AUDUBON SOCIETY PROGRAMS

Audubon Society of Rhode Island Programs. 949-5454, ext. 3041; www.asri.org. Advance registration.

•June 25. Prudence Island Bicycle Tour. Natural history and cultural tour begins with a half-hour ferry ride from Bristol to Prudence Island. Educators from the Narragansett Bay Research Reserve based on the Island will greet visitors at the ferry landing. Stops along the way include natural features including salt marshes and beaches; a one-room schoolhouse; historic sites such as farms, stonewalls, and mansions, and a mid-day visit to the Reserve’s Lab and Learning Center. 9:45 am-4:30 pm. $20, members $15. Ages 12+. Bring bicycle, binoculars, camera, a packed lunch, one full bottle of water, insect and tick repellent, sunscreen, comfortable foot wear and around $9 for round-trip ferry ticket.

•June 26. Lecture. Sharks in New England: A Closer Look, Audubon Society of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St. (Route 114), Bristol. 245-7500; www.asri.org. By marine biologist and shark expert Greg Skomal who explores the biology and ecology of our local shark species while also reviewing the conservation and management of these often misunderstood creatures. 7 pm. $12, member $10. Advance registration.

•June 27. Tales on the Lawn: Nature Stories for Families, Powder Mill Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Greenville. Hear wild tales of animals and plants and perhaps see a live animal. Rain or shine. 6:30-8 pm.

•June 28. Breeding Bird Foray, Powder Mill Ledges, 12 Sanderson Rd., Smithfield. Van birding trip. Possible stops include Parker Woodland Wildlife Refuge, the Great Swamp Management Area, Arcadia Wildlife Management Area and other habitats. Nesting species that may be found include pileated woodpecker, indigo bunting, worm-eating warbler, hooded warbler, Acadian flycatcher and more. Early start with nine hours of birding. Pack a lunch and wear comfortable shoes for medium to strenuous hiking. 5 am-2 pm.

•June 28. Rhode Island Butterfly Count Orientation Workshop: West Bay. Novices and experts join the Audubon and the North American Butterfly Association in identifying as many butterflies as possible in one day. Results become part of the nationally published record of butterflies. Choose from one of several survey areas across the state. 9:30 am-3 pm. $5.

CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

June 22, 29. Tales and Trails, Audubon Society of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St. (Route 114), Bristol. 245-7500; www.asri.org. Interactive nature story followed by an investigative exploration of the refuge trails. Discover insects, native plants, habitats, marine life and more. Designed for families with children 7 and younger. 12:30-1:30 pm. Free with admission. $6, 65+ $5, children 4-12 $4, children under 4 and ASRI members free.

Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center Programs, 109 Pequotsepos Rd., Mystic, Conn. (860) 536-1216; www.dpnc.org. Advance registration.

•June 25. Terrific Turtles. Meet the nature center’s resident turtles and learn about these special reptiles. 1-3 pm. Ages 3-5 or 6+. $15, members $12.

•June 28. Firefly Family Night. Learn the secrets of fireflies before heading out to the woods and fields around the nature center to look and try to catch them. 7:45 pm. $7, members $5.

June 27. Audubon Society of Rhode Island Program. Tales on the Lawn: Nature Stories for Families, Powder Mill Refuge, 12 Sanderson Rd., Greenville. Hear wild tales of animals and plants and perhaps see a live animal. Rain or shine. 6:30-8 pm.

EXHIBITS

Through Sept. 1. Biomes Marine Biology Center, 221 Shady Lea Rd., North Kingstown. 295-4690. Marine exhibits, hands-on activities for children ages 3+ with adult accompaniment. Daily noon-4 pm. $5, children 2 and younger free.

Through Sept. 1. Flutterby: Butterflies in Bloom, Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. 785-3510; www.rogerwilliamsparkzoo.org. New walk-through exhibit is set inside a 2,100-square-foot greenhouse landscaped with butterfly-friendly flowers and nectar plants and featuring about 500 butterflies (North American species), offering visitors a close encounter. Daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm. $3, children 3-12 $2 in addition to zoo admission ($12, seniors $8, children 3-12 $6).

Through Oct. 13. Green Animals Topiary Garden, 380 Cory’s Lane (off Route 114), Portsmouth. 847-1000. 80 pieces of topiary, including geometric figures, ornamental design, 21 animals, birds; fruit and vegetable gardens, plant shop, picnic tables. Victorian toy museum in main residence. Self-guided garden tours daily 10 am-5 pm. $11, children 6-17 $4.

