A letter from the Executive Director
Aquidneck Island is defined by water—surrounded by it, nourished by it, and dependent on it. Yet the freshwater resources that sustain our communities are under increasing pressure. The vast majority of the Island’s public drinking water comes from surface reservoirs, including Easton Pond and Gardiner Pond. Streams like Bailey’s Brook and the Maidford River watershed feed this system. These interconnected ponds, streams, and wetlands form a fragile network, and stormwater pollution is putting that network at real and immediate risk.
As an island, we live within a closed set of interdependent systems—water, transportation, and community infrastructure—where every acre developed, every buffer lost, and every impervious surface added has consequences. Protecting land is not simply about preserving beauty; it is about safeguarding the natural filtration and storage systems that ensure clean drinking water and resilient communities.
Protecting land is protecting freshwater. The remaining open spaces on Aquidneck Island are at a pivotal moment, and what happens next will shape our future for generations. With development accelerating and land values rising, the window to secure the places that define our Island is narrowing. The urgency is real.
At the Aquidneck Island Land Trust, we are increasing the pace of conservation, strengthening climate resilience, and expanding public access to nature. But we cannot do this alone. The decisions we make today—together—will determine the Island we leave for our children and grandchildren.
We have just one Island, and the commitments we make and the actions we take now will determine our future—One Island, One Future.
Terry Sullivan
Executive Director
Terry Sullivan
Conservation Recap
CONSERVATION RECAP
Land Protection
On Aquidneck Island, land protection is a race against time. Every acre saved secures clean water, sustains working farmland, and safeguards wildlife habitat. The Land Trust works daily to ensure these special places remain part of the island’s future, not its past.
CONSERVATION RECAP
Water Resources
Two new rain gardens at Marble House and Spruce Acres show what property owners can do to capture and treat stormwater on their own land at different scales. Rain gardens can be beautiful, create habitat for pollinators and wildlife, help improve water quality, and mitigate flooding!
CONSERVATION RECAP
Trails and Stewardship
The Aquidneck Island Land Trust unveiled the newly rebuilt Maya L. Auchincloss Boardwalk on the Sakonnet Greenway Trail between Sandy Point Avenue and Bramans Lane in Portsmouth. The 700-foot boardwalk, now constructed with durable, low-maintenance materials, replaces an older structure that had fallen into disrepair. Funded primarily through the Estate of Maya L. Auchincloss, the gift creates a lasting legacy.
RESILIENCE RECAP
Island Resilience
Our Island home is facing increased risks from storms, flooding, heat, and other extreme weather events. These challenges are serious, and it can be hard to speak about them without going down a path of doom and gloom. But what if we could flip the script and promote a more optimistic, solution-oriented approach?
Inspiring Stories From the Field
For the love of apples
Greg Ostheimer never intended to be a farmer. He was an insurance man from Connecticut, thriving in a word of risk mitigation and predictability. But nearly 25 years ago, he unexpectedly fell in love with apples.
“The insurance business is kind of the antithesis of farming,” laughed the proprietor of Rocky Brook Orchard. “You worry about it being too hot, too cold. You worry about too much rain, about not enough rain. You worry all the time.”
Almy Pond: A Case Study for Collaboration
Almy Pond, located in Newport’s south end not far from the famed Cliff Walk, is often cited as one of the most polluted bodies of freshwater in the state of Rhode Island. A green infrastructure project near the pond, led by Aquidneck Resilience, offers a vision for how this multifaceted community resilience effort will make change in the coming years.
The Heart of the island
Aquidneck Island has always been a muse for Jonathan Gewirz.
An artist and designer who grew up with one foot in Washington, D.C. and the other on the ancient rocks of the Island, he has been instrumental in protecting some of the vistas that have been his greatest inspiration.
Gewirz has led Aquidneck Island Land Trust’s board, chaired fundraising campaigns, and founded a beloved art and writing contest for local students who share that inspiration.
Persistence and Passion for Aquidneck Island
Lilly Dick chose Newport in 1967, and she’s been choosing to work on behalf of this community every day since.
Lilly grew up near Washington, D.C. and spent time in Europe, but something about Newport, with its beautiful shores, open spaces, and deep history felt like home to her right away. When her husband was leaving his Navy service, she looked around, thought about where she wanted to raise her family and saw no reason to leave.
The Island is much the better off for that confident decision long ago.
