Who We Are
The Hopkinton Land Trust was established by the Town of Hopkinton in 2000. As a municipal entity, the Land Trust operates in accordance with Rhode Island’s Open Meetings Act and other public transparency laws, ensuring that decisions are made openly and with community input. Our Board is made up of seven residents of Hopkinton, appointed by the Town Council. Members serve for variable terms of up to seven years.
2025 Board Members
Sarah Windsor, Chair
Jason Parent, Vice Chair
Carol Baker, Secretary
Marilyn Grant, Treasurer
Mary Gibbons
Dyane Plunkett
Alana Russell
Sharon Davis, Town Council Liaison
Preserving What’s Unique About Hopkinton
Hopkinton is home to some of the largest remaining blocks of unfragmented forest in Rhode Island, making it a vital stronghold for native wildlife and plant communities. Beyond mature forests, the town’s landscape includes farmland, wetlands, and rivers. It is part of the federally designated Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers system, recognized for its recreational, ecological, and cultural significance.
Hopkinton also contains numerous historic sites and landscapes that reflect Indigenous and colonial histories, contributing to the town’s archaeological and cultural importance.
True to its mission, the Land Trust actively manages and protects properties that contribute to the region's ecological health, including those with access to water, prime agricultural soils, or proximity to other protected open space. The Land Trust also prioritizes the acquisition and maintenance of open space with significant wildlife habitat, scenic views, and historic value to preserve the area’s natural character.
Why Conservation Matters
Preserving Hopkinton’s natural heritage ensures that forests, farmland, and open spaces remain healthy and functional. These landscapes provide key ecological, recreational, and community benefits to our Town, including the following:
Protection of wildlife habitats and preservation of biodiversity
Improved public health through improved air quality and increased opportunities for outdoor recreation
Continued food production and the preservation of family farms
Public enjoyment through activities like bird watching, hiking, and hunting
Increased resilience to natural disasters and climate change impact
Once land is developed, it’s gone forever. The opportunity to conserve wild spaces is finite. By protecting Hopkinton's landscapes today, we ensure that everyone will continue to benefit for generations to come.
Funding and Partners
The Land Trust’s work has been made possible by strong public support and strategic partnerships. It began with a $1 million bond for land acquisition in 2000, followed by a $2 million bond approved by voters in 2008. By partnering with organizations like The Nature Conservancy and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM), we stretched those dollars to protect over 1,400 acres of land.
On June 10, 2025, Hopkinton voters once again affirmed their support for open space, approving a new $2 million bond to continue this important work.
