The Ocean State is rich with natural treasures, and many would agree that Aquidneck Island is one of its crown jewels. Among its brightest gems is the teardrop-shaped Norman Bird Sanctuary, which has welcomed residents and visitors of all ages for nearly a century.
A Modern-Day Natural Gem Formed Over Millennia
According to the organization’s website, the Purgatory Formation—known today as Hanging Rock—was formed more than 250 million years ago through geological shifts and erosion. Shell middens found on the land, made up of shells left behind by coastal communities, suggest Native peoples such as the Wampanoag once lived, hunted, and farmed here.
In the early 18th century, after colonists claimed the land through the King’s charters, the property became known as “Sachuest Farm.” It changed hands among the Smith, Gardiner, and Allen families over the next two centuries and was used primarily for sheep farming before being purchased by the Norman family in 1878.
A 20th Century Transformation
George H. Norman was a newspaper owner (and helped found The Newport Daily News in 1846) as well as a prominent property holder.
His youngest child, Mabel, the last of nine children born to George and his wife Abby, was born in Newport in May 1876.
When Mabel was very young, her father purchased Paradise Farm to secure water rights for what would later become Newport Water Works, which was eventually sold to the City of Newport.
As a young heiress with a passion for nature, Mabel studied art at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She became known for her portrait work, with some pieces now displayed at the Newport Art Museum.
After her father’s death in 1900 and her elder brother’s passing eight years later, Mabel purchased the Paradise Farm property in 1908. She enjoyed painting and birdwatching from a small barn she relocated to the land, while envisioning her new home as a wildlife and bird sanctuary for others to enjoy.
The Ornithologist and the Ophthalmologist
While traveling abroad to study art around 1915-16, she met and later married an Italian ophthalmologist and archaeologist philosopher, Dr. George Cerio, who hailed from a prominent family on the island of Capri. For the next three decades the couple would live between their homes in Capri and Middletown. During the summer months while in Rhode Island, Mabel would make progress on her dream of curating a bird sanctuary.
Fulfilling Her Dream
Upon Mabel’s death in late 1949, a bequest was made by her will to maintain the land “for the propagation, preservation, and protection of birds, and where birds and bird life may be observed, studied, taught and enjoyed by lovers of nature.”
In 1955, the “Sanctuary Committee,” which was formed to help manage the property’s future” hired renowned ornithologist James Baird to serve as its first Executive Director. Their inaugural summer camp for students was held in 1959.
Today’s Sanctuary Stewards
Joye Whitney currently serves as NBS’ Director of Horticulture and Conservation. When asked what programs are most popular with Aquidneck Island residents, and which programs attract visitors, she explained, “Aquidneck Island residents tend to gravitate toward our recurring, community-centered programs. Our free weekly Wednesday Walks and bi-weekly Sunday Bird Walks have developed a very loyal following over the years, with many people returning week after week. Our seasonal walks like the Owl Prowls and Woodcock Walks are also especially popular, drawing everyone from seasoned birders to people who are just figuring out how to use their binoculars.”
The 45-minute Wednesday Walks and biweekly Sunday Bird Walks cover the 300 acres of protected land, including six miles of hiking trail system that comprise the coastal property. They are led by expert staff members in a variety of fields. The Sunday Bird Walks have been led by NBS’ Assistant Director of Conservation, Jay Manning, for more than 25 years. Whitney says Manning’s combined knowledge of ornithology and history makes for an informative and entertaining walk for all levels of bird watching enthusiasts. Birds are identified by call, by season and, of course, by sight when using binoculars. Eastern Towhees, Tree Swallows, White-Eyed Vireos, a variety of Hawk species may be some of the birds seen when walking the property.
Looking toward the future, Whitney shared that the organization is currently developing two new conservation monitoring programs: Wildlife Monitoring and Water Quality Monitoring. These respective teams’ dedicated staff will collect data about the mammals that live on the land they are protecting so the teams can best manage and support their habitats, as well as understand their watersheds (i.e., ponds, streams and salt water).
Membership and Annual Celebrations
In addition to an annual membership program, the organization is supported by annual fundraisers and events. “The annual Beach Bash and Harvest Fair events are by far the most popular for both residents and visitors,” Whitney shared. “They’ve become local traditions and draw a wide mix of people each year. These events are classics for a reason: they’re fun, feel-good, and offer a great look at the Sanctuary and the importance of the work that we do. They also give people a chance to experience the property in a different way – whether that’s seine fishing with our educators on the beach during Beach Bash or jumping into the mud pit at Harvest Fair,” she added.
This year, Beach Bash will take place on July 29th, and Harvest Fair will be held October 3-4.
The Heart of the Mission: Education
True to Mabel’s vision, education and appreciation for nature continue to be at the heart of all programming. Through school partnerships, guided hikes, field trips, camps, and the Sanctuary’s Curiosity Lab, the organization provide hands-on opportunities for children to explore nature and build a lasting connection to the environment. Whitney shared that each year the organization provides educational outreach to more than 5,000 students. In addition to the local public-school systems, as well as community partners such as STAR Kids and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center, the Deaconess School of Fall River among other local organizations that share their mission of educating about, and preserving, our local natural habitats.
In addition to their year-round staff of 20 full and part-time employees, and hundreds of volunteers who help monitor the trails and support the Curiosity Lab, they have volunteer Assistant Naturalists in Training (ANT) that support their 8-week summer camp program. The URI Master Gardener’s program helps sustain their Good Garden, which grows and donates 2,000 pounds of fresh vegetables, herbs and cut flowers to the Dr. Martin Luther King Center Jr. Food Pantry.
For more information about the Norman Bird Sanctuary, visit their website, or go take a hike!
Michele Gallagher is an advocate of local businesses, community leaders, and non-profits and is the founder of City-by-the-Sea Communications.
