identifying and counting as many butterfly species as possible in an effort to track populations and abundance on Prudence. This is a great way to see Prudence Island as well as discover its diversity of habitats, flora, and fauna.
Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Prudence Island, RI; Fee: $8/member adult, $4/member child; $10/non-member adult, $5/non-member child. Ages: 10+. For more information on Prudence Island trips and to register online, visit the events calendar at www.asri.org.

Rhode Island Birds: Large to Small
Art Exhibit by Holly Wach
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, Bristol, RI*
Through June 30, 2018; 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
The drawings and paintings by fine artist Holly Wach explore the many avian species that inhabit our state. Her work strives to connect with the spirit, personalities and energy of these amazing creatures.
Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium, 1401 Hope Street, Bristol, RI; Free with Admission.

* Audubon Society of Rhode Island announces that the Audubon Environmental Education Center in Bristol is now called:
The Audubon Nature Center and Aquarium
It’s a more welcoming name – one that Audubon feels better describes the exhibits, activities and visitor experience at the Center in Bristol.

And while there is a new name and new and exciting projects happening, some things will never change. Friendly and knowledgeable Audubon staff, quality programs and the beautiful winding boardwalk to Narragansett Bay will continue to engage and educate visitors of all ages.