Edna Lawrence Nature Lab

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United States
Providence, RI
Edna Lawrence Nature Lab

Natural history collection fostering creative inquiry into biodesign, ecology, and climate change.

The Nature Lab is a unique resource that offers the opportunity to examine, explore and understand the patterns, structures and interactions of design in nature. Founded in 1937, its collections now contain more than 100,000 natural history objects.

05/18/2026

Stressed about finals? Take a moment this week to enjoy some complimentary tea and cookies in the Biodesign Makerspace, a room designed around biophilia— the science-backed phenomenon that spaces reminiscent of the natural world improve our emotional and psychological wellness🌱☕️🍪

05/15/2026

NOW HIRING: We’re looking for RISD undergrads who will be in Providence this summer to join us as Lab Assistants! We’re especially excited for applicants who will be sophomores in 2026-2027. Learn more and apply at the link in our bio. You can also print out an application and hand it in in person to our Lab Coordinators💐

05/13/2026

NEXT THURSDAY: Join the Nature Lab’s Collections Manager and Staff Biologist for a nighttime observation of the moths and other fluttering friends around the giant red oak outside Woods Gerry. This will be a relaxed event and perfect as a mid-finals studio break! 🦋

05/11/2026

Just launched! The Nature Lab, in collaboration with our partners at other RI-NEST institutions, has developed a free, asynchronous training program open to students and early-career professionals across Rhode Island. Modules provide training in art, science, design, leadership, and communication; and completing modules earns you special badges that can be added to your LinkedIn profile and email signature to signify your interdisciplinary skills! Interested in learning more and enrolling? Check it out at the link in our bio🔗🪺🎓

05/09/2026

Happy World Migratory Bird Day! 🪶

Each year, billions of birds travel thousands of miles across continents using celestial navigation, Earth’s magnetic field, coastlines, and seasonal wind patterns to reach breeding and wintering grounds. Some species seen in Rhode Island travel over 8,000 miles annually along the Atlantic Flyway.

Learn more, get involved, and help protect migratory birds: eBird.org, a project by CornellLab  Audubon Society of Rhode Island American Bird Conservancy for Bird-Safe Window Tips  Congress of the Birds

05/08/2026

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: The HMG Regeneration Studio is accepting applications for its Fall 2026 Regeneration Studio! Students will “explore mobility design through the examination of natural environments, systems, processes, and organisms, with the intent to design a more circular and less harmful human-planet relationship.”🚙🌿🧪

This course is open to both undergraduate and graduate students; learn more by checking out the application at the link in our bio🔗 The Regeneration Studio will also offer a virtual info session for interested students next Wednesday, and the link to sign up is on the application form.

05/01/2026

THANK YOU to everyone who came and saw our exhibition BioPossibilities last week in the Waterman Gallery! It was wonderful to see the work of 40+ RISD students, faculty, and staff all in conversation around material circularity and the use of bio-based materials. Did you see the show? Tell us about your favorite piece(s) in the comments below!⬇️

04/29/2026

To close out April, we’re thinking about sassafras albidum! This suckering-species with heterophyllus leaves brings us both root beer and gumbo. If you’re interested in seeing one of the state’s most notable sassafras trees in person, you can visit a 57-foot specimen on Forest Avenue in Swan Point Cemetery.
🦋🍃🍺🪵

04/28/2026

RISD FACULTY: Join the Nature Lab and the Teaching & Learning Lab for a faculty-specific workshop on incorporating regenerative materials into your courses. Held in the Biodesign Makerspace on Thursday, May 14, advance RSVP is requested at the link in our bio🌱♻️🧫

Address

13 Waterman Street
Providence, RI
02903

Telephone

+14014546451

Website

http://naturelab.risd.edu/

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