Field Trips

Field trips are always a great opportunity to meet new friends in a new place! We often offer visits to local museums and gardens, as well as activities like whale watching or hikes at state parks. Many of the field trips offer time for outdoor sketching and nature journaling. Grab your sketchbook, hats, comfortable walking shoes, and join us for an adventure.

Price includes:

• All entry fees and transportation costs
• Does not include cost of food or drink
  

FT 01 Half Day

Great River Preserve –
Sketching and Hiking Trip

Date:  Sunday, July 13

Time:  1:00 PM – 5:00 PM 

Participants:  Min. 4; Max. 14

Trip Leader: On your own

Cost:  Free

Start your conference off with fellow GNSI members for a great afternoon of exploring, hiking, and sketching in a public access land conservation area.

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The Great River Preserve in Bridgewater is part of the Wildlands Trust, perfect for hiking and sketching, and includes Taunton River open fields, woodlands, and vernal pools. This preserve offers one of the most diverse and inviting opportunities for walking and nature study anywhere along the Taunton River mainstem.

Great River Preserve encompasses a wide range of habitats and features that few other properties along the river mainstem can rival. It includes over a mile of pristine river frontage along one of the most scenic and undisturbed stretches of the Taunton River, as well as expansive open fields, mixed pine/oak woodlands, vernal pools, and habitat for several rare species, including the Eastern box turtle.

What to Bring:

• Binoculars, field guide, sketching materials, hat, sunscreen, insect repellent.

Things to Know:

• Dress appropriately - long pants with pant legs tucked into socks to avoid ticks

Lunch: 

• afternoon trip - bring snacks, drinks, etc.
  

More information: https://wildlandstrust.org/trails

FT 02 Full Day

Woods Hole Oceanographic institute

Date: Thursday, July 17

Time:  9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Participants:  Min. 4; Max. 14

Trip Leader: Natalie Renier

Cost:  $120

One hour from the Conference site, in Falmouth, Mass. on Great Harbor between Buzzards Bay and Vineyard Sound – travel with other GNSI members for special access to this well renowned Scientific Institution.

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Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is the world's premier independent organization dedicated exclusively to ocean research, technology, and education. We combine state-of-the-art science, engineering, and ship operations to unravel the mysteries of the deep and devise science-based solutions to planet-wide problems.

The ocean is a vast and challenging place to work, but knowledge about the ocean is crucial to life on a changing planet. WHOI scientists and engineers travel the globe from land and the coasts to the deepest depths to tackle questions ranging from climate change to oil spills to ocean acidification.
If there is no tool to do what needs to be done, we invent one; if there is no experimental method, we devise it. Because now more than ever, the ocean matters to us all.
 

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes, camera, sketch materials

Lunch: 

• Box Lunch or Woods Hole Cafeteria 
  
  

For more information about WHOI: https://www.whoi.edu/

High Hook is a private charter boat out of Duxbury Mass., run by Captain Willie Woodruff. He has been fishing these waters since he could walk, and has been running fishing charters in Massachusetts bay for Bluefin Tuna and the local bays for Striped Bass for over 12 years. Duxbury Harbor is a quick ride to Stellwagen Bank and Massachusetts bay, some of the best fishing grounds in the World.

Duxbury and the surrounding bays have some of the best Striped Bass fishing the Northeast has to offer. The steep channels and rips located inside the bays make for some excellent structure to hold fish.
 

What to Bring:

• Baseball cap, (Polaroid) sunglasses, , sunscreen, camera, binoculars, dress appropriately for weather, shoes without black soles, cooler to bring home fish.

Things to know: 

• Please wear shoes without black soles
• Be prepared if susceptible to sea sickness – Dramamine, Motion sickness wrist bands, etc
• Target fish daily keep limits :
• Striped Bass-- 28"-31" Slot size, 1 Fish per Person
• Bluefish-- No Minimum size , 5 Fish per Person
• Although alcohol is allowed, being drunk is not. If someone in the party is intoxicated to the point where the Captain decides to go in, there will not be a refund on the trip

Lunch: 

• Box Lunch & will be stopping local to habor for seafood lunch before returning to Campus

The boat – “High Hook” is a 26' Cape Cod. The boat is rigged for fishing with two large live wells to give us the best bait in the fleet. It was rigged with all new electronics in 2019 and is powered by a 420hp Yanmar engine. The boat cruises at 27-30 knots and tops out around 34 knots. It's a great boat for inshore bass trips as it only draws 3 feet.

