Land Protection

Conservation begets conservation

Bob Ford, Land Protection Specialist

As an old Greek proverb says, kindness begets kindness. Similarly, conservation often begets conservation. 

Such is the case with our recent efforts to purchase and preserve 75 ecologically sensitive acres in the Rowley Great Marsh owned by the Oak Knoll Realty Trust. Our activity on this conservation initiative in Rowley has begotten more conservation activity! (See our webpage for information on the progress we’ve made and the challenge we face during the home stretch of this critically important conservation project.)  

A landowner that abuts the Oak Knoll Realty Trust land is now working with Mass Audubon to donate their 10 acres to the cause, which will increase the total amount of salt marsh to be protected through our efforts to 85 acres! The enlarged scope of what was already a significant salt marsh conservation project will provide an enormous protective benefit to the salt marsh ecosystem of the Rowley Great Marsh, now and forever. We hope to receive this gift around the same time as we hope to close on the Oak Knoll land, which we currently anticipate to take place in September 2011.

On Habitat Reserves and the benefits of public/private conservation partnerships

Bob Wilber, Director of Land Protection

We have previously discussed the importance of the close working relationship that public and private conservation interests enjoy here in Massachusetts, with the unique abilities of each brought forth in a coordinated, complimentary, manner to get many properties successfully conserved.  And we've also talked about the very favorable current setting for land conservation—historically low market values, little competition from developers, and many willing sellers.

Working in close partnership, private conservation organizations like Mass Audubon, and state environmental agency partners are making the most of this unprecedented opportunity to conserve land.  Four years ago, the Patrick-Murray administration designated the ten most intact forested landscapes remaining in Massachusetts as “Habitat Reserves.”  These areas include wilderness areas, forest reserves, mountain tops, wild rivers, and sustainably managed forests.  The purpose of the designation was a simple concept:  identify these areas using a sound foundation of science, and encourage public and private conservation interests to collaborate over time to acquire/protect properties within these important landscapes.   In many ways, the Habitat Reserves identify the “best of the best” remaining unprotected land in the commonwealth.

The Habitat Reserves concept is working, and we’re proud to have played a part in that success.  We are indebted to all who have supported our efforts thus far, and remain optimistic that such forward thinking will continue, as we all strive to make the most of this amazing conservation opportunity that has been placed before us.

120 acres neighboring Waseeka and Broad Hill Wildlife Sanctuaries to be protected

Dinah Rowbotham, Land Protection Program Assistant

The Town of Ashland has signed an official Purchase and Sale agreement with Northeastern University to buy the Warren Woods property, 120 acres very close to Mass Audubon’s Waseeka and Broad Hill Wildlife Sanctuaries (check out our previous blog post on this project).  The agreement was signed just before Town Meeting last month.  The agreement includes a provision to delay closing the sale until this year's Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity (LAND) grant winners are announced. If the town is awarded the grant, it could bring in up to $500,000 toward the land’s total purchase price of $5 million. The project is now within a 60-day exploratory period that provides the town with the needed opportunity for environmental studies, title and deed searches, and surveys.  Mass Audubon has been assisting the town with various aspects of the purchase including appraisals and technical assistance and has pledged to contribute $150,000 toward the project.  It is anticipated that over 100 acres will be covered by a conservation restriction that will permanently protect the land's natural conservation values.    

An abutting 23 acre portion of Northeastern University’s land in the neighboring town of Holliston is also being considered for protection by Mass Audubon and other conservation partners.

 
Land protected by Mass Audubon CR, near soon-to-be-protected Warren Woods land. 

Slater Woods in Dudley Now Protected

Charlie Wyman, Senior Land Protection Specialist

Our friends at the Dudley Conservation Land Trust are close to completing a wonderful 75-acre acquisition in the heart of a 500+ acre natural area abutting Mass Audubon’s Pierpont Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary.  The property consists of open oak woods, rock outcroppings, and interspersed wetlands, and creates a corridor linking Mass Audubon’s sanctuary to the Trust’s recent Highland Park purchase.  

Working with the Slater family, which has owned the land for more than 150 years, and with the assistance of Mass Audubon, the Trust negotiated the acquisition and launched a fundraising drive that is closing in on its goal.  With deadlines looming, the Trust purchased the property earlier this year and is now conveying a conservation restriction to the Mass. Department of Fish and Game, a condition of a state grant that is providing 1/3 of the funds needed.  Mass Audubon assisted at several junctures: developing strategy during the negotiations, reaching out to local supporters to help fund the purchase, and providing a bridge loan until the state grant funds arrive.  Our hats are off to the Trust and their dynamic leaders, Sandy Peterson and Keith Kirkland, for a terrific job!

We look forward to working with the Trust and the Department of Fish and Game to protect more of this extensive natural area.  A parking lot and trail are planned.

 
Slater Woods resident (wood frog) prepares to jump for joy at news of his habitat being permanently protected.

 
Slater Woods