Skip to content
Aerial view of a small pond surrounded by pine and oak trees during fall foliage season
Princess Pine The Princess Pine Estate is now part of DEM’s Rockville Management Area in Hopkinton. © Russell Laman

Press Releases

DEM and TNC Conserve 68 Acres on Wincheck Pond

Forestland will be open to the public for fishing and paddling, and incorporated into DEM’s Rockville Wildlife Management Area.

April 22, 2026 | Hopkinton, RI

Media Contacts

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) has acquired the 68-acre Princess Pine Estate on Wincheck Pond in Hopkinton for public recreation and wildlife conservation. The $1.66 million purchase was funded by an $800,000 grant from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's (USFWS) Wildlife Restoration Program, $361,000 in Green Bond funds, and a $500,000 grant from The Nature Conservancy’s Thomas and Dorothy Ginty Memorial Endowment Fund.

“We are very pleased to work with our partners at USFWS and TNC to preserve this beautiful property. In completing this acquisition, we are conserving ecologically important habitat while at the same time, expanding public access to an exceptional site for outdoor recreation,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “This is one of the most beautiful parts of Rhode Island and we hope that people come out and enjoy a hike or just visit and connect with nature. Working with our partners enables us to leverage state open space funds from the Green Bonds overwhelmingly approved by Rhode Island voters to secure open space resources for the good of our environment and the people of the state.”

"TNC has been helping conserve the forest around Rockville since 1972, and seeing this property protected more than 50 years later speaks to the timelessness of the work and the critical importance of the habitat,” said TNC associate state director Scott Comings. “By keeping the forest connected, the area will continue to be a stronghold for migratory songbirds, provide clean air and clean water, and offer recreational opportunities that are uniquely wild in Rhode Island."

Time lapse photo of stars circling in the night sky over the calm surface of a small pond
Star Trails Stars dance across the night sky over Wincheck Pond in Hopkinton. © Russell Laman
A large owl with dark barring on its breast perched on the branch of a bare oak tree looking back at the camera
Barred Owl The deep woods along the Rhode Island/Connecticut border provide excellent wildlife habitat. © Russell Laman
Star Trails Stars dance across the night sky over Wincheck Pond in Hopkinton. © Russell Laman
Barred Owl The deep woods along the Rhode Island/Connecticut border provide excellent wildlife habitat. © Russell Laman

This property is a key addition to the 2,140-acre conserved block in the Canonchet Region, known for its natural beauty and exceptional recreational opportunities. Bordering TNC’s Ell Pond Preserve and other conservation lands held by DEM and the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, this strategic acquisition along North Road will expand public access. It includes a small parking area for cartop boats and fishing access on Wincheck Pond. Gas motors will not be allowed, however.

The property will be open to the public and incorporated into DEM’s Division of Fish & Wildlife's (DFW) Rockville Wildlife Management Area. DFW will manage the property for hunting, fishing and trapping opportunities as well as for habitat conservation. Fifteen acres of the property will be temporarily closed to public access for site improvements.

The property was identified by DEM and TNC as a top conservation priority as part of a resilient, forested corridor along the Rhode Island and Connecticut border. Stretching from the South County coast to the Berkshire foothills, these connected lands and waterways are nationally significant and provide important wildlife habitat amid growing climate change threats.

Aerial photo of a small pond surrounded by pine and oak forest during fall foliage season
Wincheck Pond DEM will provide public access for kayaks, canoes and small boats with electric motors. © Russell Laman
Golden sunlight shines low through a field of dried brown grasses with many small white tufts
Little Blue Stem Old fields containing native grasses and shrubs add habitat diversity to a largely forested landscape. © Russell Laman
Wincheck Pond DEM will provide public access for kayaks, canoes and small boats with electric motors. © Russell Laman
Little Blue Stem Old fields containing native grasses and shrubs add habitat diversity to a largely forested landscape. © Russell Laman

DEM’s Land Conservation Program purchases ecologically valuable land to enhance state wildlife management areas, parks and forests. Funding for these acquisitions is made possible by voter-approved Green Bonds, with contributions from municipalities, land trusts and various federal programs. Rhode Island’s wealth of historic parks, bikeways and green spaces provide for public enjoyment, along with improving the health of the environment, strengthening climate resilience and supporting the economy. Since 1985, over 20,000 acres of land have been protected.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. For more news, visit our newsroom or follow The Nature Conservancy on LinkedIn.