Exciting and Busy Times for the Rehoboth Land Trust!

We recently shared the wonderful news that Rehoboth Land Trust (RLT) received a grant to aid in the Phase 1 planning for a project at our 80 Mason Street property. It is one of several active RLT projects, each of which will improve community enjoyment of the natural resources found in Rehoboth.

The Mason Street Conservation Area is an excellent example of a tidal river wetland environment surrounded by productive farmlands, through which the Palmer River meanders within the flood plain as it approaches Narraganset Bay. The grant will enable us to identify the best way to replace degraded culverts, restore native ecology, and provide better kayak access to the river. We will retain an engineering firm to create a plan that will address the maintenance work and provide options for additional elements. For example, seating near the river’s edge will provide an outstanding view of sunsets and excellent birdwatching opportunities. The grant helps fund only the Phase 1 plan. Completing the project will require the time and effort of volunteers and, likely, significant funding; funding that is beyond our usual annual goal.

The Roy Wheaton Horton Preserve comprises over 400 acres and abuts conserved town property. Found within is the Squannakonk Swamp, integral to the history of Rehoboth and home to impressive biological diversity. However, public access is, at best, a challenge. In recent years, RLT has incurred unplanned expenses in excess of $40,000 to create a framework to enhance public access to this tremendous asset. We are now able to begin planning trails and parking to accomplish this, including the design, permitting, and construction of a wetlands crossing.

The Reynolds Avenue Conservation Area contains tributaries of the Segreganset River on course to the Taunton River. This property, which lies among the highest elevations in Rehoboth, is surrounded by undeveloped land, giving visitors the feeling of a much larger preserve. This newer asset of RLT presently has only a single trail, and we are eager to expand so visitors can experience even more of this forested landscape. We have engaged a cartographer to create an interim trail map until more trails are constructed.

At the Ephraim Hunt Ministerial Land, RLT members Michael Zeug and Lisa Reigel graciously donated a large and very sturdy picnic table. A team of volunteers, led by Scot Martin and Nick Carruthers, delivered and placed it in the pine grove (pictured). We are also grateful to John and Cynthia Rourke for multiple repairs of the boardwalk!

Thanks to the generosity of folks like you who are helping protect Rehoboth’s natural beauty, we are almost a third of the way to our 2023 fundraising goal of $30,000. Because we do not receive town funding, grants and donations make a huge difference in preserving land and maintaining trails.

Get involved by visiting our website www.RehobothLandTrust.org and completing our talent survey. We are always open to new members, new volunteers, and new ideas. Donations by local businesses of materials and/or equipment deployed can also be timely and extremely helpful! Rehoboth Land Trust is a nonprofit corporation established under Internal Revenue code 501(c)(3).

All are welcome to visit our public properties. Little can improve the quality of life as much as time spent in the natural world. Thank you very much and we hope to see you on the trails soon!