Join Metcalf Institute on Wednesday, Oct. 14, for our annual Fall Lecture highlighting the URI Digital Writing Environments, Location, & Localization Lab (DWELL Lab)’s North Woods Field Guide project. In a two-part event, the DWELL Lab team will lead an interactive walk through the North Woods, followed by a conversation about the field guide and a zine-making activity.
From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., RISD student and DWELL Lab team member Ellie Lin will lead participants on a walk through the North Woods, located on URI’s Kingston campus. This walk will explore the rich ecology, human history, and significance of the North Woods as a communal space. Following the Narragansett Story Walk, participants will also have the opportunity to sketch, reflect, and immerse themselves in the environment. Meet in front of the Coastal Institute Building, 1 Greenhouse Road, Kingston, R.I. 02881. (Please note this is the Coastal Institute on the Kingston campus, not Narragansett!)
From 6 to 7:30 p.m., join us for a conversation, reception, and zine-making at Toray Commons, The Fascitelli Center for Advanced Engineering, 2 East Alumni Avenue, Kingston, R.I. 02881. The conversation will focus on the creation of the first edition of the North Woods Field Guide, featuring Lin; Madison Jones, associate professor of science communication and director of the DWELL Lab; Bonnie Phillips, ecoRI News editor, North Woods Field Guide partner, and a URI alum; and Stephanie West-Puckett, URI associate professor of professional and public writing, who’s leading the creation of the guide; and moderated by Metcalf Executive Director Fara Warner.
After the discussion and audience Q&A, attendees are invited to create zines documenting their experiences, also led by Lin.
This event, as part of Metcalf's 2026 Annual Public Lecture Series, is free and open to the public. Notebooks and writing utensils will be provided for the walk as well as materials to make the zines.
Parking: Here’s a campus map for reference. If you’re attending the North Woods walk, you’re welcome to try and find an empty parking spot outside the Coastal Institute building (labeled Lot 9). If the lot is full, proceed to the Fine Arts parking lot (Lot 6). If you’re attending the conversation at Toray Commons, the Fine Arts parking lot is recommended.
With questions, contact Mel Thibeault, Metcalf’s Donor & Alumni Engagement Manager, at mel.thibeault@uri.edu.
The University of Rhode Island encourages all people to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about accessibility inclusion, please contact Mel Thibeault at mel.thibeault@uri.edu.
We encourage all individuals seeking an accommodation to reach out as early as possible in advance of the event as the University's ability to provide a requested accommodation may be impacted by the timing of the request. Reasonable accommodations are offered at no cost and are available upon request.
