ALT ANNOUNCES CONSERVATION OF MIDDLETOWN FARMLAND

Middletown, RI – December 20, 2022 – The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has announced the conservation of a 9.54-acre farmland property off of Third Beach Road in Middletown. The property is within the Maidford/Paradise drinking supply watershed and is located near other conserved lands, including the Arnow property, conserved in 2016, and the Norman Bird Sanctuary. It has prime farmland soils and has long been in agricultural use, most recently as a hayfield and for vegetable farming.

The property owner, Forester Peabody, worked with his father, John Peabody, and ALT to conserve the land prior to the elder Mr. Peabody’s death earlier this year. “I’m thankful that ALT was able to grant my father’s final wish of ensuring that my grandfather’s farm will never be developed,” said Forester Peabody. “I remember as a young child, before ALT was even founded, hearing my dad say that he never wanted to see houses built in his father’s field. Without ALT and the generosity of all of its donors, this never would have been accomplished.”

“This is a very important property from a conservation standpoint and we are grateful to the Peabody family for partnering with us to permanently protect it,” said Chuck Allott, ALT Executive Director. “By conserving this land, we’ve expanded the habitat corridor of conserved land in Paradise Valley and protected our vulnerable drinking water supply by restricting future development. Because the property is visible from scenic Third Beach Road and Howland Avenue, its conservation has also helped to safeguard the scenic viewscape in this historic area.”

Allott noted that the conservation easement was funded in part by a bequest that the organization received in 2018. That gift was made by Beth Everett of Middletown, who left ALT $250,000 upon her death for the purpose of land conservation. “Mrs. Everett made this bequest in memory of her late husband, Walter Everett,” said Allott. “We are very pleased to permanently honor their generosity through the conservation of this beautiful Middletown property.”

ALT is the oldest accredited land trust in Rhode Island. Since 1990, it has conserved 94 properties covering 2,775.61acres of land on Aquidneck Island, or over 11% of the island’s total acreage.

ALT ANNOUNCES NEW DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Middletown, RI – December 7, 2022 – The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has announced the appointment of Edward A. Magro as Development Director. Mr. Magro was previously the Executive Director of Development at Bryant University, where he led the university’s $111 million “Bold Future” campaign. He will join the land trust on December 12, 2022.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ed to ALT,” said Tom Hockaday, board chair. “His extensive experience in fundraising and donor relations will be a tremendous asset to the organization. It is a critical time for Aquidneck Island in terms of land conservation and watershed protection, and we look forward to accelerating our efforts with Ed on our team.”

Mr. Magro received a B.A. from Trinity College, CT, and a J.D. from New York Law School, NY. He received an M.P.A. from Roger Williams University following a legal career, in which he was a partner in the NY firm Wilson, Elser, Moskowitz, Edelman & Dicker. He lives in West Kingston, RI.

ALT is the oldest accredited land trust in Rhode Island. Since 1990, it has conserved 94 properties covering 2,775.61 acres of land on Aquidneck Island, or over 11% of the island’s total acreage.