
March at Charlestown Land Trust
March at Charlestown Land Trust Dear CLT Supporters and Friends, As we turn the calendar to March, winter is still very much with us—there’s still
Join CLT in our mission to preserve Charlestown’s open space and natural character for the lasting benefit of our community. The land trust preserves and protects the distinctive character of our local area through acquisition and management of open space.
Join RI Department of Environmental Management Forest Health Program Coordinator Alana Russell for a presentation exploring how warming temperatures are influencing beetle populations and what this means for
Join RI Department of Environmental Management Forest Health Program Coordinator Alana Russell for a presentation exploring how warming temperatures are influencing beetle populations and what this means for Rhode Island’s pitch pine forests. Participants will learn how forest stress, climate, and insect dynamics are connected, and what these changes may mean for the future of our forests.
📅 Monday, March 30th
🕒 6pm
🪲 Talk on Forest Pests
📍 Kettle Pond Visitor Center
🎟️ Free and open to all! No pre-registration required.

About Alana Russell: Alana serves as Forest Health Program Coordinator with the RI Department of Environmental Management, where she focuses on monitoring, researching, and protecting the health of Rhode Island’s forests. She has dedicated her career to understanding forest ecosystems and addressing emerging threats, including invasive pests and the impacts of a changing climate. In addition to her professional work, Alana serves as Vice Chair of the Hopkinton Land Trust, where she supports local land conservation.
31mar6:00 am401Gives 2026Statewide Day of Giving6:00 am(GMT-04:00)
It's almost here! March 31st is #401Gives, the statewide day of giving. Pencil it in your calendar as the day to support your favorite land trust—and other
It’s almost here! March 31st is #401Gives, the statewide day of giving. Pencil it in your calendar as the day to support your favorite land trust—and other local nonprofits! Your gift directly supports our mission to preserve and protect the distinctive character of our local area through the acquisition and management of open space! Until then, please help us spread the word and get ready:
https://www.401gives.org/organizations/charlestown-land-trust
March 31, 2026 6:00 am(GMT-04:00)
Warm up with hot cocoa and join arborist Dan Weise for a guided walk through the trails at Kettle Pond Visitor Center, featuring tree and shrub identification, fascinating
Warm up with hot cocoa and join arborist Dan Weise for a guided walk through the trails at Kettle Pond Visitor Center, featuring tree and shrub identification, fascinating forest factoids, and signs to watch for within the landscape. Along the way, participants will learn how to “read” the forest canopy to better understand past events, current conditions, and what the future may hold. Following the walk, feel free to stay for a presentation with landscape architect Michael Cavanagh on invasive plant management. Please note that this event is weather permitting. Any cancellations due to weather will be posted on our website.
📅 Thursday, April 16th (Rain Date: April 17th)
🕒 3:30pm
☕ Hot Cocoa and Forest Walk
📍 Kettle Pond Visitor Center
🎟️ Free and open to all! No pre-registration required.

About Dan Weise: Dan is an arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts who has worked in the tree care industry since 1998. His background includes experience across a range of tree care roles, as well as impressive qualifications, including ISA Certified Arborist, Rhode Island and Connecticut Licensed Arborist, and a three-time International Tree Climbing Competitor!
Following the forest walk,* stay for a presentation with landscape architect and arborist Michael Cavanagh on invasive plant management. Design, permitting and implementation practices will be shared, reviewed,
Following the forest walk,* stay for a presentation with landscape architect and arborist Michael Cavanagh on invasive plant management. Design, permitting and implementation practices will be shared, reviewed, and discussed with a focus on the native plant communities that we use to support local ecosystems and to minimize invasive plant problems.
*This is a standalone program—you do not need to attend the walk to enjoy the presentation.
📅 Thursday, April 16th
🕒 5pm
🌿 Invasive Plant Management Presentation
📍 Kettle Pond Visitor Center
🎟️ Free and open to all! No pre-registration required.

About Michael Cavanagh: Michael is an arborist with Bartlett Tree Experts, a licensed landscape architect, and a Certified Invasive Plant Manager. He holds a master’s degree from the Conway School of Sustainable Landscape Design and Planning and has worked across diverse landscape contexts throughout New England and beyond.
Join URI PhD student Christopher Hickling for an engaging look at bobcats and human land use in Rhode Island. Christopher’s research focuses on understanding how human disturbance influences
Join URI PhD student Christopher Hickling for an engaging look at bobcats and human land use in Rhode Island. Christopher’s research focuses on understanding how human disturbance influences the movement and behavior of terrestrial mammalian carnivores, with a particular focus on bobcats. Participants will learn how landscape change, development, and human activity shape wildlife behavior and what this reveals about the health and connectivity of our region’s natural systems.
📅 Monday, March 30th
🕒 6pm
🐾 Talk on Bobcats
📍 Kettle Pond Visitor Center
🎟️ Free and open to all! No pre-registration required.

About Christopher Hickling: Chris is a PhD student in the Quest Lab at the University of Rhode Island. His research focuses on understanding how human disturbance influences the movement and behavior of terrestrial mammalian carnivores.

March at Charlestown Land Trust Dear CLT Supporters and Friends, As we turn the calendar to March, winter is still very much with us—there’s still
The Charlestown Land Trust is a locally led, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving the landscapes and waterways that define our community. Since 1996, we have worked to safeguard lands of ecological, historic, scenic, agricultural, and educational significance in Charlestown. Here’s a little bit more about what we do:
ହ Permanently protect land through conservation easements, land donations, and direct purchases. With nearly 700 acres under protection, we ensure that these special places remain conserved in perpetuity.
ହ Monitor and manage conserved lands to ensure their health, biodiversity, and ecological integrity remain intact.
ହ Collaborate with state agencies, local governments, and conservation partners to protect critical ecosystems and wildlife habitats across the region.
ହ Maintain hiking trails to provide public access to the beautiful open spaces we conserve, encouraging outdoor exploration and appreciation.
ହ Foster a deeper connection to nature through educational programs, including guided hikes, paddles, lectures, special events, and presentations that inspire environmental stewardship.