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Conservationist Anne Garnett Leaving Aquidneck Land Trust
Has Served as Executive Director Since 2000
A conservationist and champion of environmental causes, Anne Garnett is stepping down as executive director of the Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT), a post she has held since 2000.
While at the helm of ALT, Garnett put her wealth of environmental, organizational, and development experience to work, helping to bring in record amounts of acreage and funding to further the non-profit's mission.
During Garnett's five-year tenure, ALT:
- nearly tripled its conserved acres
- doubled its general operating reserves
- established three endowment funds
- enhanced community awareness of land conservation
- produced a comprehensive five-year strategic plan
- developed a strong regional reputation for conservation leadership.
Under her leadership, ALT conserved well-known and much-loved iconic parcels on the Island, including Nunes Farm on Wyatt Road and Kempenaar Valley in Middletown, Town Pond in Portsmouth, and Miantonomi Park in Newport. Garnett has also focused on Escobar farm in Portsmouth, which is slated to be preserved in September.
"The board of trustees, staff and membership of the Aquidneck Land Trust owe Anne a debt of gratitude for leading the Land Trust through a period of extraordinary growth and change," said ALT Board Chair Alison Vareika. "Her record of accomplishment speaks for itself."
Demonstrating her avid support for ALT, Garnett has agreed to serve as a consultant to the Land Trust for six months and has been elected to serve on the ALT Board of Advisors.
"I will always be devoted to the mission, staff and leadership of the Land Trust," Garnett said. "I,m very proud of what we achieved at the Land Trust and have been honored to serve as its executive director. The legacy of more than 1200 conserved acres is a lasting tribute to all who love Aquidneck Island."
At the Land Trust Alliance,s 2004 National Conference in Providence, Garnett ensured a lead role for ALT by delivering the keynote introduction and having ALT staff members conduct a Conference workshop. With approximately 1,600 land trusts nationwide, the National Conference attracted more than 2,100 environmentalists to Rhode Island.
Garnett was an active member of the executive committee that organized two statewide open space bond campaigns, resulting in the overwhelming passage in 2004 of the $70 million open space, recreation and Bay bond, and in 2000 of the $34 million open space bond. A Jamestown resident, Garnett serves on the Rhode Island Land Trust Council Board of Directors.
Garnett,s 27 years of professional experience have also included serving as senior managing director at the Rhode Island Zoological Society and Save The Bay's Director of Development. She holds a Masters in Marine Affairs degree from the University of Rhode Island. Her unique combination of management, organizational, and fundraising skills and her environmental expertise made her a natural choice to lead ALT.
Edward S. Clement, Jr., Esq., ALT,s Land Protection Director, will serve as interim executive director while a search is conducted for a new executive director. Clement has overseen ALT's land acquisition and stewardship programs since August 2000. While at Vermont Law School, he worked in the Vermont Land Trust's stewardship and legal departments. He has worked as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand and as an environmental educator for the Outward Bound School.
Founded as an all-volunteer effort in 1990, the Aquidneck Land Trust is one of 45 land trusts in Rhode Island. Its mission is to preserve the Island,s open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community. The Aquidneck Land Trust is a 501(C) 3 non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org.
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