Five Questions With: Elli Panichas

"Our concentration will be on adding layers of public education and knowledge to this land."

Elli Panichas is president of the Neutaconkanut Hill Conservancy, a nonprofit that oversees the preservation of Neutaconkanut Hill, 88 acres of trees, fields, wild flowers, valleys, ravines, glacial boulders, stone walls and fresh water springs and brooks in Providence’s West End.
The Hill is a natural habitat for small woodland animals including deer, fox, and wild turkey and the conservancy offers guided tours three times per year as well as other nature-centered events.

PBN: How was your organization been able to survive difficult economic times?
PANICHAS:
Up to this point in time, NHC has not applied for major grants. The first goal of our conservancy, when it was created in 2005, was to bring back the beauty of this long-forgotten forested area. Nature does not stop; the years of neglect created overgrowth, storms brought fallen trees and branches and eroding to the walking/hiking paths created by the city during the 1930s. Dumping, graffiti – the usual damage of a neglected area – was our original problem. Two DEM Trail Grants, through the Providence Parks Department, helped us reach our initial goal. We now have a pristine and safe 88-acre forest for all to enjoy. Our next goal, beginning this spring, is to begin writing our own grants and seeking funding sources. Some include funding to maintain the forested 88 acres and miles of trails. Hopefully, we will be success as there is always much to do on the hill.

PBN: What makes your park unique from others in Rhode Island?
PANICHAS:
Our history sets us apart. The Great Hill of Neutaconkanut, zoned as conservation land, was the original boundary agreed upon by Roger William, Canonicus and Miantonomi, Narragansett sachems. Therefore, it is the beginning of our city and state. The hill is the highest point in Providence, offers a spectacular view of the capital city, with panoramic views of a quarter of the state, and into Massachusetts. Neutaconkanut Hill is also the only natural forest in Providence.

PBN: What projects are you focused on right now?
PANICHAS:
As we have set our new goals for the next two years, our concentration will be on adding layers of public education and knowledge to this land. This phase will help the NHC overall single and most important goal – to save this precious land – in perpetuity.
The hill is a classroom in history, nature, archaeology, geology; all aspects of this hill.
The “next generation” education is one of our goals. So few youngsters venture out into the wilderness these days. We are also organizing student volunteer days, another means of introducing the hill and nature to older students.
A Rhode Island College archaeology professor is in the process of organizing an exploratory session on the hill that we hope will result in a multi-year archaeology study.

- Advertisement -

PBN: Who is your volunteer base and is there a need for you to increase that base?
PANICHAS:
With 88 acres of forestland to maintain, there is always a need to increase our volunteer base on many, many levels. Trail maintenance is of great importance. We have been fortunate for the past six years in having the Providence College Urban Action students working with us. They come to the hill each August or September from one to three days.
However, we have a large area to maintain and are constantly recruiting field/trail help.
We are also seeking help in grant writing and clerical assistance. Landscape architects, archaeologists, geologists, historians all would be of great assistance to our group.

PBN: You just celebrated Earth Day. How successful was it for your organization?
PANICHAS:
Earth Day 2013 was a great success. We do not concentrate on ‘clean up’ on this day. We continued to replenish the grove of evergreen trees that have nearly disappeared from the hill. As we have over the past four years, on Earth Day we planted White & Pitch Pine trees to help control slope erosion, and to provide shelter for the wildlife. Despite the rain, nearly 50 volunteers braved the weather, gathered shovels and planted. Some time was allowed for general clean up.

No posts to display