Guided Walks
this Fall
Sunday,
October 4
Geology Rocks at Canonchet Farm
Sunday,
October 25
Tom and Alan's Semi-Annual Trail Walk
Sunday,
November 15
Historic Stone Walls at Canonchet Farm
Posted September 16, 2026
2026 Fall Guided Walks
Check out these guided walks on Canonchet Farm, each an enjoyable and an informative way to spend a fall afternoon in Narragansett. As always, Canonchet Farm walks are free and open to the public.
Sunday, October 4, 10:00 to Noon
Canonchet Geology Rocks!
From roche moutonnees to rock walls, public geoscience education connects the community with its surroundings.
Join URI Professor Beth Laliberte and Friends of Canonchet Farm President Tom Hoagland for a collaborative presentation by URI and the Friends of Canonchet Farm. The goal of this partnership is to enhance public scientific literacy and environmental stewardship.
After a brief presentation inside the South County Museum's Metz Building, there will be a guided trail walk to observe how local geologic features are explained for public education.
This walk is free and open to the public. You don't need a ticket. Just register and we will see you there!
Registration for the Canonchet walk opens on September 20 at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/canonchet-geology-rocks-tickets-2000281789679?aff=oddtdtcreator
This event is part of the New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference (NEIGC). For information about other FREE events October 2 to 4, 2026 please visit: |
Sunday, October 25, 1:00 to 2:30
Tom and Alan’s Semi-Annual
Trail Walk
Tom and Alan know EVERYTHING there is to know about Narragansett's Canonchet Farm Trail: Plant life, the history, the geology. You'll see the newly installed Three Sisters Garden and recently re-built historic stone walls.
Come out and enjoy this beautiful trail in the heart of Narragansett. Meet at the South County Museum Parking Lot. No need to print out a ticket. Just register and come.
Registration opens October 11 at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tom-and-alans-semi-annual-trail-walk-tickets-2000296959051?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sunday, November 15, 1:00 to 2:30
Historic Stonewalls on
Canonchet Farm
Join Friends of Canonchet Farm board member John Aucott for a presentation and trail walk exploring the historic stone walls of Canonchet Farm. John uncovered and researched several of these walls himself, and his clearing work has opened beautiful vistas of the Pettaquamscutt River. He'll talk about where the walls came from and what they were built to do, some of them dating back to the 1700’s.
John will cover the technical aspects of how stone walls were built: what keeps a wall standing, how stones are placed to lock together, why walls collapse, and why the old builders made the choices they did. Once you know what to look for, you see a wall differently. The event starts with a short presentation inside the Metz Building at the South County Museum, then moves outdoors to the walls themselves.
Part of the walk goes off trail over uneven ground, so wear hiking boots and long pants. Free and open to the public. No ticket to print a ticket. Just register and come.
Registration starts on November 1 at:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/historic-stonewalls-at-canonchet-farm-tickets-2000310534656?aff=oddtdtcreator
Posted April 2, 2026; Updated April 19, 2026
2026 Spring Walks
Saturday, April 25, 1:00 p.m. (Rain or Shine)
Vernal Pools at Canonchet
Join us for a fun in-person adventure exploring the unique vernal pools at Canonchet. Bruce Fellman, author of the Naturalist's Journal, will help us discover these seasonal wetlands and the frogs, toads, salamanders, and other creatures that call “wicked big puddles” home. Perfect for nature lovers and curious minds alike. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with the great outdoors and learn something new.
We'll start with a brief introductory talk, illustrated with Bruce’s stunning photos and videos, inside the Metz Exhibit Hall at the South County Museum. Registration opens April 3. This event is free and open to the public. No need to print a ticket. To register click on this Eventbrite link:
Sunday Morning, April 26, 9:00 to 11:00
Audubon Comes to Canonchet
Join Rhode Island Audubon's Director of Properties, Laura Carberry, for a morning of bird watching. Whether you're a seasoned birder or simply curious, this event offers learning for everyone. Don't miss out on spending a morning surrounded by beautiful wildlife and great company. If you have binoculars, please bring them.
