Barrington Land Trust

Town Resilience Garden Work Day
2026-08-11 09:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Barrington Town Hall, 283 County Road, Barrington, RI, 02806
This event is for volunteers who have registered to participate in the care of the Town’s Resilience Garden at Town Center. If you haven’t registered yet and would like to participate, you may register here and download the Town’s release of responsibility here.
On Tuesday, August 11, from 9-11 am, we’ll be doing general care and maintenance of the Resilience Garden at Town Center.
REGISTER FOR THE WORK DAY
Please dress for the weather. Bring work gloves and your favorite weeder (hori hori, trowel, scratcher, cobrahead, etc.). We recommend you bring a water bottle.
Barrington Town Center is located at 283 County Road. Please park in the main lot behind Town Hall (not in Tapin’s lot), and walk down to the garden area, which is next to the entrance to Town Center next to the pond.
The garden stewards will notify you within 48 hours of the event if it will be cancelled for any reason.

Tuesday Trails Team - Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve
2026-08-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve
This event is for registered members of the Tuesday Trails Team. If you’re new to the Team, please register here before signing up for this event. The Tuesday Trails Team is for adults age 18 and above.
Project: We’ll be meeting on Tuesday, August 11, from 10 am to noon at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve. We’ll do a combination of trail maintenance, brush management, and maintenance of our tree and shrub plantings.
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
What to Wear: Dress for the weather. Long pants with long socks recommended for tick prevention.
What to Bring: Work gloves, loppers, and shears if you have them. We have extra gloves, tools, safety glasses and tick spray in the shed at Johannis if needed. Bring a water bottle.
Location/Parking: The entrance to Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve is located between 461 and 475 Sowams Road. There is a right of way on the left side of the driveway to 461 Sowams. There’s plenty of parking in the grass lot.

Student Stewardship Team - Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve
2026-08-12 10:00 - 12:00 | Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve
This event is for members of our Student Stewardship Team for high school students ages 14 to 18. If you are not a registered member and would like to join, visit our Student Stewardship page for more information.
On Wednesday, August 12, from 10 am to noon, we’ll be working at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve.
Dress for the weather and wear long pants, socks, shoes, and work shirt and Land Trust hat. Bring a water bottle!
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
Thanks for participating!

Student Stewardship Team - Barrington Middle School Pollinator Garden
2026-08-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Barrington Middle School, 261 Middle Highway, Barrington, RI, 02806
THIS EVENT IS FOR MEMBERS OF THE STUDENT STEWARDSHIP TEAM ONLY.
If you are not a registered member and would like to join, visit our Student Stewardship page for more information.
On Friday, August 14, from 10 am to noon, we’ll be working at the Barrington Middle School Pollinator Garden.
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes, long pants, long socks, work shirt and Land Trust hat. Bring a water bottle!
We’ll meet in the parking lot behind the Barrington Middle School, 261 Middle Highway, Barrington.
Thanks for participating!

Student Stewardship Team - Osamequin Nature Preserve
2026-08-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Osamequin Nature Preserve, 1580 Rte. 114 North, Barrington, Rhode Island, 02806
This event is for registered members of the Land Trust’s Student Stewardship Team ONLY.
If you are not a registered member and would like to join, visit our Student Stewardship page for more information.
On Monday, August 17, from 10 am to noon, we’ll be working at Osamequin Nature Preserve.
Dress for the weather and wear study shoes, long socks, long pants, work shirt and Land Trust hat. Bring a water bottle!
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
Osamequin Nature Preserve is located on the northbound side of Rte. 114, approximately one mile north of the intersection of County Road and Massassoit Ave, in Barrington, RI, shortly after you pass Walker Farm on your right. The preserve’s parking lot is marked with a sign.

Student Stewardship Team - St. Andrews Farm
2026-08-19 10:00 - 12:00 | St. Andrews Farm, 101 Middle Highway, Barrington, RI, 02806
This event is for members of our Student Stewardship Team for high school students ages 14 to 18. If you are not a registered member and would like to join, visit our Student Stewardship page for more information.
On Wednesday, August 19, from 10 am to noon, we’ll be working at St. Andrews Farm, 101 Middle Highway, Barrington.
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
Dress for the weather and wear sturdy footwear. Wear long pants, your Land Trust hat and/or t-shirt if you have one. Bring a water bottle!

