The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announced last week the conservation of more than 942 acres of forested land in the town of Burrillville for public recreational use, marking the largest single acquisition by DEM since 2014. The land is one of the last large undeveloped parcels remaining in the state. To complete the purchase of the property, DEM received a $1.2M grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the Wildlife Restoration Program, as well as an award of approximately $300,000 from the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation through Walmart’s Acres for America Program.
Rhode Island notes that the conservation of a parcel this size is a rare opportunity for the state. The acquisition is supported by several state plans, including the Rhode Island Wildlife Action Plan and State Guide Plan. DEM’s Land Conservation Program purchases ecologically valuable land to enhance the agency’s management areas, parks, and forested lands. Since 1985, more than 20,000 acres of land have been protected.
