Shoreline Nature Walk (Apr. 10): Marine Ecology on Aquidneck Island

As spring unfolds on Aquidneck Island, the shoreline comes alive with seasonal change. In April, warming temperatures, longer days, and returning wildlife make this an ideal time for shoreline exploration.

Enjoy an easy walk at low tide exploring the ecosystem from the ocean edge to the dune and everything in between. We will spot birds and hopefully monarch butterflies also heading south. As we walk, we will identify creatures that wash up on this beautiful New England landscape.

Scott Ruhren, Ph.D., is a lifelong nature lover and forest explorer. Scott holds a Ph.D. in ecology from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in botany from the University of Maryland. He has served as the senior director of conservation at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island for the past 20 years. At Audubon, he has guided the management of wildlife refuges and added nearly 1,000 acres of protected habitat, mostly forest. Scott has also taught numerous courses in ecology, biology and conservation science at the University of Rhode Island and other universities on the east coast. His favorite way to explore nature is with his family.