Fifty Years Forward Land Trust Success, 1962-2017

THE COMPACT OF CAPE COD CONSERVATION TRUSTS, INC.

The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc. was formed in 1986 as a non-profit service center assisting six local land trusts on the Lower Cape. The Compact now works with 27 local and regional land trust and watershed associations on their projects to acquire and manage important natural areas as protected open space. The Compact also advises its members on non-profit administration, fundraising, public relations, and other important matters regarding preservation. Because most local land trusts are managed by volunteers, they find the full-time staff support provided by The Compact crucial to fulfilling their land conservation goals. The Compact also conducts research and promotes land projects that foster a regional approach to open space protection. The Compact is supported by annual dues from member land trusts, donations, and grants from private foundations.

For more information, visit: www.thecompact.net

Cover photo: Fox Hill Island in Chatham Harbor was the first land gift made to a Cape Cod land trust in 1962.

Photo Credit: Paul Gasek 2 half of the local land trusts, explaining the tax advantages of land conser- Saving Cape Cod’s Wild Beauty vation to property owners, drafting documents, conducting natural – The Compact after 30 years, 1986—2016 resource inventories, writing grants, coordinating town and state land agencies, researching priority lands, training volunteers, designing trail These emblems of land are scattered across Cape Cod. They are plans, and, most importantly, communicating a conservation ethic to pine woods and wildflower meadows, kettle ponds, sandy beaches, salt Cape citizens. Through The Compact, Cape land trusts gain access to marshes, and bay islands. Some are obvious landmarks, while others are professional staff help, and learn from each other. The Compact provides obscure, found only along a foot trail off a dirt road. Collectively, they timely, unsecured loans to help land trusts buy land through its revolv- are 8,500 acres of open space preserved by local nonprofit land trusts in ing $600,000 Charles H. Thomsen Land Fund for Cape Cod. each Cape town. These acres have achieved their potential to remain nat- It is important to note what The ural, while around them development sprouts. This summer marks the Compact and its land trusts’ purposes are. 30th anniversary of the founding of a unique non-profit environmental They are nonprofits and not part of town organization, The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc. It is or county government. They do not oppose the oldest self-sustaining regional federation of land trusts in the United specific developments, but provide States. Since 1986, The Compact has provided technical and funding conservation alternatives. Nor do they assistance to local non-profit engaged in preserving open space lobby for legislation or candidates. As throughout the Cape. There are 1,800 land trusts in the U.S., about 140 in private groups, they can work efficiently our state; The Compact includes 27 operating in SE . with landowners. As nonprofits, they can The Compact came to life in the basement of the Cape Cod Muse- accept land or donations that are tax- um of Natural History. The 1980s development boom was at peak on deductible. The Compact, through its Cape. Ansel Chaplin of Truro polled six land trusts for interest in pool- member organizations, is the largest ing funds to support a regional entity designed to advance their efforts. environmental entity on the Cape. The delegates were hesitant. Some were parochial, jealously guarding The biggest difficulties facing their community’s identity. Some feared creating distant bureaucracy The Compact and land trusts for the and others wondered about financial sustainability. “Well, Brewster’s future are the small fragmented parcels of in,” said John Lobingier of the Brewster Conservation Trust. That broke Mark Robinson land on the Cape and fundraising against the logjam and the others followed. It was a form of social compact, each Executive Director , 1986—present their real estate market value. Funding agreeing to work together for the good of the Cape’s environment. partnerships among various non-profit and public agencies must be Chaplin was elected President and served for 15 years; Richard formed to buy most parcels for conservation. Luckily, these groups have Johnston of Dennis presided for the next 15 years. Mark Robinson of a populace that cares about its environment and is supportive in preserv- Cotuit was hired as founding Executive Director, a position he still holds ing natural open space. 30 years later, assisted by staffers Michael Lach (since 2000), and Paula Remember, the backyard you save may be your own! Pariseau (2004-2015). They have become the one-stop shop, the go-to crew for all matters of land conservation on the Cape. They work on be-

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This booklet highlights the 27 member organizations of The Compact

Sandwich Conservation Trust Association to Harwich Brewster Eastham Preserve Cape Conservation Conservation Conservation Cod Trust Trust Foundation Orleans Conservation Trust

Massachusetts Audubon Society Friends of Wellfleet Herring River Conservation Trust

Chatham Conservation Foundation

The Nature Conservancy

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About APCC: Association to Preserve Cape Cod The Association to Founded: 1968 Preserve Cape Cod (APCC) is the region’s leading environmental advocacy organization working for the adoption of laws, policies, and programs that protect and enhance Cape Cod’s natural resources and quality of life. Currently, APCC coordinates many coastal restoration projects on Cape Cod.