HOME AND GARDEN PROGRAMS

June 22. Secret Garden Tour (25th annual), Newport. 847-0514; www.secretgardentours.org. Self-guided walking tour of private gardens in the historic Point District of Newport. 10 am-5 pm. $20 advance, $25 day of event. Tickets may be purchased day of tour at 33 Washington St. (where the tour begins) or at the Newport Visitors’ Center, 23 America’s Cup Ave. Rain or shine. Tour goers given a program with a map and directions to each of the gardens and tickets will be honored for the purchaser on any or all days of the tour, allowing for inclement weather, schedule conflicts or just a late start.

June 23. Lead Hazard Awareness Seminar, East Bay Community Action Program, 100 Bullocks Ave., East Providence. 437-0006, ext. 147 or email leadinfo@ebcap.org. Presented by East Bay Community Action’s Lead Hazard Education and Outreach Program. Three-hour, free program. 5-8 pm. Registration required.

June 26. Container Gardening Program, Riverside Branch Library, 475 Bullocks Point Ave., East Providence. 433-4877. Talk and demonstration by Master Gardener Lee Maynard. Program teaches participants how to be creative when choosing containers, why proper drainage is important, how to determine the right soil and fertilizer, proper watering techniques, proper location, amount of sun or shade and how to combat insects and disease using the least invasive methods. 6:30 pm. Free.

June 27-29. Newport Flower Show, Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Ave., Newport. 847-1000, ext. 140. www.newportflowershow.org. Theme: Explore! Botanical Passions. Gardeners’ Marketplace on front lawn with specialty plants, flower stalls and garden accessories, judged horticultural specimens and floral designs, garden vignettes, lectures and demonstrations, children’s activities, live music, café for lunch and snacks, oceanside boutiques. June 27, 10:30 am-5 pm; June 28-29, 9 am-5 pm. $20, Preservation Society of Newport County members $15; youth 13-17 $6, youth 12 and younger free, Bring a Friend Two for $22 Sun. Opening night cocktail buffet, June 27, 6-9 pm features food and entertainment; advance $150, members $125; day of $175, members $150.

•June 27. Parties to Die For. Learn design tips and amusing anecdotes from Kathy Rainer and Tricky Wolfes, owners of Parties to Die For. Noon-2 pm. Separate admission; advance registration.

•June 28. Plant Hunting. Daniel J. Hinkley, co-founder of the Heronswood Nursery and former garden consultant to Martha Stewart Television, shares what’s new in the world of plant hunting and collecting rare plants, 11 am-1 pm. Hosta Forum, 1:30-3 pm; panel of hosta experts discuss new specimens and give advice on planting and integrating this versatile and easily maintained plant into every garden. Separate admission; advance registration.

•June 29. Container Workshop. Rick Schoellhorn, director of new products for Proven Winners shares new plants and new groupings to create winning container combinations, 10-11:30 am. Bring you own spade and gloves. Passion Pour Les Fleurs, 12:30-2:30 pm. Kathy Rainer and Tricky Wolfes, owners of Parties to Die For, teach participants how to create a botanical design for special occasions. Flowers and oasis provided. Bring your own clippers and gloves. Separate admission; advance registration.

June 28. Master Gardener Workshop: Returning Fruit to the American Backyard, Weaver Auditorium, Coastal Institute, Kingston. (800) 448-1011. Participants will learn the secrets of growing fruit in their own backyard. Present by biologist, gardener and television personality, Roger Swain 10 am-noon. $25, master gardeners $20. Advance registration.

June 28. Whimsical Flower Arranging, Young Family Farm, 260 West Main Rd., Little Compton. 635-0110, 339-7460. 10 am. Free.

LECTURE

June 25. Lecture: Bats, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Kettle Pond Visitors’ Center, 50 Bend Rd., Charlestown. 364-9124. Peter August, director of the Coastal Institute on Narragansett Bay and a University of Rhode Island professor tells attendees everything they want to know about these mysterious creatures of the night. 7 pm. Free; donations accepted to benefit the Friends of the National Wildlife Refuges of Rhode Island. Part of the Wildlife Wednesday Lecture Series.

NATURE PROGRAMS

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June 29. Connecticut Audubon Society Program: Brunch and Birding. (860) 767-0660; www.ctaudubon.org. Light brunch aboard RiverQuest while traveling up the Connecticut River from Essex in search of birds native to the area and learn about the natural history, migration patterns and behavior of the birds found along these waters. 9 am-noon. $65. Advance registration.

Nature Conservancy, Carter Preserve, Old Mill Road, Charlestown. 529-1072 or e-mail tmooney@tnc.org. Free.

