Providence Parks
Urban Wildlife Conservation
Connecting people with urban wildlife and the natural world.
About Urban Wildlife Conservation
Our Urban Wildlife team connects students, educators, families, and the broader community with the wildlife and natural systems found throughout Providence’s parks. Through education, hands-on learning, research, and partnerships, the team helps people understand the value of urban wildlife and healthy habitats while inspiring the next generation of stewards to care for and protect the natural world.
The Providence Urban Wildlife Conservation Partnership is a collaboration between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the RI National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the City of Providence Parks Department, and the Partnership for Providence. Together, this partnership strives to bring a conservation message to the neighborhoods of Providence in the places where families live, work, and play.
Established through a collaborative agreement in 2013, this Urban Partnership was one of the first six designated nationwide through the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Urban Refuge Initiative. With 80% of Americans living in cities, the initiative aims to meet children and families in their own neighborhoods to nurture an appreciation of wildlife conservation and foster a better understanding of the role of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in conserving natural resources. Currently the Providence Urban Wildlife Conservation Partnership works with a variety of partners, including Park Friends Groups, schools, teachers, local non-profits, conservation and environmental education-focused organizations, and, most importantly, families and communities in Providence!
Photo Gallery
What We Do
- Formal and informal professional development opportunities for Providence based educators.
- School program support as part of our partnership with the Roger Williams Park Zoo Teacher Institute.
- Free family fishing programs each summer—follow us on social media for more information!
- Free monthly birding programs
- Learn how to identify local birds with our partners at the Audubon Society of RI
- Participate in community science
- Follow us on social media for more information
Conservation Project Highlights
- Habitat restoration and enhancement of 1.5 acres in Providence’s Ward 4
Partnership Highlight
The Providence Urban Wildlife Conservation Partnership is a proud partner of the Point Street Piers Project that will result in the removal of 250 tons of toxic marine debris from the Providence River. Read more about this exciting project here: CRMC, TNC Remove Contaminated Structures from Providence River.
Educational Programs Offered in Partnership with the NOAA Marine Debris Program
- Free 3 part Jr. Birder Program in partnership with Providence Recreation Department, Parks Department and the Partnership for Providence Parks
- Coming this spring:
- Free Jr. Birder Program open to the general public
- Stay tuned for more educational programming coming soon!
Providence Urban Wildlife Conservation Partnership
The Providence Urban Wildlife Conservation Partnership also helped to establish Providence as an Urban Bird Treaty City through the national Migratory Bird Program; committing to create bird-friendly environments and provide people, especially in historically excluded, diverse communities, with opportunities to connect with nature through bird-related activities.
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- To learn more about the nationwide Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership programs, including the Standards of Excellence that guides our program, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/urban/
- To learn more about the Urban Bird Treaty program, visit: https://www.fws.gov/birds/grants/urban-bird-treaty.php
- To contact Conservation Program Coordinator, Emily Cornelison, ecornelison@providenceri.gov.
Providence Parks creates and maintains exceptional, accessible green spaces that serve as the foundation for wellbeing, quality of life, and environmental stewardship in Providence, Rhode Island.
Contact
Providence Parks Department
City Hall, 25 Dorrance Street
Providence, RI 02903
Superintendent: Wendy Nilsson
providenceri.gov/parks