Educational Programs

  • Vernal Pools with Tim Piacentini

    Join us once again for an evening of scouting for frogs and sharing fun facts around puddles in the woods! Tim is going to guide us through the trails of Highland woods and shed light on why these slimly sweet creatures have a vital roll in our ecosystem. This was such a fun event last year and we hope to make it annual!

    Bring your rain boots or gortex kicks, because this adventure may get a bit mucky!

  • Meteorology and Forest Growth with Single Lab

    Sunday, May 4, 3:00pm, Pardon Gray Preserve

    Our team of undergraduate researchers from the Singley Lab at Roger Williams University have been investigating meteorology and forest growth patterns at Pardon Gray. We are using a variety of techniques, including tree ring analysis and environmental sensors, to study oak trees from the bottom of the hillslope by the vernal pool to the top of the ridge. We invite all who are interested to come join us for a conversation on the trail as we explain our preliminary findings and tour the equipment currently installed.

  • Spring is for the Birds

    “Responsibility Birds” Walk

    Charles Clarkson, PhD, Director of Avian Research, Audubon Society of Rhode Island

    Friday, May 9, 8:30am, Highland Woods

    Limited to 25 people

    Dr. Charles Clarkson, Director of Avian Research with the Audubon Society of  Rhode Island, will lead us into the world of Rhode Island’s migratory birds as we move through Highland Woods at a time when birds are calling, nesting and feeding.


  • Avian Education Experience

    Congress of the Birds rehabilitates with release in mind. They are both state licensed and federally permitted to care for all species of wild birds. Through providing both medical and rehabilitative care, their center treats upwards of 1,000 avian patients every year, and provides triage and stabilization for ALL species of wild animals. We are pleased to partner with Sakonnet Preservation Association and the Tiverton Library to host Congress of the Birds to explore the link between conservation efforts and the importance of rehabilitation organizations, as well as information on Avian flu and what to do when you find a baby bird not in its nest!

  • Earth Day at Pardon Gray

    It was a windy winter in Tiverton and there is a lot of clean up to do. Please meet us on Earth Day at 5:30 pm with gloves, a water bottle, and a can do attitude. We will bring heavy duty garbage bags and facilitate a group clean up!

    Spend an evening in our community to make a difference.

  • Stonewall Restoration

    Join us for an experiential workshop with Mark Carvalho. This educational experience is geared towards teaching the basics of stonewall restoration while repairing a small section of wall at Pardon Gray Preserve, registration required space is limited.

  • Book Talk and Signing with Ethan Tapper

    Book Talk and Signing with Ethan Tapper

    Ethan Tapper, forester, naturalist and author will speak at Davoll’s General Store, hosted by the Tiverton Land Trust. Ethan will read from and discuss his book How to Love a Forest and how it can inform the conservation and management of the forests and ecosystems of northeastern Rhode Island and south coastal Massachusetts.

    Register, space is limited

    Ethan Tapper is a consulting forester, author, birder, naturalist, and digital creator from Vermont. For over a decade, Ethan has worked as a service and consulting forester and has been recognized with several national awards for his work. Ethan is a regular contributor to Northern Woodlands Magazine, as well as a variety of other publications, and is a digital creator with tens of thousands of followers on Instagram, YouTube and TikTok (all under the handle @HowToLoveAForest). Learn more about Ethan and his work at EthanTapper.com


  • Walk in the Woods with Forester & Author Ethan Tapper

    What does it mean to love a forest? Join Ethan Tapper, the author of How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World for a walk through the Tiverton Land Trust’s Highland Woods. Ethan will discuss how forests work, what it means to care for them, and what it means to love a forest amidst the many threats and stressors of the modern world.


  • Vernal Pool Evening Hike, Hosted by Tim Piacentini

    Are you ready for an evening of scouting for frogs and sharing fun facts around puddles in the woods? We are too! Tim is going to guide us through the trails of Highland woods and shed light on why these slimly sweet creatures have a vital roll in our ecosystem.

    Bring your rain boots or gortex kicks, cause this adventure may get a bit mucky

  • Spring Ephemeral Walk Hosted by Garry Plunkett

    Join us for an evening walk to see the short lived blooms that provide an early source of food for our woodland pollinators. These ephemerals can be some of the most delicate and hard to spot flowers in our New England woods. Their window is short lived but we hope to catch some on our hike together!

  • Reading the Night Sky Hosted by Brown Physics Department

    Join us for a night of space exploration! Staff members from Ladd Observatory at Brown University, will provide a comprehensive understanding of the constellations and a close-up look at the sky. We will use telescopes and binoculars to identify constellations, nebulae and star clusters. If you have your own telescope, please bring it along! We will teach you how to use it. All ages welcome. Flashlights and headlamps are also recommended.

    Each class in this series will have separate registration. Fall & Winter dates TBD