Barrington Land Conservation Trust FY23 Annual Report

2023 Annual Repor t Fiscal Year 2023 (June 1, 2022 ? May 31, 2023)

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BLCT M ission The Barrington Land Conservation Trust protects and stewards our local natural, scenic, and historic open spaces. We advocate for protection of these lands and educate the public about these resources.

Of f icer s of t h e Boar d Ian Donahue, President Victor Lerish, Vice President Michael Gorfinkle, Secretary* Deborah Provolo, Treasurer* Members of the Board Catherine Boisseau

Abou t Us

Steve Boyajian

Founded in 1979, the Barrington Land Conservation Trust is a local nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization that has preserved approximately 300 acres of open space in perpetuity for the benefit of the public. Our volunteers also help to manage town-owned conservation land.

Meghan Frost

Andrew Curtis

Mary Grover* Bill Kirkpatrick Cindy Larson Moura Charles McCoy Cindy Pierce

?We love the open spaces in Barrington. It allows for greater diversity of wildlife.? ~ Marsie and Jeff Hoffman

Richard Waterman * Completing their service in 2023

Com m it t ees Acquisition and Planning: Steve Boyajian (chair), Ian Donahue, Victor Lerish

The Barrington Land Conservation Trust relies on volunteers and public support to fulfill our mission.

We accept gifts of funds, securities, bequests, and in-kind donations. Donations of conservation land are subject to board approval. For information on how you can support the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, visit www.blct.org or contact Executive Director Cindy Elder at cindyelder@blct.org or 508-733-2443.

Thank you for helping us to preserve open space for future generations.

Communications: Ian Donahue (chair), Peter Burke, Mary Grover, Bill Kirkpatrick, Victor Lerish, Cindy Larson Moura, Cindy Pierce, Sara Sampieri Horvet Development: Cindy Larson Moura (chair), Andrew Curtis, Ian Donahue, Meghan Frost, Debora Provolo, Sara Sampieri Horvet Education: Cindy Pierce (chair), Peter Burke, Ian Donahue, Mary Grover, Bill Kirkpatrick, Victor Lerish, Sara Sampieri Horvet Finance: Deborah Provolo (chair), Andrew Curtis, Ian Donahue Governance: Richard Waterman (chair) Operations: Ian Donahue (chair), Andrew Curtis, Meghan Frost, Michael Gorfinkle, Cindy Larson Moura, Victor Lerish, Deborah Provolo, Richard Waterman Scout Projects: Richard Waterman (chair) Stewardship: Victor Lerish (chair), Catherine Boisseau, Ann Brouillette, Peter Burke, Andrew Curtis, Ian Donahue, Norman Dudziak, Mary Grover, Frank Hearn, Bill Kirkpatrick, Charles McCoy, Cindy Pierce, Kelly Chinners Reiss, Sara Sampieri Horvet, Richard Waterman Terrapin Conservation Project Liaison: Sara Sampieri Horvet Execu t ive Dir ect or : Cin dy Elder

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Dear Friends, Volunteers have been the lifeblood of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust for 44 years, and they continue to be the fuel that powers our organization.

From trail maintenance and clean ups to expert assistance, our volunteers make it possible for us to care for our protected lands and educate the public about the importance of open space.

hundreds of people who have attended free public walks and educational programs and our commitment to creating a welcoming and diverse volunteer force.

You?ll meet the current and new members of our Board, all of whom bring their own passions and talents to our work.

You?ll also discover the fascinating history of Sowams Woods, one of the Land Trust?s premier properties, which involved a four-year, $2 million effort by a wide array of stakeholders. It?s a great example of how we can come together as a community to do big things that have a lasting impact on future generations.

Thank you for supporting our work now and in the years ahead, when environmental pressures are certain to grow. I encourage you to reach out to us to discuss how you can move our mission forward.

Please share this Annual Report with your friends and invite them to join the effort to preserve and care for open space.

Likewise, the Barrington Land Conservation Trust would not exist without the support of financial donors who enable us to maintain hundreds of acres of preserved land and offer free public programming.

It is only through the generosity of individuals, organizations, and foundations that we are able to acquire additional open space and care for the land already under our stewardship.

The landscape is changing for small nonprofits like the Barrington Land Conservation Trust. Climate change and sea level rise threaten coastal communities like ours, making the need to preserve open space even more profound. The cost of running a small nonprofit has increased, and the need to expand outreach efforts has multiplied. Now more than ever, we depend on your help to fulfill our mission.

With gratitude,

Ian Donahue President, Board of Directors Barrington Land Conservation Trust

Cindy Elder Executive Director Barrington Land Conservation Trust

The Board of Directors recognized the need to engage more people in the work of conservation to ensure that it remains a top priority for our community. We invested in our organization?s future by hiring our first executive director, and we have strengthened our Board with new members. Together, we are working to professionalize our organization and strengthen it for the important years ahead.

I?m pleased to report that the Barrington Land Conservation Trust is now on a path toward sustainability. In this report, you?ll read about 3 | Barrington Land Conservation Trust Annual Report 2022-2023

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Year in Review : St ew ar dsh ip The Stewardship Team accomplished important projects at a variety of properties in FY23, with a significant focus on Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve.

Tu esday Tr ails Team an d Pr oper t y St ew ar ds The Tuesday Trail Teams contributed more than 250 hours hours at multiple properties in FY23. They maintained trails, clear downed and dangerous trees, removed invasive plants, repaired bridges, removed trash, and tackled restoration work resulting from vandalism. In addition, our 25 Property Stewards kept a watchful eye on nearly 300 acres of land.

Volunteer Jerry Gonville installed many new bird boxes on Land Trust properties.

interested students. Volunteer activities will be eligible for community service hours required for graduation.

Plan t in g Pr oject s Volunteers launched a three-year planting program at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve, funded in part by the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Land Trust volunteers and the Audubon Youth Conservation League Team planted 38 native trees and shrubs in September 2022, with more planting to come in 2023 and 2024. Plans are now being drafted for the planting of a 0.7-acre pollinator area at Johannis in 2024, also partly funded by NRCS.

The Tuesday Trails Team gathers on an early spring day.

Bird boxes built by volunteers can be found on many properties.

St u den t St ew ar dsh ip Team

For est M an agem en t

We are pleased to announce the creation of a Student Stewardship Team for students age 14-plus who are interested in participating in trail maintenance, clean ups, research, writing, photography, film, and other creative ways to support local conservation work. We are grateful to the New England Grassroots Fund for supporting this effort with a Seed Grant and to the student-led group, Barrington Environmental Establishment (BEE), for connecting us with

A Forest Management Plan, funded in part by NRCS, was completed for Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve. At all times, we try to incorporate best practices into our management plans for our properties. This detailed Forest Management Plan prepared by an outside consultant helps us keep abreast of the most current best practices for this property. NRCS will also fund a forest management plan for Sowams Woods over the next two years.

Members of the Student Stewardship Team tackle invasive plants at St. Andrews Farm.

The RWU Engineers Without Borders team.

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Br idge an d Boar dw alk Rest or at ion A major storm on December 23, 2022 washed out the primary bridge at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve, making it impossible to circumnavigate the property. Coinciding with a king tide and high winds, the storm was a harsh reminder of the effects of climate change and sea level rise. We are grateful to the student chapter of Roger Williams University Engineers Without Borders, who are working to design and build a larger

Year in Review : Edu cat ion an d Ou t r each We worked with wonderful partners this year to bring a variety of free educational experiences to the public. Here?s a snapshot of the educational and outreach activities offered in FY23.

Fu n Act ivit ies f or Kids In November 2022, we welcomed the Story Walk back to Sowams Woods, in partnership with the Barrington Public Library.

Children enjoyed reading Still This Love Goes On as they wandered through Sowams Woods. Each page of this beautifully illustrated tribute to Indigenous communities

by Buffy Saint-Marie appeared on storyboards along the trails.

