CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS

Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Rd., Framingham, Mass. (508) 877-7630; www.newfs.org. Noon-3 pm.

•Sept. 7. Praying Mantis Weekend. Learn about the praying mantis’s eyes and clever camouflage and make a praying mantis craft

•Sept. 13-14. Daddy Longlegs Weekend, Learn why the daddy longlegs is not a true spider then make your own sculpture.

Sept. 9. Naturally Crafty Vacation Camp, Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Rd., Middletown. 846-2577; www.normanbirdsanctuary.org. Using the great outdoors as their canvas, participants will create take-home crafts and natural works of art. Each project will feature one of the sanctuary’s habitats, with hiking, animal presentations and active games. Before and after care available. 9 am-4 pm. $40, members $35.

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

•Sept. 10. Busy Beavers. Ages 4-6 learn about North America’s largest rodent and try their hand at building a beaver dam to see how long it will hold. 1-3 pm. $15, members $12.

•Sept. 12. Monarch Magic. Ages 6 and older learn about the monarch life cycle and migration. Time out in the field will be spent looking for monarchs and for clues of their behavior. 4-5:15 pm. $12, members $10.

Sept. 14. Nature Conservancy Program: Children’s Scavenger Hunt, Francis Carter Preserve, Route 112, Charlestown. 529-1072; www.tnc.org. Young families invited to help find animal signs, funny-looking insects and other critters of the forest. Meet at the parking lot on Route 112. 11 am. Free. Advance registration.

EXHIBITS

Through Oct. 12. Coming Home to Nature: Photography by Branden Michaux, Audubon Society of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St. (Route 114), Bristol. 245-7500; www.asri.org. Daily 9 am-5 pm. Free with center admission. $6, 65+ $5, children 4-12 $4, children under 4 and ASRI members free.

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.

Through Oct. 27. Nature Day at Pardon Gray, Tiverton Town Hall, 343 Highland Rd., Tiverton. Works by student photographers of the preserve’s natural wonders. Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4 pm.

Through Oct. 31. Big Bugs Sculpture Exhibit and Web-of-Life Extravaganza, New England Wild Flower Society’s Garden in the Woods, 180 Hemenway Rd., Framingham, Mass. (508) 877-7630; www.newenglandwild.org. David Rogers’ dino-sized sculptures on 45 acres with 1,500 varieties of native plants. Daily 9 am-7 pm. $8, seniors/students $6, youth 3-18 $4; members/children 2 and younger free.

Through Dec. 31. Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Rd., Sturbridge, Mass. Taking Root: The Growing Business of Gardening in Pots in the 1800s, exhibit invites exploration of the art and business of gardening in flowerpots in 19th-Century New England. Daily 9:30 am-5 pm. Free with village admission. $20, 65+ $18, youth $6, children 2 and younger free.

GARDEN PROGRAMS

Sept.7. Rhode Island Dahlia Society Flower Show (43rd annual), North Kingstown Community Center, Beach Street (off Route 1A), North Kingstown. 294-3486, 294-4734. 10 am-4 pm. Free. Handicap accessible.

Sept. 7. Secret Garden Fall Tour 2008. 847-0514; www.secretgardentours.org. Self-guided driving tour through private gardens and estates in the neighborhoods of Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive, Newport. 10 am-5 pm. $20 advance, $25 day of tour. Tickets may be bought at the Newport Visitors’ Center at 23 America’s Cup Ave. and Kingscote Mansion, 253 Bellevue Ave. Benefit for the Benefactors of the Arts.

Sept. 10. Display Garden Soiree, Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Arboretum, 101 Ferry Rd., Route 114, Bristol. 253-2707; www.blithewold.org. Stroll the grounds, chat with staff horticulturists, bring picnic dinner. Music by Mark and Beverly Davis Guitar Duo; Oregon Wine. 5 pm-dusk. Soiree held under tent in event of rain. $25 per person, $35 per couple. Advance reservations.

Sept. 10. Preservation Society of Newport County Lecture: Gilded Age American Gardens, Rosecliff, 548 Bellevue Ave., Newport. 847-1000, ext. 154. Slide lecture by author/garden historian Eleanor Weller Reade, featuring hand-colored historic slides of legendary landscapes across America. 11 am. $5, PSN members free. Advance registration.

Southside Community Landtrust. 273-9419; www.southsideclt.org.

•Sept. 11. Seed of Hope Tours. Tour City Farm and the Somerset Community Garden, Providence, and learn about SCLT programs. 6:30 pm. Advance registration.