For more info: https://www.fishhighhook.com/

FT 04 Full Day

Whale Watch

Date: Thursday, July 17

Time:  8:00 AM – 2:30 PM

Participants:  Min. 4; Max. 14

Trip Leader: Virge Kask

Cost:  $160

• Four-hour Whale Watch Boat trip
• Van leaves at 8:00 am for the 30-minute ride to Plymouth, Mass.
• Witness Gentle Giants in Plymouth! Enjoy a four-hour whale watch boat trip from 9:00 am-1:00 pm on a Captain John boat.
  

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Knowledgeable naturalists will guide you on a four-hour experience that is educational, exciting and exhilarating. Imagine yourself within feet of some of the rarest, most graceful mammals in the world. The whale watching excursions depart from Town Wharf in Plymouth and give you the opportunity to view sights you’ll never forget.

Join Captain John on the journey as they head out to Cape Cod Bay and Stellwagen Bank, a marine sanctuary and one of the primary feeding grounds for humpback whales, finback whales, pilot whales, minke whales, and the endangered right whales.

What to Bring:

• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, camera, binoculars, dress appropriately for weather

Things to Know:

• Dress warm! On-water temps are generally 10-15 degrees cooler than land.
• Be prepared if prone to sea sickness
• CASH ONLY is accepted on board the boat.
• GNSI group trip, reservations will be made for the group by GNSI once we know how many participants are signed up.

Lunch: 

• Box Lunch or there is full galley service on board where you can purchase hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, and a variety of snacks.
• Hot and cold beverages are available, and those 21 and over can purchase alcoholic beverages.
• The state liquor license prohibits you from bringing your own alcohol on the boat.

More information: https://www.captjohn.com/

The Roger Williams Park Conservancy is an elaborately landscaped 427-acre city park in Providence, RI and consists of several attractions including:

• The Botanical Center which is New England’s largest glasshouse display garden and outdoor gardens.
• The Museum of Natural History and Planetarium - For more than a century, the museum has served as a unique educational, scientific and cultural resource by offering exciting exhibits such as Flight of the Dinosaurs: Origins of Birds.
• Roger Williams Park Zoo, Home to over 100 rare and fascinating species from around the world.
• Victorian Rose Garden, there since the 1880s and Japanese Garden build in 1936.

There are multiple locations:

• Botanical Center, 1 Floral Ave. Providence, RI 02905
• Museum of Natural History & Planetarium, follow signs once in park
• Roger Williams Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave. Providence, RI 0290
  
  

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes, camera, sketch materials

Things to Know:

• There is no smoking, e-cigarettes, or alcohol allowed in the park.
• No drones are allowed at the zoo.
• By entering the zoo, and/or participating in one of our Education programs on grounds, you grant permission for the Roger Williams Park Zoo to use your image for promotional purposes.

Lunch: 

• Box lunch or local restaurant

Map of the Park: https://www.rwpconservancy.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/rwp-8.5x11-map.pdf

More information: https://www.rwpconservancy.org 
For information about the Zoo, please visit RWPzoo.org.

Through our exhibits and experiences, research, and advocacy work, we aim to inspire people to form a deeper connection to the ocean and take action to protect it.

We will meet as a group at 8.45 AM to walk together to MBTA Commuter Rail platform on East Campus for the 50 minute trip to South Station (8 stops). An easy 20-minute walk (0.8 mi) to the New England Aquarium.

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes, camera, sketch materials

Things to Know:

• During your visit to the New England Aquarium, you may be filmed, videotaped, or photographed by or on behalf of the New England Aquarium. Your admission to the Aquarium serves as permission for use of your image by the New England Aquarium.
• Any bag larger than 12” x 12” x 12” will not be permitted in the Aquarium main building and the Simons Theatre, with the exception of diaper bags and carriers for medical supplies. Bags, strollers, backpacks, and packages are subject to inspection.

