Land Protection

Why Haven’t You Called, Steven Spielberg?

Charlie Wyman, Senior Land Protection Specialist

When this blogger last reported on the Sibley project in Spencer (Crunch Time in Spencer, November 2011), we had a plan for protection of the magnificent 350-acre Sibley and Warner Farms property, but no funding yet and a $2.91 million goal. 

Well, a lot has happened since then!  December was a banner month, resulting in more than $2.25 million in town and state commitments. What remains is the $650,000 to be raised from the public by May 1 when we have to make a decision whether to exercise our option, which expires in June. As of today we’ve received commitments totaling $315,000, with a month to go!  Talk about crunch time…

But, oh, the prize!  Three hundred and fifty glorious acres of field, forest, and wetlands. Scenic views.  Productive soils. Trails. And if that’s not enough, our state grant will provide funding to add 225 acres to Spencer State Forest next year IF we can protect the Sibley property this year. 

So we’re pulling out all the stops and being as creative as we can in spreading the word. An appeal went out last week to more than 4,000 households in Spencer and surrounding towns.  Posters and brochure dispensers are sprouting around town like the new shoots of spring we see everywhere. “Save Sibley Farm” buttons are the fashion accessory du jour.

Our newest venture is a fundraising video, capturing people’s memories and enthusiasm for the property.  Meryl Streep doesn’t need to worry about competition from the likes of us, but we hope it moves a few people to join us in trying to protect this wonderful landscape.  Have a look at the YouTube video, and then check out the project website at www.sibleyfarm.org.

You can help. Come see the property—walks are being held every weekend this month (see the website for details).  Invite a friend.  Post the project to your Facebook page, or if you’re like me, ask your son or daughter to post it to theirs. Tweet. Wear a button (we’ll send you one). Play a role in securing another piece of the open space legacy we’re trying to create across the state, acre by acre, for our children and our wildlife.

Otters (r e johnson)

Hilltop meadow (Nathan Goshgarian)

Berkshire Bat Cave

Bob Wilber, Director of Land Protection

Some of you may have read a blog posting from me on 11/28/11 about an incredible property in northern Berkshire County that we’re trying to protect. I’m pleased to report that we continue to work in close partnership with Berkshire Natural Resources Council and the state Department of Conservation & Recreation to advance the protection of the nearly 1,300-acre gem.

Like so many of the large tracts of land in Massachusetts that have remained undeveloped to present time, this one has many complexities that will take considerable effort to sort out. And, like many of the other large undeveloped ownerships, the prospect of the compelling conservation outcome is very motivating, indeed.

In the 11/28 post, I relayed that this amazing property has so many reasons to refer to it as special. To give you a better idea what I am talking about, there are several bat caves—like the one pictured below—that are inhabited by five or six species of bats! Pretty cool, eh? The conservation partners will continue to focus on getting this spectacular property into permanent conservation. If you’d like to follow along as we head down that path, look for future updates… same bat channel!

An Amazing Berkshire Opportunity Coming Into Focus

Bob Wilber, Director of Land Protection

So what is it that makes a given property important to protect?  It is often a relatively short list that make it compelling for conservation – the property contains great habitat, is the home of rare species, or is located near already conserved land, as examples.  Not surprisingly, the number of reasons to pursue legal protections for a given tract of land is often related to the size of the property – the bigger it is, the greater number of special aspects present. 

Occasionally, one gets introduced to a property with a nearly endless list of special qualities.  That is the case for a property in northern Berkshire County that we have been quietly working on recently with conservation partners, the Berkshire Natural Resources Council and the state Department of Conservation & Recreation.  The property contains extensive limestone geology (botanical diversity), an array of amazing habitats, large numbers of rare species, spectacular vistas, cold water streams, caves inhabited by a number of species of bats, and a sizeable waterfall.  Perhaps most significantly, if protected the 1,000-acre+ property would link two designated Habitat Reserves.  Habitat Reserves, as you may recall, represent the top ten most intact forested landscapes remaining in Massachusetts.  They are the places where plants and animals are projected to have the greatest resilience, as the impacts of Climate Change become more pronounced.

While it is relatively early in the life of this project, I wanted you to be aware of it sooner rather than later.  This is simply one of the most compelling land conservation opportunities existing in this state. Stay tuned for more information regarding this very special place in the coming months.


