YOUTH PROGRAMS
RIWPS offers an abundance of materials and lesson plans for teachers to conduct education programs about native plants in their classrooms. We also provide information on Letterboxing, an outdoor activity for children that combines orienteering, art and puzzle solving.
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RECOMMENDED READING
Last Child in the Woods: Saving our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2005). "I like to play indoors better 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are." —A Fourth Grader In San Diego More Info
Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain wildlife in our gardens By Douglas W. Tallamy, Professor of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware Bringing Nature Home is an informative and vitally needed book. It is a well-written, science-based work that gives you the facts about why biodiversity is essential and how a lack of diversity is harming the environment. In clear and interesting language, Mr. Tallamy explores specific problems created by loss of habitat and using alien plants. One of the best things about this book is that it explains not only why, but also how to change your landscape. The chapter titled "What should I plant" has information that is limited to woody ornamentals and focuses on supporting moths and butterflies, but gives an overview of how to evaluate what plants are most useful. Other chapters, such as the one on creating balanced communities and another on gardening for insect diversity, give a good foundation for choosing plants that should be included in an ecologically friendly landscape. This book was not written for people with huge treed land, but for anyone with a plot of grass and a desire to restore our environment. It was a delight to read and a most needed resource. Further information is available on his Professor Tallamy's website: http://copland.udel.edu/~dtallamy/
Noah's Garden: Restoring the Ecology of Our Own Back Yards By Sara Stein This was one of the original books to bring an awareness of how damaging to the environment was the sterile nature of the typical suburban landscape. Ms. Stein's book is a more personal exploration of the ecology problem than Dr. Tallamy's book. But both the science and philosophy are sound and make for fascinating reading.
Planting Noah's Garden: Further adventures in Backyard Ecology By Sara Stein This is the follow up book to Noah's Garden. Ms. Stein ventures out and interviews other gardeners to learn how they are restoring the ecology of their yards. Inspiring conversations are mixed with practical information on how to create a balance environment in your own landscape.

SUGGESTED READING
The Diversity of Life By Edward Wilson A scholarly study of the essential need for biodiversity. A main focus is the need to rescue whole ecosystem, not only individual species.
Ecology for Gardeners By Steven Carroll and Steven Salt The last chapter in this book is titled "Gardening as applied ecology," which is a clear indicator of the purpose of the book. This is very readable exploration of the biotic and abiotic components of a garden's ecology.
The Practice of the Wild: Essays By Gary Snyder

RECOMMENDED READING FOR CHILDREN
Fairy Dusters and Blazing Stars: exploring wildflowers with children By Suzanne M Samson, illustrated by Preston Neel, suitable for children grades 1-3. This beautifully illustrated children's book presents literal interpretations of the common names of North American wildflowers. It is a wonderful way to introduce kids to basic plant identification. Both colorful and engaging it also includes a picture glossary of wildflowers with scientific names, flowering time, range and habitat. While not specific to New England wildflowers, there are certainly many NE wildflowers included in the rich and detailed drawings that will excite the imagination of any young reader.
Wildflowers, Blooms and Blossoms By Diane L Burns, illustrations by Linda Garrow, reading level ages 4-8. This take along field guide helps children identify different species of wildflowers. Detailed and colorful illustrations describe thirty common species of wildflowers from black-eyed susan to johnny jump up. Each wildflower drawing is accompanied by information on what it looks like, where to find it and what eats it. Included are directions for a variety of nature based craft activities and scrapbook collection ideas. Each page has sidebars with interesting facts and trail etiquette for young naturalists.
Keeping a Nature Journal By Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E. Roth For nature lovers of all ages This beautifully illustrated field journal guide offers simple techniques to give first time journal keepers the know how and encouragement to go outside, observe the natural world and sketch and write about what they see. There are lots of great tips and techniques for long time journal keepers as well. The 2003 edition contains full color drawing from the authors own nature journals for inspiration. Thoughtful suggested observations make it easy to begin, often the hardest part of nature journaling. It is stressed that the journal should be your personal record of daily experience whether nature's beauty is found in the city, suburbs, or country. About the Authors: Clare Walker Leslie is a nationally known wildlife artist, naturalist, and educator. She conducts workshops and classes. She has written six books including Nature Drawing and The Art of Field Sketching. Clare lives in Vermont and Massachusetts. Charles E. Roth is a teacher of science and the environment. He was Director of Education for the Massachusetts Audubon Society for many years. Besides authoring 20 books, Charles has received many awards including the Environmental Merit Award of the EPA. He resides in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

 NOW AVAILABLE!
"A Walk Through the Seasons with Rhode Island Wild Plants"
The Society received a special legislative grant to design and print a children's coloring book of native Rhode Island plants. The General Federation of Women's Club of South County provided additional funding. The book includes 32 original drawings by Rhode Island artists and features flowers commonly found throughout Rhode Island. Some are easy to find; all you need to do is look in your backyard or down a country road. Others will take some effort, maybe a hike through a forest, or you will have to get your feet wet in the marsh.

We hope getting to know these flowers will help Rhode Islanders make a direct connection with natural places, our woodlands, meadows and wetlands. The book follows the seasons of bloom from early spring to late fall. It is much more than just a coloring book, it is also an introductory field guide, which parents can use to help their children find and identify plants.

The books are available for a $5.00 donation. Contact Karen Asher to order copies at (401) 783-1307 or office@riwps.org.

 ADULT EDUCATION
This year we have begun a new initiative in adult education, a one hour slide presentation, "GARDENING WITH WILDFLOWERS." The slides are professional quality and unusual in their beauty. Any adult who is interested in gardening or flowers will find this show entertaining and educational. Those who are serious gardeners will find the show an inspiration to include more wild plants in their perennial borders. The slides feature both common and uncommon Rhode Island wildflowers, demonstrating a succession of colorful blooms from early spring through late fall, suitable for many habitats. The slide show takes approximately 50 minutes leaving about 10 minutes at the end for questions and answers. We would be pleased to bring this enjoyable educational program to your facility. We will provide the speaker and the projector. You must provide a screen or a blank white wall and of course the audience. The fee is $75 for this program. Please fill out the form to reserve a date and time. If you have any questions, please call us at 789-7497.

SLIDESHOW RESERVATION FORM

SPEAKER LIST