Art in Nature: Visual & Literary Plein Air at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve
2026-08-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve
Create your own work of art in the open air — plein air, as the French say. Capture the natural light, the true colors of the outdoors and real-time changes in the environment, using whatever artistic medium you choose. First-timers welcome!
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
On Saturday, August 22, we welcome all ages to participate in a free Visual & Literary Plein Air at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Create a visual or literary work of art, take photographs, write a song… Let this 32-acre expanse of field, forest and coastline inspire you.
Time: Arrive anytime between 10 am and 1 pm on Saturday, August 20. The event ends at 2 pm.
What to Wear: Dress for the weather. To limit exposure to ticks and mosquitoes, we recommend long pants, sturdy shoes, socks, a comfortable shirt and a hat.
What to Bring: Bring whatever you need to be comfortable and create art. For example:

a water bottle and a snack
Folding chair, portable easel or pochade box
Canvas, sketch pad, paints, watercolors, pencils, pens, laptop, or whatever artistic tools you use
Camera, binoculars

Location & Parking: Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve is located on Sowams Road in Barrington, RI. The entrance lies between 461 Sowams Road and 475 Sowams Road. The entrance will be marked with a Land Trust sign. Dogs are not allowed on this preserve. It is open to the public only for guided tours and Land Trust events.
Rain Plan: If it rains, we will reschedule the event to another day and notify you in advance.
About Johannis Farm Preserve
Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve is a 32-acre preserve owned and managed by the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, with 28 acres in Barrington, RI, and 4 acres in Massachusetts. The preserve is part of 100 acres of contiguous undeveloped marsh and upland in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve features a diverse habitat, with open fields, deciduous forest, vernal pools, and salt marsh. Four plants at the preserve are designated as “state threatened” or “of concern” in the RI Rare and Endangered Species list: Colic Root, Leafy Bulrush, Seaside Gerardia, and Slimspike Three-awn. The preserve also provides a habitat for resident and migratory birds, an anadromous fish run (for fish that migrate up rivers from the sea to spawn), and state-endangered Diamondback Terrapin turtles.

Town Resilience Garden Work Day
2026-08-29 09:00 - 11:00 | Barrington Town Hall, 283 County Road, Barrington, RI, 02806
This event is for volunteers who have registered to participate in the care of the Town’s Resilience Garden at Town Center. If you haven’t registered yet and would like to participate, you may register here and download the Town’s release of responsibility here.
On Saturday, August 29, from 9-11 am, we’ll be doing general care and maintenance of the Resilience Garden at Town Center.
REGISTER FOR THE WORK DAY
Please dress for the weather. Bring work gloves and your favorite weeder (hori hori, trowel, scratcher, cobrahead, etc.). We recommend you bring a water bottle.
Barrington Town Center is located at 283 County Road. Please park in the main lot behind Town Hall (not in Tapin’s lot), and walk down to the garden area, which is next to the entrance to Town Center next to the pond.
The garden stewards will notify you within 48 hours of the event if it will be cancelled for any reason.

Town Resilience Garden Work Day
2026-09-15 09:00 - 11:00 | Barrington Town Hall, 283 County Road, Barrington, RI, 02806
This event is for volunteers who have registered to participate in the care of the Town’s Resilience Garden at Town Center. If you haven’t registered yet and would like to participate, you may register here and download the Town’s release of responsibility here.
On Tuesday, September 15, from 9-11 am, we’ll be doing general care and maintenance of the Resilience Garden at Town Center.
REGISTER FOR THE WORK DAY
Please dress for the weather. Bring work gloves and your favorite weeder (hori hori, trowel, scratcher, cobrahead, etc.). We recommend you bring a water bottle.
Barrington Town Center is located at 283 County Road. Please park in the main lot behind Town Hall (not in Tapin’s lot), and walk down to the garden area, which is next to the entrance to Town Center next to the pond.
The garden stewards will notify you within 48 hours of the event if it will be cancelled for any reason.

