2026 Rhode Island Land & Water Conservation Summit
March 21, 2026 | URI Memorial Union
Day-Of Information for the 2026 RI Land & Water Summit
Registration is now sold out! If you do not have a ticket, you will NOT be admitted.
Registration: The Summit will take place at the URI Memorial Union in Kingston, and doors open at 8 am. The program will begin promptly at 9 am.
Please do not arrive early!
TICKETS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE DAY-OF. DO NOT SHOW UP WITHOUT A TICKET.
Sustainability: To help us make this event zero-waste, please bring your own mug and water bottle. We welcome our friends at Food Recovery for Rhode Island who will be volunteering to help us compost at the event.
Bring money!!!
- Keynote speaker Ethan Tapper will be selling and signing his book, How to Love a Forest, during lunch.
- There will be a few organizations with merchandise for sale at their tables.
- We will be holding a 50/50 Raffle during the event and will pull the winners at our closing program. Tickets can be purchased with cash, check, credit/debit ($5 minimum) at the RILTC table.
Program Information: Download a complete schedule for the day here. Download room assignments for each session here.
New Workshops Added in Sessions 2 & 3!
- B10 – Environmental Justice: Indigenous Rights, Lorén Spears, Narragansett, and Executive Director of Tomaquag Museum
- C10 – Engaging in Conservation Topics on Social Media, Ethan Tapper, author, How to Love a Forest
If you would like to change your workshop, please contact Virginia Streeter vstreeter@rilandtrusts.org by Tuesday, March 17 at 5 pm.
What’s new this year:
The setup in the Ballroom will be lecture style, and food and drinks will be served in the Ram’s Den Cafeteria. After you arrive and check in, head to the large cafeteria room on the right for coffee and breakfast.
We will have a buffet-style lunch in the Ram’s Den, with family style cafeteria tables. There will be plenty of time for networking throughout the day in both the main spaces of the Memorial Union and Ram’s Den. You will also find the Conservation Commons (vendors/exhibitors) spread between those spaces.
Lunch: We will not be hosting a lunchtime speaking program this year. Instead, we’ll be gathering in the Ballroom at the end of the day for a legislative update and closing program.
The Peter Merritt Award for Land Conservation and the Blueways Stewardship Award will no longer be presented during the Summit. The awards will be presented at the annual meetings of the Rhode Island Land Trust Council and the Rhode Island Rivers Council, respectively, as part of each organization’s annual celebration of conservation leadership.
Closing program: We will be drawing winners for the 50/50 Raffle and Bingo, and will be drawing prizes for returning your nametags. Prizes include Baron’s Ice Cream and Panera Bread gift certificates and swag from our partners. You must be present to win!
Mother’s Room: There will be a private space available for any participant who needs it. Follow the signs to the lower level.
Lodging:
Discounted accommodations are available at Admiral Dewey Inn in Matunuck for those traveling to the Summit. To receive 35% off your stay between 3/20-3/22, use the coupon code LWCS2026. Rooms are available on a first come, first served basis. You must book on their website. Guests receive complimentary tickets to the Ocean Mist for live music during their stay.
Traveling to the Summit:
Address: URI Memorial Union, 50 Lower College Road, Kingston, RI
Driving and Parking Directions: The URI main entrance is at the traffic light signaling the junction of Route 138 and Upper College Road. After turning onto Upper College Road, proceed to the first intersection and make a right. Just past the Campus Police station, make a left into the Higgins Welcome Center parking lot (Lot 1) to park. You may also park in Lots 10 and 11. Lot 10 has an EV charging station. YOU DO NOT NEED A PERMIT TO PARK! Once parked, look for volunteers and signs directing you to the Memorial Union.
GPS Address for Parking: 75 Briar Lane, Kingston, RI (Robert J. Higgins Welcome Center).
Public Transportation: RIPTA Bus 66 is Outbound to the URI Memorial Union from Providence every Saturday on the hour starting at 8 am (Providence Station) and 8:03 am (Exchange Terrace Stop X). Bus schedule can be found here (make sure you select Saturday!).
Carpooling Information: Are you interested in carpooling to the Summit, or are you looking for a ride? Please add your information to this Group Carpool website.
Join us for the afterparty!
After the Summit, head over to Whaler’s Brewery for the afterparty! Fyr Grill Food Truck will be there when we arrive. If you are hungry, consider ordering food early.
Location: 1174 Kingstown Road, South Kingstown – Old Palisades Mill Complex in Peace Dale. 7 minute drive.
Directions: Leaving Upper College Road, head towards route 138. Turn left (east) on Route 138. Turn right on route 108 South/Kingstown Road (2.4 miles). At the roundabout, take your second exit onto Kingstown Road. The destination will be on your right. Whaler’s Brewery can be found at the back of the mill complex. Drive over the bridge and past Rock Spot and park anywhere. Inside, walk past the bar towards the bathrooms to find the Summit after party.