All of this year’s grant recipients were chosen because their proposed projects represent Peter Merritt’s vision of fostering a greater sense of community and connection to the land through small scale land conservation and beautification projects. This year’s grant awards will be used to expand community gardens that provide food to local shelters, creation of community gardens, creation of a water garden, installation of a well for garden irrigation, community clean up projects, and for wildlife education projects.

The Merritt Neighborhood Fund at the Aquidneck Land Trust was established in 1999 to honor the late Peter M. Merritt, the organization’s visionary Board President Emeritus, for his decade of leadership. The purpose of the fund is to provide modest ($100 – $2,500) grants to Aquidneck Island neighborhood and community groups. To date, the Merritt Fund has awarded $70,000 to over 40 local groups for community gardens, park revitalization, repair and purchase of playground equipment and for landscaping.

ALT’s time-sensitive mission is to conserve Aquidneck Island’s open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community. The organization has conserved over 2,387 acres on 66 properties on Aquidneck Island. ALT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the first land trust in Rhode Island to have received national accreditation. For more information, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org.

The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) is excited to invite you to the first 2012 Land Matters Walk & Talk property tour: Morton Park. The purpose of the Land Matters Walk & Talk Series is to give the public the opportunity to get out on the properties we have conserved, or are working to conserve, so that people can better connect with nature and ALT’s work. Please come prepared for a 1-2 hr. long tour. Sturdy shoes and appropriate outdoor clothing are strongly recommended.

Morton Park – Saturday, May 12th, 2012 at 9am

Morton Park was granted to the City of Newport by former Vice President of the United States, Levi P. Morton in 1886. On November 28, 2007, the City of Newport granted the development rights for Morton Park to the Aquidneck Land Trust to ensure that the land would always remain a public park. Please join us on a stroll through Morton Park’s urban arboretum and learn about some of the interesting trees that have shaded the park through its history.

This free tour will be led by Aquidneck Land Trust’s Stewardship, Director Sophia DeMaio. Plan to meet at 9am on Saturday, May 12 at the park entrance along Morton Avenue.

Please RSVP to Sophia DeMaio, Stewardship Director, at 401-849-2799 Ext. 14 or sdemaio@ailt.org.

The 2012 Walk & Talk Series will be led in conjunction with The Big Read. The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest (www.neabigread.org).

ALT’s time-sensitive mission is to conserve Aquidneck Island’s open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community.  The organization has conserved 2,386.50 acres on 66 properties on Aquidneck Island since 1990.  ALT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the first land trust in Rhode Island to have received national accreditation.  For more information, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org.

As always, thank you for your continued support
for conservation on our Island.

Thursday, May 31, 2012
5pm-7pm

Hop aboard an old-fashioned style trolley and discover the past, present and future of conservation on Aquidneck Island. Led by Executive Director Ted Clement, the tours visit protected working farms, wildlife habitats, outdoor recreation areas and scenic vistas on the Island. Discover first-hand the magnitude of ALT’s work, see our conservation projects up close and learn what’s at risk.

These tours are free and open to the public, but be sure to RSVP as space is limited (seating is on a first come first serve basis). Tours leave from the ALT offices promptly at 5pm and return about 7pm. Light refreshments are provided. For more information, or to reserve your place, please call Courtney Huth at 401-849-2799 ext. 19 or email her at chuth@ailt.org.

ALT’s time-sensitive mission is to conserve Aquidneck Island’s open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community.  The organization has conserved 2,386.50 acres on 66 properties on Aquidneck Island since 1990.  ALT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the first land trust in Rhode Island to have received national accreditation.  For more information, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org.

As always, thank you for your continued support
for conservation on our Island.

