Fighting for Rhode Island's open space

The former Rocky Point Amusement Park in Warwick, Camp Meehan in North Providence, and the Peckham Farm in Tiverton all have one thing in common: They are unique open spaces that will need state open space funds to be permanently protected for future generations to come.

For the last 22 years, Rhode Island has protected open space through local, statewide and farmland protection programs that have been funded by voter-approved open space bonds.

These funds have played a critical role in protecting farmland, forests and local treasures, like Dame Farm in Johnston, undeveloped woodlands adjoining Arcadia Management Area, and lands surrounding Lincoln Woods State Park.  

Our state, our land, our future

Unfortunately, unless open space funding is renewed in 2008, critical protection programs will go unfunded, putting valuable open spaces that could be protected at risk.

That’s why Environment Rhode Island is launching a new campaign called “Our State, Our Land, Our Future.” Our goal is to convince Gov. Carcieri and the Rhode Island General Assembly to approve an open space bond measure in this year’s budget.

“Treasured pieces of Rhode Island are on the chopping block—if we don’t act now, our state’s preservation efforts could come to a grinding halt,” said Environment Rhode Island Advocate Matt Auten. “However, since Rhode Islanders have made it clear that they want to protect our last remaining natural areas by voting overwhelmingly to approve open space bond issues whenever they are given the chance, we’re confident we can work with Gov. Carcieri and the General Assembly to renew funding for these critical programs. After all, it is our state, our land and our future that is at stake.”