Making nature whimsical in Rhode Island

Part scavenger hunt and part nature hike, the RIWalks Challenge encourages people to explore Rhode Island land trust trails. Hikers search for 30 nature-inspired “creatures” hidden along the trails, from a Sweetgum seed pod to a Chanterelle mushroom.

“The program was designed by the Rhode Island Land Trust Council to motivate people and families to get outdoors and take walks. We also hope that this will connect new people with land trusts and their trails,” says Rupert Friday, the organization’s executive director until his recent retirement.

Each hidden item, designed as colorful steel pieces by artist Greg Rebis, has a QR code for participants to scan on their smart phones to track what they have found. The creature sculptures were intended to “elicit a sense of wonder, surprise and mystery,” says Rebis. “The resulting designs are whimsical characters — an anthropomorphization that dances between fantasy and reality — to appeal to the imagination and let people relate to our native flora while out in nature.”

The RIWalks website features a list of trails where the creatures are hidden (riwalks.org/challenge.php). Participants are encouraged to share their photos on Instagram and Facebook using the hashtag #RIWalksChallenge.

RIWalks is a program coordinated by the Rhode Island Land Trust Council that encourages people to get outdoors, take walks and enjoy the many special places conserved by municipalities and land trusts.