Outdoors in RI: Biggest Display of Christmas Trees, Get Your Orange On, Wildlife Outreach, Hunter Ed, Fly-Tying

Photo credit: Dean Birch, RIDEM

Grab your coziest layers and get ready to bundle up, discover, and explore this winter with the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). From frosty winter wildlife tracking and birdwatching to ice fishing and hunter safety courses, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this season. Join the fun with DFW’s Aquatic Resource Education, Hunter Education, Wildlife Outreach and volunteer staff to learn, explore, and enjoy! Most programs are free and family friendly. Below is a list of programs and registration information.

Wildlife Outreach Programs:

Come Birding with Me!

Brave the cold for a family-friendly shoreline birdwatching adventure. Discover the beautiful sea ducks that winter along RI’s coastline and how DFW and partners study their populations. Binoculars and spotting scopes will be available to borrow. This program is FREE to attend, but registration is required.

• Date: Saturday, January 10
• Time: 10 – 11:30 AM
• Location: Beavertail State Park, Jamestown
• Cost: Free
• Age group: Ages 8 and up
• Register here: https://forms.office.com/g/g4uDBPmZHh

Wild Winter Tracking

Stroll through a winter wonderland in the Arcadia Management Area as you search for signs of wildlife. Join DFW staff to learn about Rhode Island’s mammals and how we are studying their populations. Enjoy a trail camera demo, a walk in the woods to search for tracks and other clues, and fun kids’ activities. This FREE program requires registration. Special thanks to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island for hosting!

• Date: Saturday, February 7
• Time: 10 AM – 12 PM
• Location: Audubon Society of Rhode Island Powder Mill Ledges Refuge, Smithfield
• Cost: Free
• Age group: All ages welcome
• Register here: https://forms.office.com/g/GPq5mZbnRj

The Secret Lives of Brant, Black Ducks, and Scaup

Narragansett Bay supports countless creatures, including wintering waterfowl. Join DFW and Dr. Tori Mezebish-Quinn (URI) to explore current research on brant, American black ducks, and scaup and discover their amazing migrations. This free event requires registration.

• Date: Wednesday, February 11
• Time: 2 – 3 PM
• Location: Maury Loontjens Public Library, Narragansett
• Cost: Free
• Age group: Adults
• Register here: https://forms.office.com/g/KauF9pnWFf

Hunter Education Programs:

In-Person Hunter / Bowhunter Certification Classes

Rhode Island requires every hunter to have either a prior-year license or a hunter education card from Rhode Island or another state’s equivalent program. However, anyone currently serving in, or honorably discharged from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, are exempt from the hunter education requirement.

• Saturday and Sunday, February 21-22 (Hunter Education)
• Saturday, February 28 (Bowhunter Education)
• Location: Tiverton Rod and Gun Club, 1529 Fish Rd, Tiverton, RI
• Cost: Free
• For more information and registration, please visit: https://dem.ri.gov/natural-resources-bureau/fish-wildlife/outreach-education/hunter-education/events-course-schedules

Intro To Archery – Ladies Night

Curious about archery? Come join us for a fun and casual Ladies Night at Narragansett Bowhunters Club. This beginner-friendly event is the perfect way to try something new in a relaxed, supportive setting. No experience or equipment needed — we’ve got you covered! Just bring yourself and a friend. (Everyone must sign up separately.) Space is limited, so registration is required.

• Date: Friday, January 2
• Time: 5 – 8 PM
• Location: Narragansett Bowhunters Club
• Cost: Free
• Age group: 18+
• Register here: https://forms.gle/KKX7xDmbxfgF9b8G7

Firearms 101

Learn the basics of modern firearms in a classroom setting. Topics include types of firearm actions, ammunition, accessories, cleaning guidelines, safe storage, and personal protective equipment. A DEM Hunter Education instructor will demonstrate and allow supervised handling of firearms and accessories as time permits. This class is designed for beginners, but all experience levels are welcome. No “Blue Card” testing or live ammunition will be included – do not bring personal firearms or ammunition.

• Date: Saturday, February 21
• Time: 8:30 AM – 1:30 PM
• Location: DEM Outdoor Education Office, Exeter RI
• Cost: Free
• Age Group: recommended ages 12+
• Register here: https://forms.gle/n9xJiBDieDP2akEW7

Aquatic Resource Education Program:

Fly-Tying Workshops

Stock your fly box for the spring fly fishing season! Join DFW’s Aquatic Resource Education program and fly-tying volunteers from United Fly Tyers of RI and Trout Unlimited for the annual fly-tying program. Sessions for beginners and intermediates cover freshwater or saltwater flies and are held every other Thursday at Louttit Library in West Greenwich. Families with children over 10+ are welcome. All materials are provided. Attend one or all three! Pre-registration is suggested; walk-ins are welcome. EmailKimberly.sullivan@dem.ri.gov to register.

• Thursday, December 4 and Thursday, December 18
• Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
• Location: Louttit Library, West Greenwich
• Cost: $5 /per person / per session.
• Age: All ages
• Register with PDF found here: https://dem.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur861/files/2025-11/NEW 2025 Fly Tying Workshop – reg.pdf

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Orange is IN!

Orange hats and vests are so chic this season – shotgun deer season, that is. The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) reminds the public that starting this weekend on Saturday, Dec. 6, it’s time to make a bold fashion statement in hunting areas by adding plenty of orange into your winter wardrobe. Anyone in state management areas and undeveloped state parks during shotgun deer season must wear 500 square inches of solid, fluorescent orange, such as an orange vest and hat worn above the waist, through Friday, Jan. 2.

During shotgun deer season, archers in archery-only areas and waterfowl hunters who hunt from a boat or blind with decoys are exempt from wearing orange. For more details, please visit www.dem.ri.gov/orange.

For a complete breakdown of hunting season dates, regulations, and a map of Deer Management Zones (DMZs), please review the 2025-26 Hunting and Trapping Regulation Guide available online at www.eregulations.com/rhodeisland/hunting and at local sales agents.

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Get Your Holidays On!  At Slater Park in Pawtucket

Winter Wonderland is a 40+ acre Christmas display located within Slater Memorial Park in Pawtucket RI. While being the largest Christmas display and festival in all of Rhode Island, the display is made up of 650 decorated Christmas trees, over 100 light displays, 20 miniature “houses”, multiple 40′ LED mega trees, a read-along “Night Before Christmas” display, Santa’s reindeer barn, Mrs. Claus bakeshop, and much more.

The festival takes place on December 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th from 4-8PM. The roads will be closed to allow families to safely walk through the display to view all of the decorations, listen to Christmas music, take great pictures, and make great family memories that will last forever. On festival nights you can park at either end of the display but for easy parking, we suggest you enter through the Armistice Boulevard entrance. Handicap parking is located by the tennis courts at the Armistice Boulevard entrance.

The following activities happen during festival nights:
Visit and get a picture with Santa in the boathouse
Ride the miniature train, horse-drawn hayride, or the Historical Looff Carousel
Talk with an 18-foot talking snowman
Be entertained every hour by a local dance studio, band, choral, or professional entertainer
Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, hot dogs, and chips at our food tent
and much more. Please note that the event is CASH ONLY.

And – Looff Carousel Ornament for SALE!