Last Call at the Oasis
Directed by Jessica Yu
Thursday, April 19th, 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Jane Pickens Theater, 49 Touro Street, Newport, RI

Firmly establishing the urgency of the global water crisis as the central issue facing our world this century, this documentary film illuminates the vital role water plays in our lives, exposes the defects in the current system and shows communities already struggling with its ill-effects. Featuring activist Erin Brockovich, respected water experts including Peter Gleick, Jay Famiglietti and Robert Glennon and social entrepreneurs championing revolutionary solutions, the film posits that we can manage this problem if we are willing to act now. In 2011, the Aquidneck Land Trust completed a year-long mapping and prioritization study of all the remaining and threatened open space parcels within Aquidneck Island’s seven primary watersheds. The loss of these critical natural buffers would further strain the island’s main watersheds and the waterways and reservoirs they serve. Laura Gabanski, Senior EPA Biologist and Healthy Watersheds Initiative Leader, states, “The cost of protecting watersheds is much less than the cost of restoring impaired waters. Choosing to protect ecologically valuable systems will save money in the long run.” After the film, this global water crisis will be discussed along with local actions we can take, such as the Aquidneck Land Trust’s watershed work. This free presentation is made possible through a collaboration between the Aquidneck Land Trust and newportFILM.

Holistic Watershed Protection: Lessons Learned from the Chesapeake
Deb Caraco, P.E., Senior Watershed Engineer, Center for Watershed Protection
Thursday, May 17th, 5:30pm to 7:00pm
(**please note this date has changed since ALT’s Annual Meeting)
CCRI Auditorium, One John H. Chafee Boulevard, Newport, RI

The Center for Watershed Protection (“CWP”), based in Maryland, works to protect, restore, and enhance our streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and bays. They create viable solutions and partnerships for responsible land and water management so that every community has clean water and healthy natural resources to sustain diverse life. Founded in 1992, CWP is a non-profit organization that has developed a multi-disciplinary strategy to provide technical assistance to local governments and non-profits who work to protect the nation’s water resources. CWP has helped communities around the country discover the importance of approaching environmental work at the watershed level. Deb Caraco is CWP’s Senior Watershed Engineer. She will provide participants with lessons learned from working in the Chesapeake, including specific examples of successful projects (land conservation, nutrient management, dealing with CSOs, etc.), that can be applied here on Aquidneck Island. This free presentation is made possible through a collaboration between the Aquidneck Land Trust and the Aquidneck Island Watershed Council.

Green Eating
Casey Riley and Chef Jonathan Cambra, Newport Harbor Corporation/Newport Restaurant Group
Thursday, October 18th, 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Green Valley Country Club, 371 Union Street, Portsmouth

Back by popular demand, Casey Riley, Chief Operating Officer of the Newport Harbor Corporation/Newport Restaurant Group, and Chef Jonathan Cambra from Castle Hill will help participants understand the “hows” and “whys” of eating in an environmentally friendly way. Topics and activities covered will include sourcing local foods, the state of foodservice in our public school systems, the benefits of community supported agriculture, connections between farmers and chefs, the culinary benefits of local foods and of course recipes and delicious tastings. This free presentation is made possible through a collaboration between the Aquidneck Land Trust, the Newport Harbor Corporation/Newport Restaurant Group and Green Valley Country Club.

Nature as Nurturer: Protecting Land to Protect Our Health
Robert A. Carrellas, M.D.
Thursday, November 8th, 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Sweet Berry Farm, 915 Mitchell’s Lane, Middletown, RI

If you are really concerned about your health, there is something far more important and basic to it than a new gym membership, super food smoothies, running shoes and lycra tights: a healthy environment. A healthy mind, body and spirit require clean air, clean water, fresh foods, natural beauty, outdoor exercise and communing with nature. Land protection helps secure all of these so that we can live a healthier existence. Doctor Robert A. Carrellas, respected local physician and Aquidneck Land Trust Trustee, will help participants understand nature as nurturer and various medical studies and initiatives that illustrate how protecting land helps protect our health. This free presentation is made possible through a collaboration between the Aquidneck Land Trust, Robert A. Carrellas, M.D. and Sweet Berry Farm.

RSVP to Courtney Huth at chuth@ailt.org or 401-849-2799 ext. 19 as space is limited. Refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

ALT’s time-sensitive mission is to conserve Aquidneck Island’s open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community.  The organization has conserved 2,386.50 acres on 66 properties on Aquidneck Island since 1990.  ALT is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the first land trust in Rhode Island to have received national accreditation.  For more information, visit www.AquidneckLandTrust.org.

