Nine acres of Warwick cove and marsh shoreline will be saved under open space match grants announced in ceremonies Monday at the State House.

Mayor Scott Avedisian and members of the Warwick Land Trust attended the event at which Governor Lincoln Chafee and Department of Environmental Management Director Janet Coit awarded the Warwick Land Trust grants totaling $127,910.

The city grants were part of $3.85 million in local open space matching grants to 15 communities, land trusts and conservation organizations that will protect 1,193 acres of open space and farmland throughout the state.

“I am very proud that the City of Warwick has received two grants which will enable us to preserve a total of nine acres of beautiful open space where plants and native vegetation can grow and birds and wildlife can flourish,” Avedisian said in a statement.

The Warwick Land Trust was awarded $100,640 to acquire 5.5 acres of saltwater marsh in Conimicut and $27,270 to acquire 3.5 acres of pristine waterfront property with over 700 feet of uninterrupted shoreline on Passeonquis Cove.

The Conimicut salt marsh, visible from Point Avenue, is located in the midst of a densely settled area. The property consists of healthy Spartina grass along with some areas of native cattail grasses and high-tide bush. Wood ducks, heron, egrets and muted swans use this marsh for protection because of the high grass and coastal shrubbery, and ducks, scaup and widgeons are also known to breed along this coastline. The marsh provides a refuge for many seabirds during winter and stormy weather and an area for the horseshoe crab and ribbed mussel to lay their eggs. Many wildlife species such as opossums, woodchucks, groundhogs, coyotes, red foxes, raccoons, white-tailed deer, owls, turkeys and hawks use the marsh for habitat. The property is located near Conimicut Point Park.

The Passeonquis Cove shoreline also features Spartina grasses, cattails, high-tide bush and sea lavender, with red maple, oak and birch trees in the forested upper inland areas of the land. The cove provides important habitat for birds and wild mammals and a refuge for many seabirds during winter and stormy weather. The sandy areas at the mouth of the cove attract horseshoe crabs for nesting. Located in the midst of a densely populated area, the open space surrounding the cove provides an important buffer to prevent flooding in surrounding neighborhoods during storms and rain events. The property is adjacent to already preserved land.

“My administration is deeply committed to forever protecting our scenic natural resources, and these funds will enable us to build upon the momentum we’ve gained. I would like to thank the members of the Warwick Land Trust for their hard work in bringing us to where we stand today and for their commitment to improving the quality of life in our city,” Avedisian said.

In a release Gov. Chafee said, "I am proud that we will be preserving these beautiful spaces for Rhode Islanders to enjoy for generations to come. Rhode Island is fortunate to enjoy unparalleled natural beauty. These grants will help us preserve and protect precious open space and farmland and will also benefit our tourism industry, which is one of our state's key economic assets."

Since January 2011 when Governor Lincoln Chafee took office, 71 land preservation projects have been completed with 5,013 acres of open space and farmland protected. These natural assets play a big role in the state’s tourist economy by providing opportunities for the public to camp, fish, hunt, hike and enjoy the great outdoors, and at the same time bring revenue to the local economy.

"By protecting the forests, farms, shorelines and open spaces that dot the Rhode Island landscape, we are enhancing the state's tourist economy by preserving lands that will be enjoyed by thousands of residents and visitors each year," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "These grants are an important investment in the future of our beautiful state, and represent another milestone in our efforts to help protect and preserve Rhode Island's open spaces and natural heritage."