Paines Creek, Brewster

Land Conservation Through the Years...

Milestones in open space protection on Cape Cod are noted throughout the booklet: 6

Barnstable Clean Water Coalition (formerly, Three Bays Preservation) Founded: 1996 About BCWC: Barnstable Clean Water Coalition (BCWC) was founded as Three Bays Preservation in 1996. Today, theirs is a “rescue mission” to restore and preserve clean drinking and recreational water in Barnstable. BCWC’s work has allowed for a thorough, year- round study of the watershed that encompasses West, North and Cotuit Bays.

BCWC revitalized Sampsons Island and Dead Neck in Cotuit/ Osterville with Mass Audubon to protect this critical shorebird nesting habitat.

Sampsons Island Land Conservation Through the Years... 1891

The Trustees of Reservations chartered in Massachusetts as the state’s first non-profit land trust 7 Barnstable Land Trust Founded: 1983

Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 1,081 acres Much of BLT’s efforts focus Owned: 723 acres on preserving key parcels to Conservation Restriction: 358 acres protect the town’s most fragile ecosystems, including the Great Marsh, the Marstons Mills Significant Properties: (map) River, and the Three Bays. Eagle Pond Fuller Farm Coombs Bog Bayview Farm

Highlighted Success: Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) recently rallied the community to save 19 acres of forested land surrounding Lowell Park. The park is home to the Cape League Cotuit Kettleers baseball field, and one of Cotuit’s community and environmental treasures. Over 1,600 people contributed to this campaign, the most in BLT history.

Fuller Farm, Marstons Mills Land Conservation Through the Years... 1909

Awareness to protect aquifer lands evolves with the first public wellfield in Truro (to serve Provincetown) 8

Land Protected to Date: Bourne Conservation Trust Total Land Protected: 270 acres Owned: 253 acres Founded: 1980 Conservation Restriction: 17 acres

Significant Properties: Lawrence Island (map) Red Brook Pond (map) Major Trails: Bourne Sisters Woodland Cataumet Greenway (map) Little Bay

Highlighted Success: Bourne Conservation Trust (BCT) has preserved two historic farms in Cataumet.

BCT has a large group of committed trail-meisters. Above is the Bourne Sisters Woodland Meister Carl Wirsen and his dog Meister Molly.

Bourne Sisters Woodland Land Conservation Through the Years... 1913

Village Improvement Society creates public park in Dennis Village 9

Land Protected to Date:

Brewster Conservation Trust Total Land Protected: 982 acres Founded: 1983 Owned: 533 acres Conservation Restriction: 449 acres

Significant Properties: Hay Conservation Lands ( page 4) Eddy Sisters & the Community Garden Huckleberry Hill Windmill Meadows Major Trails: Eddy Bay Trail Eddy Sisters Trail Bakers Pond Trail

Highlighted Success: One of the highest priorities for BCT is the protection of pond shores and drinking water. In cooperation with the Towns of Children are taught how to Brewster and Orleans and the Brewster and Dennis Water Departments, BCT has helped measure the height of trees to acquire 150 acres in the sensitive Zone II during an Eddy School visit wellfield protection areas in the past decade. to the Hay Conservation Center.

Land Conservation Through the Years... 1920 First gift of land to establish Sandy Neck in Barnstable as a park and bathing beach;

additions have continued into 2015 to preserve 4,700 acres of barrier beach and salt marsh 10

Buzzards Bay Coalition Founded: 1987

BBC is dedicated to the restoration, protection, and sustainable use and enjoyment of the irreplaceable Buzzards Bay Buzzards Bay as well as its watershed.

Highlighted Success: Buzzards Bay Coalition (BBC) has permanently protected over 8,000 acres of the most important forests, wetlands, and streams in the bay’s watershed. BBC recently completed the conservation of the 115 acre, Chapoquoit Beach, Falmouth $8.1 million Ocean View Farm.

