Wildlife Outreach Program- Rhode Island -Department of Environmental Management

Wildlife Outreach Program

Looking for birds at the Great Swamp Management Area.
A school group takes a closer look at wildlife habitat
Public discussion on wildife in urban areas at RISD.
A scouting group explores the outdoors!

The Division of Fish and Wildlife began our Wildlife Outreach Program in 2017. We serve students, families, hunters, and the public through a variety of unique, enjoyable programs. These programs provide participants with information about Rhode Island’s wildlife species, conservation issues, and the work being done by our dedicated staff to protect, restore, and manage our state’s precious wildlife resources. Within the Wildlife Outreach Program’s first year, we connected with 3,900 Rhode Islanders of all ages through face-to-face programs and events!

If you are interested in receiving updates about wildlife conservation and events through the Wildlife Outreach Program, as well as the Hunter Education, Aquatic Resource Education, and Volunteer Programs, be sure to sign up for our monthly outreach email newsletter!

PUBLIC EVENTS

FOR TEACHERS

K-8 Classroom Programs

The Wildlife Outreach Program offers interactive, 1-hour classroom programs for K-8 classes. Students are provided with information and participate in fun, educational activities regarding the history of wildlife management, current conservation projects, and Rhode Island's diverse wildlife.

Program topics correspond with the seasons, connecting students with what is happening around them in nature. To view our fall, winter, and spring program offerings, and to register for a program, click the links below.

9-12 Classroom Programs

The Wildlife Outreach Program offers an in-depth classroom session, “Wildlife Management 101,” for high school environmental science and biology classes. Students will take away lots of information regarding local conservation, as well as an insight into what it’s like to work in the field of wildlife conservation!

To view our program calendar, and to schedule a program, click the links below.

Field Trip Program

The Wildlife Outreach program also offers interactive field trips for students in grades 4 – 12 to state management areas and state parks. During your field trip, students will learn about wildlife management and conservation, Rhode Island’s habitats, and how to look for signs of wildlife.

To schedule a field trip for your class, please contact Mary Gannon (mary.gannon@dem.ri.gov), Wildlife Outreach Coordinator.

Thanks to the Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program and the RI State Wildlife Grant, all outreach programs are FREE of charge, including all materials.

Rev. 10/2/19

Species Spotlight

Photo credit: Michael Schipritt

Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)

HABITAT: Red foxes like open areas, such as meadows and farm fields, but can also be found in forests, suburban neighborhoods, and cities.

FOOD: Red foxes are opportunistic omnivores, eating whatever is readily available during the seasons. This includes small mammals, birds, fruit, and insects. In the summer, you can often find red fox scat containing lots of berry seeds and skins, and in the winter, mostly fur and bones. They are important predators of small rodents, and provide natural pest control services!

FUN FACTS:

Foxes have distinct and varied vocalizations, ranging from yips, howls and barks to the unique “scream” which is often wrongly thought to be a fisher!

Foxes form permanent pair bonds and are mainly monogamous.

Foxes only use dens temporarily to raise young. If you have a fox denning under your shed or porch, you can wait until the fall when the family has left the den and block up any openings to the den site. This will prevent the foxes from returning to that den site next year.

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