Dear RI Land Trust Members & Friends,
As 2025 comes to a close, we’re proud of what the Rhode Island Land Trust Council and our land trust partners accomplished together, and clear about the work ahead. This was a year of big wins, strong collaboration, and growing momentum for land, water, and communities across Rhode Island.
Here are just a few 2025 highlights:
- Major legislative win: Amendments to the Housing & Conservation Trust Fund passed nearly unanimously — a critical step toward securing long-term conservation and housing investments.
- Stronger governance: We welcomed three new board members and five new committee members to support our work through a successful open board search. We look forward to introducing them in 2026!
- Direct support for land trusts: Based on needs identified through networking events, we delivered training and support for record keeping with the Land Trust Alliance, Terrafirma risk management, and access to Baseline Documentation Reports. From one-on-one support and mapping to GIS help, Program Coordinator Virginia Streeter was there when you needed it most.
- Municipal leadership: Our May Municipal Land Trust Symposium brought together leaders from 16 of Rhode Island’s 19 municipal land trusts for a day of collaboration and sharing.
- Engagement & fun: The Creature Clash during 401Gives was a huge success. Stay tuned for a new theme and vote for your favorite Creature in March 2026! A packed Annual Meeting at The Guild in Pawtucket featured our RILTC-themed beer, “Thistle Do,” inspired by our Creature Clash winner.
- A new home: We moved into our new shared office at 50 Sims Avenue with our friends at the Rhode Island Environmental Education Association.
- Statewide leadership: We proudly represented the land trust community across multiple tables. From the Environment Council of Rhode Island and Forest Conservation Commission to Farmland Access, to Housing 2030, and the Statewide Conservation & Outdoor Recreation Plan, we’re here to make sure that land trust priorities are front and center.
- Record participation: 2025 saw the biggest Land Trust Days ever, with more than 120 events and thousands of participants statewide. We’ve also had our RIWalks Challenge Creatures scanned more than 22,000 times!
- Land protection funding: RILTC provided land protection grants supporting projects led by Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Aquidneck Island Land Trust, Scituate Land Trust, and Westerly Land Trust.
The work ahead
The upcoming legislative session will require real muscle to ensure the Green Bond truly delivers for conservation. Strong advocacy will be essential to securing the funding that we need to continue our land protection work. RILTC will be there out in front, but we can’t do it without support.
You can help meet this moment by making a year-end donation. Your support strengthens our advocacy work, expands technical assistance to land trusts, and fuels the leadership needed to protect Rhode Island’s important open spaces, now and for generations to come.
Thank you for being part of this community. We can’t wait to see what we accomplish together in 2026.
Warmly,
Kate Sayles
Executive Director
Rhode Island Land Trust Council