•June 22. Wildflowers and Dragonflies Walk, Carter Preserve, Old Mill Road, Charlestown. 529-1072 or e-mail tmooney@tnc.org. Two-mile walk around a 35-acre grassland. Participants will see wildflowers blooming in the field and see colorful butterflies and dragonflies filling the air. Bring binoculars and your favorite bird ID book. 10:30 am

.•June 29. 5-Mile Hike through the forests and fields on this 840-acre wildlife preserve. 10 am.

New Dawn Earth Center Programs, 75 Wrentham Rd., Cumberland. 333-1341; www.newdawnearthcenter.org. Advance registration.

•June 22. Summer Solstice Celebration. Discover pond creatures, participate in water activities, learn your water eco-footprint. Potluck supper. Bring drums, drum rattles, rainsticks or other instrument to join in the celebration. 4:30-7 pm.

•June 24. An Evening of Meandering. Event begins at the pond followed by a hike through the woods to the top of the hill to watch the sunset at 8:30 pm. Look for treasures, frogs, bluebirds, tree swallows, and a setting sun. 7-8:30 pm. $5, family rate $18. Rain date: June 25.

•June 29. Treasure of Fields and Woods. A hike through fields and woods of the Sisters of Mercy property to look for ferns, wildflowers, lichen and trees. With wildflower expert Kathy Barton of the John H. Chafee Blackstone River National Heritage Corridor. 1-3:30 pm. $10. Advance registration.

June 22. Trustees of Reservations Birding Program, Westport Town Farm, 830 Drift Rd., Westport. (508) 679-2115, ext. 11; www.thetrustees.org. Look for bluebirds, orioles, osprey and other grassland and shore birds in the reservation’s wide open fields and waterfront location. With bird expert Bill Gill. 7 am. Free. Bring binoculars. Advance registration.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

Save the Bay. 272-3540, ext. 130; www.savebay.org.

Volunteers needed:

•Collection Team. Volunteers to assist the Exploration Center Aquarist in collection of invertebrates such as sea stars, lobsters, crabs, urchin and vertebrates such as fish, mainly by seining.

•Eelgrass Volunteers. Help restore this critical marine habitat in Narragansett Bay. For the harvest: scuba divers remove eelgrass from the sediment using garden trowels and fill catch bags. Kayakers take bags of eelgrass from the divers and transport them to shore. Sorters work on shore separating sediment from the eelgrass, counting shoots and sorting eelgrass into bundles for transplant. For transplant: all volunteers must be willing to get in the water. Divers insert shoots into the sediment, using bamboo skewers as biodegradable staples to allow the shoots time to take root. In Water Diver Support hands eelgrass and bamboo skewers down to the divers and makes sure the entire process runs smoothly on surface. Kayakers transport equipment (weights, skewers, toggle buoys) to the divers and diver support.

•Summer Docents for Newport’s Exploration Center. STB docents are volunteer teachers who provide group learning experiences in the form of tours, demonstrations or instruction in special activity areas. Docents have the opportunity to teach and encourage visitors to protect, restore and explore Narragansett Bay.

ETC.

June 26-Aug. 12. Massachusetts Agriculture Educational Workshops on the Farm for Educators. 9 am-3 pm. All sessions in Massachusetts unless otherwise noted.

•June 26. Organic Gardening at the School and Farm, Holly Hill Farm, Cohasset.

•July 1. Open Space and Farmland Protection, Doyle Conservation Center of The Trustees of Reservations, Leominster.

•July 2. Buying Local, Cooper’s Farm and Breezy Gardens, Leicester.

•July 8. Grazing, Pasture and Pasture Crops for Biofuels, University of Massachusetts Crop and Animal Science Research Education Farm, South Deerfield.

•July 10. Horticultural Therapy Adaptations, Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown.

•July 16. Renewable Energy and Sustainable Agriculture, Then and Now: Everything Old is New Again, Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield.

•July 17. Dairy Farming, Milk and Ice Production, Shaw Farm, Dracut.

•July 23. Chickens, Embryology and Heritage Breeds, Diemand Egg Farm, Miller’s Falls.

•July 24. Pollination, Beekeeping and Fruits and Vegetables, Meadowbrook Orchards, Sterling.

•July 31. Local Foods and Global Connections to the Foods We Eat, Manda Farm, Plainfield.

•Aug. 6. Heritage Breeds, Heirloom Seeds, Local Foods and Sustainable Agriculture, Moon in the Pond Farm, Sheffield.

•Aug. 7. Soils, Farm Viability and Agricultural Entertainment, Randall’s Farm, Ludlow.

•Aug. 12. Dairy Goats, Ruminants and Making Goat Cheese, Cote’s Farm, Pascoag, RI.