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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Week 1 of our Farm Squad Summer Program was a hit!
🌱🌿 Students explored the rich biodiversity at Barlow Nature Preserve, got creative with rock painting, and celebrated a bountiful first harvest of lettuce, radishes, and green beans. Here’s to more fun and exploration in the weeks ahead! 🌻
#nature #science #outdoors #explore #growingtogether #garden #vegetables #westerlyri #rhodeisland #getoutside
The Westerly Land Trust is proud to announce a new partnership with Ocean State Kids (OSK), a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving all young, developing children—regardless of ability—through neurodiversity-affirming outdoor experiences. Westerly Wildflowers, an OSK group led by Bianca Paredes, will be meeting every Monday at Wahaneeta Preserve to explore, learn, and play in nature. This partnership, like all of our educational programing, is in line with the following pillar of the WLT Strategic Plan:
Nurture life long love of nature: We have an opportunity and a responsibility to encourage meaningful connections between people and nature. We will engage the community through programs that foster appreciation of nature, spark imagination, expand knowledge and create memories. 🌳✨🔍
Welcome, Westerly Wildflowers!🌼
#outdoorlearning #naturebasedlearning #landstewardship #natureforall
Check out ways you can get out on the land and connect with nature this July!
🚣♀️Head to our website and check out the Hikes, Paddles, and Wellness page to see the full schedule for Thursday Paddles!
🧘♀️Join us for yoga at Winnapaug Farm Preserve this Sunday, July 13 at 9 am led by WLT’s very own Lauren Barber who is also a @barre_coast yoga instructor! WLT members email elebling@westerlylandtrust.org for a reduce price registration of $10!
💐Bring your loved one for a Date Night Picnic at Barlow Nature Preserve hosted by @echo_rock_flowers on Friday, July 25 at 6 pm. Design your own bouquet while enjoying tasty treats and a refreshing drink!
🥕The Barlow Farm Stand, operated by @frontierfarmri and @echo_rock_flowers is opened Thursdays and Fridays 3-6pm, and Saturdays 12-4pm!
What’s better on a hot day than escaping the office for oysters, boats, and beer? 🦪☀️
On Wednesday, WLT hosted 70+ team members from our generous Corporate Sponsor, ParsonsKellogg of Providence, for a special field trip to Winnapaug Farm Preserve. The visit gave them a firsthand look at how their support makes a real difference in Westerly.
To show our appreciation, we arranged boat tours of the Watch Hill Oysters farm, followed by fresh oyster sampling and cold Grey Sail brews.🍻🌊
Huge thanks to Grey Sail Brewing of RI for the refreshing beers, to Watch Hill Oysters for the scenic tours and delicious oysters, and of course, to ParsonsKellogg for championing land conservation in Westerly. 💚
#conservation #oysters #rhodeisland #westerlyri #parsonskellogg #saltmarsh #saltpond #winnapaugpond #watchhill
Congratulations to our favorite brewery around, Grey Sail Brewing of RI, for being Rhode Island’s first brewery recognized by Better Bev for outstanding environmental practices! 🌱🎉
Through their partnership with RIDEM’s Green Breweries Program, Grey Sail is reducing their environmental impact by installing solar panels, investing in carbon capture, donating spent grain to local farms, and more. Sustainability never tasted so good!
Additionally, we are proud to call Grey Sail a longtime partner and friend. They have supported WLT’s work as a Corporate Sponsor since 2018, and have donated many tasty, cold beverages for events like the Farm Dinner, President’s Circle Reception, and Crews and Brews. 🍻
Thanks, Grey Sail, for leading the way in both sustainability and community support! 💚
#sustainability #sustainable #ecofriendly #conservation #community #nature #brewery #greysailbrewing
🌊🌊🌊 CCC by the sea, sea, sea! Today we tipped our caps to our dedicated team of volunteers who have been working since September to steward WLT land. Many thanks to all our volunteers, to Dave Prigmore for hosting by the sea, and to the mowing crew who will be going strong all summer long.
CCSee you next fall!! 👋
#westerlyri #rhodeisland #summer #stewardship #volunteers #community #beach #thankyou
🌳Last Thursday, we hosted our first event at Champlin Farm Preserve. Our President’s Circle reception honored our closest supporters and celebrated this recently-protected 90-acre property. Many thanks to Grey Sail Brewing of RI for donating cold beverages on this warm night. 🥂
🥾Since October 2024, WLT staff and volunteers (the CCC) have been working hard to blaze trails and create a parking area at the entrance of Champlin Farm Preserve. Please check it out! It is quite a special place. (64 Boombridge Road in Westerly)
The Westerly Land Trust would like to sincerely thank all the donors who help conserve and steward more than 1,800 acres of open space in Westerly. 💚
#landconservation #conserve #protect #stewardship #steward #westerlyri #community #rhodeisland #nature
🌞Kick off summer with WLT and @barre_coast today!!
Join us for Summer Solstice Yoga at Winnapaug Farm Preserve at 6pm. 🌳WLT members, email elebling@westerlylandtrust.org for a ✨reduced price✨registration of $10 per class.
Scroll to the next picture to view the full BarreCoast summer series out on the land!🧘♀️
#yoga #outside #nature #meditate #summer #summersolstice
