The North Woods serve as a valuable “Living Learning Laboratory” to many departments within the University. Classes from Landscape Architecture, Leadership Studies, Natural Resource Science, Writing, Art, Sociology & Anthropology, Plant Sciences, Entomology, and History departments use the North Woods as an experiential learning resource.

A 2009 teaching survey documented 1,200 undergraduates in the Natural Resources Science department visited the North Woods annually. Students have used the North Woods for a wide array of research projects at the graduate and undergraduate level. In addition to the ecological, historical, and humanities-based learning opportunities, the Center for Student Leadership Development administers the North Woods Challenge Course.

During the COVID-19 crisis, the North Woods provided an especially valuable fieldwork opportunity as an outdoor laboratory. A key component was the proximity of the site to URI’s Main Campus. Without the need for transportation, classes were able to continue fieldwork that followed social distancing guidelines and kept students safe. As a result, the North Woods have continued to grow more valuable as a resource for the wider campus community.

Would you like to integrate The North Woods into your teaching? Contact us to learn more about how a wide range of disciplines can implement this educational resource