With Brian Maynard, retired professor from the Department of Plant Sciences & Entomology at the University of Rhode Island, we will explore of a variety of dry habitats and view forest recovery from the 2017 spongy moth infestation.  The terrain is moderate to difficult.

Free and open to the public.

Donations to help support our walks are appreciated.  DONATE NOW

General walk guidelines

Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briars, tree roots, rocks, mud, poison ivy, and other natural hazards etc. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and any personal items you may need during the walk.

Dogs are not permitted.

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel, contact communications@riwps.org 

We walk in light rain or shine. If severe weather requires cancellation, we’ll email you—typically deciding the day before.

Registration is required

Space is limited to ensure everyone can observe plants and join the discussion.

Note: Submit a separate registration for each person.

The post First Thursday Botanizing Walk: Carter Preserve, Charlestown appeared first on Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.

Trillium cernuum (Nodding Trillium),

On Saturday June 6, 2026 from 10 am – 12 pm join Joe Kroger at Caratunk Wildlife Refuge in Seekonk, MA.  Joe Kroger, Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s naturalist of the year in 2024, has 40 years of experience at Caratunk Wildlife Refuge.  We will look  for some plants of concern, notably nodding trillium, begonias, and baneberry, in addition to the usual suspects.

Joe also leads the bird program at Caratunk as well, so he can lead us along the blue bird trail too. With nearly 200 acres of fields, forests, streams, and ponds, Caratunk offers miles of well-marked, easy to moderate trails, making it one of Audubon’s most popular properties.

Free and open to the public.

Donations to help support our walks are appreciated.  DONATE NOW

General walk guidelines

Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briers, tree root etc. Bring a sufficient supply of water and nourishment for your needs.

Dogs are not permitted.

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel, contact communications@riwps.org 

We walk in light rain or shine. If severe weather requires cancellation, we’ll email you—typically deciding the day before.

Registration is required

Space is limited to ensure everyone can observe plants and join the discussion.

Note: Submit a separate registration for each person.

More details about the location of the walk provided upon registration.

The post First Thursday Botanizing Walk: Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, Seekonk MA (note: Walk has been moved to the first Saturday) appeared first on Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.

Trillium cernuum (Nodding Trillium), Arcadia Management Area, Exeter, RI

May 7, 2026 | 10 am – 12 pm

Acadia Management Area | Exeter, RI

On this walk with biologist Denise Poyer, we will discover early spring flowers deep in the Arcadia Management Area.

We will first walk south on Sand Trail to look for Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginiana), dolls-eyes (Actaea pachypoda), sharp-lobed hepatica (Anemone acutiloba) and many other ephemeral flowers. This trail features a wonderful patch of nodding trillium (Trillium cernuum), one of the few trillium species found in RI.

We will then turn back north on the Ben Utter Trail to search for downy rattlesnake-plantain (Goodyera pubescens), as well as more wetland species, including early violets. Plan for a mile or so of walking on wooded trails.

This walk is free and open to the public.

Donations to help support our walks are appreciated.  DONATE NOW

General walk guidelines

Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briers, tree root etc. Bring a sufficient supply of water and nourishment for your needs.

Dogs are not permitted.

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel, contact communications@riwps.org 

We walk light rain or shine.  In case of  cancellations due to poor weather conditions, we will email you. We tend to wait until the day before the walk to make this call as weather forecasts can be changeable.

Registration is required

The number of participants is limited to maximize the ability for everyone to observe the plants and participate in the conversation.  

Note: Only one person can register at a time. To register a second person, just repeat the process.

More specific location of the walk is provided upon registration.

The post First Thursday Botanizing Walk: Ben Utter Trail (Exeter) appeared first on Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.

Our first First Thursday walk of the season is April 2, 2026, from 10 am to noon. We will explore the Snake Den Farm parcel of Snake Den State Park with Chris Modisette, a retired forester with more than 40 years of service with the National Resources Conservation Service.

Managed by the Northern Rhode Island Conservation District, Snake Den parcel reflects a historical progression from woodlot and pasture, reversion to forest and most recently, experimental fields to promote sustainable agriculture. The major tree species in the area are white pine, yellow and black birch, white and red oak, red maple and big tooth aspen.

We will be hiking slightly over a mile on a relatively easy trail, ending at agricultural fields edged by many species of non-native invasive plants.

This walk is free and open to the public.

Donations to help support our walks are appreciated.  DONATE NOW

General walk guidelines

Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briers, tree root etc. Bring a sufficient supply of water and nourishment for your needs.

Dogs are not permitted.

