COMMUNITY RALLIES TO CONSERVE 28.76 +/- ACRES OF THE BROWN PROPERTY IN PORTSMOUTH 

On Wednesday, June 28, 2006, after an outpouring of public support, the Aquidneck Land Trust, Carolann Brown, and the Town of Portsmouth successfully conserved 28.76 +/- acres of Mrs. Brown’s former land on Sandy Point Avenue and Glen Farm Road in Portsmouth.  At the closing, the Land Trust received a perpetual Conservation Easement on the entire lot, excluding one acre retained by Mrs. Brown, while the Town of Portsmouth became the new landowner of the conserved land.

The land is very important from a conservation perspective.  This wooded parcel provides beautiful scenic vistas to passersby on Sandy Point Avenue and Glen Farm Road.  The property also affords superb scenic views to people recreating at the Town owned Glen property as these parcels are contiguous to one another.  Furthermore, the property has important wildlife habitat and water resource values.  The land may also be able to support a public nature trail.

Brown Property

Numerous people in the community rallied to help the Aquidneck Land Trust make this project a reality, especially Carolann Brown and the Town of Portsmouth.  Mrs. Brown recognized the importance of conserving the parcel at issue and agreed upon an overall reasonable purchase price of $300,000.  Later, Mrs. Brown pledged some of her own money to assist the Land Trust.  The Town of Portsmouth awarded $150,000 to the project from its open space fund.  Congressman Patrick Kennedy, the Aquidneck Island Horseman’s Association, Richard and Nina Smith, Holly Janney and Dan Keirns, and the Portsmouth Rotary Club all hosted separate fundraising events to support the Land Trust’s efforts to protect the property.  In all, many individuals and organizations made financial contributions to the Land Trust for the project.              

Ted Clement, Executive Director for the Aquidneck Land Trust, stated, “The successful conclusion of this transaction demonstrates the importance and power of land conservation which enables people to take charge and preserve the beauty and health of the environment which they live within and are a part of.  I would very much like to thank Carolann Brown, the Town of Portsmouth, Congressman Kennedy, the Aquidneck Island Horseman’s Association, Richard and Nina Smith, Holly Janney and Dan Keirns, the Portsmouth Rotary Club and everyone else who made a visionary, long-term and sustainable investment by contributing to this project.”

Carolann Brown noted that, “After traveling and living in many different places with my husband, a Naval aircraft carrier pilot, we discovered the unique charm, beauty and warmth of Portsmouth.  We are so blessed to be in such a special place.  My children, Allyson and Michael, are also partly responsible for this contribution, since it was their future land, so I would like to thank them.  I truly believe that the work that Ted and the Land Trust do is incredibly worthwhile and my children and I are thrilled to be part of it.  I also would like to thank the Town of Portsmouth, Congressman Kennedy and the wonderful people who hosted fundraising parties and made contributions to make this possible.”

Mary Ann Edwards, Portsmouth Town Council President, said that she is “Delighted to add this property to Glen Farm.  The acquisition protects the Farm from the threat of development along its southern boundary, and preserves a third of a mile of forest along the northern side of Sandy Point Avenue.”  She thanked the Land Trust and Ted Clement for their advocacy, initiative and support.  “Without the efforts of the Land Trust this probably would not have happened, and that would have been a shame.”

“I feel very fortunate to be part of a community like Portsmouth that truly appreciates the importance of land conservation,” said Congressman Kennedy.  “I offer my wholehearted support to the Aquidneck Land Trust.  By preserving land and preventing overdevelopment, the Land Trust is helping to secure the future of Aquidneck Island’s natural beauty.  I thank the Land Trust and its supporters for their continued commitment to preservation and conservation,” said Kennedy.      

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.