Dear ALT Supporter:

I am writing this letter because I would like to explain the significance and meaning of the Aquidneck Land Trust's 2006 summer gala, Fiesta Verde: Treasured Island, which is scheduled for 7:00pm this Saturday, July 22nd at Fort Adams in Newport.

Fiesta Verde: Treasured Island will be more than just another summer party. We hope it will raise almost forty percent of the funds needed for the Land Trust's general operations. Therefore, this event is to substantially support the basic infrastructure of the Land Trust which enables the organization to protect more of our Island home at this perilous time of intense development pressure which threatens Aquidneck Island's beauty and long-term ecological sustainability. If you are on the fence about supporting Fiesta Verde: Treasured Island because you question how efficiently and meaningfully the Land Trust is able to use the charitable support it receives, consider the fact that with community support the Land Trust has already permanently conserved over 567 treasured acres on Aquidneck Island this year.

The Treasured Island theme for this year's Fiesta Verde has a special meaning which subtly conveys the answer to so many of the environmental woes our world faces. This answer has been articulated by many of the great minds in the environmental movement. Wendell Berry wrote, "We know enough of our own history by now to be aware that people exploit what they merely have concluded to be of value, but they defend what they love." Aldo Leopold wrote, "We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect." In other words, we must begin to treasure our planet and its natural treasures, including Aquidneck Island, because love is the foundation of proper environmental stewardship.

As the old environmental slogan states, "Think globally, act locally." Thus, if you treasure Aquidneck Island in the way called for by Berry, Leopold and others, I urge you to support Fiesta Verde: Treasured Island, in whatever way you can, before time runs out. To support this important event, please visit www.aquidnecklandtrust.org or call Megan Andersen at 401-849-2799 ext. 19.

Edward Sortwell Clement, Jr.
Executive Director, Aquidneck Land Trust

The Aquidneck Land Trust’s mission is to preserve Aquidneck Island’s open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community. The Land Trust has conserved over 1,855 acres on Aquidneck Island. This year alone, the Land Trust has conserved over 567 acres. The Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For more information, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org or call (401) 849-2799.