The URI Learning Landscape environmental education program invites elementary school groups to book an Eco-Exploration Field Trip. Middle school groups and special needs groups are invited to attend at the discretion of the teaher. The program is held at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center in Providence during the fall and winter, and the URI Kingston Botanical Garden in the spring.
Students use all of their senses to explore the plants and wildlife that inhabit southern New England. Trained URI Master Gardener and student educators present topics such as ecosystems and adaptations, seed diversity, native mammals and birds, worms and decomposers, the water cycle and pollution prevention and more in a fun and age-appropriate format. Students bring their experiences back to the classroom with seeds planted in a recycled pot and their own nature journals.
Click here to see how the Learning Landscape can help teachers meet R.I. Grade Span Expectations in science and language arts.
Winter Learning Landscape Program
Field Trip Dates: February - March 2013
Location: Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, Providence
Spring Learning Landscape Program
Field Trip Dates: April - June 2013
Location: URI Botanical Gardens, KingstonĀ
Fall Learning Landscape Program
Field Trip Dates: October - November 2013
Location: Roger Williams Park Botanical Center, Providence
URI'S ECO-EXPLORATION SUMMER CAMP
Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
Seasonal Festivals
The East Farm Spring Festival and Holidays at the Park offer seasonal opportunties for families to explore the natural world together through fun and informative exhibits and craft activities. Programs are held at URI's East Farm and at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
Garden Projects at Roger Williams Park
Outreach at the Roger Williams Park Botanical Center
"This trip far exceeded my expectation. The information brought to my students in two hours couldn't have been done in my own classroom...This trip was well organized and worth the time and money spent. I will definitely want to attend this trip again."
--Densie Phillips, First Grade Teacher from Harris Elementary, Woonsocket
"The Learning Landscape field trip program for our elementary group really did provide our students with great hands-on exploration of life science. Each child planted seeds and was then able to bring home their newly planted seeds and watch them grow with their family. It was not only a wonderful learning experience but also a very special treat for the students."
-- Kathleen Sullivan, 3rd grade teacher from Martin Luther King Elementary, Providence
"I learned some things too. Like worms have five hearts. That the little pine cones grow really big trees and that venus fly traps can only close five times. But I really liked feeling the animals' fur."
-- Cecelia, 1st grader from Westerly
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-- Kimberly Brennan, 4th grade teacher from Holliman Elementary, Warwick
"I loved learning about Venus fly traps. We had a great time. When can we come again? I learned that mammals can only have fur. The rabbit I saw was awesome! This was my best field trip ever!"
-- Max, 1st grader from Westerly
"This is the best field trip we have ever been on."
-- Holly Polhemus, 4th grade teacher from Vartan Gregorian Elementary, Providence