Letter from the President

Getting Things Done

We are pleased to resume creating a Tiverton Land Trust “Annual Report” in which we look back at the key events of last year and provide some insights into initiatives for this year.

Last year was critical for the Tiverton Land Trust as we took major steps to conserve two historically significant farms in the Nonquit Pond watershed. Beyond conserving land, (our primary mission), we made significant progress in expanding and invigorating our team of board members and volunteers. And despite the headwinds of Covid, we hosted a number of community events that brought us together to experience and enjoy various Tiverton Land Trust properties.

Land Conservation

In 2021 we raised $235,000 that went towards the cost of conservation easements for two contiguous farms in the Nonquit Pond watershed. Conservation easements for Movement Ground Farm and neighboring Arrowhead Farm ensure that land that has been farmed continuously for over 200 years will forever remain in agricultural use.

Kohei Ishihara, Founder and Executive Director of Movement Ground Farm, says it well:

“We asked ourselves – “What really matters in the end?” Working the land is truly a humbling experience and this humility reminds us that we are just temporary stewards – here for a brief moment in an expansive geological timeline. No matter what we may achieve over the course of our farm’s life – whether it’s a new greenhouse or a new method of low-till crop production or even a new barn – we know that Conservation of these sacred lands will most likely be our most lasting accomplishment.”

Looking ahead in land protection, we want to continue to be more proactive and strategic in our conservation efforts. We want to work to identify attractive parcels that can have a significant impact. We will engage in dialogue with property owners early, so they can understand the merits of land conservation. We also will work to cast a wide geographic reach and preserve land across all of Tiverton.

Finally, almost everyone recognizes we are operating in an increasingly competitive Tiverton real estate market. According to MLS Rhode Island and Mott & Chace/Sotheby’s, the median home price in Tiverton rose 20% in 2021, and average days on the market dropped to 47 days, the shortest listing period in over a decade.

While we welcome a strengthening local economy and housing market, these trends tend to stimulate residential development activity and raise prices for undeveloped land. Economic growth and ample housing supply are good things for Tiverton; and so is open, conserved land that supports the natural beauty, wildlife activity, and rural character of the Tiverton community that we all value.

Expanding our organization

To accomplish what we believe TLT can do, we sought to build a larger and deeper volunteer Board, and attract a bigger team of volunteers over the last 18 months. I am pleased to report that we have accomplished the former and are making good headway on the latter! We have added 5 new volunteer Board members, raising the Board count to 11 members. These new Board members have skills and experience (marketing, fundraising/development, and legal) that will directly impact our efforts. Board members are listed on our website. Seek them out around our community and don’t hesitate to provide any of us with ideas and feedback.

Our Board sets and implements our strategy and initiatives; we also clear trails, paint and hide Easter eggs, and park cars at events! Recognizing that many hands make light work (and enable us to get more work done) we worked in 2021 to fortify our roster of volunteers. We have succeeded in increasing our TLT volunteer list to about 80 folks. I believe this is critical in that volunteer time and energy enables us to be more active and engaged in the community. And it is proving to be a great way to re-connect and meet people in our community. Please consider volunteering in some way if you have not already done so.

Finally, I want to recognize Trish Sylvester, who retired from the Board this Spring. Trish spent over 20 years on the Board and was instrumental in running a successful Land Protection effort. She organized and executed the complicated transactions, and managed the many personalities that are part of getting these transactions completed. It’s difficult to quantify her contribution. Her knowledge and wisdom will be missed.

Doubling down on community events

The Land Trust works to be an active member of the Tiverton community by hosting various community outreach and educational programs. Navigating the challenges of Covid, we have been reminded how valuable TLT open spaces are, and how popular community-building events can be. Hosting events creates a virtuous cycle: events bring folks out to enjoy our community's conserved properties, people socialize with friends and neighbors, develop a deeper appreciation of these open space resources, and support TLT through membership and volunteer time.

We hosted our second consecutive Egg Hunt in April, selling out in advance and attracting about 125 kids and parents. We have begun planning October’s Harvest Market at Pardon Gray Preserve. The inaugural version of the harvest market in 2021 exceeded everyone’s expectations and created a minor traffic jam on Main Road! This year, we hope to have more food vendors, perhaps more music, and likely more trash/recycling and traffic control!

Should you get the urge to be part of hosting this great event, please let us know. It takes a big crew to host over 3500 people.

Our deep gratitude to our supporters

Speaking for the Board, we all want to thank you for your support over the last several years. We have made headway in a difficult period, and have ambitions to accomplish more in 2022 and beyond.

Your support has been an essential part of our efforts. Please reach out to any of us around town or online to let us know your thoughts.

Best for a safe and happy spring, summer, and fall,

David Elliott

P.S. Take a look at the full report below with a list of all of our donors, supporters, and volunteers.