R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-122-2: Purposes.

(a) To provide the highest level of protection to the state’s most environmentally sensitive natural areas;

(b) To promote the health and welfare of the people of Rhode Island by promoting the preservation of areas of unique natural interest for scientific, educational, recreational, cultural, and scenic purposes as a link to the state’s heritage; and

(c) To allow significant public and privately owned lands of critical environmental concern to be designated as natural area preserves.