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel, contact communications@riwps.org 

We walk light rain or shine.  In case of  cancellations due to poor weather conditions, we will email you. We tend to wait until the day before the walk to make this call as weather forecasts can be changeable.

Registration is required

The number of participants is limited to maximize the ability for everyone to observe the plants and participate in the conversation.  

Note: Only one person can register at a time. To register a second person, just repeat the process.

More specific location of the walk is provided upon registration.

The post First Thursday Botanizing Walk: Snake Den Farm (Johnston) appeared first on Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.

On October 2, 2025  from 10 am to noon, join Joe Jamroz, environmental enthusiast and advisory board member for the Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy. We will  explore parts of this conserved property and enjoy spectacular views of Providence. Rising nearly 300 feet above Narragansett Bay, the park is situated in the heart of the most densely populated area of Providence. The park’s 88 acres of oak/hickory forest include a well-maintained trail system, brooks, ravines, meadows, glacial boulders.

This walk is free and open to the public.  Donations to help support our walks are appreciated.  DONATE NOW

General walk guidelines

Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briers, tree root etc. Bring a sufficient supply of water and nourishment for your needs.

Dogs are not permitted.

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel, contact us as soon as possible. communications@riwps.org 

We walk light rain or shine.  In case of  cancellations due to poor weather conditions, we will email you. We tend to wait until the day before the walk to make this call as weather forecasts can be changeable.

Registration is required

The number of participants is limited to maximize the ability for everyone to observe the plants and participate in the conversation.  

Note: Only one person can register at a time. To register a second person, just repeat the process.

More specific location of the walk is provided upon registration.

The post First Thursday Botanizing Walk: Neutaconkanut Hill Park appeared first on Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.

Eutrochium fistulosum (hollow Joe-Pye weed) with monarch, photo DMcGrady

This walk is cancelled due to illness.

On September 4, 2025  from 10am to noon, join Marc Doherty, Westerly Land Trust’s (WLT) Land Stewardship Manager for a slow walk around the coastal grasslands, shrublands and salt marsh at Westerly Land Trust’s founding property,  Avondale Farm Preserve. Avondale Farm is a mixed-use site, where restored native grassland sits alongside a certified-organic hayfield.

The walk will begin around the grassland areas, work its way through some shrubland and finish in the salt marsh at the top of Colonel Willie Cove. Marc will share plant identification, some of their uses/ecological roles as well as discuss how WLT manages these ecosystems, including their goals, success and challenges.

During the grassland tour, expect to see a mix of ecotypic and non-ecotypic species including wild senna, Joe-Pye weed, New England aster and New York ironweed and grasses like Indian grass, big bluestem and eastern gamagrass. The group will then weave through a shrubland composed of winged sumac, bayberry, wild grape and numerous invasive shrubs, leading to a salt marsh. A short venture out onto the marsh platform during low tide will reveal native and invasive salt marsh grasses and wildflowers such as salt marsh aster and sea lavender.

This walk is free and open to the public.  Donations to help support our walks are appreciated.  DONATE NOW

General walk guidelines

Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briers, tree root etc. Bring a sufficient supply of water and nourishment for your needs.

Dogs are not permitted.

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel, contact us as soon as possible. communications@riwps.org 

We walk light rain or shine.  In case of  cancellations due to poor weather conditions, we will email you. We tend to wait until the day before the walk to make this call as weather forecasts can be changeable.

Registration is required

The number of participants is limited to maximize the ability for everyone to observe the plants and participate in the conversation.  

Note: Only one person can register at a time. To register a second person, just repeat the process.

More specific location of the walk is provided upon registration.

The post CANCELLED -First Thursday Botanizing Walk: Avondale Farm Preserve appeared first on Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.

Join Ethan Paiva & Nathan Archer from the Audubon Society of RI for a walk at Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge in Exeter, RI. on August 7, 2025, from 10 am to noon.  Come explore several different habitats including forest, fields and wetlands, observing birds, trees, plants and butterflies. Who knows what we will discover! This hike is approximately 1.5 miles with some roots. Ethan’s & Nathan’s passions are vernal pools and trees!!! They loves sharing their knowledge with all ages. 

This walk is free and open to the public.  Donations to help support our walks are appreciated.  DONATE NOW

General walk guidelines

Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briers, tree root etc. Bring a sufficient supply of water and nourishment for your needs.

Dogs are not permitted.

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel, contact us as soon as possible. communications@riwps.org 

We walk light rain or shine.  In case of  cancellations due to poor weather conditions, we will email you. We tend to wait until the day before the walk to make this call as weather forecasts can be changeable.

Registration is required

The number of participants is limited to maximize the ability for everyone to observe the plants and participate in the conversation.  

