Pollinator Safari

Join the Westerly Land Trust for an all ages expedition into insect biodiversity!

Get your bug nets ready and come explore the diverse population of pollinating insects in Westerly.

For this all-ages, family-friendly event, the Westerly Land Trust has assembled a top-notch team of pollinator experts from around the state:

• Dr. Rachael Bonoan, head of the Providence College’s Pollinator Lab
• Ren Johnson from URI’s Bee Lab
• Toby Shaya, DEM’s Pollinator Atlas Entomologist

Dr. Bonoan will guide us through beautiful Avondale Farm Preserve where we will find, capture and identify the bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects doing the critical work of keeping our local ecosystems in balance. Get up close to these winged critters and learn how to use “bug vacuums”, nets, and field guides to catch, identify, and release some amazing pollinators. Learn from the experts how pollinators do their jobs, why they are important, and what we can do to help them!

Please prepare to romp out in the sun and tall grass; sturdy shoes, pants, sun/bug protection and water are recommended. There are no restroom facilities at Avondale, so plan accordingly.

Parking- Park at the Quail Run parking lot. Overflow parking will be available at Grassland Way. Please meet at Quail Run Parking lot at 10:00 AM.

• Registration is required.
• Event is open to ALL ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Children under 12 are FREE.
• Event is FREE for WLT members and $10 for not-yet-members.