Visitors learn about Osamequin Nature Preserve on a public walk.

bridge with improved accessibility. We?re also receiving help from the Boy Scouts to rebuild or create new boardwalks.

Par t n er in g on Con ser vat ion Lan d In addition to caring for land owned by the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, we partner with several organizations to maintain conservation land owned by the Town of Barrington.

We collaborate with the Town and the Barrington Garden Club in managing the Osamequin Nature Preserve, and we work with the Town to manage the fields at St. Andrews Farm. We were pleased to co-sponsor two beach clean-ups with Save the Bay at Barrington Beach. We?re also grateful to Barrington Boy Scout Troop 2 for building and installing a bike rack at Mussachuck Grove/Beach property at the end of Appian Way.

In April 2023, we partnered with the Library again on the Look & Find Nature Walk Raffle. Kids searched for clues to a word search at Osamequin Nature Preserve and a prize was offered to the winner.

With population increase, it is more important than ever to set aside land, especially sensitive land. Protected areas provide space to exercise and commune with nature. ~ Elizabeth B. Barker Teach in g Con ser vat ion We piloted a new outdoor environmental program with two fifth grade classes at Hampden Meadows School, in partnership with teachers Jennifer Reynolds and Deena St. Angelo. Each child selected a tree in the woods beyond the school to study over a period of months. The multidisciplinary

Resear ch We frequently open our properties to the scientific community for the purpose of research and education.

Current projects include a Bumble Bee survey and a study of the impact of sea level rise on salt marsh plant communities at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve. Brown University botany students, under the direction of Rebecca Kartzinel, Director of the Brown University Herbarium, are also conducting field studies at Johannis.

For information on how you can get involved as a volunteer, visit www.blct.org/volunteer or email cindyelder@blct.org.

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Fifth grade students at Hampden Meadows "adopted" trees in an environmental education program designed by the Land Trust.

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program will challenge students to understand their special tree in detail, learning about its habitat, how it contributes to the ecosystem, what threatens it, the ancestral history of the land on which it grows, and its meaning from an artist?s perspective.

The year-long program is made possible by generous sponsors and the Barrington Public Library, which hosts the events in the Salem Family Auditorium. We are especially grateful to our Presenting Sponsor, Chart House Realtors.

Hist or y an d Pr eser vat ion In collaboration with the Barrington Preservation Society, we led a guided walk to the site of Barrington?s oldest brick-making operation, where remnants of bricks believed to date to the 17th century can be seen in a stream bed at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve.

The Land Trust Learning Series engaged 375 people for in-person or virtual presentations on salt marshes, Indigenous perspectives, and native plants at the Barrington Public Library during FY23.

A child participates in Story Walk at Sowams Woods.

The Land Trust offered a pilot program of ?virtual walks?in FY23 to engage residents of an assisted living facility in the history and ecology of conservation properties.

Gu ided Walk s Despite a bit of rain, nearly 100 people attended our annual Day After Thanksgiving Walk at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve, organized in partnership with the Barrington Public Library.

We also launched a series of monthly walks, beginning in December 2022, to a variety of properties owned or co-managed by the Barrington Land Conservation Trust. We introduced more than 350 people to Sowams Woods, Allin?s Cove Conservation Area, Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge, PIC-WIL Nature Preserve, and Osamequin Nature Preserve. Our thanks to Kathryn Beauchamp of the Barrington Garden Club, which co-manages Osamequin Nature Preserve with the Land Trust, for helping to lead walks. Thanks also to Peter McCalmont, chair of the Doug Rayner Wildlife Refuge Management Committee, for leading walks at this remarkable conservation area.

Lorén Spears, Executive Director of the Tomaquag Museum and Cindy Elder, Executive Director of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust.

In September, we?ll hear from Alex Kuffner, Environment Reporter with The Providence Journal, on major environmental issues facing Rhode Island, and John Kostrzewa, author of the new book, Walking Rhode Island: 40 Hikes for Nature and History Lovers. In October, we?ll present a two-day environmental film festival featuring the work of award-winning documentary filmmaker Daniel Byers of Skyship Films.

For more information on any of our education or outreach programs, visit www.blct.org/events or email cindyelder@blct.org.

"It is important to protect these open spaces to preserve the local ecology and to provide open space for our residents to connect with the land and be refreshed by being outdoors.?

2023 Lan d Tr u st Lear n in g Ser ies In April, we introduced our 2023 Land Trust Learning Series, an opportunity to hear from experts whose work touches conservation areas in a variety of ways.

We kicked off the program with salt marsh expert Mark Bertness who discussed the causes for the degradation of salt marshes around the globe and in our neighborhoods. In June we offered two programs perfect for the gardening season. Lorén Spears, Executive Director of the Tomaquag Museum, presented an Indigenous Perspective on Native Plants, and Uli Lorimer, Director of Horticulture at the New England Wild Flower Society, discussed his new book,The Northeast Plant Primer: 235 Plants for an Earth-Friendly Garden.

Property Steward Bill Kirkpatrick leads a public walk at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve.

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~ Dick Waterman

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Year in Review : Special Pr oject s Pollin at or Pat h w ays Barrington?s Pollinator Pathway is part of the Northeastern Pollinator Pathway, a regional project to create public and private pesticide-free corridors of native plants that provide nutrition and habitat for pollinating insects and birds.

Spearheaded locally by members of the Land Trust Board, the Barrington Pollinator Pathway already has many members interested in creating friendly habitats for birds, bees, and butterflies.

Nearly 90 people now receive our Barrington Pollinator Pathways newsletter, filled with practical advice and educational opportunities. For more information on Barrington?s Pollinator Pathways, visit www.blct.org/more-about-us/pollinator-pathways.

Ter r apin Con ser vat ion Resear ch Pr oject The Barrington Terrapin Conservation Project completed its 33rd year of operation under the capable leadership of Kathryn Beauchamp, Madeleine Linck, and Peter McCalmont.

Doug Rayner discovered the terrapin nesting area in 1990 and began his method of marking them. In 1992, Charlotte Sornborger started working with Doug and set up a more systematic method of marking and recording the population.

Peter McCalmont joined Doug in monitoring the nesting and making individual excluders, which protect the nests from predators.

stipends for two seasonal interns and a grant from the University of Rhode Island covered the cost of a third intern.

During the 2022 season, these three interns contributed an impressive 411 hours onsite. In addition, 34 volunteers contributed a total of 996 volunteer hours during terrapin nesting and hatchling emergence. Individual terrapins continue to be identified by their carapace notching and insertion of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags.

A documentary film created by Carolyn Decker and Jason Jaccks, Turtles on the Hill, has appeared in major film festivals and was shown twice at the Barrington Public Library. The 21-minute film is a love story about local wildlife and local people. Over one year, the story reveals the lives of the diamondback terrapins of Hundred Acre Cove. Check out the movie at www.blct.org/terrapin-research.

In 1994, the Town Council officially adopted a Management Plan for the refuge that stipulated the protection of the terrapin and its nesting grounds as the primary management objective. During the intervening years, the project has continued to operate with a dedicated team of leaders, volunteers, and interns, who work to ensure the safe nesting and hatching of these state endangered turtles, which are considered a keystone species in Hundred Acre Cove.

Barrington Land Conservation Trust covers the cost of 7 | Barrington Land Conservation Trust Annual Report 2022-2023

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Fin an cial Review The Barrington Land Conservation Trust continues to fulfill its mission on a modest budget. The Land Trust carries no long-term debt and is in good standing with local, state and federal authorities. Our financial records are diligently maintained by a highly qualified volunteer Treasurer and Finance Committee, and our 990 nonprofit tax returns are prepared by a certified public accountant.

In FY23, we were able to contribute $15,000 to our net assets after expenses, thanks to careful management of the charitable gifts upon which our organization relies.

