Cape Cod Land: Conservation and Open Space Preservation on the Cape & Islands

Dennis Conservation Trust to Hold Annual Auction on July 20th

2008-07-15T23:53:00.001-04:00

The Dennis Conservation Trust (DCT) will hold its annual auction on Sunday, July 20, 2008, at the Dennis village green. The event “marks the seventh year for the DCT auction and will focus on the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Trust. The event has become not only a summer tradition bringing together a wonderful gathering of people to support land preservation and open space, but also an enjoyable evening of festivities.” Guests will enjoy food, beverages, and the auction.

More information and the Auctions Item List is available on the Dennis Conservation Trust’s website.

Sweet Water Trust: Recent Grants

2008-07-14T11:18:00.002-04:00

Established in 1992, Sweet Water Trust is a foundation whose mission is to support land conservation by awarding grants, owning land, and holding conservation restrictions. In recent years, the Trust has “focused on large, landscape-scale conservation projects, often supported with major, multi-year grants. While we still expect to make a few smaller grants each year, all projects must meet the criteria set out in our grant guidelines. One particularly important requirement is that the land's wilderness qualities be protected by a conservation easement or equivalent permanent legal instrument.”

With assets of more than $25 million, Sweet Water Trust has awarded more than 600 grants, including distributions to:

• Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions, $5,000 in 2001, for support of training program for commissioners

• Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, $5,000 in 2001, toward acquisition of 50-acre Mercy Lowe Property in Mashpee

• The Nature Conservancy (Massachusetts Chapter), $2,000 in 2002, for support of Massachusetts poll to assess citizen attitudes toward conservation and their willingness to pay for increased land protection.

• Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, $10,000 in 2003, for support of a study to develop protocols for ecological restoration of salt marshes on the Lower Cape

• Massachusetts Audubon Society, $5,000 in 2003, for support of an intern to assist in comprehensive invasive plant survey of Mass Audubon sanctuaries

• Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, $3,100 in 2003, for support of stewardship and management of the trust's properties

• Barnstable Land Trust, $15,000 in 2004, toward purchase of 42-acre Furman Property

• Massachusetts Audubon Society, $5,000 in 2004, for support of a conservation easement training manual

Keeping the Community Preservation Act Promise

2008-07-13T11:13:00.002-04:00

“Editorial: Keeping the CPA Promise”
The MetroWest Daily News, July 12, 2008

An editorial in The MetroWest Daily News reflects on Massachusetts’ decrease in matching local Community Preservation Act funds. For the last seven years, local funds were matched by the state on a dollar-for-dollar basis. Now, in fiscal year 2009, the state match will fall to about 70 cents per local dollar and the Community Preservation Coalition estimates the state match could fall to about 36 cents per local dollar in 2010. A legislative bill has been introduced to ensure that the state match will be at least 70 cents per local dollar.

Since its inception in 2000, the Community Preservation Act has generated more than $100 million for open space aquisitions in Massachusetts.

The Cost of Buying Conservation Heaven on Nantucket? $15 Million Dollars

2008-07-13T10:44:00.001-04:00

“Property Profile: Rare and Oh, So Special”
The Nantucket Independent, July 9, 2008

NANTUCKET -- Large pieces of vacant land with water views are becoming scarcer and scarcer on Nantucket. So are properties which offer multiple choices for locating a house. So are properties which abut Conservation Foundation land on two sides. So are properties with 1,000 feet of waterfront on one of the island's most beautiful tributaries. And so are properties with a boat house and a grandfathered fixed and floating dock.

The 31-acre tract at 16 Medouie Creek combines the best of Nantucket heath land, tupelo and oak forests and shorefront. ... ©

Read the full property profile.

North Beach Erosion in Chatham Washes 'Town Hall' Camp Away

2008-07-12T10:59:00.003-04:00

“North Beach Erosion Continues, ‘Town Hall’ Camp Succumbs”
The Cape Cod Chronicle, July 10, 2008
By Alan Pollock

Allan Pollock reports that continued erosion at North Beach in Chatham has claimed another victim: ‘Town Hall’ camp. Owner John Kelley was unable to move his camp structure before it floated out into Pleasant Bay because the beach had been closed to protect nesting Piping Plover birds. The buildings of several other camp onwers are being stored temporarily on the Hammatt property thanks to a recent conservation district zoning change.

Related articles:

• “Catch-22 at North Beach,”
Cape Cod Times, July 9, 2008

Massachusetts Will Decrease Matching Funds for Open Space

2008-07-12T10:08:00.001-04:00

“State Will Decrease Matching Funds Open Space Funds”
The Stoughton Journal, July 10, 2008
By Christine Steele

Christine Steele reports that Massachusetts will decrease state Community Preservation Act matching funds to local communities starting with fiscal year 2009, which began this month. The decrease in matching funding was forecast a year ago and a further decrease is predicted for 2010. The Community Preservation Act seeks to preserve open space, historic buildings and create affordable housing for communities by allowing them to levy a 1% to 3% surcharge on property taxes.

Ramp in Harwich Helps Eels Journey from Bank Street Bogs to the Sea

2008-07-12T09:47:00.002-04:00

“New Ramp Helps Eels In Journey From Bog To Sea”
The Cape Cod Chronicle, July 10, 2008
By Mary J. Metzger

Mary Metzger reports that the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife installed an eel ramp in the Bank Street Bogs in Harwich this spring to help eels find their way to the sea. Purchased by the Harwich Conservation Trust in 2001, the 60-acre Bank Street Bogs is a connecting waterway between Grass Pond and Saquatucket Harbor.

Podcast: Robert Finch's A Cape Cod Notebook

2008-07-12T09:06:00.002-04:00

"Outer Beach Overnights,” the most recent audio essay in naturalist Robert Finch’s A Cape Cod Notebook, broadcast on WCAI radio, is available for listening or reading online.

Mr. Finch has lived on and written about Cape Cod for over thirty years. He is the author of several books, including Common Ground: A Naturalist’s Cape Cod (1981), Outlands: Journeys to the Outer Edges of Cape Cod (1986), and Special Places on Cape Cod and the Islands (2003).

His writings are featured in A Sense of Place: the Works of Beston, Hay & Finch, a new exhibit at the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History in Brewster.

Barnstable Officials Eye Property at Freezer Point

2008-07-11T13:10:00.004-04:00

“Barnstable Officials Eye Property”
Cape Cod Times, July 9, 2008
By Jake Berry

Jake Berry reports that the Town of Barnstable is considering purchasing a 7-acre parcel at Freezer Point that overlooks Barnstable Harbor from a local developer. The town has leased the parcel for six months while it contemplates a purchase, possibly for recreational use. The parcel is assessed at more than $2.5 million and sale estimates have been as high as $5 million.

Related articles:

• “Town Leases Freezer Point, Set to Negotiate,”
The Barnstable Patriot, July 9, 2008

• “Town of Barnstable and Developer Stuart Bornstein Talking,”
CapeCodToday.com, July 7, 2008

Truro Conservation Commission Seeks Details on Ryder Beach Plan

2008-07-11T12:38:00.001-04:00

“ConCom Seeks Details on Ryder Beach Plan”
The Provincetown Banner, July 10, 2008
By Kevin Mullaney

Kevin Mullaney reports that the Truro Conservation Commission is awaiting a formal proposal about how best to address concerns about erosion and access to Ryder Beach. There has been some discussion about an elevated walkway, as Ryder Beach is a barrier beach with a wetland behind it.

Related article:

• “Elevated Walkway Proposed at Ryder Beach,”
The Provincetown Banner, June 6, 2008