Rare Atlantic White Cedar forest protected in Tiverton – What's Up Newp

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) announces the permanent conservation of 38.27 acres of Atlantic White Cedar forest in Tiverton. The protected land, part of the Pocasset Cedar Swamp off Bears Den Road, represents a globally imperiled forest species under threat from sea level rise.

The conservation effort is a partnership between DEM, the Pocasset Pokanoket Land Trust, and Bally’s Corporation. The land holds significant cultural and sacred value for the Pocasset Wampanoket Tribe of the Pokanoket Nation, the ancestral people of the greater Tiverton and Fall River area.

“This land is significant as the ancestral heartbeat of the Pocasset Pokanoket people,” said Chief George Spring Buffalo, Chairman of the Pocasset Wampanoag Tribe of the Pokanoket Nation. “This is the site of King Phillip’s War, one of the most devastating conflicts to native people in American history. We will create trails, explore the lands, and discover what our ancestors left us there. DEM was an honest partner through this process, and we’re looking forward to more collaborations with them.”

The Pocasset Cedar Swamp was the site of The Battle of Pocasset Swamp during King Phillip’s War, where both Sachem Weetamoo and King Phillip (Chief Metacomet) fought.

Atlantic White Cedar forests have faced extensive commercial harvesting, now comprising only a small percentage of forest cover in the region. Over the past century, these forests along the Atlantic seaboard have been considerably degraded and reduced.

“We are excited to be working in partnership with the Pocasset Pokanoket Tribe and believe firmly in this project and the public benefit of protecting the Pocasset Cedar Swamp,” said DEM Director Terry Gray. “Rhode Islanders are proud to be a diverse people, with diverse cultures and we celebrate our tribal communities.”

The purchase price for the nearly 40-acre property is $60,000. A $40,000 grant committed in 2022 through DEM’s competitive Local Open Space Grant Program plays a crucial role in financing the project. Funds for this program come from voter-approved Green Economy Bonds.

The Local Open Space Grant Program has protected nearly 1,700 acres statewide over the past five years. Almost every town in Rhode Island has received funding through the program, with over 200 grants administered since 1990, thanks to voter-approved bond measures.

This conservation effort aligns with broader initiatives to protect endangered habitats and support tribal rematriation efforts. The Atlantic White Cedar forest’s preservation not only safeguards a rare ecosystem but also returns culturally significant land to its ancestral stewards.

The Pocasset Cedar Swamp project demonstrates the potential for collaboration between state agencies, tribal nations, and private corporations in land conservation efforts. It sets a precedent for future initiatives that combine ecological preservation with cultural heritage protection.

For more information on DEM programs and initiatives, interested parties can visit www.dem.ri.gov or follow the department on various social media platforms.