Last Call at the Oasis

Directed by Jessica Yu

Thursday, April 19th, 5:30pm to 8:30pm
Jane Pickens Theater, 49 Touro Street, Newport, RI

Firmly establishing the urgency of the global water crisis as the central issue facing our world this century, this documentary film illuminates the vital role water plays in our lives, exposes the defects in the current system and shows communities already struggling with its ill-effects.  Featuring activist Erin Brockovich, respected water experts including Peter Gleick, Jay Famiglietti and Robert Glennon and social entrepreneurs championing revolutionary solutions, the film posits that we can manage this problem if we are willing to act now.  After the film, there will be a discussion with Alex Prud’homme whose book, The Ripple Effect: the Fate of Freshwater in the Twenty-First Century, inspired the creation of this documentary film.  For more information about Alex, visit www.alexprudhomme.com  In addition, during the discussion the global water crisis will be examined along with local actions we can take, such as the Aquidneck Land Trust’s watershed work.  This free presentation is made possible through a collaboration between the Aquidneck Land Trust and newportFILM.

RSVP to Courtney Huth at chuth@ailt.org or 401-849-2799 ext. 19 as space is limited. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond the control of ALT, we have to cancel our May 17^th Conservation Speaker Series with Deb Caraco.  Thank you for your understanding and we hope to see you at many of our upcoming events!

Holistic Watershed Protection: Lessons Learned from the Chesapeake

Deb Caraco, P.E., Senior Watershed Engineer, Center for Watershed Protection

Thursday, May 17th, 5:30pm to 7:00pm
CCRI Auditorium, One John H. Chafee Boulevard, Newport, RI

The Center for Watershed Protection (“CWP”), based in Maryland, works to protect, restore, and enhance our streams, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and bays. They create viable solutions and partnerships for responsible land and water management so that every community has clean water and healthy natural resources to sustain diverse life. Founded in 1992, CWP is a non-profit organization that has developed a multi-disciplinary strategy to provide technical assistance to local governments and non-profits who work to protect the nation’s water resources. CWP has helped communities around the country discover the importance of approaching environmental work at the watershed level. Deb Caraco is CWP’s Senior Watershed Engineer. She will provide participants with lessons learned from working in the Chesapeake, including specific examples of successful projects (land conservation, nutrient management, dealing with CSOs, etc.), that can be applied here on Aquidneck Island. This free presentation is made possible through a collaboration between the Aquidneck Land Trust and the Aquidneck Island Watershed Council.

RSVP to Courtney Huth at chuth@ailt.org or 401-849-2799 ext. 19 as space is limited. Light refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

Green Eating

Casey Riley and Chef Jonathan Cambra, Newport Harbor Corporation/Newport Restaurant Group

Thursday, October 18th, 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Green Valley Country Club, 371 Union Street, Portsmouth

Back by popular demand, Casey Riley, Chief Operating Officer of the Newport Harbor Corporation/Newport Restaurant Group, and Chef Jonathan Cambra from Castle Hill will help participants understand the “hows” and “whys” of eating in an environmentally friendly way. Topics and activities covered will include sourcing local foods, the state of foodservice in our public school systems, the benefits of community supported agriculture, connections between farmers and chefs, the culinary benefits of local foods and of course recipes and delicious tastings. This free presentation is made possible through a collaboration between the Aquidneck Land Trust, the Newport Harbor Corporation/Newport Restaurant Group and Green Valley Country Club.

RSVP to Courtney Huth at chuth@ailt.org or 401-849-2799 ext. 19 as space is limited. Refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

Nature as Nurturer: Protecting Land to Protect Our Health

Robert A. Carrellas, M.D.