We'll meet in the parking lot at the South County Museum. Registration opens April 10. This event is free and open to the public. No need to print a ticket. Just register and come! To register, click this Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/audubon-comes-to-canonchet-tickets-1985681591092?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sunday, Afternoon, May 17, 2:00 to 3:30
Spring Pollinators and Migrating
Birds Stopping By
Join Bruce Fellman, noted Naturalist, to soak up the sights and sounds of Canonchet. Explore vibrant blooms and the insects, from butterflies to bees and beetles to flower flies that pollinate them and catch the chirps and songs of all kinds of critters, especially the striking birds that may be stopping by during their annual May migration. It's a chance to connect with nature, enjoy the fresh air, and have a laid-back day outside. Bring your curiosity and maybe your camera and binoculars to capture the late-Spring action.
We will start with a brief introductory talk, illustrated with Bruce’s stunning photos and videos, inside the Metz Exhibit Hall at the South County Museum. Registration opens May 1. You don't need to print a ticket and the event is free.
To register, click on this Eventbrite link:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/spring-pollinator-and-migrant-walk-tickets-1985680007355?aff=oddtdtcreator
Sunday, May 24, 1:00 to 2:30
Our Beautiful Canonchet
Farm Trail
Tom Hoagland and Alan Woodmansee know EVERYTHING there is to know about Narragansett's Canonchet Farm Trail - the plant life, the history, the geology. They have it covered and, in the meantime, you will enjoy this beautiful trail in the heart of Narragansett.
Meet at the South County Museum Parking Lot. No need to print out a ticket. Just register and come on out.This walk is free and open to the public.Click on this Eventbrite link to register:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tom-and-alans-annual-trail-walk-tickets-1989623995931?aff=oddtdtcreator
On Pettaquamscutt 2026
Mark your calendar for Season 13 of On Pettaquamscutt, Presentations on the Environment and History of the Narrow River Watershed and join us for three great Sunday afternoon talks (all starting at 1:00) at the Narragansett Library at 25 Pier Marketplace.
January 25: Narrow River Preservation Association’s Jim Vogel and Craig Wood discuss “Dredging the Mouth of the Estuary: History, Current Conditions, Future Plans.” Registration begins January 18.
Aerial views show the changes at the mouth of Narrow River
from 2020 (left) to 2025.
February 22: The Tick Guy, Dr. Tom Mather, talks about tick behavior. The Tick Guy is sponsored by the Friends of Canonchet Farm. Registration begins February 15.
Tom Mather, the Tick Guy
March 29: South County Museum Executive Director Rebecca Kelly presents “Treasured Possessions: Objects from the Museum Collection.” Registration begins March 22.
Rebecca Kelly
On Pettaquamscutt is a collaboration between the Friends of Canonchet Farm, Narrow River Preservation Association, South County Museum, and the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library. All talks are free and open to the public. You can register at the library calendar page (https://narlib.org/calendar/) to reserve a seat. Registration will open the week before the presentation. For more information, visit OnPettaquamscutt.org.
Improving the Canonchet Farm Trail
In October, Friends of Canonchet Farm volunteers returned to working along the Canonchet Farm Trail, removing invasive vegetation and making the trail safer and more enjoyable. The work continues every Saturday (whether permitting through the spring, when work shifts back to restoration of the area along Lake Canonchet and Little Neck Pond.
- Read Alan Woodmansee's description of the project as a URI Master Gardener Direct Education Project in an article adapted from from the Master Gardener newsletter.
Please meet at the Friends of Canonchet Farm trailer located on the grounds of the South County Museum at the end of Strathmore Street, which is off Kingstown Road in Narragansett. We will gather at 9 a.m. and walk to the area of the trail where we will be removing privet, multiflora rose, bittersweet and other invasive plants. As always, we provide tools, snacks, drinks, gloves, instruction and fun. You'll meet wonderful people who share your concern for the preservation and improvement of Canonchet Farm.