CALENDAR
SUMMER CALENDAR PLANNING IS UNDERWAY
In June, July, and August, we will be adding to the walking trails and paths we explored during Spring Break. The spring calendar shared below was enjoyed by a total of 77 children (ages 2-14) and their parents.
Facilitator: Wendy Fachon, MBA, children’s author, and 21st Century Experiential Learning Educator, Certified in RIPQA
This series of casual morning walks is a fun way for children and adults to make new friends and learn tidbits of Narragansett Bay history and ecology, while walking and exploring different trails near and around East Greenwich. Private sector jobs relating to the environment will present many opportunities to lead Rhode Island’s economic growth over the next 30 years. Through storytelling and investigative learning, this introduction to Human Ecology – our relationship with the environment - seeks to invoke a curiosity for the miracles of nature. The goal is to increase our understanding about how we can responsibly preserve and nurture life in the surrounding bay area, without infringing on individual rights.
Each walk begins with a story to help to teach observational skills.
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 10am-noon – Goddard Park, Potowomut
We will meet by the gazebo in the beach parking lot.
When Henry Russell took ownership of the farm property defined by the Goddard Park area, the land needed help. Wind had blown the good soil from the deforested fields and into the bay. Mr. Russell solved the problem by raising thousands of seedlings to plant throughout the property to stop the erosion and replenish the soil. He filled his pockets with acorns and walked around the grounds, punching holes in the soil with his cane, and planting the acorns. He planted three acorns for each oak: one for the squirrels, one for the worms, and one to grow. He also added many new tree species.
We will study why trees are important to land and water conservation, examine different types of tree bark, and learn the relevance of both common and Latin names.
Story: Lil Hoot and the Sycamore Tree
TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 10-noon – Bleachery Trail, E. Greenwich
Park on Second Street by St. Patrick’s Cemetery. We will meet by the woodland trail head of the Bleachery Land Trust property, near the middle of the cemetery.
The Greenwich Bleachery is a lost piece of town history dating from the Industrial Revolution. The mill once sat across from the Cole School on Cedar Avenue, along the Maskerchugg River. The Bleachery was founded in 1840 and torn down in 1965. In the late 50’s, the mill employed 183 people before falling on hard times.
We will go on an archeological hunt, descending to the waterfall and using an old mill map to find what remains of the old mill. We will consider both the positive and negative impacts industry has had on our environment.
Story: Three Birdies
WED., APRIL 17, 10-noon – Scalloptown Park, E. Greenwich
Meet in Scalloptown parking lot by Greenwich Cove.
The Maskerchugg River empties into the bay behind Scalloptown Park. When you step out onto this beautiful bird sanctuary, it is hard to imagine it was once a landfill. A path leads south across twelve acres of grasses, clover, and other wildflowers, with a panoramic view of the inner cove. Two hundred years ago, before the cove filled in with silt from runoff, it served as a port for slave trading and industrial fishing.
We will consider how placing a dump site near the water might have affected bay life. Then we will comb the shoreline for oyster, clam, and scallop shells, and see who can identify the most species of birds in the area.
Story: Nutty Ideas
THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 10am-noon –Boesch Farm, E. Greenwich
Meet in the Land Trust parking lot, just before the farm driveway at 830 South Road.
This Land Trust property rests in a critical area of the Hunt River watershed and features a working farm that raises free range chickens and grass fed beef. Products of Boesch Farm are sold in the farm store and at local farmers markets. A Springtime hike offers the opportunity to see many baby farm animals, including piglets, lambs, and chicks.
Using various maps, we will navigate a trail through the woods to Scrabbletown Brook. We will investigate various activities in the area to learn about responsible land stewardship and environmental law.
Story: Just Bee
FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 10am-noon - Rome Point, North Kingstown
a.k.a. Chafee Nature Preserve. Meet in the preserve parking lot off Rte 1A.
This land was once owned by a rich Tory merchant, George Rome, who built a lavish mansion, presided over huge parties, and installed an extravagant garden. History hints that George Rome was a member of a royal spy network his story is connected to the first codebreaking in the American Revolution. In 1776, his land was confiscated and sold to a judge. Although the mansion is long gone, there are signs of evergreens and shrubs from his original garden. The area was converted to farmland and remained so until 1953, when it was purchased by Narragansett Electric for projects that never materialized - namely a coal plant and later a nuclear power plant.
We follow the woodland path to the beach to collect rocks, shells, and feathers. We will walk around to explore the inlet, and we will learn to read the secret code of nature.
Story: Grandmother Spider
Family Fun Nature Netwalks are sponsored by the Biomes Center. These field programs are FREE of charge. All we ask is that you take a serious interest in bay area stewardship and learn what you can do to assist us in taking care of the plants and wildlife. Weather updates will appear on our NETWALKING facebook page. Please contact Wendy to sign up for these outdoor programs – 884-8505 or wendy@netwalkri.com.
NETWALKING FOR YOUNG ADULTS
The content below describes of a new series of casual evening netwalks for high school and college students. Participants will learn networking skills while exploring various career opportunities in Human Ecology, Education, Health, and other critical fields. Private sector jobs relating to the environment will present many opportunities to lead Rhode Island’s economic growth over the next 30 years. By sharing stories, interests, knowledge, ideas, and personal contacts, we will engage ourselves in working together to make this world a more beautiful and enduring home.
Each walk begins with the sharing of a short story (5-10 minutes) to help to teach networking skills and the power of connectedness.
MONDAY, APRIL 15, 6-7pm or whenever – Bleachery Pond
Meet at Starbuck’s on Main Street.
We will learn the basics of networking and break into pairs for one-on-one interviews/ conversations. We will conclude by sharing these experiences among the larger group.
Story: A Rose by any Other Name
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 6-7pm or whenever – Scalloptown Park
Meet at Starbuck’s on Main Street.
Story: Real Life Fairytale
Please bring your own water bottle or hot drink in a thermos. Dress for the weather. Hats, gloves, layers, and comfortable walking boots.
If you want more information, please contact Wendy Fachon at 884-1559 or wendy@netwalkri.com. Netwalking programs are free of charge unless otherwise noted.
Wendy offers afterschool enrichment program training for facilitators working with all ages. The concept of a "Walking Classroom" promotes experiential learning, which gives context to the standard learning that happens during the school day, and therefore strengthens academic engagement.
STORYWALKER (Ages 5-12) is supported with audio material for children learning to read and master the basics of math.
Older elementary ages focus on developing communication skills - conversation, interviewing, creative writing, and social media. In this program, studwnts participate in a few presen- tations given by business owners.
NETWALKING (12+) is about connecting career professionals with potential interns. It can also be used as a no-cost casual approach to improve a company's internal communications, creative problem solving, employee morale, and overall corporate wellness. Please contact us for assistance in scheduling and organizing a local Netwalking event leadership training.
This is a prime opportunity for students to develop networking and interviewing skills.
NETWALKRI
P.O. Box 2221
East Greenwich, RI 02818
401.884.1559
email: wendy@netwalkri.com
If your business, town, club, or organiza- tion has scheduled a special hike or fundraising walk, please let us know, so that we can help publicize the event and/or the cause here on our calendar. You can also share news and events with other Netwalkers on our facebook wall or tweet to us on twitter (using #netwalkri hash tag) and provide a link.
If you love to walk and you love to meet people, come visit netwalkri.com period-
ically to find out about all the various fundraising walks and runs sponsored by Rhode Island's local health and education organizations. These groups need our support, and it's a great way to network.