•Sept. 13. Hoe Down (5th annual), Urban Edge Farm, 31 Pippin Orchard Rd., Cranston. 273-9419; www.southsideclt.org. Celebration of Rhode Island local food system of farmers, wineries and breweries. Dance to music by the Super Chief Trio, take a hayride, sample local beers, wines, enjoy a barbecue featuring farm-fresh local foods and learn about SCLT’s mission of helping people grow food. 4-8 pm. $20, students with college ID $15, children 11 and younger $5, children 4 and younger free. Benefit for SCLT’s urban agriculture and environmental education programs.

Sept. 13. Ocean State Orchid Society Meeting, North Kingstown Free Library, 100 Boone St., North Kingstown. 294-3306. Program on Forty Species Everyone Should Have in Their Greenhouses. 1 pm. Free.

Sept. 13. Tranquil Lake Nursery Workshop: Daylilies for the Late Season, 45 River St., Rehoboth. (508) 252-4002; www.tranquil-lake.com. Philip Boucher, horticulturist and co-owner of Tranquil Lake Nursery, shows some of his favorite daylilies and teaches participants what characteristics to look for and how to use daylilies in the garden, and then takes them for a ramble through the fields to see the September blooming specimens. He will also recommend a diverse selection of perennials for the late season garden and suggest plant combinations that will complement these plants through the garden season. 11 am. Free. All plants discussed available for sale. Program moved indoors in case of rain. Bring a lawn chair.

LECTURES

Sept. 9. Lecture: Historical Background on Global Climate Change, University of Rhode Island, Chaffee Auditorium, Kingston. 874-2853. Lecture by Elizabeth Kolbert, staff writer for The New Yorker and author of Field Notes From a Catastrophe: Man, Nature and Climate Change. 7:30 pm.

Sept. 10. Save the Bay Lecture: Conserve By Design, Westerly Public Library, 44 Broad St., Westerly. 596-2877, 315-2709; www.savebay.org. Mindful Design: Progress and Nature in Harmony, lecture series introducing Rhode Island’s leaders in sustainable design and green technology to the community. Learn about Rhode Island’s architects, builders and how to create a mutually beneficial relationship with the nature world. 7 pm. Free.

Sept. 14. Lecture. Rhode Island’s Climate: Where Are We Headed? — 1000 Years of Hurricanes, Storms and Temperture Changes, Providence Public Library, Barnard Room, third floor, 150 Empire St., Providence. 874-2381, 455-8090; www.provlib.org. John King leads a discussion on his field research and a question and answer period about the likely impact of climate change on our coast. 2 pm. Free. In conjunction with the University of Rhode Island Honors Colloquium, People and Planet — Global Environmental Change.

NATURE PROGRAMS

Sept. 9. Woonasquatucket Water Shed Walk, along the Fred Lippitt Greenway. 561-9046; www.woonasquatucket.org. Autumn walk looking for wildlife that inhabits the urban refuge. With naturalist/Woonasquatucket River Ranger Gordon Fitch. Learn about some of the plants and animals and how they survive in an urban environment. Two-mile walk starts at Riverside Park, Aleppo Street, Providence. Advance registration. 5:30 pm.

Sept. 9, 16. Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association (WPWA) Evening Paddle, Upper Wood River, Hopkinton. 539-9017; www.wpwa.org. Participants will be lead upstream for the WPWA campus at the Barberville Fishing and Canoe Access, 203 Arcadia Rd., Hope Valley. Boaters can expect to see numerous species of wildflowers and vegetation currently in bloom, such at cardinal flower, pickerel weed and little floating-hearts, and possibly buttonbush and turtleheard before they lose their blooms. 5-7:30 pm. $10, members $5. Kayaks available to rent for addition $5 for program participants. PFD’s required. Advance registration.

Sept. 11. Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council Canoe/Kayak Trip. 861-9046 or e-mail jsullivan@wrwc.org. Evening paddle on scenic Georgiaville Pond, Smithfield. Put in at Smith-Appleby House, Stillwater Road, Smithfield. Two-mile circuit around the pond. Ride past the pine covered islands and for a look at the rocky gorge that forms the outlet channel at the south end of the pond. Audubon Society of Rhode Island naturalist Eugenia Marks will talk about the wildlife in this part of the watershed. 5:30 pm. Some canoes/kayaks available to borrow. Participants may bring their own canoes/kayaks and must bring life jackets for everyone who will be in the boat. Bring as flashlight for put-in around sunset due to Coast Guard regulations. Children welcome if accompanied by an adult. Suggested donation of $10 per person for participants use a WRWC boat; other donations welcome. Advance sign-up required. Part of a series of paddling events called Explore the Woonasquatucket.

