Don and Ray have offered this workshop annually since 1999, but never before in Rhode Island. We begin at the historic Valentine Whitman House with a review of our fern flora, the 68 species that are native to New England. After an introductory discussion, we display photographs, drawings, and frond silhouettes. Field ID techniques are reviewed. An outdoor field session follows at the Nature Conservancy's Lime Rock Preserve where dolomitic marble ledges produce a special calcareous soil that nurtures 30 rare plant species - more than any other site in Rhode Island. Beautiful ferns and wildflowers grow along ridges of recrystallized limestone. Geared to students with some experience and comfort in fern taxonomy. Bring a bag lunch and a hand lens.