Uses of Fu n ds Expenses for Fiscal Year 2023 totaled $43,330. The majority of our funds were allocated toward core mission-based work: Land Management and Stewardship (41%) and Education and Outreach (30%).

Board of Directors and other Land Trust volunteers are actively involved in administration, fundraising and membership-building activities.

Sou r ces of Fu n ds The Land Trust relies primarily on individual donations to support its work. These contributions represented 63% of funds received in FY23.

We increased the number of individual donors by 58% (from 206 in FY22 to 326 in FY23), and we saw a 66% increase in total funds raised. With 7,100 households in the Town of Barrington, we see a significant opportunity to further grow our base of support in the years ahead.

New events like the Learning Series generated important sponsorship funding which made these special events

Land Management and Stewardship expenses include insurance for nearly 300 acres of land, planting materials, equipment, signage, intern stipends for the Terrapin Conservation Project, vendor services as needed for major tree work and trail mowing, and other expenses. Hundreds of hours of volunteer work defray the cost of Land Management and Stewardship.

possible. We also participated in the United Way?s #401Gives campaign in FY23, which raised $4,530.

Education and Outreach include expenses associated with the 2023 Learning Series, public walks, programs for K-12 students, and educational materials. Adult and student volunteers have contributed significantly to our ability to offer these programs.

Over its 44-year history, the Land Trust has slowly built a modest investment fund comprised of bequests, one-time major gifts and surpluses which exist after annual expenses are paid. At the end of FY23, the fund held approximately $250,000. It is managed by Gunness Financial Services in Warren, RI. This fund helps to ensure the Land Trust?s long-term sustainability and strengthens its ability to acquire conservation land in combination with individual donations, grants and government funding.

Administration of the Land Trust includes technology, membership fees, accounting, and the administrative work required to operate the Land Trust professionally as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Fundraising and Membership focuses on building our base of support and ensuring our organizational sustainability. This year, we hired a half-time executive director, transitioned to a new donor management platform, and conducted our first town-wide mailing. The 8 | Barrington Land Conservation Trust Annual Report 2022-2023

We continued to receive grant funding from the USDA?s National Resource Conservation Service and obtained two new grants from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund.

Th e Lan d Tr u st Fu t u r e Fu n d

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. Plants are needed for so many things too vast to contemplate. Just do it and nurture your surroundings. ~ Manny Vales, Redwood Nursery & Garden Center

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Sow am s Woods: A Case St u dy in Con ser vat ion Four years. Two million dollars. A long list of cooperating partners. That?s what it took to save Sowams Woods, one of Barrington?s few natural open spaces with public walking trails through forested land.

Twenty years ago, the first seeds were planted toward preservation of this historically and ecologically important 12.3-acre parcel of land off Washington Road, adjacent to the Rhode Island Country Club. Today, we reap the benefits of these efforts, which earned the John H. Chafee Award for Conservation in 2010.

A Walk in t h e Woods As you enter Sowams Woods, the Walnut Trail meanders through a woodland dominated by white and red pines adapted to well-drained, low-nutrient glacial soils of the area.

From the Revolutionary War era until the early 20th century, this section was primarily a walnut grove. In 1911, the Rhode Island Country Club acquired the land and cut down the walnut grove to make way for a golf course. They did not ultimately use this section of land for their golf course, so they planted red pines to replace the walnut trees.

The Land Trust holds guided walks at Sowams Woods in all seasons. Photo by Dave Weed.

In a strange twist of nature, the walnut trees left behind a surprise: the naturally occurring chemicals produced by walnut trees led to red pine scale, which caused most of the red pines to die and tumble over. White pines grew up in their place. Along this trail, you?ll find an information kiosk built by local Boy Scouts.

The Vernal View Trail and Peeper Trail allow walkers to experience vernal pools. Depending on the season, these small freshwater wetlands may be wet or dry. Fish are unable to survive in these ponds, making them perfect for frogs and other small creatures which would otherwise be eaten. Vernal means spring, and this is when water levels are typically the highest and there is the most activity at the pools. They are one of the most endangered of habitats. In the past, vernal pools were often filled for development purposes.

A Great Horned owl looks out from its perch at Sowams Woods. Photo by Charlie McCoy.

Walking along the Ridge Trail, visitors glimpse Echo Lake beyond the trees, with its active bird life and spectacular views. A fish ladder for herring, located just outside of Sowams Woods on Echo Lake, was installed with a grant obtained by the Rhode Island Country Club.

A Sacr ed Place The property has special significance as part of the ancestral lands of the Pokanoket people, which include all of the East Bay and parts of Seekonk, Swansea and Rehoboth. In Pokanoket, the word ?Sowams? refers to the southern section of their homeland.

The Pokanoket people of today played an essential role in preserving Sowams Woods, which they consider a sacred area. Archaeological digs in the 1920s identified burial sites located nearby under a section of the golf course.

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The Narragansett Archaeological Society, an amateur archeological group, turned their attention to the area where Sowams Woods is now located in the 1990s. Their finds were described in a May 4, 2017 article in The Barrington Times: Rhode Island Country Club, the property owner, granted permission to the archeologists and a more extensive dig commenced. In the first layer of undersoil, they found artifacts of www.BLCT.ORG

the Colonial and early contact period, including broken clay pipes, glass, knives, and buttons. Lower layers included arrowheads and other stone tools, some dating back about 5,000 years. This demonstrated continued and extensive use of the land.

As part of their dig, the archeologists made an important discovery: Underneath the soil were numerous crescent-shaped stone hearths. This was an exceptional and unique find across all of Southern New England.

Carbon dating indicated the hearths were in use 800 years ago, but it is likely they were also used before and after that time.

These hearths were part of an area specifically set aside for women and childbirth, and as such was designated as a place for peace.

In honor of Sowams?Woods Pokanoket history, each of the seven trails is marked by one of the colors of the rainbow shield of the Pokanoket Nation.

A Far -Reach in g Coalit ion ?It really started with the neighbors discussing this proposed development they were hearing about,? recalls Helen Tjader, former president of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, who played a pivotal role in the acquisition of Sowams Woods. ?They were worried.?

A Great Horned owlet sits camouflaged in its nest at Sowams Woods. Photo by Charlie McCoy.

from a neighborhood concern to a national concern.?

Funding to acquire Sowams Woods came from many sources.

The Friends of Echo Lake soon formed, and they became one of the key partners in the process to save Sowams Woods.

One of the members, Bob Hall, hosted a seed money party that raised $40,000 for the Land Trust to cover the cost of studies and surveys.

With guidance from the Nature Conservancy and staff at then Sen. Lincoln Chafee?s office, Helen wrote and received major grants from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and the Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Project of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ?I explained that this was part of a larger state wetlands project, including adjacent Town land and Land Trust land. We could show the national significance because of the herring run into Mussachuck Creek and the stone hearths. It shifted 10 | Barrington Land Conservation Trust Annual Report 2022-2023

?When you look at the contributions, a big chunk was the state, but the biggest part was the federal government,? said Helen. ?A lot of the private donations came from Sandy McCulloch and his friends, including members of the Rhode Island Country Club.?

Donations from people throughout Barrington helped to get the project over the finish line, including neighbors like Dick and Barbara McWhirter. ?We donated because we loved the woods and wanted to do our part,? said Dick.

What resulted was the biggest effort in the Land Trust?s history to purchase a property. ?It takes a special combination of things to come together. We had a lot of good strong partners and built good relations with the town, the Pokanoket, the neighbors, and the donors. I?m very grateful. It would never have happened without a lot of critical people.

There are so many good things going on in Barrington, and the Land Trust is a reflection of that.?

