The South Kingstown Land Trust

Who we are. . .

The South Kingstown Land Trust is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, which relies on its membership for operating support. The organization numbers over 700 individual or family members, with a professional staff that includes a land protection director, land management director, membership coordinator and land operations coordinator.

Our Mission. . .

The mission of the South Kingstown Land Trust is to conserve and protect the natural resources and open spaces of our town for the enduring benefit of our community.

The Land Acquisition Strategy of the South Kingstown Land Trust, adopted by the Trustees in January 1996, lists our land protection priorities:

Protection of Groundwater Resources, including groundwater aquifer areas, recharge areas and wellhead protection areas
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Resources, including areas designated by RIDEM Heritage program as suitable habitat for rare or unique species, wetlands, large areas of undeveloped forest, coastal ponds watersheds, lands adjacent to rivers, streams or ponds, and barrier beaches
Aesthetic, Cultural and Recreational Resources, including farmland, scenic vistas, and lands with unique recreational, cultural or neighborhood values
Opportunistic Acquisitions, including any large (>5 acres) properties or those intended for resale

Anyone may become a member of the Land Trust by paying a modest annual fee which helps meet operating expenses. Members meet annually to elect officers. The officers, together with SKLT's staff members and board of trustees, have the primary responsibility of fulfilling the purpose of the land trust and ensuring that its priorities are met.

Did you know that...

The South Kingstown Land Trust (SKLT) has been in operation since 1983 and is one of only a few land trusts in Rhode Island with a professional staff to help direct and implement its mission?

SKLT is a private not-for-profit corporation and is approved by the IRS as a charitable organization under section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code?

SKLT has acquired ownership or conserved rights of more than 2,500 acres of natural resource lands comprisng over 135 projects representing over $15 million in donated or purchased value?

SKLT works in partnership with other conservation organizations, including The Nature Conservancy, Audubon Society of Rhode Island, US Fish and Wildlife Service, RI Water Resources Board, RI Department of Enviromental Management and the Town of South Kingstown to save open lands in South Kingstown, and that in the past 3.5 years these partnerships have protected over 2,200 acres?

Through the Washington County Land Trust Coalition, SKLT is collaborating with its neighbors the Narrow River Land Trust, the Land Conservancy of North Kingstown, Charlestown Land Trust, Hopkinton Land Trust and Richmond Rural Preservation Land Trust to strengthen land trust capacity on a regional basis?

Your contribution to the Land Trust effort will help to protect the Town's future as a desirable place to live, a place where nature abounds, and clean air, drinking water and quiet places are easily found?

Without community support, the things we now love and enjoy about South Kingstown may disappear forever.

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