PORTSMOUTH — The Aquidneck Land Trust (ALT) has announced the conservation of a 9.85-acre wetlands property on Hedly Street.

Located across from Maplewood Farm, ALT purchased the land from JIC Capital LLC to protect its important habitat and water resource value. With this purchase, Aquidneck Land Trust will have protected 97 properties totaling 2,801.85 acres.

The majority of the property is forested wetland dominated by red maples, and there is also a section of upland forest and meadow near Hedley Street. Throughout the property, multiple tributaries meander through into Bloody Brook, which eventually empties into Narragansett Bay. 

The site has excellent habitat for year-round and migratory birds, raptors, amphibians, and mammals, according to ALT staff members, who have documented over 100 flora and fauna species on the property.

“The Hedly Street property has many important conservation values,” said Brian Gallagher, ALT’s interim executive director. “In addition to offering wildlife habitat for such a diverse number of species, the property hosts multiple tributaries that eventually run into Narragansett Bay. Protecting this land helps protect our coastal waters downstream. We are very grateful to all our donors who made purchasing this property outright possible.”

ALT’s plan for the property will be to manage it as a wildlife preserve, with potential public access under consideration at some point in the future.

For more information about ALT, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, visit www.ailt.org.