Immersed in Environmental Education
The mission of the Audubon Society of Rhode Island is to protect birds, other wildlife and their habitats through conservation, education and advocacy for the benefit of people and all living things.
The Audubon Environmental Education Center, located in Bristol, RI is a state-of-the-art natural history museum and aquarium – offering many natural wonders for the public to explore. It is a vital education resource for students, families, adults and educators across the state.
Audubon leads school field trips, camps and numerous environmental programs on this 28-acre wildlife refuge with trails through various habitats leading to Narragansett Bay. The Champlin Foundation has been a major partner in sustaining and improving community access to the Center. The foundation not only provided initial support for the construction of the Center in 1999, but has also continued with funding for upgrades to the facility. Projects have included construction of the boardwalk to Narragansett Bay, parking lot improvements, and upgrades to the aquarium system to improve the marine life environment and energy efficiency. Most recently, the Champlin Foundation has funded the construction of an outdoor pavilion-style classroom for environmental programs and nature observation in the fields adjacent to the Center.
Since its opening, approximately 500,000 people have come to the Center to learn about their local environment and the variety of habitats and wildlife found in our state. Audubon is grateful for the support provided by the Champlin Foundation, which has enabled the Society to increase its capacity as an environmental resource for the community.