Land Conservation Through the Years... 1930

Armstrong Kelley Park established as public park in Osterville 11

Chatham Conservation Foundation Founded: 1962

Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 817 acres Owned: 603 acres Conservation Restriction: 214 acres

Significant Properties: Goose Pond Muddy Creek Major Trails: (map) Barclay Pond and Trail Strong Island Frost Fish Creek

CCF was founded in 1962, Highlighted Success: From 1974-2004 the Chatham Conservation becoming the first private Foundation (CCF) steadily acquired 145.74 town-wide land trust on acres of Strong Island through donations Cape Cod. and a land purchase. The island has beautiful beaches and upland trails for public enjoyment.

Strong Island, Pleasant Bay Land Conservation Through the Years... 1934

Mrs. Roland C. Nickerson donates 1,900 acres in Brewster as 12

Land Protected to Date: Dennis Conservation Trust Total Land Protected: 601 acres Founded: 1988 Owned: 392 acres Conservation Restriction: 209 acres

Significant Properties: (map) 8 acres along Scargo Lake Swan River Overlook Crowe’s Pasture Major Trails: Cole’s Pond Bog and Trail Old Fort Field Sesuit Neck Trail

Highlighted Success: In 2015, the Dennis Conservation Trust (DCT) led a $3 million regional effort that preserved 29.7 acres of critical habitat along with 10 acres of the Cape-wide shellfish industry’s source of oyster and clam seed. The DCT worked with state agencies, Barnstable County, the Nature Conservancy, and the Towns of Yarmouth and Dennis to protect this land forever.

Chapin Beach Land Conservation Through the Years... 1957

Mud Hole donated to Mass Audubon in Barnstable Village; State adopts Conservation Commission Act to preserve land by towns 13

Eastham Conservation Foundation Founded: 1978 Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 299 acres Owned: 241 acres Conservation Restriction: 58 acres

Significant Properties: 75 Goody Hallett Road 600 & 630 Bridge Road 775 Bridge Road 52A Dyer Prince Road

Highlighted Success: Eastham Conservation Foundation (ECF), Mass Audubon, the Town, and the State conducted joint fundraising to purchase two building lots which serve as valuable nesting habitat for Diamondback Terrapins. Over 1,000 hatchlings have been successfully reared in the In 2017, ECF began sharing a past decade from this site, which is land manager with the Orleans now permanently protected. Conservation Trust. He works part time for each trust. A gift to ECF funded this opportunity.

Boat Meadow Creek Land Conservation Through the Years... 1957

Barnstable adopts first Conservation Commission on Cape Cod 14

Friends of Herring River Founded: 2008

Friends of Herring River is leading the largest ecological restoration project in New England, which will result in 2,500 acres of restored estuarine About FHR: and watershed lands. Friends of Herring River (FHR) was formed to restore and preserve the Herring River Salt Marsh. One of their main projects involves creating a bridge and control system in place of the Chequesset Neck Dike to allow controlled increases in tidal flow. Once the natural tidal flow is restored, water quality will improve and shellfish Herring River populations will flourish. Land Conservation Through the Years... 1958

Wallace Bailey established Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary for Mass Audubon on 300 acres; now 1,200 acres 15

Friends of Pleasant Bay Founded: 1985

About FPB: Friends of Pleasant Bay (FOPB) was founded in 1985 to preserve the timeless beauty and rich resources of this unique 10-mile long Atlantic estuary, the largest on the Cape.

FOPB's first success was winning state approval for the designation of Pleasant Bay and its watershed as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern in 1987.

Pleasant Bay Land Conservation Through the Years... 1961

First gift of land to a Town Conservation Commission on Cape Cod by Lucy Chapman of Brewster 16

The 300 Committee Land Trust Founded: 1985

Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 2,400 acres (working with the Town of Falmouth) T3C has a strong and Owned: 257 acres committed stewardship Conservation Restriction: 483 acres volunteer base (100+) to Significant Properties: manage and maintain Shallow Pond Woodlands properties. Teaticket Park Major Trails: Falmouth Moraine Trail

Highlighted Success: The 300 Committee Land Trust (T3C) was formed in 1985, with the goal of saving 300 acres to celebrate Falmouth’s 300th anniversary the following year. Community support for open space came out loud and clear when Town Meeting voters, overwhelmingly approved the first omnibus land purchase of 401 acres. Peterson Farm, Falmouth Land Conservation Through the Years... 1961