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

•Sept. 13. Kenya Photo Safari, Kimball Wildlife Sanctuary, Kinsey-Kraus Nature Center, 80 Sanctuary Rd., Watchaug Pond off Prossner Trail, Charlestown. Kimball committee members Gerry Matteo and Mary Jo Murray present highlights from their recent wildlife tour in Kenya, East Africa. 7:30-9:30 pm.

•Sept. 13. Wickford Harbor Coastal Birding Cruise. Trip leaves Wickford Town Wharf aboard the General for a trip along varied coastlines and diverse habitats in search of loon, Grebes, ducks, swans, cormorants, ospreys, herons and geese and also to see a variety of migrating species like hawks, swallows and the waterfowl that winter here. ASRI naturalists on hand to help spot and identify the animals. Bring binoculars. 10 am-noon. $27, members $23. Ages 23+.

•Sept. 13. Wild Mushroom Walk, Kimball Wildlife Refuge, 180 Sanctuary Rd., Watchaug Pond off Prossner Trail, Charlestown. Walk along refuge trails in search of a variety of mushrooms and other fungi, both delectable and deadly. Program will go on in drizzly or light showers and will cancel for a really wet, stormy day. Dress for the weather. Collecting mushrooms on any ASRI refuge is prohibited. 10 am-noon. $12, children $6; members $8, $4. Ages 10+.

Sept. 13. Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center Program: Fall Birding and Hawk Watching, 109 Pequotsepos Rd., Mystic, Conn. (860) 536-1216; www.dpnc.org. Meet at Napatree Point, Westerly. If weather is not suitable for hawk watching, participants will walk the beach looking for migrant shorebirds and songbirds. 8-10 am. $5. Advance registration.

Sept. 13. Ecology of the Cliff Walk, Norman Bird Sanctuary, 583 Third Beach Rd., Middletown. 846-2577; www.normanbirdsanctuary.org. Interactive look at the ecology of Cliff Walk features an exploration of animals, plants, lichens, geological formations and more. Program geared toward adult audiences, though families may attend. 9 am. $8, children 3-12 $6; members $6, children $4. Advance registration.

Sept. 13. Save the Bay Family Bay Day. 272-3540; www.savebay.org. Explore the bay on boat, collect critters. 10 am, noon. $20, members $15, children 3-12 $10, children 2 and younger free. Advance registration.

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

•Sept. 13. Trees and the Life They Give Us. Participants will learn to identify the different types of trees including catalpa, aspen, oak, pine; discover what they have in common with trees; compare their leaves and do a bark rubbing of their favorite tree. 10 am. $5, family $18.

•Sept. 14. Harvest Moon Hike. Hike through the garden and fields to watch the sunset and the moon rise. 7-8:30 pm. $5, family $18.

Sept. 13-14. Raptor Weekend, Audubon Society of Rhode Island Environmental Education Center Programs, 1401 Hope St. (Route 114), Bristol. 245-7500; www.asri.org. Live flight demonstrations, educational programs, games, crafts, owls pellet dissection, binocular workshops, refreshments. 10 am-4 pm. $12, children $6, children 3 and younger free; members $10, children $5.

ETC.

Sept. 13. A Country Day at Pardon Gray, Pardon Gray Preserve, Main Road, Tiverton. 625-5682; www.tivertonlandtrust.org. Tiverton Land Trust program features guided trail and cemetery walks, produce market and craft vendors including Sakonnet Growers Market, hay rides, live music, pie contest, demonstrations, children’s crafts and games. 10 am-4 pm. Rain date Sept. 14.

FARMERS’ MARKETS

Aquidneck Growers’ Markets. 848-0099.

•909 East Main Rd. (Route 138), Middletown. Sat. 9 am-1 pm June-Oct.

•Memorial Boulevard, between Edgar and Chapel streets, Newport. Wed. 2-6 pm. June-Oct.

Armory Park, Parade Street, Providence. www.farmfreshri.org. Thurs. 4-7 pm June-Oct.

Algonquin House, 807 Broad St., Providence. www.farmfreshri.org. Sat. 9 am-1 pm July 12-Oct.

