Dear Audubon Friend,
As we bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your support throughout the past year. Your commitment to preserving and protecting Rhode Island's rich biodiversity has been instrumental in our continued success, and I am thrilled to share some exciting news that your support has helped make possible.
We are delighted to announce not one but two significant land donations that will further enhance our conservation efforts and provide vital sanctuaries for birds and wildlife. The first donation is a 5-acre parcel in Coventry, seamlessly merging with the existing Audubon Perched Boulder Woods. This addition extends our protection to a total of 58 acres of precious wildlife habitat. This donation and your support have played a crucial role in allowing Audubon to secure and protect this land.
The second donation is an extraordinary milestone for Audubon - a 300-acre parcel in North Kingstown that will forever be recognized as Congdon Wood; a donation in loving memory of Alexander M. Cruickshank and Irene B. Cruickshank. This unfragmented habitat protects the headwaters of the Saugatuck River flowing south into South Kingstown. Its contiguous expanse of forest and wetland habitat provides true protection to wildlife, including native Brook Trout and amphibians like the Dusky and Two-lined Salamanders, as well as a critical stopover and breeding habitat for migratory birds. Congdon Wood becomes the fourth largest property in Audubon's extensive portfolio of protected habitats.
Both donations will contribute significantly to our mission of preserving biodiversity within our state.
The generosity of the land donors and your dedicated support have enabled Audubon to expand our reach and provide an unspoiled haven for countless species. Remarkably, both of these acquisitions were successfully closed within days of each other as the year came to a close... adding an extra touch of joy to the holiday season. Thanks to our donors and your steadfast support, the birds, plants, and wildlife that call these lands home can now look forward to a brighter and more secure future.
Once again, thank you for being part of our Audubon family. Together, we are making a lasting impact on protecting Rhode Island's rich natural treasures and ensuring that future generations will be able to marvel at the wonders of our state's diverse ecosystems.
Wishing you a wonderful year ahead filled with the joy of nature's beauty.
Jeff