Thursday, November 8th, 5:30pm to 7:00pm
Sweet Berry Farm, 915 Mitchell’s Lane, Middletown, RI

If you are really concerned about your health, there is something far more important and basic to it than a new gym membership, super food smoothies, running shoes and lycra tights: a healthy environment. A healthy mind, body and spirit require clean air, clean water, fresh foods, natural beauty, outdoor exercise and communing with nature. Land protection helps secure all of these so that we can live a healthier existence. Doctor Robert A. Carrellas, respected local physician and Aquidneck Land Trust Trustee, will help participants understand nature as nurturer and various medical studies and initiatives that illustrate how protecting land helps protect our health. This free presentation is made possible through a collaboration between the Aquidneck Land Trust, Robert A. Carrellas, M.D. and Sweet Berry Farm.

RSVP to Courtney Huth at chuth@ailt.org or 401-849-2799 ext. 19 as space is limited. Refreshments will be provided. This event is free and open to the public.

These tours are free and open to the public, but be sure to RSVP as space is limited. Tours leave from the ALT offices promptly at 5pm and return no later than 7pm. Light refreshments are provided. For more information or to reserve your place please call Courtney Huth at 401-849-2799 ext. 19 or email her at chuth@ailt.org.

Upcoming Trolley Tour dates:
Thursday, May 31st
Thursday, June 28th
Tuesday, August 14th
Wednesday, September 12th
Click on a date to Register.

Click here to view the 2012 Annual Meeting presentation given by the Executive Director of ALT.

The 2012 Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, February 2nd, 2012, from 6pm-8pm at The Atlantic Beach Club.  To RSVP to this event contact Courtney Huth at 401.849.2799 x 19 or chuth@ailt.org to confirm your reservation.

Click here to see photos.

July 23rd: Fiesta Verde Summer Party
This annual fundraiser has become one of the most-anticipated summer bashes on Aquidneck Island. A cocktail reception is followed by dinner, music, dancing, a raffle, and a spirited silent auction of artwork, jewelry, gifts and get-away packages.

Click here to see photos.

August 2011
August 6: Aquidneck Island Paddle Race Day & Waterman Competition
Founded by brothers Matt and Kevin Kirby, the Aquidneck Island Paddle invites kayakers, stand-up paddlers and traditional paddlers alike, divided into relay teams, to participate in relay races and a waterman competition.  These events are new this year!  All of the money raised by participants benefits the Aquidneck Land Trust, Lucy’s Hearth, and the Norman Bird Sanctuary. In order to participate, paddlers must raise at least $100 through sponsorships or personal contributions. Both paddlers and non-paddlers are welcome to the after-event cookout, hosted by the Norman Bird Sanctuary. For more information and registration, visit www.aquidneckislandpaddle.com.    Click here to see photos.

November 2011
November 5th: Race for Open Space 5K Run & Walk
This scenic, cross-country 5-kilometer race on ALT’s Sakonnet Greenway Trail is a unique and exciting addition to the local race circuit. Though not allowed in the running category, leashed dogs and strollers are welcome in the walking category of the race. Entry fee is $20 with proceeds from the race directed towards further construction and maintenance of the Sakonnet Greenway Trail, the largest nature trail on Aquidneck Island. To register online, visit racewire.com. For more information, contact Courtney Huth at chuth@ailt.org or call 401.849.2799 x 19, or Register Online Here

Click here to see photos.

If you would like to volunteer to help with events, please contact David Thalmann.

• Good Dirt Archive 2012
• Good Dirt Archive 2011
• Good Dirt Archive 2010
• Good Dirt Archive 2009
• Good Dirt Archive 2008
• Good Dirt Archive 2007
• Good Dirt Archive 2006
• Good Dirt Archive 2005

WINTER 2011 – The Campaign to Save the Saint Mary’s Church Land Continues to Move Forward

WINTER 2010 – THE CAMPAIGN TO SAVE WICK’S NURSERIES

WINTER – 2009 LAND TRUST CELEBRATES 20 YEARS LAND CONSERVATION

FALL/WINTER 2008 – Land Matters Newsletter

FALL/WINTER 2007 – Land Matters Newsletter

SPRING 2006- Land Matters Newsletter

SUMMER 2005 – Land Matters Newsletter