7 Rivers Festival

River & Wildlife Book and Materials Display

Stonington Free Library

6/25 & 6/26 | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Visit this books and materials display of all things rivers, wildlife and conservation throughout June. In-state residents with a library card can check out materials.

Free Kayak Rentals

Stonington Recreation

6/25 & 6/26 | 8:00 am - 1:00 pm

Explore the lower Pawcatuck River by kayak for up to 2.5 hours. Sponsored by Stonington Human Services, Recreation Division in partnership with Mechanic Street Marina, Pawcatuck, CT. A limited number of single and tandem kayaks will be available throughout the weekend (reservations are required). Limited number of boats are available on a first come, first served basis. The launch will be from the Marina (179 Mechanic St, Pawcatuck) and participants are able to explore and enjoy the lower Pawcatuck River area.

en plein air @ Hewitt Property

Milltown Arts North Stonington

6/26 | 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Join or view artists painting the fields, waterways, and landscapes of The Hewitt Property in North Stonington, CT. There will be an open discussion at 1 pm at the Pavillion.

Sheets Family Forest Grand Opening & Guided Hike

Avalonia Land Conservancy

6/26 | 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Join Avalonia for the Grand Opening of the Sheets Family Forest, which features a beautiful 3-mile trail and frontage on the Green Fall River. After the ribbon cutting and dedication at 1:00 pm, naturalist Bruce Fellman will lead an educational nature walk from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm. Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome.

Muddy World of Amphibians

Mystic Aquarium

6/26 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Get up close and muddy in the name of conservation! Conduct field surveys to sample amphibians (salamanders, frogs and toads!)

Table Display Celebrating the 7 Rivers Festival

Wheeler Library

6/25 | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Rivers and brooks, movies and books! In-state residents with a library card can check out materials.

Hike Along Shunock River

North Stonington Conservation Commission

6/26 | 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Join a short hike up to Tipping Rock. This glacial erratic is a grand geological feature.

Library Story Trail

Voluntown Public Library

6/25 & 6/26 | All Day

A perfect event for children: Walk the story trail to read the book River Story by Meredith Hooper.

Pharisee Rock Sunrise and Sunset Hikes

Friends of Pachaug Forest

6/25 & 6/26 | 4:30 am & 7:30 pm

Join Friends of Pachaug Forest for guided sunrise and sunset hikes each day, featuring an overlook of the forested start to the Wood River. Opportunity for 4 hikes during 7 Rivers Festival Weekend!

Storywalk: In the Small, Small Pond by Denise Fleming

Louttit Library

6/25 & 6/26 | All day

A perfect event for children: Enjoy a forested trail walk, reading pages as you go! Visit the library anytime starting Friday, June 24 for 3 weeks!

Summer Mushroom Hunting Season

The Mushroom Hunting Foundation

6/25 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am

Learn about local edible wild mushrooms on this guided hike lead by knowledgable instructors Ryan and Emily.

Tomaquag Museum's Culture Bearer Series: The Rivers Connect Us

Tomaquag Museum

6/26 | 10:00 am - 11:00 am

Join Cassius Spears Jr. as he presents “Understanding Waterways, Kinship, and Tribal Sovereignty.”

Library River Rocks

Exeter Public Library

6/25 | 10:30 am - 2:30 pm

Exeter Public Library welcomes you! Will you paint water, bubbles, or fish perhaps? Some plants flowing in the water? Even a crayfish? Let your mind wander and your creativity grow as you paint rocks to be added to a River of Rocks on the Library property.

Wild Plant Walk

Exeter Public Library

6/25 | 9:00 am - 11:00 am

Many interesting native plants can be found in the Arcadia Management Area along the beautiful Wood River. Join Exeter librarian Tien Tran, RI Wild Plant Society member and native plant enthusiast, on a walk through the woods to encounter these plants, their characteristics, and the habitat where they grow. Plan for about a mile of moderate walking on wooded trails and wear appropriate clothing and footwear.

Boy Scout Campout and Paddle

Exeter Boy Scout Troop 45

Exeter Boy Scout Troop 45 Organized a campout and paddle down the Chipuxet River. Interested in joining this Scout Troop for future activities? Stop by their weekly Wednesday evening meetings at Exeter Fire Station on Rt 102, or contact Troop Leader Loren Thurn, lathurn@cox.net

Stream Insects in Our Neighborhood

Hopkinton Land Trust

6/25 | 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Roll up your sleeves to investigate the stream insects that live locally! Find live critters and discover what they can tell us about our water.

Freshwater Fly Tying for Beginners

RI Department of Environmental Management, Fish & Wildlife

6/25 | 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Calling all fishing enthusiasts: Learn to tie your own freshwater flies for fly fishing! Great for kids aged 10+ and beginners.

