NEWS FROM THE WAREHAM LAND TRUST • VOLUME 8, NUMBER 1 • WINTER 2010 NEWSThis issue dedicated to the memory of Brendan McFadden

Good News (and some not-so-good news) for the Great Outdoors “Across America, communities are uniting to protect the places they love, and developing new approaches to saving and enjoying the outdoors. They are bringing together farmers, land trusts, recreation and conservation groups, sportsmen, governments and industry.… The Federal Govern- ment, the nation’s largest land manager, has a responsibility to engage with these partners to help develop a conservation agenda worthy of the 21st century.” — President Barak Obama, April 16, 2010

ast spring, President Obama brightest of local ideas by promoting ex- acres of open space, including national L energized land protection ad- isting programs, increasing conservation parks, wildlife refuges, playgrounds, vocates across the land when he and recreation-based job and volunteer greenbelts and seashores even though launched the America’s Great Out- opportunities and encouraging more it has only once in 45 years received its doors initiative. With charitable and larger public-private partnerships. full $900 million annual appropriation. organizations of all kinds hit hard by At this writing, the Senate has yet to a weak economy, federal support of Shortly after the Great Outdoors Initia- consider an energy reform bill but our environmental causes was good news tive announcement, we witnessed per- hope is that it too will include dedi- indeed. On hand for the kick off were haps the worst environmental disaster cated LWCF funding. representatives of conservation organi- in our nation’s history. Heartbreaking zations and land trusts nationwide, coverage of fish kills, oil soaked birds At the state level, the Patrick adminis- including regional partners of the and livelihoods destroyed in the Gulf tration continues to honor its pledge of Wareham Land Trust. The President’s of Mexico dominated the airwaves. at least $50 million annually for open goal is to reconnect Americans, espe- Yet, in the wake of this horror, new space protection. In 2009, that trans- cially children, to our seashores, great hope for the future of the environment lated into 217 conservation projects lakes and rivers, historic landscapes, emerged: On July 30, the U.S. House protecting 18,644 acres through a com- national parks, farms and forests. In of Representatives passed the Con- bination of grants, fee purchases and phase one of the initiative, the Ad- solidated Land, Energy and Aquatic conservation and agricultural preser- ministration held listening sessions Resources Act (CLEAR) which among vation restrictions. An additional 3,029 across the country to explore priorities other things, mandates full funding acres were preserved through 147 and learn about innovative community- of the Land and Water Conservation conservation restrictions. 2010 funding based conservation programs. Next Fund (LWCF).* Since 1965, the LWCF has presented a greater challenge …continued on next page steps are to build on the best and the has protected more than seven million

