SK Wildlife Refuge to Host 'Bats at Eppley'

Governor Lincoln Chafee and Providence Mayor Angel Taveras Tuesday kicked off the 2013 Rhode Island Land Trust Days - two months of family-friendly outdoor activities that will take place throughout the state during August and September.

“Congratulations and thank you to the state’s land trust leaders and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for their diligent work to protect open space,” said Gov. Chafee during Tuesday's kick-off celebration in Providence. “For decades, I have been a proponent of preserving Rhode Island’s assets, and I know that vital to this effort are the extraordinary citizens who have formed land trusts to protect Rhode Island’s natural beauty, rich farmland and critical habitats for the future.”

More than 60 events have been planned and organized by members of the state’s 47 Land Trust organizations, including farm tours, trail walks, festivals, full moon walks, geocaching, campfire storytelling and scavenger hunts. The Rhode Island Land Trust Council (RILTC) has also issued a "challenge" for people to attend a number of the Land Trust Days events. Everyone who goes to four or more may enter a drawing for prizes and the individual who attends the most events will win a special prize.

“Bring a friend and join us,” said Rupert Friday, director of the RILTC. "There's something to meet everyone's interests and for every age."

"Bats at Eppley", the third event of the series will take place right here in South County on Friday, Aug. 9 at the Marion Eppley Wildlife Refuge (505 Dugway Bridge Rd., West Kingston).

From 7 to 8:30 p.m., join members of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island for a rare opportunity to visit one of the Audubon's largest refuges at night! The Eppley Refuge is not normally open to the public, but is maintained as an unspoiled and unbroken tract for wildlife habitat and study. Participants will begin their evening indoors with a presentation about bats to prepare them for when they venture outside to search for and witness the mysterious creatures of the night in their natural habitat.

Registration for this event is required and can be done online at www.asri.org (course number 114333-584). A fee of $8 per adult Audubon member, $4 per child member, $12 per non-member adult or $6 per non-member child is due at time of registration.

Remember to dress for a cool night, bring a flashlight and insect repellent, and use the restroom before arrival as there are no public restrooms at the refuge.

A full calendar, event map, roster of events and entry form with rules for the Land Trust Days Challenge contest can be found at www.RILandTrustDays.org.