ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNAL – More Than 600 Donors Help Preserve Block Island Farm

By Peter B. Lord

Anybody who has toured Block Island has no doubt enjoyed seeing Adrian Mitchell’s farm on the east side of Corn Neck Road. This year Block Islanders and their friends are undertaking one of the most ambitious efforts ever to preserve that slice of scenery.

The Block Island Conservancy, the group that got land preservation started on Block Island with its battle to save Rodman’s Hollow in 1972, is scrambling to raise $750,000 to buy a lot within the farm along the road, just south of the barn.

The current campaign is the biggest in the group’s history, and so far its most successful.

More than 600 people have donated, according to David Lewis, the conservancy’s secretary.

For the first time the conservancy identified financing categories and it named the highest category – $25,000 or more – after Rob Lewis, David’s father and founder of the conservancy. So far, nine contributions have been made in the Rob Lewis Associates category, according to David.

David said last week that he and his brother Keith have been reluctant to use their father’s name to raise money or for other purposes.

“But we decided if any effort was worthy of Dad’s name, this was it,” said David. “This is a pristine building lot, and it impacts the visual integrity of the entire area.”

Another 10 contributions were made in the $10,000-to-$24,999 range and 22 more in the $5,000-to-$9,999 range. More than 70 people wrote checks for $1,000 to $4,999 and more than 500 people donated smaller amounts.

The fundraising started last winter with the mailing of a color brochure.

During the summer, Lewis spoke at nine wine-and-cheese events at which people invited friends and neighbors to hear the story of the island’s conservation efforts and a pitch to help buy the Mitchell lot.

“They were successful in raising funds and engagement,” said Lewis. “The fire took off. It was infectious.

“We always said if you couldn’t raise money for the Mitchell Farm, you couldn’t raise money for anything out here.”

Adrian Mitchell, a lifelong island resident, sold off the development rights to most of the family farm 20 years ago. He retained three building lots, and promised the Conservancy it would have the right of first refusal should he have to sell one of them.

Last year, Mitchell, who maintained roads for the state before moving on to maintaining trails for The Nature Conservancy, decided he needed money to repair his house and to prepare for retirement. The lot was appraised at $1.2 million. Mitchell agreed to sell the development rights for 60 percent of that value.

“There are two unusual things here,” said Lewis. “We’ve always had good grassroots support here. But this is the most formidable fundraising campaign we’ve ever mounted. We’ve been more engaged than ever before. And it’s paid off in dollars given.”

Douglas Hoyt, the conservancy chairman, reported in a newsletter in October that the campaign, at that point, had generated about $504,000 in gifts and pledges. A $100,000 grant from the state Department of Environmental Management was expected. That left another $175,000 to be raised to cover the easement as well as legal fees, fundraising expenses and closing costs.

An additional $60,000 or so has been raised since the newsletter, Lewis estimated. So the campaign is getting close.

Contributions came from a broad range of people, Lewis said: from well-known islanders to occasional renters to people who just stayed at an island hotel.

For more information, go to http://www.biconservancy.org/

When the conservancy was created in 1972, there was no open space protected from development on the island. Now, about 42 percent of the island is protected.

Environment group rewards 3 schools

Three local schools were recently recognized by the Environment Council of Rhode Island’s Education Fund with its third annual Loraine Tisdale Environmental Education Awards.

E.R. Martin Middle School in East Providence was recognized for a project evaluating environmental policies and procedures at the school with the goal of reducing its ecological footprint.

Aquidneck Island Christian Academy was recognized for doing a study of water quality in Bailey Brook.

And The Gordon School in East Providence was honored for a project studying water quality in Watchemoket Cove.

Each school got $250 to use for project expenses.

“We are very proud to be able to support these excellent education programs that will help Rhode Island youth get involved with protecting their environment,” said Paul Beaudette, president of the Education Fund. “An important step toward change is to educate the next generation about the threats to our environment and the opportunities to get involved in the solutions.”

The awards are named after a longtime local environmental educator and activist.

Nominations sought for awards

Award nominations are being sought for individuals or groups involved in projects, programs and institutions that promote the cultural heritage or the preservation of natural areas or enrich the quality of life in Blackstone Valley.

The nominations are sought by the John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor Commission which gives out John H. Chafee Heritage Awards each year.

One-page nominations should be submitted to the commission at One Depot Square, Woonsocket, RI 02895 by Jan. 23.

For more information, call Meghan Couture at (401) 762-0250, ext. 10, or go to www.nps.gov/blac.

Christmas trees can be recycled

Every year Rhode Islanders purchase an estimated 250,000 live Christmas trees, according to the Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corporation, and after Christmas, the agency hopes to get its hands on as many of those trees as possible to it can grind them up for mulch or composting.

Last year the state agency that runs the state’s Central Landfill accepted 313 tons of Christmas trees collected by cities and towns. The corporation accepts the trees for free, which is a savings for towns charged $32 a ton to dispose of other refuse.

The corporation recommends calling local public works departments or the corporation at (401) 942-1430, ext. 778, for more information.

If you leave your tree out for pickup, remove all decorations, especially tinsel. And don’t leave it in a plastic bag.

The Environmental Journal is a listing of brief news items about the actions of individuals, organizations and businesses that affect the air we breathe, the water we drink and the landscape that surrounds us. If you have comments or suggestions, please contact environment reporter Peter B. Lord at (401) 277-8036, or by e-mail at plord@projo.com or by writing him, care of The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902.

plord@projo.com / (401) 277-8036

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Captions:

The Providence Journal / JOHN FREIDAH

The Block Island Conservancy, the group that got land preservation started on Block Island with its battle to save Rodman’s Hollow in 1972, is raising $750,000 to buy a lot within the Mitchell farm on Corn Neck Road. The lot is near this barn, which is also on the property.

(c) 2007 Providence Journal. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.