Exploring Forest Recovery at the Hickory Dickory Nature Walk
On October 4, 2025, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) hosted the Hickory Dickory Nature Walk at Neutaconkanet Park in Providence. This event, part of our Nuestros Bosques initiative, invited community members to explore a recovering oak-hickory forest and learn about the complex ecosystems that make up our urban woodlands.
The forest we visited is still recovering from a fire earlier this year. Participants had the chance to learn about forest succession—how forests recover after disturbances—and discover the richness of understory plants, edible and medicinal species, and the diversity of life in just one square foot of soil. Many attendees shared their knowledge and curiosity, including a guest fascinated by lichens and an environmental educator who shared insights on maple tapping.
During the leisurely half-mile walk, participants identified different types of trees, noting subtle differences between species. Special thanks to Tonay from the Providence Neighborhood Planting Program, who guided attendees in recognizing medicinal and edible plants and helped with tree identification. Highlights included spotting hop hornbeam, alternate-leaf dogwood, and various sumac species. At one point, the group even held an impromptu tree-hugging session, celebrating the beauty of the forest and its recovering ecosystem.
As Kuno Haimbodi, WRWC Tree Specialist, noted, “It was beautiful to see folks surprised by the diversity of life that can fill one square foot of soil. City trees are often grown in isolation, but here we could see the interconnectedness of nature in action.”
This walk was a perfect way to prepare for WRWC’s fall 2025 tree and shrub planting events