Students are leading the charge to conserve and protect the North Woods. Through research projects, educational outreach, and community events, students are spreading the word about what the North Woods have to offer. Each year, there are students who will explore the North Woods for the first time, and others who will pass the torch of stewardship after graduation. No matter what your academic program is, there are ways to make the North Woods part of your URI experience. To learn more about funding for student and faculty projects, visit our page about Funding Opportunities.
Student-led Groups:
North Woods Hiking and Conservation Club:
Reach out to northwoodshc@rhodysenate.org to learn how to get involved.
Follow to see what NWHCC is up to: https://www.instagram.com/northwoods_hcc/
The North Woods Hiking and Conservation Club (NWHCC) was recently founded to help more students learn about and become involved in the North Woods. They organize stewardship activities such as trail maintenance, cleanups, and community events. Their largest event is the annual BioBlitz, a science-filled weekend where people work to find as many species as possible in the boundary of the North Woods. This year’s BioBlitz will take place on April 27 and 28, 2024.
The NWHCC began in fall 2022 when Rachel Howard, URI Class of 2023, visited URI101 classes to share about student-led conservation efforts in the North Woods. She presented to classes and led guided walks, inspiring incoming URI students to come together and make the club official. Club members have continued the tradition of visiting URI101 classes to help all students learn about our university forest.
URI Birdwatching Club:
Follow to see what Birdwatching Club is up to: https://www.instagram.com/uri_birdwatching_club
Get Involved here: https://uri-birdwatching-club.carrd.co/
The URI Birdwatching Club holds activities and outings throughout Rhode Island, and the group sometimes leads walks in the North Woods.
Explore Rhode Island’s birding hotspots with the Birdwatching Club! Join us to spot diverse bird species during outings and unwind at meetings with trivia, documentaries, and casual arts and crafts. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or just starting out, we keep it relaxed and enjoyable while connecting with nature in the beautiful landscapes across Rhode Island!
North Woods Stewardship Project:
The North Woods Stewardship Project is a University-wide initiative to develop a plan for the responsible stewardship and management of the Kingston campus’s adjacent North Woods, a 307 acre tract of University land to the north of Flagg Road. The informal team involves students and professors who undertake diverse activities, and work to bridge relationships across academic departments. Students in the Master of Environmental Science and Management (MESM) program were instrumental in founding the North Woods Stewardship Project. MESM students continue to lead it in collaboration with faculty and students from departments that include Natural Resources Science, Art, History, Anthropology, Writing, and more.
A foundational goal of this initiative is to increase access and use of the North Woods across multiple colleges at URI. If you’re interested, your presence is welcome, regardless of your academic program or background. You can reach out to michelle_peach@uri.edu to learn more about current opportunities, or discuss your own project idea.
To learn more, read these articles: