The long-running Nature on the Move series, with 15 Minute Field Trips, continues in 2027 with new themes! Get moving as we explore Blackstone Park. We’ll have great displays and crafts, and updated guided walks and topics.
All events take place on the second Saturday of every month, from 2 to 3:30 PM, at Blackstone Field, 1 River Drive, Providence, RI 02906 (across from the Narragansett Boat Club).
Registration is strongly recommended.
See you there!
January 9: Tracks and Snow Explore the science of snow and learn a few ways to describe it. Make a salt crystal snowflake then follow us through the woods to look for signs of animals.
February 13: Curious About Coyotes? Sharpen your detective skills learning to identify the tracks, scat, and features of coyotes. Learn how to live with coyotes safely with easy tasks that will also deter rats. Examine our table of canid furs and skull!
March 13: Looking Under Logs Learn about what lives under logs and leaf litter and how decomposers help soil stay moist. Make a poseable salamander or axolotl. Go on a decomposer hunt in the park.
April 10: Awesome Opossums Learn about North America’s only marsupial (and amazing mom), the Virginia opossums! These animals help us in so many ways. Explore our trivia table, pet the opossum fur, examine the 3-D printed skull, and make a baby opossum to take home!
May 8: Horseshoe Crabs Closer to spiders than actual crabs, these living fossils make vaccines and insulin safe. Make a paper model while we learn trivia, then take a guided walk along the Seekonk shore.
June 12: Snails and Slime Did you know snails can make different types of slime and scientists are studying them for ideas on adhesives, cosmetics, and medical uses? Learn more as we make a snail sock puppet and slime, then look for snails and slugs on the trails.
July 10: Totally Turtles Do you know about “Plastic Free July”? Plastic harms many aquatic animals and only 5-6% gets recycled in the U.S. Learn how to reduce your plastic use, wetland ecosystems, and the park’s numerous stormwater innovations while making turtles from repurposed paper products. Special guest Ambassador Bobo the Red-eared slider If you’re lucky, you may spot one of the park’s giant snapping turtles or see painted turtles sunning on a log at York or Hockey pond.
August 14: Rascally Raccoons! Better watch out! These clever animals can climb and open latches! Make a raccoon puppet while learning rabies safety, then take a guided walk through the woods.
September 11: Fungus Among Us Fall Walk Learn how fun fungi are and their roles as decomposers, tree “talkers”, parasites, and even food, medicine, and everyday products! Guided walk, clay craft, pop up museum.
October 9: Spooky Spiders Explore the world of spiders! We’ll explain the different families and how to tell them apart. Kids can make a dancing spider craft. Go on a spooky walk as we describe what comes out at night at the park! Costumes welcome, but not required.
November 13: Secrets of the Squirrels Discover the secrets of squirrel survival from the viewpoint of six local species! Explore the pop up museum and make a squirrel craft. Guided walk follows.
December 11: Winter Birds Make a winter bird feeder and Cardinal collage. Go on a guided walk to look for winter ducks and forest birds.
Kirsten A. Bagaglia, CRPC