2007 Land Matters Walk & Talk Series

The Aquidneck Land Trust’s 2007 Land Matters Walk & Talk Series will highlight some of the spectacular and irreplaceable natural resources that we are working to protect here on Aquidneck Island including Wildlife, Water, Recreation, Agriculture and Scenic Vistas. The purpose of this program is to give the public the opportunity to get out on the parcels we work to protect so that people can better connect with nature and the Land Trust’s work.  We believe that experiential education is the most powerful form of environmental education.

 Farmscapes - Saturday, May 5th

Come see the largest unconserved and unfragmented forest on Aquidneck Island. This property also contains acres and acres of Prime Farmland and Additional Farmland of Statewide Importance.  This 125 acre parcel was under direct threat of development and is currently the focus of a major time sensitive initiative by the Land Trust to raise $3,000,000.00 to permanently protect this property through a conservation restriction. Conservation biologist Linda Steere will point out some of the natural features which make this site so unique.

We will meet Saturday, May 5th at 9:00 a.m. on Wapping Road, where the old farm stand used to be. For those not familiar with this location, it is on the east side of the road across from 953 Wapping Road a short distance north of where Old Mill Rd intersects.  Space is limited, please make reservations. 

Miantonomi Memorial Park & Sunset Hill - Saturday, July 28th

Join us for a tour of Miantonomi Memorial Park and the abutting Sunset Hill. Together these two properties cover about 36 acres and form the “green heart” of the densely populated North End of Newport.  In October 2006, the Aquidneck Land Trust and the City of Newport completed conserving these parcels with conservation easements. 

Miantonomi Tower, which sits atop one of the highest points on the island will be open to the public during the tour.  After enjoying the breathtaking views from the top of the tower we will accompany conservation biologist Carol Trocki on a walking tour to learn about the diverse variety of wildlife which call this park home.  We will also be joined by historian Kathy Abbass for a tour of the Revolutionary War earthworks which grace the site.

We will meet at the base of Miantonomi Tower on the main hill in the park on Saturday, July 28th. The Tower will open for visitors at 9:00 a.m. and the tour will start at 10:00 a.m.  Space is limited, please make reservations. 

 Town Pond - Sunday, September 9th

Tour the salt marsh restoration project which is nearing completion at Town Pond in Portsmouth, an area conserved by an Aquidneck Land Trust Conservation Easement. The Project is intended to restore the rich, natural salt marsh ecosystem that once existed on this site. The $3.5 million restoration is being accomplished through a public/private partnership among the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, R.I Department of Environmental Management, Narragansett Bay Estuary Program, Aquidneck Land Trust, and a variety of other organizations. Find out about this cooperative effort to restore a valuable part of our natural heritage.

The tour will be led by Tom Ardito, Director of Policy and Communications for the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program. Plan to meet Sunday, September 9th at 1 p.m. at the end of Bayview Road, rain or shine. Space is limited, please make reservations.

 Sakonnet Greenway Trail - Saturday, November 24th

Come celebrate the progress that has been made towards the completion of the Sakonnet Greenway Trail.  When completed, this first phase of the Sakonnet Greenway Trail will stretch approximately 2.8 miles from The Glen in Portsmouth to the northern boundary of the Orchard Course of the Newport National Golf Club.  When the entire trail is completed it will stretch approximately 7 miles and will form the longest public walking trail on Aquidneck Island.

We will meet Saturday, November 24th at 9:00 a.m., near the Brown House (It’s actually yellow) at The Glen in Portsmouth. Space is limited, please make reservations.

Please make reservations with Andy Arkway, Stewardship Director

at 401-849-2799 x14 or aarkway@ailt.org. 

All Land Matters Walk & Talk Series are FREE and Open to the Public!

Sturdy shoes and other appropriate outdoor clothing are strongly recommended as conditions can be rough and wet.

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 a total of over 1,886 acres on Aquidneck Island.  In 2006, the Land Trust conserved over 598 acres, the most acres ever conserved by the Land Trust in a single year since its inception about sixteen years ago.  The Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  For more information, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org or call (401) 849-2799.           

This email update has been sent to the entire Aquidneck Land Trust email list. Please let us know if you do not wish to receive these email updates by replying to this message. If you have any questions or comments, please call 401/849-2799 x19 or email mandersen@ailt.org