Conservation

Please join The Nature Conservancy and the Block Island Conservancy for weekly nature programming. Led by naturalists, participants will learn interesting nature facts and discover what makes Block Island so special. Programs and times subject to change. For details on programs and walks, visit natureblockisland.org.

Conservation Groups Working on Block Island

Block Island Conservancy

The Block Island Conservancy was established in 1972 to “maintain habitat for birds and animals, to protect the view of hills rolling to the sea, to provide walking trails and quiet recreation for islanders and visitors.” BIC is a private nonprofit with volunteer board of directors. It operates an education center on Weldon’s Way. q401/466-3111.

Block Island Land Trust

The Block Island Land Trust is a municipal conservation organization enabled by state legislation in 1986 and funded by a 3-percent transfer fee on island real estate transactions. The BILT has five trustees elected by town voters. Its mission is “to protect ecologically sensitive areas, open space and land for agricultural use, preserve viewsheds, and provide recreational opportunities.” q401/466-3207.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy was founded in 1951 “to preserve plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive.” TNC, an international nonprofit, has been working on Block Island since the 1970s and maintains an office and visitors center on High Street. q401/466-2129.

Other conservation organizations with a presence on Block Island include the Audubon Society of Rhode Island, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.