The Annual Winter Trails Day event involves almost 100 resorts and Nordic Centers across the county, and sends 11,000 kids and adults out on the snow each year. Here in Rhode Island the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and REI are teaming up to offer a free snowshoe hike (if snow permits) or a deep-woods hike at the new Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge in Coventry, RI. This 300-acre wildlife refuge was the estate of the late artist Maxwell Mays and Audubon opened the refuge to the public, as Max had intended, on October 1, 2011.
The first six adults and three children (ages 10 to 11) to register will receive free snowshoe rentals from REI for this event. Other participants will need to bring their own snowshoes, or rent them in advance from REI by calling (401) 275-5250.
Visit http://wintertraildays.eventbrite.com/ to register.
Winter Trails® was developed 17 years ago to promote snowshoeing and historically has been organized in conjunction with the American Hiking Society in an effort get people out on snow-covered trials in the winter. The program has been expanded to include Cross Country Ski Areas Association (CCSAA) under the umbrella of Winter Feels Good (www.winterfeelsgood.com).
The Audubon Society of Rhode Island is the state's oldest environmental organization and offers 16 public wildlife refuges to hike, bird watch, and connect with nature. REI is a national outdoor retail company dedicated to inspiring, educating and outfitting its members and the community for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship.
For more information go to the Audubon website at www.asri.org.
Maxwell Mays Wildlife Refuge, 2082 Victory Highway, Coventry, RI; January 7, 2012; 10:00 am-12:00 pm; Program Fee: Free; Ages: 10+.
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12 Sanderson Road ~ Smithfield, RI 02917-2600 ~ Phone: (401) 949-5454 ~ Fax: (401) 949-5788
www.asri.org email: audubon@asri.org
12 Sanderson Road ~ Smithfield, RI 02917-2600 ~ Phone: (401) 949-5454 ~ Fax: (401) 949-5788
www.asri.org email: audubon@asri.org