The Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island Time Line 1965 - 2009

Dundery Brook , Little Compton  RI © Nat Rea

1965: An Opportunistic Beginning
A 30-year partnership with the Audubon Society of Rhode Island begins with the Conservancy’s support for Audubon’s acquisition of The Davis Memorial Refuge in North Kingstown.

1971: First Property Purchased
The Conservancy purchases its first property in Rhode Island for $20,000, the 50-acre Ell Pond Preserve in Hopkinton. The property is part of the Ell Pond/Long Pond Preserve complex managed jointly with the Audubon Society of Rhode Island and the State of Rhode Island.

1978: Natural Heritage Program Launched
Funded by TNC and the State, Rhode Island becomes one of the first participants in the Natural Heritage Program, created to identify and track rare species, and exemplary natural communities.

1983: Successful Conservation Partnership Launched
The Conservancy assists in key acquisitions on Block Island such as the Lewis-Dickens Farm. As a result of this acquisition, The Champlin Foundations helped launch a partnership that has contributed nearly $48,000,000 over 25 years to protect 25,572 acres of Rhode Island’s special places for all to enjoy.

1989: Conservancy Opens its Doors in Rhode Island
As part of a long-standing national effort to open an office (or a chapter) in every state, the Conservancy establishes/launches its first Rhode Island office, located in a basement on Hope Street on the East Side of Providence. Keith Lang is named State Director.

1989: Block Island Recognized
Block Island is designated as one of the Conservancy’s “Last Great Places”, launching a campaign that would eventually see nearly half of the island conserved.

1991: First Satellite Office
Thanks to widespread community support for land conservation, a satellite office opens on Block Island. Today, that office has four staff and several seasonal employees.

1993: Regional Record Set
In partnership with The Champlin Foundations and the State, 23 land acquisition projects are completed in 1993, more than any other program in the Eastern Region.

1998: We Move Our Office
The Conservancy moves to its current location, at 159 Waterman Street on the East Side of Providence.

1999: Ten Years of Growth
After starting with just 3 staff members and a $100,000 operating budget, The Conservancy in Rhode Island grows to 23 staff members and a $900,000 operating budget in ten years. The Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island is the state’s largest and only statewide nonprofit conservation organization.

1997-2001: Rhode Island Capital Campaign
During this groundbreaking campaign, the fundraising goal was raised from $22 million, to $37 million, to $50 million. Incorporated into the campaign was an international component to raise a $450,000 international endowment for TNC international projects that had a shared ecology with Rhode Island.

1999: Supporting the Land Trust Movement
The desire of Rhode Island residents to protect their communities' important natural areas has spurred the formation of 43 land trusts. In 1999 the leadership of these land trusts, with support from The Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island, formed the Rhode Island Land Trust Council to foster a sustainable land conservation movement by supporting the missions and operations of land trusts and providing a forum for their effective cooperation.

July 2001: Borderlands Program Launched
The Nature Conservancy launches the Borderlands Program, a two state community based conservation initiative spanning a 200-square mile forested landscape in Western RI and Eastern CT.

2002: Over 10,000 Acres
The Conservancy reaches the 10,000 acre mark, protecting its 175th property.

2003: Francis C. Carter Memorial Preserve Acquired
The Conservancy acquires the “823 UNC” property in Charlestown and christens it the Francis C. Carter Memorial Preserve in memory of the former Champlin Foundation Director. This is now the Conservancy’s largest preserve in Rhode Island and is staffed by a land steward.

2003: Open Space Bond
Governor Carcieri endorses an open space bond at TNC’s Commitment to Conservation luncheon

2004: Land Trust Rally
The Conservancy hosts , in Providence, the 2004 Land Trust Alliance Rally, the annual conference for land trusts across the nation.

November 2, 2004: Question 8 Approved
More than 71% of RI residents take environmental concerns into their own hands by approving a $70 million environmental bond, the largest ever approved in the state.

2005: More Than Just Land Protection
The Conservancy embarks on an ambitions freshwater conservation program, which not only includes acquisition of key tracts in watersheds such as the Queen’s River, but also begins engagement in issues such as water use policy and fish passage.

2006: Conservancy Completes its Largest Acquisition To-Date
In partnership with the State of Rhode Island and the Town of West Greenwich, the Conservancy acquires several highly threatened tracts totaling 1,640 acres in West Greenwich and Coventry. When added to existing Conservancy-owned land, these tracts are named the Tillinghast Pond Management Area, 1,800 acres managed jointly with the Town and the State.

2007: Marine Conservation Program Launched
After years of planning, the Conservancy launches its coastal and marine program, thanks to a grant from the Lattner Foundation. Initial strategies tackle such challenges as water quality, shoreline habitat loss, and fisheries health.

2008: Key Freshwater Tract Acquired
The Conservancy completes it’s acquisition of the 850 acre Grills property in Hopkinton, which includes five miles of riverfront along the Pawcatuck River. Achieved in conjunction with the State and the Town of Hopkinton, nearly 10 miles acres of key river corridor habitat are now conserved in this critical area.

2008: 30,000 Acres and Counting
As a result of its ambitious land protection program, the Conservancy reaches the 30,000 acres protected mark as part of its partnership with The Champlin Foundations and the State of Rhode Island.

2008: First Shellfish Transplant Completed
In partnership with the State, the Salt Ponds Coalition, and Save The Bay, and supported by a grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Conservancy transplants 400,000 quahogs into Ninigret and Quonochontaug ponds in Charlestown and Westerly. This two-year project eventually sees four tons of clams released into spawner sanctuaries in the ponds and tests their ability to naturally clean the ponds for people and for wildlife.

November 2008: Passage of $2.5 Million Open Space Bond
The Conservancy and Rhode Island Land Trust Coalition spearhead another successful campaign to keep Open Space Bond on the ballot. Voters overwhelmingly approve the bond even during difficult fiscal times.

2009: 20^th Anniversary Celebration
To thank its many members and supporters, the Conservancy hosts eight guided walks at some of our oldest and most beloved preserves.