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Sow am s Woods Spot ligh t : Dor ot h y ?Dot t y ? M cCu lloch Standing Up for Preservation Dorothy ?Dotty? McCulloch reflected recently on the central role played by her husband and partner for more than 70 years, Norman E. ?Sandy? McCulloch, Jr., in the preservation of Sowams Woods. A Barrington High School graduate, Sandy was a business leader and philanthropist, chairing seven organizations over his long career, including the Rhode Island Foundation, St. Andrews School, and Dartmouth College. He died in 2020 at the age of 94.

Dotty recalled the fervor with which Sandy fought to save Sowams Woods. As members of the Rhode Island Country Club, which had owned the land for many decades prior to it being preserved, Sandy and Dotty had front row seats in the process which ultimately led to its preservation. ?Everyone said, boy, Sandy has guts. Club members were so anxious to sell the property and get money for the club?s projects. He stood up and said, this land is too valuable and it?s historic ? you don?t just up and sell it for house lots. This land should be preserved. Then he said, I?ll put up the first gift to help the Land Trust buy it.?

Many partners came together to preserve Sowams Woods.

Sandy was one of the champions who helped turn the tide at a pivotal moment, creating a pathway for negotiations to succeed.

The Barrington Times reported on Aug 6, 2006: The most significant show of support for the land trust?s cause was local philanthropist Norman E. (Sandy) McCulloch, Jr.?s pledge to fund the difference between the amount the preservation group has already raised (approximately $1.5 million as of last Friday) and the country club Board of Governor?s $2 million minimum asking price. The pledge was in addition to [Mr. McCullooch?s] $100,000 donation to the land trust?s purchase fund last month. ?He was willing to fight for things,? said Dotty. ?Every time he saw something that he thought could be managed better or needed work, he became interested. He wasn?t interested in anything where it was all solved. He always wanted to make something a little better. I couldn?t believe all the things he did.?

Sandy and Dotty McCulloch enjoying an outdoor walk many years ago

The Town of Barrington and the Barrington Land Conservation Trust have been very fortunate to have so many benefactors over the years. I want to remember Norman E. McCulloch who was instrumental in the acquisition of Sowams Woods. His philanthropy was also evidenced as he purchased the St. Andrews Farm for $3,000,000 and gave it to the Town. I think it is important to remember the people involved in the acquisition of these properties. ~ Mars J. Bishop

Dotty is an accomplished leader in her own right, leading major capital campaigns as a trustee for Mount Holyoke College and chairing the board of The International House for 22 years. Their children have followed in their parent?s footsteps, joining in efforts to preserve land and support nonprofit organizations through philanthropy and leadership. ?It runs in the family,? she said.

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St. Andrews Farm was donated to the Town by Sandy and Dotty McCulloch and is now managed with support from Land Trust volunteers.

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Sow am s Woods Spot ligh t : Bob an d Robin Hall

Sow am s Woods Spot ligh t : San dr a Wyat t

Bob Hall and his wife, Robin, contributed funds toward the preservation of Sowams Woods and participated in the Friends of Echo Lake, a neighborhood group that played a key role in the acquisition process. The following article is excerpted with permission from a recent letter by Bob to the Land Trust.

Celebrating Conservation Champions

The entire process of preserving this historic land was an adventure. At one of our early meetings of the Friends of Echo Lake, we were strongly motivated by Paul Weeden, who spoke on behalf of the Pokanoket Tribe. He stressed the importance of preserving the site and spoke about its special significance to the Tribe. He explained that burial sites were discovered in the area in 1920, and stone artifacts and hearths were discovered in the 1990s by the Narragansett Archaeological Society. Mr. Weeden emphasized that the tribe considered the land to be sacred.

Robin and I chose to be part of the community effort to save this historic 12 acres of land because we respected its long (some say 3,500 years old) Native American history. We were also mindful that Barrington had very little open space that had not been developed.

When Sandra Wyatt thinks back on the effort to save Sowams Woods, one name comes up over and over again: Helen Tjader, who served as president of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust during the years of effort that enabled the Land Trust to preserve this special property. ?Helen was the driving force behind Sowams Woods,? she recalls. ?She was good at getting people to help her, and she knew how to write grants. She is just an astonishing person.?

Helen moved to South Dakota a few years ago but remains a mentor and friend of the Land Trust.

Charlotte Sornborger, who served on the Land Trust?s board for decades, including many years as president, also played an important role in the acquisition. She now lives in Maine, and like Helen, has made time to offer her advice and support to the Land Trust. ?Both Charlotte and Helen raised a lot of money,? said Sandra, who served on the board of the Land Trust for several years and was integral in efforts to preserve another Land Trust property, Allin?s Cove.

During the years-long effort to acquire Sowams Woods, Sandra particularly enjoyed her conversations with members of the Pokanoket tribe, from whom she learned about the property?s significance to Indigenous people. She joined work parties to remove invasive plants at Sowams Woods and remembers the contributions of local Boy Scout troops who helped with special projects. ?It was a collaborative affair. There was trust.?

Sandra?s love for land preservation started in her youth in Minnesota in an area rich with swamps and fields. ?My friends were frogs and toads. I was outdoors all the time,? she said. ?These days, I?m looking at everything in my life in a different way. When I walk through Sowams Woods now, I?m just so glad it?s there.?

When invited to offer his reflections for this story, Bob Hall produced twenty-year-old newspaper articles he? d saved about Sowams Woods which demonstrated how the issue had evolved and resonated with the community.

We were glad to be a part of the team that helped preserve this historic land and especially appreciative of the strong support of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, and the ultimate vote of the Rhode Island Country Club membership to sell it to the Trust.

Everyone, we felt, was a winner. The historic land was kept undeveloped for the community to enjoy. Native American history was respected, the R.I. Country Club received $2 million for much-needed projects, and Sowams Woods became one of the town?s most beautiful public nature trails. It was a truly successful team effort.

Twenty years later, Robin and I are so proud that our involvement with so many people ended successfully in our combined effort to acquire Sowams Woods.

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Helen Tjader, former President of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, played a leading role in the preservation of Sowams Woods.

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Seven St eps t o Bu ildin g a M or e Resilien t Lan dscape

By Cindy Larson Moura Board Member, Barrington Land Conservation Trust

Over the past year, Barrington experienced periods of extreme drought, unprecedented rainfalls, and dramatic storms. We saw the impacts of these events on many properties owned or managed by the Barrington Land Conservation Trust.

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Rhode Island leads our region with the highest rate of warming since the beginning of the 20th century. It?s hard to forget last December ?s confluence of pounding storms paired with moon tides that resulted in flooded backyards, roadways, and coastal conservation properties across town. These events are real-time reminders of the fragility of this wonderful place we call home.

#1 Ret h in k You r Law n : Reduce lawn areas and adjust mowing practices. Think of your lawn as an area rug instead of a wall-to-wall carpet. Expand existing planting beds, add border gardens and replace mulch with native groundcovers around drip lines of trees. Mow less frequently and never shorter than three inches. Above all, minimize or eliminate chemical inputs in the lawn areas you keep. Learn more at www.perfectearthproject.org. #2 Pest icides/ Her bicides: Stop or greatly reduce pesticide and herbicide use. Recent data shows that homeowners are now using ten times the amount of pesticides on yards

Conversations about habitat and biodiversity loss, resiliency, and sustainability are on the rise from local coffee shops to the halls of government. At the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, we are proud of the work we do to preserve wild and often fragile spaces in perpetuity.

These open spaces provide habitats and wildlife corridors for animals and a place where native plants can regain a foothold and fragile ecosystems can be protected and nurtured. Common and endangered flora and fauna find refuge in these conservation pockets around town. The efforts of the Land Trust matter a great deal ? to the tune of 300 acres preserved in perpetuity. Working together with residents, we can have an even greater impact.

Barrington is a classic example of a fragmented suburban landscape, intersected by streets, housing, public buildings and commercial development, making it challenging to preserve large swaths of land. However, you can

and gardens that are used in commercial agriculture.

