The Aquidneck Land Trust has just received a $100,000 commitment
from Patricia and Philip Bilden toward the conservation of 125 +/-
acres of Swan Farm on Wapping Road in Portsmouth.
“We are very grateful to the Bildens for this major financial
commitment to our effort to conserve Swan Farm. It is our hope that
their leadership will set an example for others to follow in whatever
capacity they can as we have much time-sensitive work left to do,”
said Aquidneck Land Trust Executive Director Ted Clement.
In 2004, the Aquidneck Land Trust conducted an extensive mapping and
prioritization project that identified 500 threatened open space
parcels on Aquidneck Island. Using conservation criteria, the 500
properties were scored and narrowed down to a list of 100 priority
parcels, one of which was Swan Farm. Swan Farm scored highly because
of its numerous conservation values. The property, which affords the
community scenic vistas of its beautiful fields and forest from
Wapping Road, is adjacent to land already conserved by the Land Trust
and is strategically located within the Land Trust’s Sakonnet
Greenway. Swan Farm is very important from an agricultural perspective
because it contains acres and acres of Prime Farmland and Additional
Farmland of Statewide Importance as identified by the United States
Department of Agriculture. The property also has a number of important
wildlife habitat types including vernal pools, meadows, and the
largest remaining unprotected forest on Aquidneck Island that support various Rhode Island listed species such as the State
Endangered Northern Harrier.
In 2005, the Aquidneck Land Trust learned that Swan Farm was under
imminent threat of development. The Land Trust was able to secure an
Option Agreement on the property which gives the organization until
August 2008 to raise $3 million to purchase a permanent conservation
restriction on 125 +/- acres of Swan Farm.
Regarding the Bilden’s gift, Patricia Bilden said, “Aquidneck Island’s
beauty lies in the splendor of nature that surrounds it. We are
grateful to the Aquidneck Land Trust for the thoughtfulness they
demonstrate towards preserving the island for generations to enjoy.”
The Aquidneck Land Trust has now raised about $600,000 in cash and
pledges toward the $3 million Swan Farm project from over 30
individuals, four foundations and one governmental partner.
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 1,886 acres on Aquidneck
Island. The Land Trust is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For
more information about the Land Trust and its Swan Farm project, visit
www.AquidneckLandTrust.org.