Cape Cod National Seashore Act approved in Massachusetts, preserving 44,000 acres 17

Harwich Conservation Trust Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 461 acres Founded: 1988 Owned: 401 acres Conservation Restriction: 60 acres

Significant Properties: Coy’s Brook Woodlands Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve Major Trails: Coy’s Brook Woodlands D. Isabel Smith Conservation Lands DeFulvio Boardwalk

Highlighted Success: In 2014, HCT purchased and In 2003, Harwich Conservation preserved the largest landscape Trust (HCT) and the Town of in the Pleasant Bay watershed Harwich secured nearly $6 million for $3.5 million: a 49-acre tract to preserve a half-mile of shoreline called the Pleasant Bay on Muddy Creek (aka Monomoy Woodlands. River) that flows into Pleasant Bay.

Pleasant Bay Woodlands Land Conservation Through the Years... 1962

First non-profit land trusts established on Cape Cod (Salt Pond in Falmouth; Chatham) 18

Massachusetts Audubon Society Founded: 1896

Significant Highlights: 1) Mass Audubon opened the 121-acre Barnstable Great Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary to the public in 2012. This sanctuary represents the generosity of several families, including the Fergusons, Chases, and Greeleys. 2) Mass Audubon’s acquisition of Long Pasture in Cummaquid protected 101 acres of meadows, swamps, woods, pond, and beach. Long Pasture works to preserve the unique Cape Cod ecology and connect people to nature.

Long Pasture, Barnstable Land Conservation Through the Years... 1962

State Province Lands transferred to Cape Cod National Seashore 19

Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 1.68 acres Native Land Conservancy Owned: 1.68 acres Founded: 2012 Highlighted Success: In 2014, the Native Land Conservancy (NLC) acquired its first two parcels of land. In 2017, a cultural respect agreement was negotiated providing 250 acres of access for cultural preservation.

About the Native Land Conservancy:

 The NLC was formed in 2012 to create a Native-run land conservation group to rescue and protect sacred lands, natural and cultural resources, and to encourage the continuation of Native American traditional lifeways of the Northeast.

 The NLC is the first and only Native American land trust in the Eastern United States.

 NLC is a frequent participant in national conservation forums with other Native groups. Long Lot, Barnstable Land Conservation Through the Years... 1967

Dennis Town Meeting approves first multi-parcel package of conservation land purchases 20

The Nature Conservancy Founded: 1951

About TNC: The Nature Conservancy (TNC) joined state and local leaders, fellow nonprofits, community groups, and local fishermen to save the Aquaculture Research Center (ARC) in Dennis to support shellfisheries and coastal restoration on the On Cape Cod, The Nature Cape. The Nature Conservancy Conservancy is investing in was also able to protect nearly 40 acres of beach and the future of commercial fishing saltmarsh via a conservation and coastal habitats. They are restriction placed on ARC’s restoring shellfish populations property. and working alongside fishermen to make commercial fishing more sustainable.

Wellfleet Flats Land Conservation Through the Years... 1969

Conservation Restriction Act approved in Massachusetts 21

Orenda Wildlife Land Trust Founded: 1986 Cape Cod Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 598 acres Owned: 402 acres Conservation Restriction:196 acres

Significant Wildlife Habitats: Makepeace & Mercy Lowe Smith’s Dock Sanctuary Cedars Sanctuary Brick Factory Sanctuary

Highlighted Success: The Makepeace & Mercy Lowe Sanctuaries are in the heart of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge. The sanctuaries, totaling 136 acres, Orenda has protected are home to the Eastern box turtle and open space from the Cape Pine Barrens Buckmoth, both of which to the Berkshires. are listed as rare in Massachusetts.

Smith’s Dock, Great Marsh, West Barnstable Land Conservation Through the Years... 1970

Monomoy Island designated as the only National Wilderness Area in Massachusetts 22

Orleans Conservation Trust Highlighted Success: Founded: 1970 The White’s Lane Conservation Area was made possible thanks to four separate Land Protected to Date: private land gifts between 1982-1996. In Total Land Protected: 665 acres 2009 the Orleans Conservation Trust Owned: 488 acres (OCT) was awarded a $100,000 State Conservation Restriction: 177 acres Landowner Incentive Program Grant for Significant Properties: grassland habitat restoration. Margaret “Granny” Cochran Gift Major Trails: Twinings Pond Ice House & Reuben’s Pond Mill Pond Valley

Threatened Diamondback Terrapins currently nest on White’s Lane Conservation Area, due to OCT’s successful habitat restoration efforts.