These products kill pollinators and beneficial insects and harm birds. Many are dangerous to our pets, our health, and our waterways. Fortunately, in a landscape rooted in resiliency, they are largely unnecessary. #3 Nat ive Plan t s: Add native plants to your yard ? they are the foundation of a healthy landscape. Native plants provide food and habitat for pollinators and life all the way up the food chain. They evolved over thousands of years and adapted to the conditions of the region, so they are healthier, stronger, and better able to survive in challenging times. This in turn means they require less water and little or no fertilizer or chemical inputs. #4 Nat ive Tr ees: Add native trees strategically. Trees clean the air, sequester carbon, absorb water, and provide food and shelter for birds and small mammals. Their cooling impact in the summer is especially powerful when planted due west of west-facing windows. Native evergreen trees and shrubs placed to the north buffer a home from harsh winter winds.

contribute to conservation and resiliency efforts right outside your own door. With an eye towards bolstering biodiversity and nurturing habitat, here are seven steps to get you started.

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#5 St or m Wat er : Manage storm water. Landscapes that absorb water like a sponge are vital in our region.

Swapping out areas of shallow rooted turf grass for deep rooted native plants is a wonderful water management strategy. In areas where water pools, create a beautiful and beneficial rain garden. In hardscape areas, use www.BLCT.ORG

permeable surfaces like crushed stone, pervious concrete or pavers. Rain barrels and strategically pointed downspouts capture water for reuse in gardens.

#7 Ligh t s Ou t : Minimize nighttime light pollution. Be thoughtful with outdoor lighting. In addition to wasting energy, bright lights at night mess with essential nocturnal

#6 Cr eat e Habit at s: In conservation terms, a ?snag? is a dead or dying tree. Our tendency is to remove them, but you can sustain habitats by leaving them as nature intended (as long as they don?t present a safety hazard).

You can create habitats by building brush piles of fallen logs and branches, saving stems and leaves. Snags and brush piles are life support systems for small animals and birds. Let garden stems stand over winter and well into spring ? beneficial insects may be sleeping inside, waiting to emerge. Follow this advice and you will find songbirds seeking shelter in brush piles, dining on seed heads and fishing for insects in the leaves. You?ll help to create shelter, food and habitat for an array of life.

habits and predator-prey dynamics. Optimal foraging takes place for many species under the cover of darkness.

Excessive artificial light disorients migrating birds and threatens aquatic ecosystems by increasing the risk of harmful algae blooms. It also impacts our quality of life by eradicating our access to the wonder of the night skies.

Simple adjustments to warm colored bulbs, motion sensors and timers can make a world of difference. Learn more at www.darksky.org.

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Simple steps on individual properties, woven together with conservation of larger areas of open space, create a foundation of resiliency our community needs. Thank you for playing your part!

More than 80 people have served on the Board of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust since its founding in 1979. The following individuals are continuing their service on the Board in 2023-2024.

Cu r r en t Boar d M em ber s

Cat h er in e Boisseau

St even Boyajian

An dr ew Cu r t is

Catherine joined the Board in 2016 and currently serves on the Acquisitions and Planning Committee. She has lived in Barrington for 40 years, raising her family and pursuing interests in the arts, the environment, and the study of birds.

Steve joined the Board in 2022 and will serve as Secretary in FY24. He chairs the Acquisition and Planning Committee, which reviews properties that have been offered to the Land Trust to determine if they fit well within our objectives for preservation of open space.

Drew joined the Board in 2022 and will serve as Co-President, Treasurer, and Chair of the Finance Committee in FY24.

He also serves on the Development and Operations Committees. He moved to Barrington in early 2020 and learned about the Land Trust as he explored the town during the early days of the pandemic. This led him to volunteer for the Tuesday Trails Team and become the steward for the Allin?s Cove Conservation Area. He is also one of our chainsaw experts.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts with dual majors in Fine Arts and American Studies at Boston University, and a certificate in Appraisal Studies at the Rhode Island School of Design. Catherine has served as curator and director at history museums in Connecticut, director of a Newport-based gallery of historic American fine art, and as an independent fine art appraiser.

Catherine?s interest in birding was revived with a course at the Audubon Society of Rhode Island. She has participated in birding surveys, banding, and research programs. ?Growing up in what was originally a pristine natural environment that became over-developed, and later learning how important birds are as indicator species for the health of the planet, gave me a new appreciation for how humans are inextricably linked to the natural world, even as that connection becomes increasingly attenuated. Birding and the study of birds have reinforced my belief in the importance of learning about, respecting and nurturing the natural world before it is lost."

He has served as an attorney with Robinson+Cole for more than 11 years. A member of the firm?s Bankruptcy and Reorganizations Group, his practice includes bankruptcy, creditors' rights, real estate litigation, and utilities regulation.

Steve is also a member of the firm?s pro bono committee. He earned a bachelor ?s degree in politics from Pomona College and a Doctor of Law from Boston College Law School.

In addition to his service with the Land Trust, Steve participates in the Rhode Island Bar Association?s Elderly Pro Bono Program by assisting elderly individuals faced with collection actions. He has served on the Barrington Town Council and is also a member of the Boards of Directors of Day One, an organization which advocates for victims of sexual abuse and violence; Barrington Little League; and the Rhode Island Bar Foundation for which he also serves as Treasurer and chairs the Scholarship and Finance Committees.

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Currently, he manages global real estate projects for a biotechnology company.

His professional experience includes roles in accounting, internal controls, and financial planning. He earned a bachelor ?s and master ?s degree in accounting from the University of Connecticut and is a licensed CPA in Connecticut. ?My parents exposed me to nature and the outdoors at a young age,? says Drew, an avid hiker. ?That led me to place great value on open space.

Working with the Land Trust is my way of contributing locally to protect lands and doing what I can to give back. If it?s not done locally, it?s often not done at all.? www.BLCT.ORG

Current Board Members, cont.

Ian Don ah u e

M egh an Fr ost

William Kir k pat r ick

Ian Donahue joined the Board of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust in 2017 and served as President in FY23. In the year ahead, he will share the presidency with Andrew Curtis, just as his predecessor Melissa Horne did with him, enabling a smooth transition of leadership.

Over the course of his tenure, he has served as a property steward, Chair of the Communications Committee, Co-President, and President. He also serves as a member of the Acquisition and Planning, Development, Finance, Governance, and Operations Committees.

Meghan Frost joined the Board in 2018 and currently serves on the Communications Committee and Development Committee.

Bill joined the Board in 2022 and serves on the Stewardship, Education, and Communications Committees. He and his wife relocated from Maine to his hometown of Barrington eight years ago. Soon after returning home, he volunteered for the Land Trust and became the property steward at Johannis Farm Wildlife Preserve.

Ian moved to Barrington from Providence in 2011 and quickly embraced his new town by volunteering to serve on the Barrington Zoning Board of Review, where he became familiar with the town?s building codes and development requests.

He saw the Land Trust as a way to help preserve the town?s limited remaining open space.

Now working as Project Manager for DCL Communications Ltd. In Avon, MA, Ian has also worked as a project manager for Mystic Scenic Studios, Inc., a marketing and sales manager for Creative Conners, Inc., and a business owner operating Hope Street Improvement. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in design/tech from SUNY Purchase. His wife, Kerrie, serves as Director of Development at St. Andrews School. Their son, Brian, just graduated from UVM, and their daughter, Megan, is attending Ithaca College.

With a passion for community engagement, Meghan has worked in development/alumni relations and marketing in the non-profit and for profit sectors at Boston University, Brown University, Harvard Business School, Putnam Investments, and the Computer Museum.

Within each organization, Meghan has focused on ways to engage diverse audiences in mission and product to drive revenue and build constituents.

