Norman Bird Sanctuary

Located in Middletown, RI, the Norman Bird Sanctuary is a non-profit wildlife sanctuary and environmental education center with more than 325 acres of diverse habitats and 7 miles of hiking trails.

Established in 1949 at the bequest of Mabel Norman Cerio, the Norman Bird Sanctuary, exists to maintain the land to protect the birds and wildlife habitats and be a place where nature could be enjoyed, observed, studied and taught.   Today the Sanctuary offers a robust calendar of year-round events ranging from nature hikes, eco tours, bird watching walks, as well as field trips for scouting and school groups.

Kaity Ryan, Executive Director

Kaity Ryan is a passionate preservation and conservation advocate. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit management to Norman Bird Sanctuary. Most recently, Ryan served as Deputy Chief of Staff for The Preservation Society of Newport County where she oversaw the organization’s policy and advocacy efforts for seven years.

A certified architectural historian with a master’s degree in Historic Preservation from the Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation, Ryan has lectured widely on the intersection of historic preservation and conservation.