*By way of reminder, the LWCF is funded with a small percentage of revenues from offshore oil and gas drilling leases. Over the years, monies have been diverted elsewhere and funding of the LWCF has risen and fallen with the environmental inclinations of sitting administrations and Capitol Hill. THE WAREHAM LAND TRUST NEWS 1 …Good News continued from page 1 given even tougher economic times, Along the Agawam but is on track to fulfill the administra- tion’s commitment. The River Flora and Fauna The Wareham Land Trust has been the It begins at Halfway Pond in Plymouth The Natural Heritage and Endan- recipient of state grant money for several and wanders south a little more than gered Species Program (NHESP) land acquisition projects in recent times as ten miles through forest, pine barrens, has designated the Agawam River have other conservation groups with proj- long, narrow ponds and marshland corridor a priority water body/criti- ects in our community. In this newsletter, till it joins the Wankinco to form the cal supporting watershed (upstream we spotlight the Agawam River, which has Wareham River and empty into Buz- and upland areas that have positive benefited significantly from the Common- zards Bay. Along the way, it transverses or negative affect on downstream wealth’s current open space commitment. the Plymouth Carver Aquifer, source of habitat) and has identified parts of drinking water for seven communities in the corridor as core habitat for rare In Wareham, despite the lingering Southeastern Massachusetts, including species, including the endangered effects of devastating recession and our own. It hosts plants both rare and American Waterwort (plant), Long’s a painfully slow recovery, the envi- common and wildlife ranging from sun- Bitter-cress (plant) and the Northern ronment is still front and center on bathing box turtles and the most delicate Red-bellied Cooter (reptile). The the local agenda. The state recently of damselflies fluttering about its banks Agawam is also home of one of the approved the Town’s Open Space Plan to rare fresh water mussels and fascinat- most diverse anadromous fish runs which provides a municipal road map ing species of migrating fish. It passes in the Buzzards Bay watershed. for land preservation and will clear cranberry bogs, skirts densely populated Anadromous fish are those that the way for additional environmental neighborhoods and travels beside and each year, like clockwork, migrate grants and greater government fund- under roads and highways. It welcomes from coastal waters to fresh water ing. In addition, last winter, a volun- swimmers, boaters and fishermen. Its to spawn. American Shad, Rain- teer citizens group, with guidance waters sparkle in the sunlight against a bow Smelt, and White Perch spawn from the Coalition for Buzzards Bay, backdrop of early spring buds or bright downstream in the Agawam while embarked on a comprehensive re- autumn leaves. But all is not well with so-called river herring–alewives and view of nitrogen pollution in our bays the Agawam. bluebacks—favor upstream Glen and estuaries and recently released a Charlie and Halfway ponds. multi-year remediation action plan. The Water WLT President John Browning, Vice As it flows, the Agawam absorbs What happened President Mary McFadden and Board fertilizers, septic seepage, fuel and to the herring? member Mack Phinney are contribut- sediment run off. The Wareham Centuries ago, the Agawam’s ing members of this important group. wastewater treatment facility— bountiful fish population nourished though subject in recent years to the Native Americans and early settlers most stringent discharge limits in and the river was the site of one of the Commonwealth—further de- the earliest herring runs in the new grades the river downstream. The world. More than 350 years later, a state of Massachusetts describes fish ladder remains on the same spot the Agawam as impaired, a Town of as that very early one and three other Wareham report called it degraded, ladders are positioned elsewhere and the Coalition for Buzzards Bay, along the river. In recent years, has identified it as one of the more despite the best efforts of the Town eutrophic estuaries in the Buzzards of Wareham and the MA Division of Bay watershed—in other words, Marine Fisheries, populations of nitrogen loaded and oxygen starved. river herring have plummeted along Fortunately, efforts are underway to the Agawam and also in coastal address nitrogen pollution in Ware- rivers up and down the eastern ham, including the Agawam River. seaboard. The decline in fish num- But much work lies ahead. photo by Kathy Pappalardo bers has far-reaching implications for Agawam River Trail a number of species. While river

2 THE WAREHAM LAND TRUST NEWS Agawam River herring are primarily bait fish today, PLYMOUTH they are an important food source for Wareham Land Trust WAREHAM Protected State & Federal Lands osprey and the endangered roseate State Conservation Restriction (CR) Agawam River Pine Barrens Protected Municipal Lands tern. Some scientists attribute their Property falling numbers to environmental Wildlands Trust CR factors while local fisherman point the Other Local Land Trust Properties Cranberry Bogs

Glen M Charlie A E finger at offshore industrial fishing H N E Developed Areas (2005 Land Use) R Pond R U A O boats that inadvertently scoop up Other Waterbodies W B river herring in massive nets intended Roads Municipal Boundaries . d to catch mackerel and sea herring. In a o R

ie l r Massachusetts, a moratorium on “the a h C

n e harvest, possession or sale” of river Whitlock's Gl herring is in effect until at least 2011. Landing

ver In the meantime, Wareham herring Ri am w a g agents, in collaboration with the A C ut28 ranb err y Highway Spectacle Pond Coalition for Buzzards Bay, monitor Mill Pond ¨¦§25 Agawam herring populations, record ad Ro ich water temperatures and provide data dw San W Bryant Farm a to help scientists identify factors re ut6 h Conservation a m Restriction ut6 R Agawam River C iv ranb responsible for the slumping fish e erry Hig r Properties hway ut28 populations. Feet 0 1,500 3,000 6,000 Map prepared by: Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program, 2870 Cranberry Highway, East Wareham, MA 02538 www.buzzardsbay.org October 13, 2010 Our Properties Map prepared by: Buzzards Bay National Escuary Program, www.buzzardsbay.org Agawam River Map The Agawam River was already an environmental hotspot when the before Town Meeting for Community restriction on the land. The property Wareham Land Trust was incorporated Preservation Act funding in April of is open to the public for hiking, bird in 2001 and from its earliest days, the 2004. The property lies near the junc- watching, kayaking and canoeing. WLT identified land along its banks ture of the Agawam and the Wank- as acquisition priorities. To-date, the inco, not far from the mouth of the The smallest of our Agawam proper- WLT has been instrumental in preserv- Wareham River. Home to magnificent ties, Whitlock’s Landing on the Aga- ing more 180 acres of open space in osprey and a large and diverse choir of wam Mill Pond was acquired in 2005 the Agawam River Corridor. native song birds, species of rare flora with a Massachusetts Conservation Partnership grant and private dona- Our first Agawam River property was and more common woodland critters, tions. Measuring less than a half acre, Bryant’s Farm. Working with the Co- the property is owned by the Town the tiny waterfront jewel is a quiet alition for Buzzards Bay, the WLT suc- of Wareham though the WLT serves oasis that offers superb fishing and cessfully brought the 101 acre parcel as steward and holds a conservation

photo by Nancy McHale photo by Martha Maguire Bryant’s Farm Whitlock’s Landing public river access for kayaking and canoeing. The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife holds the prop- erty’s conservation restriction.

