Rhode Island has over 40 land trusts, a dozen watershed organizations and numerous conservation commissions. The Rhode Island Land and Water Partnership was formed in 2003 to improve networking among the leaders of these grass-roots conservation organizations and enhance the capacity of these organizations. The Partnership fosters learning and collaboration among conservation leaders throughout the state and region in support of this grassroots network. We believe that by working together, we can individually and collectively be more efficient and more effective.

Programs of the RI Land and Water Partnership:

• Land and Water Conservation Summit – You won't want to miss this affordable day long event which attracts 300 of the state's leading conservationists for learning and networking. Hold the Date!! The sixth annual Land and Water Conservation Summit will be Saturday March 21, 2009. The fifth annual summit was held Saturday March 15, 2008 (2008 Summit Program) (Presentations from the 2008 Summit).
• Shared Volunteer Management – The Partnership is developing volunteer management support services for conservation non-profits.
• Donor/Member Management Systems – The Partnership is developing systems to help conservation organizations with management of their membership programs and donor relations.
• Workshops – Capacity building programs and workshops are offered by the Partnership on a periodic basis as needs and opportunities arise.

Contacts:

• Rupert Friday – Director RI Land Trust Council. 401-331-7110 x 39 and rfriday@tnc.org
• Meg Kerr – Narragansett Bay Estuary Program. 401-714-2313 and megkerr@cox.net