Established in 1949 through a bequest made by Mabel Norman Cerio, Norman Bird Sanctuary's mission is to maintain the land “for the propagation, preservation, and protection of birds, and where birds and bird life may be observed, studied, taught, and enjoyed by lovers of nature and by the public generally so interested in a spirit of humanity and mercy.” Thanks to decades of community support, Norman Bird Sanctuary has grown 300 acres of thriving wildlife habitat and serves as a leader in Rhode Island environmental education. The Norman Bird Sanctuary is a community nonprofit organization that has impacted the quality of life on Aquidneck Island and across the state for more than 70 years. Historically, thousands of community members visit and learn at Norman Bird Sanctuary each ye