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.
Dear CLT Supporters and Friends,
As we turn the calendar to March, winter is still very much with us—there’s still plenty of snow on the ground! The work of the Charlestown Land Trust continues steadily behind the scenes. This time of year is often one of focused planning and coordination, as we advance stewardship efforts and move land conservation projects forward.
While we were disappointed to cancel a few recent events due to weather, we’re glad to share that they have been rescheduled and are back on the calendar for this month and next. We hope you’ll join us for one of the upcoming programs—it’s always meaningful to gather, learn, and stay connected during the quieter season.
We’re also looking ahead to 401Gives, Rhode Island’s statewide day of giving, taking place from March 31st through April 1st. This annual event is an important opportunity to support local nonprofits, including land trusts working to protect the special places that define our beautiful state. If you’re able, we hope you’ll consider making a gift to the Charlestown Land Trust during 401Gives this year.
You’ll find more information about upcoming events and 401Gives below.
Until then, stay safe and warm—and thank you for being part of this work.
With gratitude,
All of us here at CLT
As the weather begins to warm (slightly), more of us are getting back out on the trails. Please use extra caution—many parking areas have not been plowed, trails may still be slippery or icy, and the heavy snow on tree limbs means downed branches may be present. Take your time, be mindful of overhead limbs, and wear appropriate footwear.
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.
📅 Date: Monday, March 30th
🕒 Time: 6pm
📍 Location: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, RI
🎟️ Free and open to all. No RSVP 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.
401Gives is a statewide, online fundraising event designed to bring people together to support RI’s local nonprofits. From March 31st at 6am to April 1st at 6pm, we’ll join hundreds of organizations participating in this powerful event, which raised over $4.9 million for 644 nonprofits in 2025. Donations are made through a secure online portal and are tax-deductible, with a minimum of just $5. Every donation makes a difference and will directly aid our conservation efforts! We’d be truly grateful for your support—bookmark our donation page and check back when giving opens on March 31st.
Warm up with hot cocoa and join arborist Dan Weise on a guided afternoon 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.
📅 Date: Thursday, April 16th (Rain Date: April 17th)
🕒 Time: 3:30pm
📍 Location: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, RI
🎟️ Free and open to all. No RSVP required.
Please note that this event is weather permitting. Cancellations will be posted on our website.
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 Michael Cavanagh on invasive plant management. Design, permitting, and implementation practices will be shared and discussed, with a focus on the native plant communities used to support local ecosystems and minimize invasive plant pressures. *This is a standalone program—you do not need to attend the walk to enjoy the presentation.
📅 Date: Thursday, April 16th
🕒 Time: 5pm
📍 Location: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, RI
🎟️ Free and open to all. No RSVP 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 a look at bobcats and human land use in RI. Chris’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 means for our region’s natural systems.
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 29th
🕒 Time: 6pm
📍 Location: Kettle Pond Visitor Center, 50 Bend Road, Charlestown, RI
🎟️ Free and open to all. No RSVP 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.