On a brisk, rainy Saturday earlier this month, the Blue Trail in URI’s North Woods was busy with students investigating vernal pool amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, camera trapping, and more alongside faculty members and family members. 

Faculty from the Department of Natural Resources Science (NRS) hosted the field day to give undergraduate students in the College of the Environment and Life Sciences the opportunity to engage with NRS faculty and graduate students about their research areas. Seven stations throughout the trail encouraged interactive participation on a range of topics, from soil science to mammal tagging, science communication to using mist nets to capture and band birds. Donuts were also involved.

“It was valuable for students to see the quality and passion of NRS faculty, and for students from a variety of majors to have the chance to learn about NRS faculty and their research interests,” says Peter Paton, professor of NRS. Even the rain didn’t dampen the enthusiastic response from student participation. “At least one student was overheard asking if she could ‘add a third major?!” says Sarah Kienle, assistant professor of NRS. 

Drawing information across multiple scales of scientific inquiry—from molecules to ecosystems and soils to the biosphere—the field of NRS integrates knowledge to solve environmental problems, communicate scientific findings effectively, and advance environmental sustainability for the benefit of society. Because experiential learning is an important part of the curriculum, students at the field day were engaged in hands-on learning opportunities on a smaller scale.  

Faculty hope to make the field day an annual event.