2026 Pollinator Pathway Tour
2026-09-20 12:00 - 17:30 | Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve
The Barrington Pollinator Pathway, an initiative of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, is hosting its second Pollinator Pathway Tour on Sunday, September 20 from noon to 5:30 pm. Learn how to welcome and support pollinators in your yard with native plants and pesticide free zones. Visit gardens to get inspiration and share ideas with fellow gardeners during this free event.

You’ll discover public and private gardens on the tour, all spaces created with nature in mind. Building wildlife habitat is a journey, and every garden on the tour represents something a little different. The event is free, but registration is required.

REGISTER FOR THE TOUR

A map of the properties will be available on the day of the event, September 20, when you check in. Pollinator Pathway signs will be available to buy for those who wish to place one in their garden. The cost is $20 per sign. You may purchase one at the event, while supplies last. Cash or check only, please.

Schedule
Noon to 1 pm – Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve: Check in and pick up a map of tour locations. Purchase a Pollinator Pathway sign for your garden (while supplies last; cash or check only). Johannis Farm is located on Sowams Road in Barrington, RI, between #461 and #475 Sowams Rd. The entrance will be marked with a Land Trust sign.
Noon to 4:30 pm – Visit sites on the tour.
4 pm to 5:30 pm – Tour Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve and its wildflower meadow. Enjoy refreshments and share information and stories gathered on the tour.

For more information, reach out at pollinatorpathways@blct.org.
Pollinator Garden at Barrington Town Center
FAQs
1. What is a pollinator pathway?
Pollinator pathways are public and private pesticide-free corridors of native plants that provide nutrition and habitat for pollinating insects and birds. Some pollinators travel several miles to find nutrition, but many travel only a few hundred feet in their lifetime. By connecting our landscapes with habitat that feeds and shelters them, creating a pollinator pathway, we allow for the movement of species across a healthy, native landscape. Even a small garden can be an oasis for pollinators.
These native plant landscapes also promote climate resilience and fight biodiversity loss. Climate-resilient yards not only protect wildlife but also provide natural defenses against heavier rainfalls and extended periods of drought. These landscapes are better equipped to withstand a changing climate. Plants, especially natives, also sequester carbon, filter pollutants from our water, help improve soil health, and provide the oxygen we breathe.

2. Why are pollinators important?
Without pollinators, 85% of the plants on the earth wouldn’t exist. Almost 80% of the crop plants grown around the world that produce our food and plant-based products require pollination by animals. 40% of all insect species are declining globally and a third of them are endangered. Insects play critical roles in pollinating the plants we eat, but they also break down waste in our environments and form the base of the food chain.
Pollinator Garden at Barrington Middle School
3. How does the tour work?
Check in and map pickup will start at the Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve at 12:00pm on the day of the tour. Tour site addresses will not be available until September 20. The gardens are mostly in neighborhoods, so please be respectful of neighbors when parking and walking to the sites.
All of the gardens will be open to the public from noon to 4:30 pm. You don’t have to visit all of them, but we hope you will! There will be an informal gathering at the Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve from 4 pm to 5:30 pm, along with a tour of the preserve and its wildflower meadow. Light refreshments will be served. Participants can ask questions and share experiences with one another.
4. How can I get a Pollinator Pathway sign?
Pollinator Pathway signs will be available for purchase for $20 at the Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve on the day of the tour for $20, while supplies last (cash or check only).
5. What if it rains?
The tour will take place, rain or shine!
6. What if I have further questions?
Visit the regional Pollinator Pathway, the Native Plant Trust, and the Massachusetts Pollinator Network for more information on ecological gardening.

Learning Series: Forgotten Landscapes ~ How Natural Habitats Respond to Land Use
2026-09-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Barrington Public Library, 281 County Rd,, Barrington, RI, 02806, United States
Travel through time with ecologist Kevin Ormerod as he shares historic photos and records that provide insight into today’s native plants and habitats. Kevin will help us deepen our conservation perspective and abilities on Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 7 pm in the Salem Family Auditorium at the Barrington Public Library.