Photo of scenic vista from property in Northern Berkshire County

Two Chili Dogs with Fried Dough and Land Protection on the Side, Please

Charlie Wyman, Senior Land Protection Specialist

Labor Day weekend saw the 123^rd annual edition of the Spencer Fair, billed as the largest fair in central Massachusetts. Those of us who are part of the conservation partnership trying to save the 350-acre Sibley and Warner farms in Spencer (see previous post, An Exciting Opportunity in Spencer) manned a booth to raise awareness and support for the project. It provided a weekend of great conversations and a fascinating perspective on the world.

We were tucked between the toddler’s play-tent and the tent where the dancing girls prepared for the main stage. The stage itself was just a few feet away, not a bad place to be when the entertainment was good, though the children’s karaoke, while cute, was a little painful. Across from us were trailers serving up Lemon Slush, Fried Dough, and Chili Cheese Fries. (Dr. Oz wouldn’t have approved, but thankfully I don’t park my weak resolve near such places year-round or my wife would be collecting my life insurance by now.) A tractor pull, demolition derby, and heart-stopping amusement rides provided the background soundtrack. Our thanks to Jimmy, who let us stash our literature and posters each night at the back of his Singing Vegetables trailer two doors down.

Over the course of four days we talked to hundreds of people, from all walks of life. What was gratifying was that not a single one told us they’d rather see the property developed. While people differed in their preferences for how the land should be used and managed (hunting? farming? wildlife sanctuary? horses? snowmobiles?), they all preferred open space uses to private development. Many related experiences of the property growing up: how they hunted the land, or visited the farm with a school group, or still cherish a Sibley milk bottle they have on the shelf, a remnant of the farm’s dairy past.

This slice of public sentiment augurs well for our prospects. We will need an appropriation from Spencer Town Meeting and a strong grass-roots fundraising campaign to succeed. The partnership is hard at work exploring options and trying to fit the pieces together in a way that does well by the land, its wildlife, and the people who care for it.  We continue to work building awareness and support. Walks of the property are scheduled for the fall (e-mail me at cwyman@massaudubon.org if you’d like details). With enough good will, creative thinking and hard work, we hope the pieces will fall into place. Like rings falling on a milk bottle in a booth on the midway, but the prize we hope for is too big to carry home tucked under one arm.

 
Land Protection Specialist Charlie Wyman with project poster and cheeseburger. 

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

Rowley Town Meeting Unanimously Supports Great Marsh Acquisition

Bob Ford, Land Protection Specialist

On May 16 Rowley Town Meeting unanimously approved Mass Audubon’s request to allocate $250,000 from the town's Community Preservation Act open space account toward the conservation of over 75 acres in the Great Marsh (the Great Marsh Conservation Initiative). The approval of town funds is a critical part of the financial package needed to acquire the property, which also includes various forms of other government support, such as the Federal North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA), and private support. Once purchased (hopefully in September 2011), the land will become part of Mass Audubon’s Rough Meadows Wildlife Sanctuary in Rowley. This project represents the last opportunity to acquire a critical missing link in the Great Marsh which conservation advocates have been trying to secure for over 30 years. This land protection effort provides numerous benefits for the Great Marsh and Rowley including preserving Rowley’s saltmarsh and water resources, shellfish beds, tidal creeks, and estuaries, completing a Heritage Landscape and historic Main Street scenic vista prioritized by the Essex National Heritage Commission, providing for increased public safety by absorbing storm-related floodwaters, protecting farmland from future development, and continuing saltmarsh agricultural activity.

 

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.

Cross your fingers!

Dinah Rowbotham, Land Protection Program Assistant

Imagine yourself standing in a meadow, surrounded in every direction by grassland as far as the eye can see. This is a place where Kestrels and Northern Harrier soar overhead—in abundance. Standing still in this expanse of openness is a breathtaking experience. It’s almost hard to believe you’re in Massachusetts, but you are. You’re in the middle of the 1600-acre Cumberland Farms property in Middleborough and Halifax.

Mass Audubon, the Department of Fish and Game, the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts, The Nature Conservancy, and The Trustees of Reservations have teamed up to explore the idea of permanently protecting this spectacular regional landmark. 

We are very appreciative that landowner Cumberland Farms (yes, the same folks that own the popular chain of convenience stores and gasoline retailer) has been willing to open a dialogue with our group of conservation organizations.

To help begin the discussion with Cumberland Farms, Mass Audubon and the other conservation partners are buying an appraisal of the property together—currently in the works. This project is still in the exploratory stage, and so we’ve not too much to report as of yet. But stay tuned, and keep your fingers crossed!

 
Northern Harrier by Brendan Dwyer

 
Kestrel by Jerry Liguori