As summer turns to fall in Charlestown, we’re reminded of the special beauty of our vast open spaces—beaches, ponds, forests, and farms. These landscapes continue to inspire us, and we’re grateful for your support in preserving them for future generations. We’re excited to share our latest news and upcoming events. This past summer was vibrant for CLT, with our 17th successful Farmers Market season and popular events like our Annual Summer Party at the Nordic and evening kayaking tours around Ninigret Pond. Behind the scenes, our dedicated team continues to blaze trails, monitor protected properties, and further our conservation efforts.
Protecting 47 Acres at Amos Greene Farm
In case you missed it, we’re proud to announce a significant expansion of our protected land. This past summer, CLT successfully placed an additional 46.826 acres of the historic Amos Greene Farm under conservation easement, thanks to the incredible generosity of landowners Carla and Russ Ricci. This expansion brings the total protected area on the Amos Greene Farm to 87 acres and increases CLT’s total protected acreage to almost 700 acres. This conservation effort preserves a piece of Charlestown’s agricultural heritage and safeguards valuable ecological resources. The Ricci family’s decision to protect this land ensures its preservation for future generations. Read the full story here.
Current Happenings
🍄 Mushroom Walk: Join foraging enthusiasts Laura and Ken Orabone for a fascinating fungi hunt through Mill Pond Preserve on Saturday, October 5th at 1pm. Discover the hidden world of mushrooms and enjoy a beautiful fall day. (Not intended for edible mushroom identification.) This event is free but has limited space. Please sign up here to reserve your spot.
🤝 Charlestown Land Trust Annual Meeting: Join us for our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, October 9th at 5:30pm (location TBD). We’ll review CLT’s accomplishments over the past year and discuss future plans. Our featured speaker, Steve McCandless, Charlestown’s GIS Coordinator, will present on the challenges facing our breachways, with a focus on proposed solutions for Charlestown Breachway. No RSVP required, but please stay tuned for location details.
🔥 S’mores Social: This popular event is back! Embrace autumn at Mill Pond Preserve on Saturday, October 19th at 3:30pm. We’ll start with a guided trail walk and end with toasty s’mores and conversation around the fire. Connect with fellow nature lovers at this free, cozy gathering. Space is limited, so RSVP here to reserve your spot.
🍃 Fall Plant Walk: Explore the colorful world of autumn plants with expert botanist and CLT Board Member Keith Killingbeck on Friday, October 25th at 3pm at Mill Pond Preserve. This guided walk will highlight the preserve’s diverse plant life in its full fall splendor. This free event has limited space, please RSVP here.
🌊 Beach Cleanup: Join CLT on Saturday, November 9th from 9 to 11am as we collect trash from Charlestown Beach and Ninigret Pond to preserve our cherished coastal habitats. CLT representatives will be on site to share insights. RSVP here to join the cleanup crew!
Stay tuned for more exciting events! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to ensure you don’t miss out on any upcoming adventures.
CLT Fundraising and Volunteer Opportunities:
❄️ Mark your calendars for our Holiday Bazaar, our online fundraising auction, scheduled for December 6th—9th. We’re calling on supporters to donate items—be it a unique experience, handcrafted item, or service. For businesses, we offer the opportunity to showcase your logo and website on our auction homepage and alongside your donated item. Your contributions, whether individual or business, make a significant impact on our conservation efforts. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss a donation or sponsorship.
🌳 CLT’s office is located at the Kettle Pond Visitor Center in Charlestown, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. They are currently seeking volunteers to help staff the front desk and greet visitors. Shifts are three hours, once per month, mostly on the weekends. This is a great opportunity to get involved, meet fellow conservation enthusiasts, and help CLT help our partners. If you’re interested in volunteering or would like more information, please contact us.
Preserve and Protect What You Love!
Your continued support, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word about our work, is what makes our conservation efforts possible. Thank you for being a part of the CLT community.