The WLT purchased the 68 acre Aga- wam River Pine Barrens property with member donations and grant money from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, (specifi- cally, Bouchard oil spill penalty funds which were earmarked for protection of sensitive habitat in the Buzzards Bay watershed). The grant was admin- photo by John Browning Agawam Pine Barrens istered by the Coalition for Buzzards Bay and coordinated with 25 local, state and national partners. The prop- the challenge and a total of nearly ten make River Run “nitrogen-neutral” erty includes, as the name suggests, acres of pristine, environmentally sen- and to explore avenues for improv- pine barrens, but also wetlands and sitive wetlands, upland and riverfront ing the Agawam’s water quality. nearly 5,000 feet of frontage on the land were protected. One of the Make- While development within the Aga- Agawam River at Glen Charlie Pond. peace parcels links the new Land Trust wam corridor is inevitable, enlight- In addition to safeguarding the public property to Bryant’s Farm creating a ened development is enviable. Not water supply, the protected Agawam 300 acre greenway with a one mile long surprising, the land deal forged by River Pine Barrens property is a great riverine corridor for wildlife, includ- ADM with the Commonwealth was place for a hike or a paddle in a kayak ing some globally rare and endangered praised by lawmakers and environ- or canoe. species. Thank you ADM! mentalists alike.

Access to the Agawam River Con- The Future More recently, the Wareham Water servation properties lies practically District was the recipient of funds Much of the land surrounding Half- hidden at the end of Knowles Avenue, from the Buzzards Bay National way Pond and the upper Agawam a residential street in the Depot area Estuary Program (BBNEP) to protect River is owned by the A.D. Make- of East Wareham. Listed in its entirety 180 acres of land in the Plymouth- peace Company. On its drawing board as a priority habitat by the NHESP, the Carver Aquifer including frontage is “River Run,” a mixed use develop- first piece of this property, the Agawam on the Agawam River (Glen Charlie ment in Plymouth inside the Agawam River Trail parcel, was awarded 50% Pond). When completed, the pur- River watershed which will ultimately funding by the Massachusetts Execu- chase will not only protect drinking include 1,175 homes. In a transfer of tive Office of Energy and Environ- water supplies, but also, forested development rights with the town of mental Affairs under its Conservation watershed and rare species habitat. Plymouth and an agreement reached Partnership Grant Program in 2009 with the Massachusetts Department of (our third EOEA grant under this The river has far to go before Coali- Fish and Game in April of 2009, ADM program). During the fundraising tion for Buzzards Bay Baywatcher will be permitted to construct a high campaign to complete purchase of the water testers issue an “all clear” on density “smart growth” community property, the A.D. Makepeace Com- its water quality. However, with on the site. In return, more than 160 pany issued a challenge and commit- conservation partners, includ- acres of environmentally sensitive ted adjacent river front parcels to the ing the WLT, developers, town pine barrens near Halfway Pond and project should the Land Trust meet its governments and agencies, cran- Maple Springs in Wareham and longer goal. With help from members, friends berry growers, anglers and ordinary term, another 1,000 plus acres of rare and partner organizations (including citizen-volunteers working together, and endangered species habitat within the MA Department of Fish and Game the future looks brighter for the the Agawam River corridor will be who also holds the Agawam River Agawam River. protected from development forever. Trail property’s conservation restric- Additionally, ADM has agreed to tion), the Wareham Land Trust met

