ALT ANNOUNCES CONSERVED FARMLAND IN PORTSMOUTH


Middletown, RI – February 20, 2023 – The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has announced the conservation of 11.48 acres of farmland across two parcels on Moitoza Lane in Portsmouth. The property is located within the St. Mary’s Pond and Sisson Pond drinking water supply watershed, has 100% prime farmland soils, and is near other conserved lands such as Wicks Nurseries, Spruce Acres Farm, and Cloverbud Ranch. The conservation easement purchased ensures the land will be protected as open space in perpetuity.

“This is a success story for farmland conservation on the island,” said Alex Chuman, Conservation Director. “When the two parcels of land were listed on the hot real estate market in 2021, we connected with the owners of the adjacent farmland, Paul and Sylvia Zurlo, to try and partner on their conservation. This land ranked highly on our priority list and we were eager to protect it. The majority of the property was historically farmed and was well suited to be farmed again.”

After getting an appraisal for the development rights, ALT and the Zurlos worked together to conserve the land; the Zurlos purchased the property in 2021 and ALT paid for a conservation easement covering both parcels in early 2023. Other than outzones around two existing houses, all of the property is now conserved. About two-thirds of the property is farmland and the remaining third natural vegetation. “I am really pleased that this property has been conserved,” said Paul Zurlo. “The land will remain as open space and will provide local farmers with prime land to farm. ALT is a great partner, and together we’ve protected an important Aquidneck Island farm property.”

The Zurlos have leased the farmland to Hawk & Handsaw Farm, a small market farm business that sells wholesale and has a CSA. The farmers practice no-till agriculture and specialize in vegetable crops, culinary/medicinal herbs, edible flowers, fiber and natural dye crops, and specialty culinary crops.

“This is very exciting for multiple reasons,” said Chuman. “Expanding the mid-island corridor of conserved lands protects our drinking water reservoirs, wildlife habitat contiguity, and scenic views. This deal also provided opportunity for a local farm to expand their operation and rejuvenate the fallow land. We are so grateful to the Zurlos and to all of our supporters who recognize the value of protecting key properties.” The State of RI Agricultural Land Preservation Commission, who has partnered with ALT on a number of farm conservation projects on the island, also contributed to the purchase of development rights.

ALT is the oldest accredited land trust in Rhode Island. Since 1990, it has conserved 96 properties covering 2,792 acres of land on Aquidneck Island, or over 11% of the island’s total acreage.

ALT ANNOUNCES ART & WRITING WINNERS

Middletown, RI – February 9, 2023 – The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has announced 29 student winners in the 2022 ALT Art & Writing Contest, held annually to promote the importance and value of a healthy environment. Students at Aquidneck Island schools were invited to enter artwork or written work depicting their favorite local vista. The winners were announced at the land trust’s annual meeting on February 2, 2023.

Art entries were judged by a panel that included Erik Greenburg, Director of Museums at the Newport Restoration Foundation; Seamus Hames, Manager of Museum Education at the Newport Art Museum; and Susan Woythaler, musician and board chair of the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Newport County. Written entries were judged by Katherine Gagliano, principal, Amplify Marketing; Beezie Bickford, Associate Head for Faculty and School Affairs at St. George’s School; and Janine Weisman, Editor-in-Chief for States Newsroom. The contest was underwritten by a grant from local design/build firm Sixteen on Center.

Art winners in the kindergarten through grade four category are: Liam Honnen, first place (All Saint’s STEAM Academy); Theo Dorrien Traisci, second place (The Pennfield School); William Lavery, third place (All Saint’s STEAM Academy); Jace Healey, honorable mention (All Saint’s STEAM Academy); and Annlee Kneib, honorable mention (The Pennfield School). Winners in the grade five through grade eight category are: Benjamin Adams, first place (Portsmouth Middle School); Ariella Pimental, second place (The Pennfield School); Adelaide Rowe, third place (The Pennfield School); and Martina Haslan, honorable mention (St. Philomena’s School). Winners in the grade nine through grade twelve category are: Min Lee, first place (St. George’s School); Avery Snyder, second place (Portsmouth High School); and Winston Yeung, third place (St. George’s School). Honorable mentions were awarded to: Clara Alcolea, Andrew Mellow, and Samantha Hacket (all of Portsmouth High School) and Sierrah Crook (Middletown High School).

Writing winners in the kindergarten through grade four category are: Amelia Tumanjan, first place; Maliya Lincoln, second place; Albert Pool, third place; Kathryn Gough, honorable mention; and Kyla Tasso, honorable mention (all of All Saint’s STEAM Academy). Winners in the grade five through eight category are: Annie Kirby, first place (St. Michael’s School); Adelaide Rowe, second place (The Pennfield School); Caroline Whitlock, third place (St. Michael’s School); and Tucker Johnson, honorable mention (The Pennfield School.) Winners in the grade nine through grade twelve category are: Kyla Lehner, first place (Portsmouth High School); Riley Hall, second place (Middletown High School); Maggie Lauder, third place (Portsmouth High School); and Jessica Snyder, honorable mention (Portsmouth High School).
Winners will receive cash prizes and a household membership to ALT. The schools of each first-place winner will receive a grant to support their environmental science curricula. The Land Trust thanks Sixteen on Center for underwriting the contest, which encourages local students to recognize and treasure the beauty of Aquidneck Island.

ALT is the oldest accredited land trust in Rhode Island. Since 1990, it has conserved 96 properties covering 2,792 acres of land on Aquidneck Island, or over 11% of the island’s total acreage.

ALT CONSERVES COASTAL PROPERTY IN PORTSMOUTH

Middletown, RI – February 1, 2023 – The Aquidneck Land Trust (“ALT”) has announced the conservation of a 4.91-acre wetlands property on Portsmouth’s northwest shore. The property was donated to ALT by its owners, Peter S. Wood and Polly Estabrook, and is part of a larger 44-acre marsh and beach area situated between the railroad line and the bay. A CRMC-designated path runs through the site and offers public beach access and parking near Pheasant Drive.

The site includes salt marsh and scrub-shrub habitat, visible from the path, railroad, surrounding houses, and boats out at sea. The property is strategically located should a multi-use path on the adjacent railroad line ever be created. A number of bird species have been recorded on ALT site visits, including glossy ibis, osprey, great egret, and American black duck.

“Conservation has long been my particular concern,” said Peter Wood, “especially the preservation of open space as an antidote to overdevelopment. My step-daughter and I are delighted that ALT will look after these marsh lands and the wildlife they sustain. As former Newport residents, my wife Shirley and I have wonderful memories of walking the wooded paths in the Norman Bird Sanctuary. We have always wanted to contribute to the island’s conservation as we were able to do on Block Island, where we have been part of the community since 1967.” Peter and Shirley Wood were the owners and editors of the Block Island Times from 1986 to 1995. They were key supporters of the BI Conservancy and donated land for the creation of the BI Greenways.

“Wood Estabrook Preserve has many important conservation values,” said Chuck Allott, Executive Director. “In addition to offering wildlife habitat and public shore access, the property acts as a coastal resiliency buffer, helping to soak up storm surge with rising seas. We are very grateful to Peter Wood and Polly Estabrook for their generous donation and for their commitment to land conservation on Aquidneck Island.”

ALT is the oldest accredited land trust in Rhode Island. Since 1990, it has conserved 95 properties covering 2,780.52 of land on Aquidneck Island, or over 11% of the island’s total acreage.