What do you know about the Warren Land Conservation Trust? 

For instance, did you know we have been functioning for 36 years, founded in 1987 with the purpose of saving the invaluable marsh at Jacobs Point? Or that we are by far the largest private landowner in Warren, currently managing over 200 acres of land? Or that we are absolutely committed to public access and maintain about three miles of trails for public use – at Haile Farm Preserve on New Industrial Way  (see the signs on Market Street), and at Jacob’s Point off the East Bay Bike Path at the Bristol town line (and with more trails to come at the Sowams Meadow Preserve off Market Street)? There is also a kayak launch area and parking area (with a rack to come) on Mount Hope Bay at the end of Maple Road.

But in order to thrive and complete its mission of protecting Warren’s open spaces for the benefit of the public, it is essential that they have the full support of the community. How can you help provide that support? 

On the most basic level you can become a Member of the Warren Land Conservation Trust by simply going to the website and signing up. It is inexpensive and the site has lots of useful information about the Trust and its activities.

If you want a slightly more intense level of involvement, the website also provides information on volunteer opportunities ranging from work to keep the trails open and maintained for those eager to contribute outside to the more cerebral tasks like contributing to social media, which is needed to keep the organization functioning and growing. In other words, tell the WLCT what you want to do on the website and a place will be found for you.

Finally, for those who feel most strongly about the need to preserve open space in Warren, you can explore becoming a member of the Board of Directors of the Warren Land Conservation Trust to provide overall guidance to the organization. This level of commitment is a bit more complicated – monthly meetings and participation on one the organization’s committees – but representatives of the organization are always eager to speak to anyone who might be interested in exploring that possibility. If that is you, contact the WLCT at warrenlctri@gmail.com and someone will be back in touch with you.

So the question is simply: If you are committed to seeing open space in Warren maintained and expanded, what are YOU going to do?

Michael Gerhardt is the former president of the Warren Land Conservation Trust and is a current member of the organization’s Board of Directors.