During a ceremony to be held Monday, May 20 at 4 p.m., the Audubon Society of Rhode Island will open a new interpretive nature trail in Coventry to help teachers and home-schoolers engage their students in outdoor learning.
This self–led trail, located on the historic Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge (2082 Victory Hwy., Coventry), may be hiked with curriculum and activities found on Audubon’s website (www.asri.org). Teachers can simply download the background information, trail map, and suggested educational activities then bring the students to the refuge at any time to start exploring.
The new trail will be free of charge thanks to a $7,500 donation from Centreville Bank.
“Centreville Bank has had a long and proud history of supporting the Audubon Society and projects that encourage a greater appreciation for the outdoors and our environment,” said Centreville Bank CEO and President Raymond J. Bolster, II. “We also enjoyed a long and treasured relationship, both personally and professionally, with the late Maxwell Mays. This relationship makes providing financial support to the Audubon Society’s interpretive trail at the Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge even more significant to Centreville Bank.”
Bolster and Audubon Executive Director Lawrence Taft will speak at Monday's presentation, followed by Audubon educators who will guide students and teachers through the various stations and activities available on the new trail.
“This is another step in fulfilling Maxwell Mays’ vision of encouraging people to enjoy the natural world, to learn about it, and protect it," said Taft. “Audubon is grateful to Centreville Bank for helping us achieve this milestone at the Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge. We are confident it will be an important resource for teachers, home school groups, scouts and others who wish to engage with nature in a meaningful way."