Megan Cotter cited for leadership on issues of farm, forest and open space, added funding for additional DEM forest rangers, and saving land conservation funding in the “green bond”

Audubon Society awards Cotter for legislative leadership

Rep. Megan Cotter was honored with the Audubon Society of Rhode Island 2024 Legislative Leadership Award at the society’s 127^th Annual Meeting on Oct. 20 in Bristol. The organization recognized Representative Cotter for her dedication to Rhode Island’s environment and opens spaces, particularly its critical forest habitats.

Last year, which was her first year the in the House, Representative Cotter sponsored legislation that created a legislative commission to help the state determine the best action for improving forest management.

Through 2023 and 2024, she chaired that commission, which issued recommendations that included funding forest fire prevention programs and more forestry staff in the Department of Environmental Management, state and local collaboration to map accessible routes for firefighting in forested lands, and helping owners of forested lands to develop fire management plans.

Her leadership and advocacy led the efforts for farm, forest and open space, and helped add funding in the 2025 state budget for additional forest rangers at DEM, and led to the addition of land conservation funding to the “green bond” proposal on the ballot Nov. 5.