Land Protection

Adventure to Elizabeth Island

Lindsey Sarquilla, Land Information Systems Assistant

Recently on a beautifully clear and sunny day, two intrepid stewardship staff members (John Coolidge, CR Stewardship Specialist, and I) crossed the waters of Spy Pond in Arlington to reach the shore of one of Mass Audubon’s newest CRs, Elizabeth Island.  The 1 ¾ acre island is owned by Arlington Land Trust, and Mass Audubon co-holds the CR with the Town of Arlington (check out our previous blog post on this project).

With the sun at our backs we ventured out to the island with the help of a canoe borrowed from a local friend of Mass Audubon and the Arlington Land Trust.  We gathered baseline documentation (photos, GPS locations of trails and landing areas, etc.) by water and land to help inform future monitoring of the island.  We were delighted to see that the island is undoubtedly well-loved by the public, with no recent evidence of trash or other abuses found.  It really is no surprise that this lovely oasis of natural habit is a beloved landmark in Arlington—and we’re very proud to help protect it!

 
John Coolidge, CR Stewardship Specialist, taking in the property conditions (and the sunshine).

 
Swan sunning on northwestern point of Elizabeth Island, now dubbed “Swan Point.”

 
Taken from the canoe; the same view of the island as you see from Concord Turnpike.

Nice Workin' with Ya' Partner!

Bob Wilber, Director of Land Protection

What great news it is that Elizabeth Island in Arlington has finally been protected. This island, located in the middle of 100-acre Spy Pond, has served as a beloved community landmark and urban wild for centuries, easily visible from Route 2 by thousands of motorists a day. Somewhat amazingly, until December it was also privately owned and unprotected.  We worked collaboratively with our local partner – the Arlington Land Trust (ALT) - to finally get the property under agreement last spring.  Mass Audubon then provided limited assistance to ALT in their successful effort to raise the $265,000 needed to achieve the longstanding goal of protecting this jewel. It is anticipated that Mass Audubon will acquire a Conservation Restriction on the property in the coming months – to be co-held with the Town of Arlington’s Conservation Commission. Way to go, Arlington!

Above:  Elizabeth Island - Spy Pond, Arlington