Note: Only one person can register at a time. To register a second person, just repeat the process.

More specific location of the walk is provided upon registration.

The post First Thursday Botanizing Walk: Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge (Exeter, RI) appeared first on Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.

Bring comfortable shoes (boots if you plan to go in water), water and a snack. Prepare for ticks and deer flies – you might wish you had mosquito netting.

Come share your enthusiasm and knowledge. Beginners to experts welcome!

This walk is free and open to the public.  Donations to help support our walks are appreciated.  DONATE NOW

General walk guidelines

Dogs are not permitted.

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel, contact us as soon as possible. communications@riwps.org

We walk light rain or shine.  In case of  cancellations due to poor weather conditions, we will email you. We tend to wait until the day before the walk to make this call as weather forecasts can be changeable.

Registration is required

The number of participants is limited to maximize the ability for everyone to observe the plants and participate in the conversation.  

Note: Only one person can register at a time. To register a second person, just repeat the process.

More specific location of the walk is provided upon registration.

The post First Thursday Botanizing Walk: Great Swamp Management Area appeared first on Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.

Join Roger Greene on June 5, 2025 from 10 am to noon to explore Simmons Mill Pond Management Area in Little Compton, RI.

We’ll take a walk along the historic laneways through this globally rare Oak/Holly woodland. In early June we will see the transition from spring ephemerals which will be fruiting and going to seed, to the emerging and unfurling of ten species of ferns leafing out, and identify eleven species of trees. Along the way we will find the Simmons Mill raceway, the old mill dam, an icehouse foundation, and the successful phragmites control project on Smith Pond. Control was achieved without the use of chemicals. Now six years later, the area that had been nearly solid with phragmites is a valuable wetland habitat with a large diversity of native plants.

Walk Leader Roger Greene worked for the RI Department of Environmental Management for about 30 years as a Principal Environmental Scientist.  Since Roger retired from DEM, he and his wife Gail have been stewards of DEM’s Simmons Mill Pond Management Area, where they devote approximately 1,000 hours a year to managing a variety of habitats.

Come share your enthusiasm and knowledge. Beginners to experts welcome!

This walk is free and open to the public.  Donations to help support our walks are appreciated.  DONATE NOW

General walk guidelines

Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briers, tree root etc. Bring a sufficient supply of water and nourishment for your needs.

Dogs are not permitted.

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel, contact us as soon as possible. office@riwps.org 

We walk light rain or shine.  In case of  cancellations due to poor weather conditions, we will email you. We tend to wait until the day before the walk to make this call as weather forecasts can be changeable.

Registration is required

The number of participants is limited to maximize the ability for everyone to observe the plants and participate in the conversation.  

Note: Only one person can register at a time. To register a second person, just repeat the process.

More specific location of the walk is provided upon registration.

The post First Thursday Botanizing Walk: Simmons Mill Pond appeared first on Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.

doll’s eye, white baneberry (Actea pachypoda), photo KAsher

Join biologist Denise Poyer on May 16 from 10am to noon on the Ben Utter Trail in Exeter RI.

We will discover early spring flowers deep in the Arcadia Management Area. We will first walk south on Sand Trail to look for Indian cucumber root (Medeola virginiana), dolls-eyes (Actaea pachypoda), sharp-lobed hepatica (Anemone acutiloba) and many other ephemeral flowers. This trail features a wonderful patch of nodding trillium (Trillium cernuum), one of the few trillium species found in RI. We will then turn back north on the Ben Utter Trail to search for downy rattlesnake-plantain (Goodyera pubescens), as well as more wetland species, including early violets. Plan for a mile or so of walking on wooded trails and wear appropriate hiking footwear.

This walk is free and open to the public.  Donations to help support our walks are appreciated.  DONATE NOW

General walk guidelines

Wear clothing and sturdy footwear appropriate for the weather conditions and for protection against sun exposure, ticks and other insects, briers, tree root etc. Bring a sufficient supply of water and nourishment for your needs.

Dogs are not permitted.

Cancellations

Should you need to cancel, contact us as soon as possible. office@riwps.org 

We walk light rain or shine.  In case of  cancellations due to poor weather conditions, we will email you. We tend to wait until the day before the walk to make this call as weather forecasts can be changeable.

Registration is required

The number of participants is limited to maximize the ability for everyone to observe the plants and participate in the conversation.  

Note: Only one person can register at a time. To register a second person, just repeat the process.

More specific location of the to the walk is provided upon registration.

The post Spring in Arcadia: Ben Utter Trail appeared first on Rhode Island Wild Plant Society.