REGISTER FOR THE EVENT

Learn how to decipher the events that shaped our landscapes and foresee the outcomes of current management methods. Kevin will explore the effect that centuries of settlement has had on both home gardens and habitat restoration.
By recognizing which species and habitats are foundational to Southern New England, we can make decisions that help us reclaim our personal property. We’ll also be better equipped to contribute valuable input toward public land management projects.
About Kevin Ormerod
Kevin Ormerod is the founder of Bluestem Meadows, a native habitat restoration and landscaping company. He has worked with several native plant garden design companies and nurseries and has collaborated with the Southern and Eastern Rhode Island Conservation Districts of the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Kevin earned a Bachelor of Science in geological oceanography from the University of Rhode Island in 2017. He received Invasive Management Certification by the Coastal Resources Management Council and Wetland Field Indicator Certification from the New England Hydric Soil Technical Committee. Kevin also trained with the Xerces Society and Garden in the Woods, and he serves as a rare plant survey volunteer with the Native Plant Trust.

Thanks to our 2026 Learning Series Sponsors!

Charles E. Millard General Contractors, Inc.
Pods Swimming, East Providence
Jaffe Orthodontics, Barrington

Town Resilience Garden Work Day
2026-10-03 09:00 - 11:00 | Barrington Town Hall, 283 County Road, Barrington, RI, 02806
This event is for volunteers who have registered to participate in the care of the Town’s Resilience Garden at Town Center. If you haven’t registered yet and would like to participate, you may register here and download the Town’s release of responsibility here.
On Saturday, October 3, from 9-11 am, we’ll be doing general care and maintenance of the Resilience Garden at Town Center.
REGISTER FOR THE WORK DAY
Please dress for the weather. Bring work gloves and your favorite weeder (hori hori, trowel, scratcher, cobrahead, etc.). We recommend you bring a water bottle.
Barrington Town Center is located at 283 County Road. Please park in the main lot behind Town Hall (not in Tapin’s lot), and walk down to the garden area, which is next to the entrance to Town Center next to the pond.
The garden stewards will notify you within 48 hours of the event if it will be cancelled for any reason.

Town Resilience Garden Work Day
2026-10-20 09:00 - 11:00 | Barrington Town Hall, 283 County Road, Barrington, RI, 02806
This event is for volunteers who have registered to participate in the care of the Town’s Resilience Garden at Town Center. If you haven’t registered yet and would like to participate, you may register here and download the Town’s release of responsibility here.
On Tuesday, October 20, from 9-11 am, we’ll be doing general care and maintenance of the Resilience Garden at Town Center.
REGISTER FOR THE WORK DAY
Please dress for the weather. Bring work gloves and your favorite weeder (hori hori, trowel, scratcher, cobrahead, etc.). We recommend you bring a water bottle.
Barrington Town Center is located at 283 County Road. Please park in the main lot behind Town Hall (not in Tapin’s lot), and walk down to the garden area, which is next to the entrance to Town Center next to the pond.
The garden stewards will notify you within 48 hours of the event if it will be cancelled for any reason.

Learning Series: Combining Art and Science to Save Species
2026-10-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Barrington Public Library, 281 County Rd,, Barrington, RI, 02806, United States
Wildlife populations are declining around the world because of human impacts, and yet too few of us are part of the solution. In this presentation, Dr. Lucy Spelman, founder of the local organization Creature Conserve, offers a behind-the-scenes look at how combining art and science can bring us together to save species.
The event will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 7 pm in the Salem Family Auditorium at the Barrington Public Library, our partner in the Learning Series.
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
“Dr. Lucy” believes that we need a more inviting and inclusive approach to wildlife conservation, one that open to diverse perspectives from the arts, humanities, sciences, traditional ecological knowledge and beyond.
Drawing from her years as a zoo and wildlife veterinarian, she describes some of her first experiences with art-sci collaboration. These stories are wild and wonderful, from glue-on shoes for a rhino to parading for pandas.
She’ll introduce us to the work of Creature Conserve, the non-profit she founded, and her newest book, Creature Needs, which will be available for sale. You’ll see examples of art informed and inspired by science that call attention to the loss of biodiversity and what we can do about it.

