In addition to conserving land and creating trails, Aquidneck Land Trust works on a number of conservation projects to make local farming viable, improve health in the community, improve water quality, educate the community on various environmental issues, and advocate for smart policy at the municipal and state levels. The Land Trust works closely with the Newport, Middletown and Portsmouth town councils and many local non-profits, state-wide organizations, and government agencies. Some recent collaborations include:
The Green Infrastructure Coalition
A state-wide coalition of non-profits, governments, and private businesses that promote use of green infrastructure to mitigate stormwater impacts on water quality and flooding. The Land Trust’s work as part of this project has focused on watershed planning in the Bailey Brook and Maidford River watersheds, advocacy for stormwater solutions and green infrastructure projects, and public education regarding water quality improvements on Aquidneck Island. www.greeninfrastructureri.org
Island Waters
A collaboration led by the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, consisting of the three island municipalities, and Aquidneck Land Trust. Funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the project addresses stormwater issues that lead to flooding and which impact our drinking water and coastal waters. A combination of planning, outreach, and on-the-ground construction of best management practice green infrastructure are utilized. Infrastructure projects range in size from school rain gardens to constructed wetlands. aquidneckplanning.org/projects/257/
Newport Health Equity Zone
The Newport Health Equity Zone is a city-wide coalition mobilizing residents and resources of the Broadway and North End neighborhoods to make Newport a place where everyone can thrive. Aquidneck Land Trust has led a group focused on the relationship between open space and health since April 2015, and currently leads the Greening Urban Spaces working group. The project is a multi-year partnership that has been successful in engaging residents, stakeholders, and community organizations across all aspects of health. www.newporthealthequity.com
Newport Open Space Partnership
ALT plays a lead role in the partnership between the City of Newport, Newport Tree Society, Aquidneck Island Planning Commission, and the Newport Tree & Open Space Commission. The group examines the Newport Open Space Master Plan, which was recently approved in concept by the Newport City Council. Led by a planning consultant, the plan used community engagement to develop a comprehensive plan to manage, steward, and improve Newport’s parks, trees, and open spaces. www.newportopenspace.org
RI Land Trust Council
Aquidneck Land Trust is a member of the Council, which works to promote land conservation in Rhode Island through state-wide policy and collaboration with the state’s many land trusts. www.rilandtrusts.org
Scenic Aquidneck
A group of three non-profits (Aquidneck Land Trust, Preserve RI, and The Preservation Society of Newport County) focused on preserving and enhancing the visual quality of Aquidneck Island’s natural and cultural resources. In 2020, Scenic Aquidneck spearheaded a campaign to bury power lines in the Third Beach area of Middletown. This project was funded by private donations and completed in the summer of 2021. In 2017, the group partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to bury power lines along Second Beach, also in Middletown. www.scenicaquidneck.org