Barrington Farmers’ Market, Ace Hardware, 180 County Rd. 635-4274. Tues 2-6 pm .

Blackstone River Visitors Center Farmers’ Market, Route 295 North, Lincoln. 222-2781. Tue 2-6 pm. July-Oct.

Block Island Farmers’ Markets. 466-2875. 9-11 am.

•Manisses Corner. Wed. June-Sept.

•Negus Park. Sat. June-Oct.

Burrillville Farmers’ Market, Austin T. Levy School, 135 Harrisville Main St., Harrisville. 568-9940. Sat. 9 am-noon. May-Oct.

Brown University Farmers’ Market, Wriston Quad, George and Thayer streets, Providence. 863-6509. Wed. 11 am-2 pm. Sept.-Nov.

Burnside Park, Washington Street, Providence. www.farmfreshri.org. Fri. 11 am-2 pm. June-Oct.

Capitol Hill Farmers’ Market, 1 Capitol Hill, Providence (across from State House). 222-2781. Thu. 11 am.-2 pm. July-Oct.

Coastal Growers’ Market, Casey Farm, 2325 Boston Neck Rd., North Kingstown (Saunderstown). 295-1030; www.coastalmarket.org. Sat 9 am-noon. May-Oct.

Colt Park Farmers’ Market, Colt State Park, Route 114, Bristol. 222-2781. Fri 2-6 pm. May-Oct.

Fishermen’s Memorial Park Farmers’ Market, Fishermen Memorial Park, 1011 Point Judith Rd., Narragansett. 222-2781. Sun. 9 am.-1 pm. May-Oct.

Goddard Park Farmers’ Market, Goddard State Park, 1095 Ives Rd., Warwick. 222-2781. Fri 9 am-1 pm. May-Oct.

Haines Park Farmers’ Market, Haines Memorial State Park, Metropolitan Park Drive (Route 103), East Providence. 222-2781. Wed. 2-6 pm. May-Oct.

Hope High School, corner of Hope and Olney streets, Providence. www.farmfreshri.org. Sat. 9:30 am-12:30 pm. June-Oct.

Market at Daggett Farm, Slater Park, Pawtucket. 378-2765. Sat. 9 am-1 pm. July-Sept.

North Scituate Farmers’ Market, Scituate Village Green (Route 116), North Scituate. 647-5547. Sat. 9 am-1 pm. May-Sept.

Pastore Complex Farmers’ Market, Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training, 1511 Pontiac Ave., Cranston. 222-2781. Fri. 10 am-2:30 pm. Rain or shine. July-Oct.

Pawtucket Farmers’ Market, Broadway and Exchange Street. 863-6509. Sun. noon-3 pm June 10-Oct.

Pawtuxet Village Farmers’ Market, Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, 60 Rhodes Place, Cranston. 751-6038. Sat. 9 am-noon. May-Oct.

Burnside Park, Washington Street, Providence. www.farmfreshri.org. Fri. 11 am-2 pm. June-Oct.

Hope High School, corner of Hope and Olney streets, Providence. www.farmfreshri.org. Sat. 9:30 am-12:30 pm. June-Oct.

Richmond Farmers’ Market, Richmond Town Hall, 5 Richmond Townhouse Rd., Wyoming. 339-4282. Sat. 8:30 am-noon. May-Oct.

Sakonnet Growers Market, Pardon Gray Preserve, Main Road, Tiverton. 624-7490. Sat. 9 am-1 pm. July-Sept.

South Kingstown Farmers’ Markets. 294-6306.

•Marina Park, Salt Pond Road (off Route 1), Wakefield. Tue. 3-6 pm. May-Oct.

•University of Rhode Island, Route 138, Kingston. 294-6306. Sat. 8:30-noon. May-Oct.

Whole Foods Farmers’ Market

•University Heights, 601 North Main St., Providence. 621-5990. Mon. 3 pm-dusk. June-Nov.

•261 Waterman St., Providence. 272-1690. Mon. 3 pm-dusk. June-Nov.

•151 Sockanosset Cross Rd., Cranston. 621-5990. Tues. 3 pm-dusk. June-Oct.

Wickenden Street Farmers’ Market, 65 Brook St., Providence. 635-4274. Tue. 2-6 pm. June-Oct.

Woonsocket, Precious Blood Church, corner Carrington and Park avenues. www.farmfreshri.org. Mon. 9:30 am-12:30 pm. July-Oct.