Preserving natural space for habitat and for communities to enjoy has been an area of focus for Meghan for many years. Serving on the Audubon Society of Rhode Island board, as well as being a member of the Barrington Yacht Club, has enabled Meghan to learn more about the natural spaces in Rhode Island and gain a greater appreciation for the open spaces within Barrington. Through her work with the Barrington Garden Club and the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, Meghan has been able to give back to the community she has called home since 2005. It has also afforded her the opportunity to share hidden gems of Barrington with friends, family, and colleagues and inspire others to give back.

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His career in health and behavioral health spans more than 44 years and includes positions as Director of Clinical Social Work, Interpreter Services and Spiritual Care at Lifespan and senior positions with the Alzheimer ?s Chapter (Maine), the PACE Organization of Rhode Island, and Roger Williams Medical Center.

Bill attended Barrington High School and earned a bachelor ?s degree at Barrington College, a Master of Social Work at Boston College, and a certificate in Bioethics and Health Policy at Loyola University.

When considering the importance of the Land Trust, Bill refers to a quote from Henry David Thoreau?s essay, Walking: "In wildness is the preservation of the world." Bill enjoys hiking, photography and American history.

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Current Board Members, cont.

Vict or Ler ish

Cin dy Lar son M ou r a Cindy Larson Moura joined the Board in 2019 and serves as Chair of the Development Committee and a member of the Education and Operations Committees.

Cindy works as an independent consultant assisting nonprofit, philanthropic, and government entities with strategic endeavors.

Over the course of her career, she has led agencies in Rhode Island and Massachusetts where she grew and managed programs that benefited thousands of young children and their families. She launched and operationalized local and national programs with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the nation?s largest Community Development Financial Institution. She was appointed to the RI Governor ?s Early Learning Council and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston?s Community Development Advisory Committee.

Together with her husband and lifelong Barrington resident Ed Moura, she operates Prickly Ed?s Cactus Patch Native Plant Emporium. Cindy earned a bachelor ?s degree from Roger Williams University and has lived in Barrington since 1999. She also has served as President of Barrington Partnership for Animal Welfare. ?My passion for conservation comes from a deep desire to thoughtfully preserve and maintain spaces for area wildlife that are being forced into quickly shrinking habitats,? she says. Her own yard has been a NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat for more than 10 years.

Victor joined the Board in 2016 and serves as Chair of the Stewardship Committee. He also serves on the Education, Communications, Operations, and Acquisition and Planning Committees.

From 1979 until 2020, Victor was a pediatrician at Barrington Pediatric Associates, caring for kids and their families in the local community. He was active in the RI Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, serving at one time as co-president, with a focus on child advocacy. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Union College and an M.D. from the University of Maryland School of Medicine. While completing his pediatric residency at RI Hospital/Brown University, Victor fell in love with Rhode Island.

Victor and his wife Joanna enjoy walking trails, camping, kayaking, canoeing ? anything outdoors. When not in Rhode Island, you can often find them in southern Maine where he also volunteers as the water quality advisor for his local pond association. ?I?ve always been interested in the environment and would probably have studied environmental science or wildlife biology had I not gone into medicine,? says Victor. ?Getting involved with the Land Trust was a natural fit for me.? He started as a property steward and went on to found the Tuesday Trails Team.?My involvement with the Barrington Land Conservation Trust comes out of a strong sense of the need and obligation to protect and preserve the natural world for our children and grandchildren.?

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Ch ar lie M cCoy Charlie McCoy joined the Board in 2022 after serving as a property steward for more than six years. He serves on the Stewardship Committee and is one of our chainsaw experts as well as a talented wildlife photographer and property steward of ?The Tongues,? areas of salt marsh off Hundred Acre Cove.

Charlie recently retired after 35 years of practice in nephrology, the subspecialty of medicine that focuses on diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases. He served as Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, for the Warren Albert Medical School at Brown University, where he earned the Recognition Award for Excellence in Teaching. Charlie served as President of the medical staff and Rhode Island Hospital from 2000 to 2020 and was named Physician of the Year at Rhode Island Hospital in 2022. He earned degrees at Lehigh University and Hahnemann, Medical College.

Residents of Barrington for more than 32 years, Charlie and his wife Lory also own and run the McCoy Community Farm which provides fresh food to East Bay food pantries. They are also members of the Barrington Yacht Club.

"I love being in nature, especially on or near the water,? says Charlie. ?Open land is necessary to maintain the health of the environment and preserve native species. I believe that experiencing a healthy environment improves human health and well-being. Being involved with the Land Trust is a way that I can contribute to protecting nature.? www.BLCT.ORG

Current Board Members, cont.

New Boar d M em ber s We welcome the following individuals as new Board Members in 2023-2024.

Cin dy Pier ce

Rich ar d Wat er m an

Ch ar les F. ?Ch ar lie? Br ow n IV

Cindy joined the Board in 2017 and serves as Chair of the Education Committee and a member of the Stewardship and Pollinator Pathways Committees. She and her family moved to Barrington in 2012 next to one of the Land Trust?s properties, which led to her volunteering with the Land Trust and joining the Board.

Dick joined the board in 2019 and serves as Chair of Governance and a member of the Operations and Stewardship Committees.

He also is our liaison with the Scouts, who conduct many helpful projects on our properties.

Charlie completed a 24-year career with the RI Department of Environmental Management?s Division of Fish and Wildlife in 2022, where he was the expert on mammals and frequently quoted on issues relating to coyotes, bats, fishers, bears, foxes, bobcats, even pumas. His work included bat research, wildlife rehabilitation, and nuisance wildlife control.

?After a childhood of climbing trees and spending time outdoors, I believe natural spaces should be accessible to everyone,? says Cindy. ?It?s important for people to get outside to learn about and enjoy the natural world.?

In addition to her concern for environmental issues, she?s interested in promoting literacy and the arts. Cindy volunteers with several other organizations, including the URI Master Gardeners?Program, and she serves on the Board of the Friends of the Barrington Library.

She previously worked in arts education, connecting performing artists with school children through performances and in-school residencies. She earned a bachelor ?s degree from the University of Oregon and a Master of Fine Arts in Dance/Arts Administration from Arizona State University.

A lifelong New Englander, Dick is an environmental professional and an executive in a nationwide environmental science and engineering consulting firm. He earned a bachelor ?s degree in chemistry and Prior to the DEM, he worked as a forestry biology and a master ?s degree in technician with the U.S. Forestry Service environmental engineering. and a wildlife biologist with the Coastal ?I have always loved the outdoors, and I?m a Resources Management Council. Charlie earned a bachelor ?s degree in natural lifelong sailor, fisherman, hiker, and resources from the University of Rhode bicyclist,? says Dick. ?From a young age, I Island. believed it?s our collective responsibility to protect and steward the environment for the next generation.?

Dick and his family moved to Barrington 22 years ago from Massachusetts to live near the coast. ?As I learned about the Land Trust?s mission and walked the properties, I realized what an important role the Land Trust has in preserving land and educating the community on the importance of preserving open space. Barrington is mostly built out.

It?s important that we protect open areas to sustain the local ecology and provide open spaces for all to enjoy."

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Charlie grew up in Barrington, where he still lives with his wife and former Land Trust President, Virginia ?Ginger ? Brown. He credits his family and the local environment for instilling his love for the natural world and recalls that every boyhood hour not spent in school or at the dinner table was spent outside? fishing, trapping, and exploring.

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New Board Members, cont.

Lizet h Gar cia Gar cia Lizeth is a Spanish interpreter and translator who is working toward a medical interpreter certification with the National Board of Medical Interpreters.

She has worked as Community Liaison and Interpreter for a K-12 charter school and a Spanish tutor in addition to work in international customer service and technical support.

Lizeth was born and grew up in San José, Costa Rica, where she studied English at La Universdad Interamericana. She is proud of her heritage, which she describes as White (Spain/Italy) and Brown (Native American from Nicaragua).

She moved to Barrington in 2012 because she saw the town as a safe place for her children to grow up and attend school. Both of her daughters are now in college. ?I have cared about open spaces since an early age,? said Lizeth, who has also volunteered for the National Park Service. ?I believe our minds are best while we connect to Mother Earth.

