None The Nature Conservancy in Rhode Island Press Releases Search All Press Releases John Matthiessen Phone: (860) 344-0716 x332 Gail Mastrati, RI DEM Phone: (401) 222-4700 x2402

Partnership Protects 94 Acres

Department of Environmental Management, Nature Conservancy Join Forces to Purchase Addition to State's Durfee Hill Management Area in Glocester

Glocester, RI—May 3, 2004—Working together, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and The Nature Conservancy have added approximately 94 acres in Glocester to DEM’s Durfee Hill Management Area.  Conservation of this property adds a significant boost to local efforts to create a greenway in northwestern Rhode Island.

The DEM purchased the land from N.P.R. Corporation of Rhode Island for $172,500.  The Nature Conservancy contributed $44,050 toward the purchase using funds provided for conservation by The Champlin Foundations.  The property is located in the Conservancy’s Sprague Hill Conservation Area, a priority conservation site for The Nature Conservancy.  The rest, $128,450, came from state open space bond funds.

The property is located off Winsor Road in Glocester and abuts the state's 1,300-acre Durfee Hill Management Area managed by DEM’s Division of Fish and Wildlife.  The property consists of mixed northern hardwoods, pockets of white pine stands, and a 6.5-acre shrub bog on the rear of the property.  The property provides a unique habitat for a wide range of game and non-game species such as white tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, fox, coyote, and neo-tropical migrant songbirds.  Public use of the property will include hiking, nature observation, and hunting.  Public access will be provided by way of Winsor Road and Ise Road and through other state land holdings at the management area.

“This conservation project is a terrific example of state open space bond money being put to use wisely—on the ground—to protect habitat and expand our public preserves,” said Janet Coit, Rhode Island State Director of The Nature Conservancy.  “We are very pleased to work yet again with DEM and The Champlin Foundations.  Together, we accomplish so much more than we would be able to individually.”

“Partnerships are now key to land preservation,” said DEM Acting Director Fred Vincent.  “And, this purchase adds to the greenspace corridor in the northwestern part of the state.”

“Such greenways,” Vincent said, “are essential to protecting water supplies, they act as corridors for abundant and diverse wildlife, and they provide venues for recreation and education in the outdoors.”  The Durfee Hill Management area protects the Burlingame Reservoir and lies just south of the 3,000-acres George Washington management Area, which straddles Glocester and Burrillville at the Connecticut state line.

The Rhode Island Chapter of The Nature Conservancy was established in 1989 and has since grown to become the state's most successful non-profit land conservation agency.  Working with many partners, the Conservancy has protected more than 24,000 acres of land throughout the state: from Block Island to the Pawcatuck Borderlands that span western Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut, to the Queen’s River and rural Glocester.  With 5000 members and offices in Providence, Block Island and North Stonington, Connecticut, the Rhode Island Chapter continues to focus on protecting our most critical natural resources.

DEM is committed to preserving the quality of Rhode Island's environment, maintaining the health and safety of its residents, and protecting the natural systems upon which life depends.  Among its responsibilities is operating and managing state wildlife management areas totaling close to 50,000 acres.