Nearly 150 acres of forested land in Tiverton has been permanently protected by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM). The 149-acre parcel abuts a 121-acre parcel of protected land that was acquired in 2012 from the Tiverton Rod and Gun Club. Together, these two properties will total 270 acres of contiguously protected land that will be open for recreational opportunities, including hiking and hunting.

The property consists of forestland with a stream and wetlands. The wetlands are part of the Tiverton Great Swamp, the largest natural aquifer in this portion of the state and part of the city of Newport’s drinking water watershed. Additionally, the area supplies a large portion of the freshwater flows to the West Branch of the Westport River, a critical habitat for many birds.

The addition of protected land in this area will help to ensure the protection of these wetlands and local water quality, according to DEM.

John Berg, The Nature Conservancy’s Sakonnet landscape manager, had explored a number of conservation scenarios with the Mandros family, who owned the property, for more than 15 years and helped negotiate the final deal.

“The Nature Conservancy has made a long-term commitment to the Tiverton Great Swamp, one of the largest forests in eastern Rhode Island,” Berg said. “We work with landowners to give them options for protecting their property. I’m deeply grateful that the family ultimately saw conservation as their best bet.”

DEM bought the property from Alice Mandros for $710,000, which includes $487,500 in U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service funds and $222,500 from state open space bonds. The federal money came from the Wildlife Restoration Program, which is funded by excise taxes on firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment.