Roger Williams University Engineering Students Restore Access to Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve in Barrington

Partnering with the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, students are restoring public access to the Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve through a hands-on engineering project.

By Maeva Thompson ‘25
Students taking measurements for new foot bridge.
RWU students examined the washed-out bridge at the Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve in Barrington, R.I., before taking measurements of the inlet which the bridge will span. Image Credit: Cindy Elder ’87

BRISTOL, R.I. – Roger Williams University Engineering students are restoring public access to the Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve in Barrington, R.I., by designing and building a new 50-foot pedestrian bridge after the previous bridge was destroyed by a storm in December 2022. The project is being completed in partnership with the Barrington Land Conservation Trust. 

“The installation of this bridge is going to be huge for public access, our educational programs, and research projects,” said Cindy Elder ’87, Executive Director of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust and a member of the RWU Board of Advisors. 

What began as a student design project has evolved into a multiyear construction effort. The initiative gives Engineering Club members the opportunity to apply engineering concepts in a real-world setting while serving a local community partner.   

Under the guidance of Professor of Engineering Charles Thomas, students have surveyed the site, determined the materials needed, built bridge trusses, and worked alongside faculty mentors and professional engineers throughout construction.  

“It is really the students who drive the work,” Thomas said. “They have been intimately involved in every stage of the project.” 

RWU Engineering students are designing and building a new 50-foot pedestrian bridge for the Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve in Barrington, R.I., in partnership with the Barrington Land Conservation Trust. Image Credit: Cindy Elder ’87

 

A recent $30,000 grant from 11th Hour Racing to the Barrington Land Conservation Trust has helped move the project forward by funding materials, equipment rentals, professional services, and other construction costs. The grant also paid for an auger, allowing students to install the bridge's foundation much faster. 

“The grant is helping the project because without the auger, we would most likely have to dig the holes by hand using shovels,” said Engineering Club President Victor Ferreira, a junior Engineering major from Acushnet, Mass. “It speeds up the process exponentially.”  

For students, the effort provides an opportunity to apply classroom learning to a real-world construction project while making a lasting impact on the community. 

“Learning how to use the jigsaw and build trusses has been one of my favorite experiences,” said Gianna Wesling, a sophomore Engineering major from Tiverton, R.I., and the Engineering Club’s public relations chair. 

Construction is expected to be completed in summer 2027. Once finished, the bridge will restore public access to the preserve while demonstrating how Roger Williams University students use engineering skills to solve real-world challenges and strengthen community partnerships. 

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