177 Main Street
177 Main Street was the site of the WLT’s Community Garden until 2019 when the garden was relocated to 145 Main Street, a lot also owned by the Land Trust. In 2021, WLT partnered with Cinder Restaurant to create a permanent greenscape on the lot. The two entities determined that the best and highest use for their neighboring Main Street lots was a blend of commercial property and public urban greenway along the nationally designated Wild and Scenic Pawcatuck River. WLT was awarded a community development grant from the Rhode Island Foundation to support the transformation of 177 Main Street through landscaping, wayfinding signage, and public access walkways along the river.
The ultimate goal of the Urban Initiative is to transfer the improved properties to new operators, so in July 2023, 177 Main Street was sold to 169 Main St, LLC, which operates Cinder Restaurant. A conservation easement held by the Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) ensures that the 177 Main St parcel will remain green open space, never to be developed.
More about WLT’s Urban Initiative
In 2004, the Board of Directors voted to expand the Westerly Land Trust’s mission to include an Urban Initiative, focused on redevelopment and enhancement of culturally significant commercial properties in areas of historic significance to the Town. The “smart growth” concept reflects the other side of the coin of land conservation. A vibrant downtown offering attractive options to live, dine, and shop reduces development pressure on precious open space.
Since establishing the Urban Initiative, the Westerly Land Trust has worked in partnership with the Royce Family Fund to purchase and adaptively re-use commercial properties of interest in downtown Westerly. The Westerly Land Trust holds three properties on Main Street along the Pawcatuck River as well as the historic Industrial Trust building on High Street and the United Theatre and Montgomery Ward building on Canal Street.
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November brings shorter, colder days, but also more time to pause and reflect on the year coming to a close. Soon, we’ll all be in full holiday mode, moving a mile a minute. But until then, allow yourself space to sit and contemplate. How have you progressed toward your personal goals in 2025? What remains on your to-do list before the year ends? 🍂
🌳At the Westerly Land Trust, we find that these internal conversations are best had outdoors, surrounded by nature. Big things feel more achievable when you take notice of the everyday miracles around you.
💚In October, the world lost a conservation giant, Dr. Jane Goodall. As we slide headfirst into the holiday hustle, may Dr. Goodall’s words and outlook stay with you:
“People say to me so often, ‘Jane how can you be so peaceful when everywhere around you people want books signed, people are asking these questions and yet you seem peaceful,’ and I always answer that it is the peace of the forest that I carry inside.”
Witch way to the trail? 🧙♀️🕷️🎃
#halloween #witch #trail #hike #westerlyri #landtrust #nature #outside #october #fall
“All the trees are losing their leaves, and not a single one of them is worried.” - Donald Miller
Take a lesson from the trees: slow down, release what no longer serves you, and trust that growth will come again. 🍂
#nature #mindfulness #outdoors #naturelovers #seasonsofchange #fallleaves #fall #leaves #growth
Who knew stone walls could be so busy? Trail cameras at Wahaneeta Preserve have captured bobcats, raccoons, and even a curious house cat traveling these wildlife highways! 🐾🦝
#wildlife #nature #naturelovers #wildlifephotography #naturephotography #animals #discoverwildlife #discover #conservation
In 2024, the Westerly Land Trust partnered with the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society (RIWPS) to establish a foundation plot at the Barlow Nature Preserve through RIWPS’s ReSeeding RI initiative. After a prolific summer bloom of heal-all (Prunella vulgaris var. lanceolata), volunteers spent countless hours this fall deadheading the flowers and collecting the tiny seeds. 🌸
🌾CCC volunteer Ian Sykes took a break from trail stewardship to harvest seeds, and WLT Board member Deirdre O’Connor separated the seeds from a grocery bag full of flowers—when finished, she had filled a pint jar.
Some of these seeds will be replanted at Barlow, while others will be distributed by RIWPS across the state to help conserve native ecotypic plants and preserve local genetic diversity. Though the task of extracting the tiny seeds was slow and painstaking, it plays a vital role in supporting resilient native plant communities throughout Rhode Island. 🌿🌳
#native #plantnative #plant #seed #volunteer #nature #getputside #flower
It’s hunting season in Rhode Island which means fluorescent orange isn’t just a style choice, it’s the law. 🦺✴️
Here’s what you need to know:
🔸Anyone in a state management area, privately conserved area, or undeveloped state park that allows hunting must wear at least 200 sq inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange that’s visible from all sides
🔸During shotgun deer season (starting in December), that requirement increases to 500 sq inches - for everyone not just hunters!
🔸This requirement runs from the second Saturday in September to the last day of February and again from the third Saturday in April to the last day of May.
🔸If you’re not sure if you have to wear orange, always choose to wear it for safety. Stay visible, stay safe.
Thanks to @rhodeisland.dem for the video inspiration- check out their website for official orange requirements, hunting safety tips, and seasonal details. www.dem.ri.gov/orange🦌🧡
Need some orange? Support WLT’s conservation efforts through the purchase of a fluorescent orange WLT beanie! Follow the link in our bio to get one. 🌳
#westerlyri #rhodeisland #nature #landtrust #conservation #hike #outside #fall #huntingseason #westerlylandtrust
@birdability is a national nonprofit dedicated to making birding accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for people with disabilities and other health concerns, is proud to announce the 6th annual Birdability Week, taking place October 20–26, 2025.
In addition to a full schedule of virtual events open to participants nationwide, for the first time Birdability in Rhode Island has partnered with Rhode Island Audubon, Ocean State Bird Club, South Kingstown Land Trust, and Westerly Land Trust in to offer accessible local programs across the state. Registration for all events is now open; details can be found here.
This year’s event theme “You Belong Here” affirms that birding is for everybody and every body. Birdability Week highlights the joy, sense of belonging, and community ties that result from ensuring all people can share in the beauty of birds and the outdoors.
Join Westerly Land Trust on Saturday, October 25 from 2-4pm at Avondale Farm for Forest Bathing and Birding! This is a FREE event. Follow the link in our bio to our calendar of events to sign up!
#birding #birdability #nature #explore #outdoors #fall #accessibility
Mushrooms led the way at our Fungal Foray🍄
Jess from @dpnaturectr brought the fungi facts as we explored WLT’s Flora Whitely and Cottrell Preserves! 🍂🍄🟫
Did you miss out on the Fungi Fun? Check out DPNC’s Wild Mushroom Festival this weekend!
#mushrooms #fungus #fungi #forage #mushroom
