Block Island Conservancy Inc. Stewardship Endowment Fund

Established in 1972, the Block Island Conservancy (BIC) sprang up in response to the threat of development of a large piece of oceanfront property known as Rodman’s Hollow, on the south side of the Island. When they learned that developers planned to build private houses on this pristine land, a small group of Island residents came together and formed the organization that evolved into BIC. Four years later the group had raised sufficient funds to purchase Rodman’s Hollow.

“Our most successful campaigns have involved stakeholders from across the Island, both permanent and non-permanent residents,” notes Stephen Record, BIC president. “We purchased the Hodge Property along with the town, the Block Island Land Trust, and The Nature Conservancy. Our biggest projects have been joint ventures.”

More than forty percent of the Island is conserved as open space. “There is some particularly beautiful as yet undeveloped property that all of us would like to conserve at least in part,” says Mr. Record. “In the past we were in the fortunate position of not having to turn down any project. Now we have to be more discerning – focusing on available, undeveloped land that is important for conservation purposes, attainable, and affordable.”

The Conservancy recently ran a successful campaign to purchase a conservation easement on a section of Mitchell Farm, “We raised $750,000 over the course of about a year,” notes Mr. Record. “Through mailings and social events hosted by various concerned residents we made an impassioned, convincing appeal.”

Mr. Record points out that the organization’s stewardship responsibilities increase with the amount of land acquired. “It’s one thing to own a piece of property and have to maintain it, but with conservation easements there is the added challenge of ensuring that the current owner of the land honors the terms of the easement. It may require a significant investment of time and human resources.”

This endowment at the Foundation will help BIC fund routine maintenance. As it grows, the fund will serve as a cushion against “more serious stewardship expenses we cannot anticipate today.”

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