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Land Conservation Through the Years... 1982

Land Trust Alliance founded in Boston as national clearinghouse for open space groups 23

Oyster Pond Environmental Trust Founded: 1995

Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 29 acres Owned: 29 acres

Significant Properties: Oyster Pond Headwaters Zinn Park

Highlighted Success: Gifts to purchase the Headwaters land ranged from $500,000 to $5. Donations came from public sources, (the Commonwealth & the Town of Falmouth), other land trusts, foundations, and over 180 private individuals.

Oyster Pond Headwaters Land Conservation Through the Years... 1986

The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts founded; height of development boom on the Cape 24

Provincetown Conservation Trust Founded: 1980 Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 97 acres Owned: 52 acres Conservation Restriction: 45 acres

Significant Properties: Shank Painter Pond (map) Whistle Path Woods (map) Foss Woods (map) Nicky’s Park (map)

Highlighted Success: Since the 1990s, Provincetown Conservation Trust (PCT) has focused on protecting land along their Greenway Shank Painter Pond has for migrating wildlife, residents, and visitors. The lands saved to date for the the largest known quaking bog Greenway are Fox Run, Whistle Path on a barrier beach system in the Woods, Foss Woods, and Nicky’s Park, world. 30 acres of this as well as the Old Colony Nature environmentally unique habitat Pathway. have been preserved.

Shank Painter Pond Land Conservation Through the Years... 1984-87

Cape towns purchase 4,500 acres for open space protection 25

Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries Founded: 1962

Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 250 acres Owned: 250 acres

Significant Properties: Historic Bourne Farm (map) The Knob (map) Peachtree Circle Farm (more) Salt Pond Trails (map)

Highlighted Success: Now in their 55th year, Salt Pond Sanctuaries remains committed to the original vision of its founders by working to protect and preserve Salt Pond Sanctuaries offers summer Falmouth’s wetlands, wildlife habitat, and historic buildings. They also programs that focus on educating children provide education on the natural about Cape Cod’s many unique habitats. world for all ages. They also created the Dr. Donald J. Zinn Scholarship fund to provide financial assistance to students attending college.

Bourne Farm Farmhouse, West Falmouth Land Conservation Through the Years... 1990

Cape Cod Commission Act adopted, regulating large developments and planning for growth 26

Sandwich Conservation Trust Founded: 1985

Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 224 acres Owned: 84 acres Conservation Restriction: 140 acres

Significant Properties: Elinor’s Woods (map) Joe’s Woods (map) Shirley’s Woods Toolas Preserve (map)

Highlighted Success: Elinor’s Woods is in a pleasant neighborhood near East Sandwich beach. Wildflowers blossom on the Two Eagle Scout projects, the purchase of meadows preserved by the a small adjacent lot, and a memorial fund Sandwich Conservation Trust and bench have enhanced the site: a (SCT). beautifully forested marsh-edge preserve.

Osborne-Sherman Conservation Area Land Conservation Through the Years... 1989-97

14 Cape towns adopt The Compact’s program to encourage conservation restrictions 27

Truro Conservation Trust Founded: 1981

Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 354 acres Owned: 292 acres Conservation Restriction: 62 acres

Significant Properties: (map) Meldahl Hill with Kuechle Trail Pamet Marshes Joyce Johnson Studio Bequest

Highlighted Success: Funds from a bequest and grants from the town and state enabled Truro Conservation Trust (TCT) to purchase four hilltop acres adjacent to the Town conservation land at Edgewood Farm. Trails connect both properties.

Fisher Beach, Pamet Harbor

Land Conservation Through the Years... 1998

The Compact publishes the first detailed GIS maps of critical wildlife habitats on Cape Cod. 28

Land Protected to Date: Wareham Land Trust Total Land Protected: 542 acres Owned: 136 acres Founded: 2001 Conservation Restriction: 406 acres

Significant Properties: (map) Douglas S. Westgate and Fearing Hill Conservation Area Agawam River Pine Barrens

Highlighted Success: The Great Neck Conservation Area hosts 300 acres of forested trails running to the salt marsh at Widow’s Cove. WLT and Mass Audubon coordinated a conservation restriction with a religious order on the 118-acre Sacred Hearts Retreat Center.

