2014 Educational Programs at Middlebridge

NRPA and Narrow River Land Trust, in cooperation with the Town of Narragansett Department of Parks and Recreation, are once again offering a series of free Saturday morning programs at the town property at 95 Middlebridge Road. The lineup for the second year of the series includes:

What Lives in the River? on June 14
Art on the River on August 16
Guided Tour of Garrison House Acres on September 27

These events are in addition to to the annual Pettaquamscutt Paddle sponsored by Narrow River Kayaks and NRPA. The Paddle also builds aware of the unique environment of Narrow River with recreational events.

"Narrow River Land Trust and NRPA share common interests to preserve, protect and restore the environment and the quality of life for all communities within the Narrow River Estuary and Watershed,” says Veronica Berounsky of NRPA. “As stewards of the watershed, education has always been a primary focus. With the 2012 acquisition of the Middlebridge property by the Narragansett Land Conservancy Trust, we foresee a tremendous opportunity for the property to serve as a center for educational programs and family activities to increase awareness of Narrow River's unique cultural and natural history as well as the challenges facing the watershed.”

June 16, 2014

"What Lives in the River?" is an all-ages introduction to common fish, shellfish, crabs and other inhabitants in the river. This year's program features:

♦ Hands-on seining with experts to catch river creatures

♦ Guided walks along the intertidal zone and salt marsh to observe the inhabitants

♦ River-water tanks and microscopes to examine river creatures, and guidebooks to help identify them

♦ Posting of a running tally of the creatures identified

♦ Experts to discuss the importance of estuaries as nurseries for fish & shellfish, the fascinating migration of river herring, and the role of river plants in the food web.

Please wear footwear that can get wet. This event is designed for families with elementary or middle school children and is free and open to the public. But you must reserve a space ahead of time by clicking the reservation link:

Sign up for "What Lives in the River?"

Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult member of the family.

August 16, 2014

Local artists will give instruction to adults in drawing and painting scenes of the Middlebridge area, while children will have their own guided artistic activities.

Bring your easels or sketch pads or cameras to capture the beauty of this iconic site.

Sketch your version of an expansive landscape view or crouch down and capture a still life view of oysters on the fringe of the salt marsh.

In addition, “plein air” (open air) painters and other artists will be demonstrating their techniques.

This event is free and open to the public, but please register now as space is limited.

Click here to sign up for Art on the River.

September 27, 2014

Please join Narrow River Land Trust and NRPA for a guided walk to Garrison House Acres, a beautiful 26-acre coastal property nestled along the Narrow River in South Kingstown. The one-mile walk will follow a loop trail through deciduous woodlands, freshwater marshes, open fields and along salt marsh fringing the Narrow River. This property has been managed by the Narrow River Land Trust since 1990 and is of particular ecological interest because of its variety of habitats and because it abuts other conserved lands including the 554 acre John H. Chafee National Wildlife Refuge at Pettaquamscutt Cove (managed by US Fish & Wildlife) and land conserved by the Audubon Society. Together these conservation properties form a contiguous band of wildlife habitat along Pettaquamscutt Cove and the lower Narrow River.

This walk is part of the Land Trusts Days, a calendar of more 60 events presented by member councils of the Rhode Island Land Trust Council. It is also the fourth in a series of educational events at the Middlebridge Education and Activity Center sponsored by Narrow River Land Trust and Narrow River Preservation Association.

We will meet at the Middlebridge Center at 95 Middlebridge Road in Narragansett, and then cross the bridge to the Garrison House Acres Trail in South Kingstown and begin our walk. This walk will offer opportunities to view wildlife, especially waterfowl, and coastal plants (the salt marsh mallow may be in bloom!). This is an easy one-mile walk; however, the trail is not handicap accessible. Please wear shoes and long pants appropriate for a walk in the woods. In addition to the guided walk, there are opportunities for kayaking nearby.

The Garrison House Acres Guided Walk is free and open to the public. We encourage you to register in advance by clicking the following link: