Block Island Land Trust

The Block Island Land Trust acquires, holds, and manages real property and interest therein situated in the Town of New Shoreham consisting of open, agricultural, or coastal region property, including barrier beaches, existing and future well fields and aquifer recharge areas, fresh and saltwater marshes and adjoining uplands, land for agricultural use, land for bicycling and hiking paths and for public recreational use, land providing access to or views of the ocean, harbors, and ponds, and wildlife habitats.  The Block Island Land Trust (BILT) was established by state legislation and is funded by a 3% fee on the transfer of real property on Block Island.

Block Island Land Trust forms must be recorded with every deed, including easements. Forms and Filing Requirements are available on the sub-page menu to the left.

Agendas and Minutes

Visit the RI Secretary of State's webpage for meeting Agendas and Minutes and search for "Block Island Land Trust".

Membership and Contact Information

Membership and Contact Information

History 

The Land Trust celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2016. In the mid-1980’s, Block Island was in the midst of a historic development boom. In 1986, after more than a year of behind-the-scenes groundwork by the “Real Estate Transfer Fee and Land Bank Committee” to rally the support of the community, local realtors and builders, and state officials for land conservation, an Act of the Rhode Island State Legislature created the Block Island Land Trust.

Conservation Partners

The Block Island Land Trust works in close cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and the Block Island Conservancy, both with offices on the island. In 2015, 46.2% of the island’s 6,076 land acres was preserved open space, nearing the Town’s Comprehensive Plan goal of 50%. Other partners include the Town of New Shoreham, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)/Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Audubon Society, and Block Island’s many generous property owners.

Endangered Species

Block Island Land Trust properties protect and provide habitat for many rare and endangered species, including:

  • Federally endangered American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus)    
  • State Endangered Pale Green Orchid (Planthera flava)    
  • State Endangered Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)    
  • State Endangered Barn Owl (Tyto alba)    
  • State Endangered Northern Blazing Star (Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae) - largest population in Rhode Island

In addition, Land Trust properties protect morainal grassland, a globally imperiled habitat type.