Last modified: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 2:31 PM EDT Denise Turcotte, left, and Diane West get the children at New Dawn Earth Center to feel the ‘heartbeat of Mother Earth.’ (Staff photo by Martin Gavin) A New Dawn in Cumberland BY REBECCA KEISTER CUMBERLAND, R.I. - Go ahead and call them tree huggers. No, really, go ahead. After all, they already call themselves that. And ask them - this small group of elementary school students - to actually go outside and hug a tree and the only thing you'll hear is an enthusiastic response in unison as they barely breathe before running out the door. That's just how it is at the New Dawn Earth Center. Founded in September 2006 by the Sisters of Mercy, the center is a response to what they saw as a need for Earth education and appreciation. It's run by Denise Turcotte, who lives at the center and has devoted her life to the cause. "I just love the Earth," Turcotte said. "I have a passion. It's just in me. It's hard to say." Her friends - who recently were at the center visiting - tell her there's no way she could do anything else. And that's good, because running the center - with the assistance of some part-time staff and volunteers - is quite the undertaking. The center sits on 240 acres of land owned by the Sisters of Mercy, and though Turcotte isn't responsible for maintaining it, she is responsible for utilizing it. She does that through an ambitious schedule of family, children and adult programs. "The idea, basically, is to educate about Earth and bring out this whole idea that everything is interconnected," she said. "First people have to appreciate nature, fall in love with it, understand it and then take care of it. There's a progression there." The land is filled with woods, wetlands, vernal pools, trails, gardens and ponds. Turcotte, who hold's a master's degree in environmental education and previously taught Earth science and ecology at the college level, was persuaded to apply for the job through one of the Sisters of Mercy. Originally there was to be a partner for her, but that woman decided to take a different path in life and Turcotte decided to give it a go on her own. "I really want people to fall in love with the land and appreciate it for the future generation," she said. "At this point in time, with where we are with our global climate, we really need to think about our life choices." That's especially relevant for Turcotte and the center as Earth Day approaches on April 22. And while there aren't any adult events planned for that day, there are two days planned in May that resonate: a carbon footprint workshop on May 15 that will teach people simple steps they can take to lessen their own carbon footprint; and "Signs of Hope for Earth" on May 29 about America's religious environmental movement. In the meantime, there are plenty of April activities for everyone in the family, including after school programs for children. There are also regular family hikes, full-moon hikes and special programs held throughout the year to mark the changing seasons. Last week, a group of children from the nearby Mercymount Country Day School stopped in for an afternoon visit, taking in the center's resource room full of candles, shells, diagrams, books, magazines and musical instruments meant for public education. Turcotte and Diane West, the center's ecology educator, led the children in their trademark heartbeat-of-Mother-Earth exercise, in which Turcotte beats a drum to the tune of a heartbeat and asks the children to listen to their own heartbeats at the same time and look for a connection. She asks the kids - whom she greeted with a warm, "Hi sweeties" - to think about how Mother Earth is alive like they are, and name things she has given to them. They respond, naming things like grass, animals, trees and people. Turcotte said that since the center opened, attendance is high and public response is encouraging. "We try to reach a number of different people," she said. "I think there's an urgent need for centers like this." REBECCA KEISTER can be reached at 508-236-0336 or at rkeister@thesunchronicle.com. Celebrate Earth Day at these nearby places Oak Knoll Wildlife Sanctuary 1417 Park St., Attleboro 508-223-3060; http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Oak_Knoll/index.php Just a short distance from downtown Attleboro, Oak Knoll features woodlands that are welcoming to visitors year-round. Staff lead nature walks throughout the year. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, noon to 4 p.m.; trails are open every day, dawn to dusk. Admission is free. An Earth Day event is being held Saturday, April 26 from noon to 4 p.m. for children ages 3-16; “Story of Stuff” will feature hands-on activities, crafts and discovery stations. Participants will explore where all our stuff comes from, what it’s made of and what happens when we throw it away. Treats, birdhouses and guide walks also included. Admission is free, registration is required. Caratunk Wildlife Refuge 301 Brown Avenue, Seekonk 508-761-8230; www.asri.org/refuges/caratunk-wildlife-refuge.html Established in 1971, trails at Caratunk weave through nearly 200 acres of fields, forests and wetlands open to hiking, bird watching, nature study, photography, ski touring and snowshoeing. Educational programs, children’s summer camps and public environmental programs are held year-round. Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary 108 North St., Norfolk 508-528-3140; http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Stony_Brook/index.php An extensive — and picturesque — boardwalk allows visitors to follow the edge of Teal Marsh for views of turtles, fish, muskrats and great blue herons. Summer lends well to the butterfly garden. The sanctuary adjoins Bristol Blake State Reservation. Nature Center and Trail Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July-August only: Also open on Monday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Trails: Open every day, dawn to dusk. Admission is $4 for nonmember adults; $3 for nonmember children (3-12) and seniors. Classes and events available on the sanctuary’s Web site. Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary 293 Moose Hill St., Sharon 781-784-5691; http://www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/Sanctuaries/Moose_Hill/index.php Moose Hill is Mass Audubon’s oldest sanctuary and sits on nearly 2,000 acres, with a 25-mile trail system that takes visitors through diverse habitats and offerings change throughout the seasons. Art exhibits are shown September through June, and the gift shop is open year-round. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Trails: Open every day, dawn to dusk. Admission is $4 for nonmember adults; $3 for nonmember children (3-12) and seniors. Visit Web site for programs and exhibits. New Dawn Earth Center 75 Wrentham Road, Cumberland, R.I. 401-333-1341; www.newdawnearthcenter.org A Mercy Northeast Ecology Project site that offers educational and experimental programs, indoor programs, outdoor events on 240 acres of land. Hours and admission vary with events. Check Web site for updated list of family, children and adult-specific events. Phantom Farms 2920 Diamond Hill Road (Route 114) Cumberland, R.I. 401-333-2240; http://phantomfarms.com Monday-Friday 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. A popular apple orchard and country farm stand, featuring over 15 varieties of apples grown on site. Farm stand offers country bake and gift shop, garden center and flower shop. Visit Web site for family events.