Green Island Society
You can help conserve Aquidneck Island for future generations by making a planned gift to the Aquidneck Island Land Trust. Please let us know if you have included the Land Trust in your estate plan so that we can thank you and welcome you to the Green Island Society. We honor this Society throughout the year and thank its members for their generosity and foresight.
Landowner Partners
The Aquidneck Island Land Trust has conserved 2,854 acres since its founding in 1990. We graciously thank these very special individuals, families, businesses, neighborhood associations, municipalities, and other government agencies who have partnered with us to preserve and steward their land in perpetuity. Their vision for the future and appreciation of the past leaves a priceless legacy.
Financial Summary
(Unaudited) for 12 months ending September 30, 2025
As of September 30, 2025, AILT had protected 2,854.04 acres at a cumulative cost of approximately $56,096,600, exclusive of legal and administrative costs related to the purchases.
$1,563,348
Operating Support & Revenue
($1,512,510)
General Operating Expenses
$50,838
General Operating Net Income
If you would like a copy of the Aquidneck Island Land Trust’s Audited Financial Statements for the twelve months ended September 30, 2025, prepared by Kahn, Litwin, Renza & Co., Ltd., please contact Martha Curley, Finance Director at (401) 367-4547 or email mcurley@ailt.org.
| Total Support Revenue | |
|---|---|
| Grants | $211,158 |
| Grants – Federal | $386,706 |
| Donations & Appeals | $947,035 |
| Membership Dues & Other Income | $205,596 |
| Net Investment Gain | $902,135 |
| Net Special Events Income | $297,171 |
| Land Acquisition Donations & Pledges | $37,630 |
| Total Support Revenue | $2,987,432 |
| Total Expenses | |
|---|---|
| Program Expenses | |
| Conservation & Resiliency | $1,085,582 |
| Stewardship | $269,255 |
| Outreach & Education | $291,227 |
| Management & General | $326,629 |
| Fundraising | $452,631 |
| Total Expenses | $2,425,324 |
| Total Net Income | $562,108 |
|---|---|
| NET ASSETS beginning of fiscal year |
$23,960,980 |
| NET ASSETS end of fiscal year |
$24,523,088 |
| Land (owned in fee) | $8,967,751 |
| Land Preservation Fund | $3,006,377 |
| Stewardship Investment Funds | $9,059,073 |
| Legal Defense Fund | $338,352 |
| Other Designated & Restricted Funds | $589,311 |
| Merritt Neighborhood Fund | $135,728 |
| Carol C. Ballard Park & Wildlife Preserve Fund | $376,757 |
| Spruce Acres, Little Creek Trail & Miscellaneous Capital Improvement Funds | $310,061 |
| General Operating Fund | $717,090 |
| Property & Equipment | $1,022,588 |
| Total Net Assets | $24,523,088 |
2025 By The Numbers
-
Conservation Efforts
- 2,854 Acres Conserved (1990-2025)
- 255 Acres in Newport (25 Properties)
- 929 Acres in Middletown (42 Properties)
- 1,670 Acres in Portsmouth (39 Properties)
- 11.7% of Island conserved by the Land Trust (1990-2025)
-
Water Resources
- 48 Properties Within Drinking Watershed Protected
- 22% of Land Within Drinking Watersheds Protected
- 4.3 Miles of Coastline Conserved
- 527 Acres of Wetlands Conserved
-
Recreation
- 875 Acres of Recreational Land Protected
- 42 Public Access Properties
- 2 Golf Courses Protected
- 13.6 Miles of Free Public Trails Created and Maintained
-
Farmland
- 1,297 Acres of Farmland Protected
- 36 Properties with Farmland
- 100% of Farmland Owned by the Land Trust is Leased
Philanthropic Support
Our heartfelt thanks to those who contributed to the Aquidneck Island Land Trust during the fiscal year concluding on September 30, 2025.
Tribute Gifts
We thank those that chose to give to Aquidneck Island Land Trust in honor or in memory of a loved one during the fiscal year concluding on September 30, 2025.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Thanks to Our Team
The team at Aquidneck Island Land Trust is a dedicated group of conservation professionals, community advocates, and environmental stewards committed to protecting the Island’s natural beauty and resources.
Aquidneck Island
Needs You!
Now more than ever.
Please join in now to protect Aquidneck Island’s scenic beauty, open spaces, local farms, drinking water, and outdoor recreation. Become an Aquidneck Island Land Trust Member. Donate. Volunteer. Conserve your land. Attend events. There are many ways to get involved. Choose any and all that work for you, your family, or business!