THE WAREHAM LAND TRUST NEWS 4 The Wareham Land Trust

Protecting the Land sights on property along the Wewean- Whales took center stage when re- tic River. If all goes well, our very first searcher Dr. David Wiley described The Wareham Land Trust has never project, the Fearing Hill Conservation his work tracking these huge, magnifi- been busier. Final agreements on the Property, will be joined by others along cent and endangered sea creatures on Great Neck Conser- this environmentally sensi- Stellwagen Bank. And, during a talk vation Partnership tive riverine corridor. late last spring, marine scientist John Project should be Chisholm assured a rapt crowd that completed this fall it was “safe to go back into the water and more than 300 Indoors, too again” as he explored the fascinating acres of paradise will Though our focus is on and mysterious world of the Great be protected forever. the great outdoors, the White Shark. Plans are already taking In the meantime, Mass WLT also brings nature flight (hint, hint) for the WLT’s 2011 Audubon, the WLT inside to educate the community outreach and lecture series. and partner conservation community and advocate Watch local newspapers for details. organizations along for the environment. The with AmeriCorps and photo courtesy of K. Sferra, MASS Audubon Land Trust hosts a series WLT President John Browning Student Conservation at Great Neck trail clearing of popular presentations Association volunteers on topics ranging from have been hard at work preparing the ecology of pine barrens, marine parts of the property for its public animal strandings (and rescues) and debut in late November. the ecosystems of local streams to programs with particular appeal for The WLT always keeps an eagle eye the younger set, including “Turtles out for open space that supports rare Gone Wild,” presented by Don Lewis, species, protects public water supply, (better known as the Turtle Guy) provides recreational access to bays who enchanted a standing room only and rivers or may be threatened by audience with tales of turtle romance, development. Currently, we have our turtle rescues and turtle relocations. You say goodbye, I say hell-o

in our community. Heidi researched for Buzzards Bay who shares this and drafted successful grant appli- position with us) was left with a huge cations for many of our properties, hole to fill. Enter Jesse Ferreira. A including Mark’s Cove, Columbia Wareham resident, Jesse lives along the Street and the Agawam River Trail Weweantic and understands first-hand parcels and prepared a number of the urgency of protecting land in the private conservation restrictions. In Buzzards Bay watershed. Jesse joined addition, she did yeoman’s work the Wareham Land Trust in July and collecting data, drafting parts of the already his enthusiasm is palpable Great Neck Conservation Partner- at meetings and in the WLT’s Main ship grant application and shep- Street office. His track record includes photo by Kathy Pappalardo herding both the Great Neck appli- managing more than 2,000 acres of cation and associated conservation conservation land with the Trustees t was with sadness that the WLT restrictions through myriad levels of of Reservations as well as experience bade farewell to land protection spe- I red tape. We are grateful for her work in grant writing, youth volunteer cialist Heidi Blythe last spring. Heidi protecting open space in Wareham development and collaboration with left the area to join her husband in the and we wish Heidi well. landowners and conservation part- Washington, DC area, but not before ners. Welcome Jesse! leaving an exceptional and fortunately, With Heidi’s departure, the Wareham indelible mark on land preservation Land Trust (along with the Coalition

5 THE WAREHAM LAND TRUST NEWS THE WAREHAM LAND TRUST NEWS 5 “We understand that conservation is not contrary to economic growth. It is an integral part of economic growth.” --President Obama Membership

Join our efforts to preserve Wareham’s photo by Andrew W. Griffin/Wareham Week open space and natural resources—today! A young shark aficionado at WLT lecture ______Membership Categories Wareham Land Trust Meetings Individual: $10 $______Wareham Land Trust public meetings are generally held four times a year. Please Family: $20 $______watch local papers for announcements of Supporting: $25 $______dates, times, and locations. Board meetings Friend: $50 $______are open to the public and are held on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 PM Sustaining: $100 $______at the WLT office at 219 Main Street, Sponsor: $250 $______Suite E, Wareham. Benefactor: $500 $______Lifetime: $1,000 $______The Wareham Land Trust

Incorporator: $5,000 $______President: John Browning Conservation Leader $10,000 $______Vice President: Mary McFadden (or land donation): Vice President: Kevin Bartsch Treasurer: Nancy McHale Other contribution: $______Assistant Treasurer: James Clemmey Clerk: Susan McCombe

Directors: Name ______Kevin Bartsch, Len Boutin, John Browning, James Clemmey, Charles Gleason, Address ______Robert C. Gleason, Tom Kinsky, Susan McCombe, Mary McFadden, Town/State/Zip ______Nancy McHale, Kathleen Pappalardo, Malcolm Phinney, Stan Reimers, Dale Scott, Lawrence Stifler Telephone ______Board of Advisors: Email ______Paul Cavanagh, Mary Crowley, Lauren Griffith, Martin Himmelfarb, Please send contributions to: Martha Maguire, Robert Scott, The Wareham Land Trust Inc. Sandra Stewart Wheeler P.O. Box 718 Land Protection Specialist: Jesse Ferreira Wareham, MA 02571 Cover photo of Great Neck by Sherbie Worthen The Wareham Land Trust is a 501(C)(3) charitable organization. All gifts and bequests to the WLT Land Trust are tax-deductible within IRS guidelines. Newsletter design: www.valleedesign.com

Please visit us online at www.WarehamLand.org or call 508-295-0211.

THE WAREHAM LAND TRUST NEWS 6