Partnership Paddle

RI Canoe and Kayak Association & Southern New England Paddlers

6/26 | 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Have a boat? Join to paddle a pond, marsh and forested area of the Wood River.

Moth Light Attraction Trap Discovery

Southern RI Conservation District

6/24 | 8:00 pm - 10:00 pm

FRIDAY NIGHT SPECIAL: Participants will gather after dark along the Wood River and using a simple sheet and light attraction trap, we will discover what moths live in the area. With a couple of amateur insect experts, an entomologist, plus some guidebooks on hand, we will identify all the moths (and other insects) we can. We are hoping for an uncommon sighting of the spectacular Luna Moth! This event promises fun for the whole family.

River Hike at Cottrell Family Preserve

Westerly Land Trust

6/26 | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm

Hike within this new Preserve along the Wild & Scenic Pawcatuck River while the mountain laurel may be in bloom!

Naturalist Guided Walk on Napatree

The Watch Hill Conservancy

6/25 | 9:00 am

Join naturalists as they discuss the history and significance of Napatree Point Conservation Area and the value it brings to the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed.

Westerly's River Days

Southern RI Conservation District

6/26 | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Join the celebration with partners such as Trout Unlimited and Leave No Trace RI for a day full of family friendly activities, including fly-fishing practice and designs for future riverfront community space! Enjoy giveaways and river-themed dishes from local businesses and restaurants. Don't forget to visit the Hawaiian Shaved Ice Truck, and stay for some music by Cross Rhode Blues from 1pm-4pm!

Stream Selfies

Cross' Mills Public Library

6/25 | 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Cross' Mills Public Library invites you to learn how to sign up for a Citizen Science account and celebrate our local rivers by taking a picture with one! Stream Selfie connects you with thousands of other citizen scientists to paint a picture of streams across America. Thousands of people are working toward a common goal: clean water. Will you join us?

Narragansett Trail Hike at Carter Preserve

Appalachian Mountain Club & The Nature Conservancy

6/26 | 10:00 am

Join the Appalachian Mountain Club and The Nature Conservancy for a 3 or 6 mile out-and-back hike along the Narragansett Trail at TNC’s Carter Preserve. For the first segment, TNC and AMC will be leading and discussing the ecology and history of the trail as well as the efforts to restore this section of the Narragansett trail, which runs along the Pawcatuck River. After 1.5 miles, hikers will have the option to turn back for a 3-mile total hike or continue on to the second segment, where AMC will lead to complete the full 6 mile out-and-back hike throughout the preserve.

Bats at Eppley Wildlife Refuge

Audubon Society of Rhode Island

6/25 | 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm

Experience a rare treat! Visit at night for a presentation and viewing of the many resident bats.

Guided Hike at Alewife Brook Preserve

South Kingstown Land Trust

6/25 | 8:00 am - 10:00 am

Guided hike to view the beautiful summer blooms amidst the scenery surrounding Alewife Brook. Remember your binoculars!

Nature Book Display

Kingston Free Library

6/25| 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Kingston Free Library will display books relating to nature, rivers, wildlife, and conservation, plus South Kingstown Land Trust Young Naturalist Backpacks which can all be checked out with an Ocean State Library card.

Queen's River Free Paddle

Queen's River Kayaks

6/26 |10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Jump in a kayak and explore the natural wonders of the Queen’s River and experience the historic Kenyon's Grist Mill that sits upon its shore!

Bird Walk at Ryan Park

Ocean State Bird Club

6/25 | 7:00 am - 10:00 am

Join the Ocean State Bird Club to celebrate National Rivers Month. As part of the celebration, the Club will showcase the variety of habitat found within the Wood-Pawcatuck watershed. One such place is Ryan Park in North Kingstown. Consisting of a variety of habitats such as fields, forests, open water, and marshes, Ryan Park has the potential to offer up many bird species. Seeing that late June is a quiet time of year with spring migrants having already passed through, the intent of the walk is to conduct a bird survey of residential birds who live and potentially breed in the park itself. Our hope is to derive an accurate count of the total species of birds that frequent the park.

Narrow River Turnaround Swim

Narrow River Preservation Association

6/25 | 9:00 am

Celebrate National Rivers Month by joining our partner, the Narrow River Preservation Association, in their 15th Annual Turnaround Swim! This fundraiser includes a one mile open water swim in one of Rhode Island’s most scenic waterways. This swim raises funds and awareness of Narrow River as a wonderful place to swim! One of the first open water swims of the season, the event draws serious competitors and leisurely swimmers. Participants start on the beach, swim a half mile, then turn around our large buoy and finish at the start.