Origin of the Tiverton Land Trust   

           The Town of Tiverton, RI Comprehensive plan of 1997 included guidelines for policies concerning the preservation and conservation of the natural and cultural characteristics of the town. Four citizens began to meet informally to design an organization that would produce the necessary plans, goals, and objectives. They were Mary Wehle, a retired CPA and lecturer at Harvard Business School; Joseph Bossom, a retired psychologist and gentleman farmer; Martin Vanhof, master gardener and businessman; and Stephen Barker, owner of an insurance business. In May, 1997, acting as the board of directors, they established a nonprofit organization called the Tiverton Land Trust.

           At this time one of the few remaining large farms in Tiverton was about to be sold to a developer who had plans to build between 80 and 100 single family homes. The initial site engineering and design phase had already begun. Recognizing the probable and imminent loss of a beautiful and historic farm property, the newly formed Land Trust immediately sought to save and preserve it as open space. Allen Smith, a retired financial manager was asked to join the group as its grant writer, and began with an application for Open Space funding through the state Department of Environmental Management. The first fundraiser that year was a concert by Pete Seger held at the Four Corners Arts and Education Center. More than 100 supporters attended.

           The task of saving the farm was actively contested with wins and losses over the next three years. Several times it was thought the farm was surely lost. Nevertheless, a DEM grant of $400,000 was subsequently awarded for the project, and additional grants from U.S. Fish and Wildlife, The Norcross Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, Newport Water and others began to fill the TLT treasury. On March 31, 2000, the purchase and sale agreement was signed. The price was $1,200,000. The 237 acres of farmland and woodland east of Main Road were designated as open space in perpetuity and renamed The Pardon Gray Preserve.

           The board of directors has grown in number from five to twelve and the contributing membership to over 250. It is an active organization with several functioning committees, and continues in its efforts to acquire strategically important parcels for preservation and protection of the rural character of Tiverton. Periodic newsletters keep the membership informed of activities devoted to in improving the Pardon Gray Preserve property, fund raising, and other important preservation goals. It is the Trust’s intent to grow with Tiverton while recognizing the balance between sensible development and preservation of the town’s natural beauty.