Recent news and events
Check out upcoming Land Trust Days events hosted by the LTCC!
Details on each event is below as well as links to register.
Details on each event is below as well as links to register.
Fungal Foray at Trott/Perry Preserve
Sunday, August 9 at 11:00 AM
Table identification session begins at 1:00 PM
Join the Scituate Land Trust and Rhode Island Mycological Society for an all-ages exploration of fungi at Trott/Perry Preserve. Its woodland trails, streams, wet areas, and fallen wood and mature trees provide many different places for fungi to live.
After a short introduction, we’ll divide into small groups guided by the RImycoS team. During the two-hour walk, we’ll search different habitats, photograph fungi where they are growing, and collect selected specimens for study.
At 1:00 PM, we’ll gather at the identification tables to sort our finds, compare features, and work through identifications together. You are welcome to attend the full walk or come just for the table session.
No experience is needed. This event focuses on observation, documentation, and identification rather than collecting mushrooms for food. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing suitable for woodland trails and ticks.
Registration is suggested for the guided woodland walk so we can plan groups.
Visitors attending only the table identification session may arrive at 1:00 PM.
[Register for the Woodland Walk]
Slow-Motion Ecology: Lichens Up Close
Saturday, August 22, 2:00–4:30 PM
Westconnaug Meadows- Scituate Land Trust & Conservation Commission
Join Patrick for a slow walk and talk devoted to lichens. This is not a fast-paced hike. We’ll make frequent stops to look closely, take photographs, and notice the features that help us identify and understand lichens.
Along the way, we’ll compare lichens growing on rocks, bark, and other surfaces while discussing photography, identification, and lichen taxonomy. Artists, photographers, slow walkers, and curious observers are especially encouraged to attend.
Patrick is a RImycoS member and hobbyist with an interest in lichens and native plant gardening.
All ages are welcome, and no experience is needed.
Info on the Wild at Play event coming soon!
Sunday, August 9 at 11:00 AM
Table identification session begins at 1:00 PM
Join the Scituate Land Trust and Rhode Island Mycological Society for an all-ages exploration of fungi at Trott/Perry Preserve. Its woodland trails, streams, wet areas, and fallen wood and mature trees provide many different places for fungi to live.
After a short introduction, we’ll divide into small groups guided by the RImycoS team. During the two-hour walk, we’ll search different habitats, photograph fungi where they are growing, and collect selected specimens for study.
At 1:00 PM, we’ll gather at the identification tables to sort our finds, compare features, and work through identifications together. You are welcome to attend the full walk or come just for the table session.
No experience is needed. This event focuses on observation, documentation, and identification rather than collecting mushrooms for food. Wear sturdy shoes and clothing suitable for woodland trails and ticks.
Registration is suggested for the guided woodland walk so we can plan groups.
Visitors attending only the table identification session may arrive at 1:00 PM.
[Register for the Woodland Walk]
Slow-Motion Ecology: Lichens Up Close
Saturday, August 22, 2:00–4:30 PM
Westconnaug Meadows- Scituate Land Trust & Conservation Commission
Join Patrick for a slow walk and talk devoted to lichens. This is not a fast-paced hike. We’ll make frequent stops to look closely, take photographs, and notice the features that help us identify and understand lichens.
Along the way, we’ll compare lichens growing on rocks, bark, and other surfaces while discussing photography, identification, and lichen taxonomy. Artists, photographers, slow walkers, and curious observers are especially encouraged to attend.
Patrick is a RImycoS member and hobbyist with an interest in lichens and native plant gardening.
All ages are welcome, and no experience is needed.
Info on the Wild at Play event coming soon!
the LTCC hosted workshops recently that aimed to help community members understand the impacts of use on our rivers and ponds. Hoping to do more on this in the fall or spring next year. Please email us if you'd like to get more info, especially if you are in need to upgrading your septic system. There's also programs in place to help homeowner's do this!
Please take a look at this great poster courtesy of Congress of the Birds that outline the dangers of using SGAR's for rodent control! Please use alternatives if you must use any at all! This is a subject dear to anyone who loves wildlife and is interested in helping keep them safe!
And stay tuned for info on our Annual Meeting on May 5th!
And stay tuned for info on our Annual Meeting on May 5th!
Please note, we recently voted to change our meetings to the FIRST Tuesday of the month. This will help us align with some of the Town Council meetings, where we often need to have items listed for attention on their agenda and/or voted on.
Looking for a nearby area to walk with your dog?
Check out Trott/Perry Preserve, and Esek Hopkins park. Find them above in our "Land Trust Properties" pages.
We have new maps on all the properties along with interpretive signage too! Stay tuned for a guided audio tour at Esek Hopkins.
We ask that you respect the town ordinance for Tasca Field where there are no dogs allowed on the field or track that circles it. Walking nearby in the lot area is fine, however.