Lunch: 

• Box lunch or enjoy lunch at the Harborview Cafe in the Aquarium.

More information: https://www.neaq.org/

The Bridgewater State University Natural History Collection (BSUNH) is a hidden gem nestled on the campus of Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Since its founding in the mid-1960s, the collection has been dedicated to inspiring curiosity, advancing scientific education, and celebrating the rich natural history of Massachusetts. Home to approximately 5,000 preserved specimens—including mammals, fish, birds, invertebrates, an extensive herbarium, and a living plant collection—BSUNH offers a fascinating glimpse into the natural world and the region’s flora and fauna. Visitors are invited to explore, sketch, and photograph our specimens on display and those hidden in the collection rooms. Whether you're a student, researcher, artist, or nature enthusiast, we welcome you to discover the wonders of our collection!

Looking for an easy yet interesting activity with an opportunity to sketch and shoot reference photos?
Join other members for these free, on-campus guided tours! Thirty-minute tour times will be alternating between the Natural History Collection and the Greenhouse beginning at 1:00 pm so you can visit both collections.

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes, camera, sketch materials 
  

Timeslots (max. 10 participants per time slot, please only register for one time slot to allow more participants to join the tours):

• BSU Natural History Collection Tour:
• 1:00–1:30 PM
• 2:00–2:30 PM
• 3:00–3:30 PM
• BSU Green House Tour:
• 1:30–2:00 PM
• 2:30–3:00 PM
• 3:30–4:00 PM
  

The mission of the Harvard Museums of Science & Culture (HMSC) is to foster curiosity and a spirit of discovery in visitors of all ages, enhancing public understanding of and appreciation for the natural world, science, and human cultures. HMSC works in concert with Harvard faculty, museum curators, and students, as well as with members of the extended Harvard community, to provide interdisciplinary exhibitions, events and lectures, and educational programs for students, teachers, and the general public. HMSC draws primarily upon the extensive collections of the member museums and the research of their faculty and curators.

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes, camera, sketch materials

How to get there:

• The MBTA commuter rail train leaves at 8:55 from the Bridgewater Station, take the JFK/UMass (Middlebourough/Lakeville Line)
• Buy a ticket for Zone 6 to 1 for $21.00 roundtrip, Get off at South Station (8 stops, 53 min)
• Then transfer to the Boston subway called the T, take the Red Line to Harvard University, then walk to 26 Oxford St. Cambridge, MA (22 min)
• It’s not a bad walk with lots of Harvard to see along the way.

Lunch: 

Box lunch or Clover Lab located in the Harvard Science Center offering unique and delicious vegetarian dishes that change daily. A truly wonderful eating experience!

Also on the grounds of Harvard is the Houghton Library (free) with many interesting special exhibits of rare papers & collectables and the Harvard Art Museum (free).

More information:
hmnhreserve@hmsc.harvard.edu
https://www.hmnh.harvard.edu/plan-your-visit

Travel back into History with our experienced Guides, this tour will begin at the historic Tremont Nail Company State Kayak launch only 15 minutes away from Cape Cod and Sagamore Bridges, the beautiful Agawam River is 10 miles long and is part of the Wareham Estuary. We will paddle the Wareham River a short distance and meet up with the Wild and Scenic Agawam River. We will continue our journey on the Agawam which is home to many species of fish and wildlife including Osprey, Red Tail Hawk, Swans, Cormorants, a variety of ducks, turtles and more. The original building of the Tremont Nail Company was constructed by shipwrights in the early 1800's as a cotton mill. It was partially burned by the British in the War of 1812, then rebuilt and purchased by Issac and Jared Pratt in 1819 to manufacture nails. The mill was partially destroyed by fire again in 1836. Reconstruction was completed in 1848 and the mill stands today as it did then, without any significant changes over the past 150 years. There are 60 nail machines in the mill, many over 125 years old. The main mill is one of five buildings on the site.

Begins at the historic Tremont Nail Co. and continues for 10 miles. Tours go out rain or shine, unless dangerous and they cancel, then fully refunded.

What to Bring:

• Get wet clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat 

Lunch: 

• Bring food and drinks

More information: http://www.nemasketkayak.com/nkc-agawam-river-tour.html