Preserving open spaces for future generations is primordial because everything is interconnected.?

Sar a Sam pier i Hor vet

Vin cen t Wicker

Sara Sampieri Horvet rejoins the Board this year after having served a previous term from 2016-2020. During the last four years, she remained an active volunteer for the Land Trust and served as a liaison for the Terrapin Conservation Project as well as a member of the Communications and Education Committees.

Vince joins the Board this year with a long history of community service, including 16 years as Board Chair of the Barrington Public Library Board of Trustees and the Barrington Public Library Corporation. In his professional life, he is Senior Manager of Applied Intelligence for Accenture in Boston. He founded the company, Turnswing, an enterprise supply chain consulting service, and has held senior positions in marketing, research and business development at several high-tech firms.

Sara has worked as a Research Associate with the Coastal Systems Program at the UMass Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology for 21 years. She holds a bachelor ?s degree in Environmental Studies from Providence College and a master ?s degree in Coastal Systems Science from UMass Dartmouth-SMAST. Her primary focus is on water quality and the impact of nutrient enrichment on the habitat health of estuaries and freshwater ponds.

For the past 12 years, Sara has been living in Barrington with her husband and two children. She joined the Land Trust to preserve the town's natural habitats so that her children and future generations can enjoy the same beautiful places.

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Vince earned a bachelor ?s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan Stephen M. Ross School of Business and a Master ?s of Business Administration from Emory University?s Goizueta School of Business.

Did you know: Purple Martins inhabited all 60 gourds installed at PIC-WIL Nature Preserve this year.

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Depar t in g Boar d M em ber s We are deeply grateful to the following individuals who have contributed significantly to our work during their tenure.

M ich ael Gor f in k le Michael joined the Board in 2019 and has served as Secretary and a member of the Operations Committee. He has assisted the Board in reviewing bylaws and provided helpful advise on legal matters.

Michael serves as Senior Legal Counsel at CVS Health and also served as Vice Chair of Educational Programming for the American Health Law Association.

Thank you, Michael, for contributing your expertise to the Land Trust!

M ar y L. Gr over Mary has served on the Board since 2018, providing her insights on the Stewardship and Education Committees and working hard as a Tuesday Trails volunteer.

In her professional career, Mary co-founded and ran a wholesale bed linen company for 30 years. She grew up in Massachusetts, where her childhood family camping trips and exploration of the beautiful New England landscape fostered her love of nature.

We celebrate Mary?s wish to help preserve beautiful open spaces for her grandchildren and future generations.

Debr a Pr ovolo Debra joined the Board in 2017 and has served as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, guiding the Land Trust toward a fiscally sustainable future.

She also served on the Development and Operations Committees.

She serves as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis with Narragansett Bay Insurance Company, where she has worked for 12 years in a role that involves a significant amount of travel. A Certified Public Accountant, Debra has also held leadership positions with Frontier Communications and KPMG. We are grateful to Debra for balancing the challenges of work and volunteering with a smile!

Cin dy Elder , Execu t ive Dir ect or Cindy joined the Land Trust as its first Executive Director in September 2022. She works closely with the Board of Directors to manage the organization. Her decades of experience in nonprofit leadership include positions as executive director of Coggeshall Farm Museum and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Rhode Island, and director of communications for the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and hospice organizations.

Most recently, she served as Chief of Business Development for the Rhode Island Department?s Division of Parks and Recreation.

Cindy grew up in Barrington and attended Barrington Public Schools. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Career Writing and Creative Writing from Roger Williams University and a Master of Public Affairs from Brown University. She is a Certified Fundraising Executive and a published poet. ?I have fallen more in love with my home town through my work with the Land Trust, which has introduced me to the wealth of natural open places that have been preserved in Barrington,? says Cindy. ?It wouldn?t have happened without the dedicated leadership of many volunteers and the remarkable generosity of our community.?

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You r Gif t Pr eser ves Open Space Help us preserve and care for open space in Barrington by making a gift to the Barrington Land Conservation Trust. Every gift counts!

Here are a few ways you can have an impact: 1. GIVE ONLINE: Go to www.blct.org/make-a-donation or scan the QR code.

2. SEND A CHECK: Make check out to BLCT and mail to: BLCT, PO Box 324, Barrington, RI 02806.

3. DONOR ADVISED FUNDS: You?ll find us listed as Barrington Land Conservation Trust, Inc. 4. DONATE SECURITIES: We have established a relationship with Gunness Financial Services, LLC in Warren, RI, which makes it simple and secure to donate stocks and other securities. For details on how to proceed, email cindyelder@blct.org or contact Gunness Financial directly at 401-297-2900.

5. BEQUESTS: Email cindyelder@blct.org or call Cindy at 508-733-2443 for more information or to request a personal meeting.

6. M EM ORIAL AND TRIBUTE GIFTS: Our online giving form allows you to honor a special person, place, or animal with a gift. If you send your donation by mail, please include a note regarding your tribute and the name and address of anyone who should be notified that you have made a gift in their honor.

7. DONATIONS OF LAND: Most of the nearly 300 acres of land owned by the Barrington Land Conservation Trust has been donated. All offers of property donations are reviewed by the Board?s Acquisitions and Property Committee and must be approved by a vote of the full Board to proceed. To explore property donations, email cindyelder@blct.org or call Cindy at 508-733-2443.

Questions? Email cindyelder@blct.org with questions. Thank you!

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Su ppor t er s of t h e Bar r in gt on Lan d Con ser vat ion Tr u st Fiscal Year 2023 (June 1, 2022 ? May 31, 2023) We are grateful to all of those who have supported our work during the last fiscal year through memberships, donations, sponsorships, grants, and in-kind donations. Our work wouldn?t be possible without you. We also honor members of our Founders?Circle who have made lifetime contributions of $10,000 or more.

Fou n der s Cir cle

Cynthia and John Hughes

Lifetime gifts of $10,000 or more

Victor and Joanna Lerish

Anonymous

Frederick Mattis

Linda Chapman

Richard McWhirter

Elfriede and the late Charles Collis Cheryl and Paul Mincone Glenn and Mary Jane Creamer Debra Provolo

Gif t s u p t o $249

Nick & Julia Califano Susan Adamowicz Jeffery Allen and Susan Darcey-Allen Lisa Allen John E. and Jeffrey E. Anderson

James and Sabra Cregan

John and Gail Sampieri

Anonymous

William and Tracy Daugherty

Patricia A. Sullivan

John and Patricia Arcari

Pamela Faulkner and the late Robert Faulkner

Duncan and Annette Sutherland

Jane Austin

Sarah Fogarty and the late Gerald Fogarty, Jr.