Though our properties are not open for seasonal hunting, we do suggest that you wear orange when walking Esek Hopkins and Westconnaug Meadows, as these properties are close by to some areas that RI DEM opens to deer hunting. From the news release:
..."wear 200 square inches (a hat or vest) of orange clothing from Saturday, Sept. 13 through Friday, Feb. 27".
https://riparks.ri.gov/press-releases/orange-you-glad-safety-always-style
Fall 2025:
Grant work is completed!
Come by and see the new accessible trail at EHP and the Native Plant Garden!
You are cordially invited to the Trail Improvement and Reforestation Celebration at Esek Hopkins Park
Sunday, September 7, 2025, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Guests include Senator Jack Reed, Terrence Gray, DEM Director, and Kate Sayles, Executive Director of the RI Land Trust Council
A guided tour will follow at 12:00pm. Leashed dogs are welcome.
April 2025: Most of the grant work is now finished! Members have been busy getting new signage up on 4 properties, including new maps (thank you Chris Mason LT member), kiosk signage and interpretive signs along the trails.
More detailed updates soon, including pictures but be sure to go out and visit the properties this spring and take in all of the amazing work thanks to federal and state grant funding. Be sure to look out for the bobolinks that nest in the main grassland area. Bring your binoculars but keep your furry companion at home :)
Special shout out must go to Rob Bower (LT chair), Cindy Gianfrancesco (LT vice chair/CC chair), and Laureen Avery (LT member) for all their hard work with the grant management and overseeing all of the work. We also appreciate the support we have received by the town council. We've already received a lot of great feedback and we hope everyone enjoys the improvements!
Fall/Winter 2025:
Land Trust and Conservation Commission chairs Rob and Cindy along with LT members Laureen and Chris have been busy with final grant work....producing maps, grant accounting and over seeing site work.
In early November, members were back at Lawton Farm to finish up boardwalk construction along a longer wet area just after the foot bridge, and among a new trail that will be part of the updated maps we'll upload soon for all of the properties.
Here's some pics from that day:
Looking for a nearby area to walk with your dog?
Check out Trott/Perry Preserve, and Esek Hopkins park. Find them above in our "Land Trust Properties" pages.
We have new maps on all the properties along with interpretive signage too! Stay tuned for a guided audio tour at Esek Hopkins.
We ask that you respect the town ordinance for Tasca Field where there are no dogs allowed on the field or track that circles it. Walking nearby in the lot area is fine, however.
Though our properties are not open for seasonal hunting, we do suggest that you wear orange when walking Esek Hopkins and Westconnaug Meadows, as these properties are close by to some areas that RI DEM opens to deer hunting. From the news release:
..."wear 200 square inches (a hat or vest) of orange clothing from Saturday, Sept. 13 through Friday, Feb. 27".
https://riparks.ri.gov/press-releases/orange-you-glad-safety-always-style
Fall 2025:
Grant work is completed!
Come by and see the new accessible trail at EHP and the Native Plant Garden!
You are cordially invited to the Trail Improvement and Reforestation Celebration at Esek Hopkins Park
Sunday, September 7, 2025, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Guests include Senator Jack Reed, Terrence Gray, DEM Director, and Kate Sayles, Executive Director of the RI Land Trust Council
A guided tour will follow at 12:00pm. Leashed dogs are welcome.
April 2025: Most of the grant work is now finished! Members have been busy getting new signage up on 4 properties, including new maps (thank you Chris Mason LT member), kiosk signage and interpretive signs along the trails.
More detailed updates soon, including pictures but be sure to go out and visit the properties this spring and take in all of the amazing work thanks to federal and state grant funding. Be sure to look out for the bobolinks that nest in the main grassland area. Bring your binoculars but keep your furry companion at home :)
Special shout out must go to Rob Bower (LT chair), Cindy Gianfrancesco (LT vice chair/CC chair), and Laureen Avery (LT member) for all their hard work with the grant management and overseeing all of the work. We also appreciate the support we have received by the town council. We've already received a lot of great feedback and we hope everyone enjoys the improvements!
Fall/Winter 2025:
Land Trust and Conservation Commission chairs Rob and Cindy along with LT members Laureen and Chris have been busy with final grant work....producing maps, grant accounting and over seeing site work.
In early November, members were back at Lawton Farm to finish up boardwalk construction along a longer wet area just after the foot bridge, and among a new trail that will be part of the updated maps we'll upload soon for all of the properties.
Here's some pics from that day:
August 2025:
Members of the LT/CC and volunteers helped get boardwalks set up at the foot bridge! This will help keep everyone on the trail when walking to go over the small footbridge- an area that gets very muddy and wet in rainy seasons.
Special thanks to Tom Angell, former Conservation Commission chair!
Here's some pics from the day back in late August.
Members of the LT/CC and volunteers helped get boardwalks set up at the foot bridge! This will help keep everyone on the trail when walking to go over the small footbridge- an area that gets very muddy and wet in rainy seasons.
Special thanks to Tom Angell, former Conservation Commission chair!
Here's some pics from the day back in late August.