About Dr. Lucy Spelman
“Dr. Lucy” is a world-renowned zoo and wildlife veterinarian, writer, and educator. She has cared for animals in every imaginable setting, from our pets at home to those remaining in the vanishing wild. She also brings artists and scientists together to create new pathways for wildlife conservation, both as an educator at the Rhode Island School of Design and as the founder of Creature Conserve.
She has authored several books, including The Rhino with Glue-on Shoes, the National Geographic Kids Animal Encyclopedia, and Creature Needs: Writers Respond to the Science of Animal Conservation.

Thanks to our 2026 Learning Series Sponsors!

Charles E. Millard General Contractors, Inc.
Pods Swimming, East Providence
Jaffe Orthodontics, Barrington

Learning Series: The Little Things that Run the World (Documentary)
2026-11-10 18:30 - 20:30 | Barrington Public Library, 281 County Rd,, Barrington, RI, 02806, United States
Join us for THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD, an award-winning 105-minute documentary that introduces viewers to a diverse group of scientists, nature lovers, gardeners, farmers and general bug enthusiasts in exploring the importance of flying insects amid rapid declines in their numbers.
The event will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 6:30 pm in the Salem Family Auditorium at the Barrington Public Library, our partner in the Learning Series. A discussion will follow the film for those who are interested.
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
View the trailer

This most numerous group of animals on the planet by far – three quarters of all species – have also been called the “glue of life” on Earth. They literally hold ecosystems together. Insects were the first animals to evolve flight more than 400 million years ago, and they survived all five of the known mass extinctions since then. But there is evidence that the pace of decline among insects in parts of the world today is fast approaching the levels of previous catastrophes.
What this means for the rest of life on Earth, including humans, is the focus of THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD. The film documents the mysteries of the declines along side creative and heroic human efforts to change the course of evolutionary history. What is causing this extinction crisis? What can be done to reverse the trend? THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD attempts to find answers to those questions and more.
Film Festivals and Experts Applaud the Film
“This year, we are incredibly excited to honor a film that championed a crucial environmental theme with artistic mastery, transforming what could be a purely academic subject into an accessible and deeply engaging cinematic experience. More importantly, it leaves us with a sense of wonder and a gentle, optimistic call to action, inspiring us to appreciate and protect the delicate balance of our natural world. It’s a mesmerizing exploration of the vital yet often overlooked role of insects in our global ecosystem. It is both scientifically rigorous and visually stunning, taking us on a journey into the intricate world of these tiny creatures, and reminding us how fundamental they are to life as we know it.” Lighthouse International Film Festival Jury
“THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD is a passionate and comprehensive deep dive into the ecological crisis facing flying insects and the ripple effects on global biodiversity.” Doc Screenings International Film Festival
“THE LITTLE THINGS THAT RUN THE WORLD is a visual treat! You’ll come for the incredible insect photography and stay for the important lessons on land use, habitat disruption, native plants, and avoiding monocultures. A visually entrancing film that reminds us of the perils of ignoring the needs of our invertebrate neighbors.” Chris Stelzig, Executive Director, Entomological Society of America
“What a terrific and timely summary of the global status of insects! E.O. Wilson and more than a dozen other world-renown scientists provide insightful critiques of the anthropogenic causes of insect declines and what we can do going forward to protect insect biodiversity. The stunning photography, sobering statistics, and insightful interviews make the film a valuable resource for students, educators, conservation biologists, policy makers, and environmentalists looking to build a more sustainable and just future for humanity and nature.” David Wagner, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut.
Thanks to our 2026 Learning Series Sponsors!

Charles E. Millard General Contractors, Inc.
Pods Swimming, East Providence
Jaffe Orthodontics, Barrington