Robert and Anna Barako

Gif t s f r om $250 t o $499

Elizabeth B. Barker

Alexion Pharmaceuticals

Philip D. Barr? dedicated to my beautiful wife, Robin Watterson

Mrs. Dorothy McCulloch and the late Mr. Norman E. McCulloch

Anonymous

Kathryn Beauchamp

Richard McWhirter

Lawrence Bacher and Susan Payne

Susan Beck

Kevin Baker

Mars J. and Prudence B. Bishop

Catherine Boisseau

Elisa Black

Steve Boyajian

Christy and Kevin Blanchard

Andrew Curtis and Alexis Kellogg

Catherine and Thomas Bledsoe

Kimberly and Bradford Dimeo

Kristen Bott

Stan Dimock

Dr. Lawrence and Susan Bowen

Gif t s f r om $1,000-$4,999

Ian and Kerrie Donahue

Alan Bradbury

Albertsons-Safeway Foundation (Shaw?s Supermarket)

Pamela Faulkner

Jessica Bradley

Meghan Frost

Chris Brady

The Cicione Family & Brickyard Wine

Joyce Greene

Barb and Terry Breiding

Mary Grover

Martha and Richard Brooks

Christopher and Paula Downs

Marsie and Jeff Hofmann? in honor of Charlie McCoy

Ann and Donald Brouillette

Teresa Kellogg

Maria Bruce

Dr. Charles McCoy and Lory Snady-McCoy

Cheryl King and Bernard Zimmermann

Patricia and Alan Buff

Cindy Larson Moura and Ed Moura & Prickly Ed?s Cactus Patch Native Plant Emporium

Phillip and Theresa Lucas

Anne and Robert Hall

Virginia Soutter Barbara Spicer Helen Tjader

Gif t s f r om $5000+ Chart House Realtors

Mr. and Mrs. Norman E. McCulloch

Charlotte and Martin Sornborger New England Grassroots Environment Fund, Inc. Jack O'Donnell and Pamela Stanton

Buka Family

Ellen and Larry Berren

Charles and Virginia Brown

Mary and Jeff Caplin Cynthia Capra Domenic and Catherine Carbone April Carleton Bill and Jill Caskey Liana Cassar and Larson Gunness Peter and Margaret Caton Stan and Sally Chamberlain Charles and Kay Chapin Charles E. Millard, Inc. General Contractors Samuel and Eszter Chase Kristen and Wellington Chin Mark and Mina Cladis Peter and Mary Clifford Janet Coit Harry and Skooky Collins James and Sabra Cregan Moyne Cubbage Gary Curtis Davy Cutts Gary and Paula D'Ambra Louis and Donna D'Errico Denise Dangremond Michele and Leon Danish Patricia Deal Michelle Denault and Mark Palmer Penny Dennehy Jay and Sonya Dent

Joseph and Patricia Mundy Sara O'Brien? In honor of Linda B. O?Brien Frank and Stacy Paterno Cindy Pierce and Josh Lamb Gail and Bob Read Beth and Anthony Rondeau

Gif t s f r om $500 t o $999

Andrea Teichman

Robert and Barbara Allio

Alison and Charles Townsend

Peter and Rebecca Burke

Andries and Deborah van Dam

Glenn and Mary Jane Creamer

Elizabeth Welch and Stephen Glinick

Erik and Katie Egge Cindy and Bob Elder Sarah Fogarty and the late Gerald Fogarty, Jr.

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Barrington High School graduate Christine West was awarded the Land Trust?s annual $500 scholarship. She volunteered for two years with the Barrington Farm School and will attend the University of Virginia next year.

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Christos Meltsakos? in memory of Vasilios Zafiriades and Paul Zafiriades

Diane and Gregory Sanborn

Ms. Lynne Barry Dolan

Dr. Gene and Pauline Healey

Carol Dorros and Boris Skurkovich

Francis and Joy Hearn

Jacqueline Tessa Draper and Paul Patrick Joyce? in honor of Kate and Ben Joyce

Nancy Hetherington Mark Hilty and Maryanne Noris

Kate Mercurio? in honor of Maggie and Carlos Omar Ibarra Lopez who were recently married

Weayonnoh Nelson-Davies

Susan Hoagland

Meridian Custom Homes, Inc.

Alan and Ramona Silk

Gay Egan and Ed Ionata

Melissa and Dan Horne

Ann Miller

Rock and Anne Singewald

Dennis Flaherty

Sara Sampieri Horvet and Alex Horvet

Chas A. Miller, III

Carol Solimene

Nancy Mirto

Bill and Joanne Slinko

Lorena and Christopher Houseworth

Lindsay and Leeds Mitchell IV

Richard & Elizabeth Staples

Erin Mock

Karl Stephens Steve Primiano's Custom Window Treatments

Alan Flam and Judith Semonoff E Jenny K Flanagan Patrice and Brian Franco

Amy Herlihy

Sally Johnson

Jamieson and Doreen Schiff Lynne Seacord and David Mehl Erika Sevetson Shaws Supermarket

Barbara and Steven Fuller

Sandra Jones

Nancy Gamelin

Dr. Michael and Mrs. Sharon Monsour and Family

Margaret Kane

John Garabedian

Paul Mooney

Anne and Robert Stillings

Lizeth Garcia Garcia

Nancy Kellman-Maddocks and Richard Maddocks

Beverly Nichols

Philip and Susan Stockwell

John and Monika Garofano

Bob and Lynn Kelly

Peter and Barbara Niekerk

George Stradtman

Mary Alyce and Pasco Gasbarro

Karen Kemp

Richard and Alison Noto

Virginia Streeter

Louis and Irene Gerbi

Robert and Lois Kemp

N. Gregg O'Brien

Susan Tacent

Cheryl Gherardini

William Kirkpatrick

Kerry O'Neil

Norma and Paul Taubman

Lynn Gifford Bria

Allan and Linda Klepper

Sam and Melissa Obstfeld

Sierra and Benjamin Terry

Owen Gillespie

Susan Kostas

Christine Lund Orciuch and Chester Orciuch

Sarah Thomas

Dan Gilman

Nathan Kozlowski

Marcus Paiva

Heather and Billy Glassner

Jay and Linda Lamb

Helen Tjader

Don and Lisa Parrott

Mary and Dick Glenn

Barbara Lamont

John Treat

Richard and Misty Peltz-Steele

Barbara Glucksman

Steve and Patty Lang

Nancy Tripp

Elizabeth Pesce

Virginia and Jerry Gonville

Barbara Leasher

William and Nancy Tsiaras

Thomas Pezzullo

Michael Gorfinkle? in honor of Joanne Gorfinkle

Barrie and Mary Lee

Sandra Tinyk

Amy Phillips

Becky Levick

Lora Urbanelli and William Rae

Bonnie Grassie Hughes and Dennis Hughes

Jack Place

Derek & Louise Lightbown

Joyce and Charles Van Sluyter

June and Roy Poses

Diane Lipscombe

Stephen Venuti

Michael Rayner

Mark Luttmann

Richard and Karen Waterman

Sue and Philip Redden

Paul and Ginny Mahoney

Scott and Kate Weymouth

Duncan Maio

Redwood Nursery and Garden Center

Elizabeth White and John Hazen White

Marilyn and Patrick Malone

Andrew and Jennifer Reich

Vince Wicker

Penelope Manzella

Steven E. Reinert

Bobby and Erin Martin

Kelly Reiss

Sandra Wyatt? in honor of Charlotte Sornborger

Paola Martinez

Rhode Island Foundation

Ann Mason

Kate Sayles

Douglas and Carolyn Materne

Charles and Mary Beth Riotto

Peter and Susan McCalmont

Philip and Tracey Rizzuto? in honor of Dr. Charles McCoy

Lindsay Green Jamie and Kara Griffin Jacqueline Guerra Lofgren Joan and James Haas Barbara Hail Elaine & Kim Hale Anne and Robert Hall Hameho Garden Club Kate and Michael Hamilton John S. and Betsy Harker Rob and Katie Hart Julie & Clyde Haworth

Paul and Lisa McGartoll

23 | Barrington Land Conservation Trust Annual Report 2022-2023

Judith Titzel

Laura Young and Frank Cummings Michael and Wendy Zucker? in honor of Joel Becker ?s birthday

www.BLCT.ORG

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID BARRINGTON, RI

PO BOX 324 BARRI NGTON, RI 02806

PERM IT NO. 35

The Barrington Land Conservation Trust protects and stewards our local natural, scenic, and historic open spaces. We advocate for protection of these lands and educate the public about these resources.

St ay in f or m ed an d con n ect w it h t h e BLCT on lin e:

www.BLCT.org Barrington Land Conservation Trust barrington_landtrust cindyelder@blct.org 508-733-2443

The Barrington Land Conservation Trust is recognized as a tax-exempt organization by the IRS under Section 501(c)(3), EIN #72-1591150.

24 | Barrington Land Conservation Trust Annual Report 2022-2023

www.BLCT.ORG