Whitlock’s Landing, Agawam Mill Pond

Land Conservation Through the Years... 1998

Cape Cod Land Bank Act approved by all 15 Cape towns; 4,300 acres purchased between 1999 and 2007 28

Wellfleet Conservation Trust Founded: 1984 Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 378 acres Owned: 299 acres Conservation Restriction: 79 acres Before Significant Properties and Trails: Marsh and Pilgrim Springs Woodlands (map) Drummer Cove (map) Clover Conservation Land (map) Walker Conservation Land (map) After Highlighted Success: At the Head of Duck Creek, Wellfleet Conservation Trust (WCT) razed condemned buildings and controlled invasive plants to open an iconic view of Wellfleet Center. Now, Diamondback Terrapins and Monarch butterflies thrive in this habitat.

Head of Duck Creek Land Conservation Through the Years... 1999

State creates Upper Cape Cod Water Supply Reserve to protect 15,000 acres of Camp Edwards for habitat and aquifer protection 29

Wildlands Trust Founded: 1973

Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 8,000 acres Acres on Cape Cod: 228 acres

Significant Properties: Old Field Pond Preserve, Bourne

Highlighted Success: Wildlands Trust acquired the 115 acre (86 of which are in Bourne) Old Field Pond Preserve located in Bourne and Plymouth. The preserve features a diverse landscape of woodlands, meadows, cedar swamps, Wildlands Trust is one abandoned cranberry bogs, and ponds. of the oldest and largest regional land trusts in Massachusetts.

Old Field Pond Preserve, Bourne Land Conservation Through the Years... 2012

First native-led land trust in Eastern U.S. established on Cape Cod — Native Land Conservancy 30

Yarmouth Conservation Trust Founded: 1986

Land Protected to Date: Total Land Protected: 507 acres Owned: 241 acres Conservation Restriction: 266 acres

Significant Properties: Dennis Pond Chase Brook Park Sea Holly Park Anniversary Park

Highlighted Success: Yarmouth Conservation Trust (YCT) The first land gift made to the partnered with the Town to remove Yarmouth Conservation Trust blighted buildings and to create pocket parks and scenic overlooks along Route consisted of this half-acre of dune 28 in West and South Yarmouth. They also overlooking Lewis Bay in 1986. worked to preserve of the entire shoreline of Dennis Pond in Yarmouth Port.

Lewis Bay

Land Conservation Through the Years... 2014

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upholds property tax exemption for land owned by non-profit conservation trusts 31 The Next Generation

We asked some of the younger preservation leaders the following questions about the future of land conservation.

1. What attracts you to this work? 2. What are the biggest challenges for land trusts in the next 30 years? 3. What will Cape land trusts be doing more of in the future? 4. As the Cape’s land conservation movement matures, how can we engage next generations to share our passion for open space?

Katherine Garofoli Dennis Conservation Trust Administrator

After a childhood filled with vacations on the Cape, I jumped land becomes scarce across Cape Cod, I believe that land trusts will at the opportunity to move here after college as an AmeriCorps Cape increase efforts to evaluate developed properties as potential Cod member. After my term of service, I stayed on Cape with a desire conservation opportunities. There are parcels across the Cape with to aid in the protection of the land and water while working to vacant houses and underused structures that could be reverted back increase community awareness. When I became DCT Administrator to its natural state. and Land Manager in March 2014, I told many people that this role Land trusts should engage the next generation through all- was everything I have worked toward in my career. Each day is full inclusive opportunities to interact with young people and families. of opportunities to experience all of the special places of Dennis as Hosting a clean-up day, have a community dinner, or lead a family- well as connecting with the community through education events. friendly walk are all ways to attract new members. Outreach events I feel that the future of land trusts will depend on their do not need to always focus on fundraising. Activities should create ability to effectively communicating the value of protecting natural positive memories that will increase people’s awareness and resource areas. In this fast paced world, many people expect instant encourage stewardship of open spaces. It is also important for land quantifiable results to ensure their contributions are worthwhile. It trusts to find new ways of targeting the community. I think land will be imperative for land trusts to connect their activities of trusts must be aware of social media and how it influences the world. protecting land to substantial economic, social, and environmental It will be important for any non-profit to stay ahead of changing benefits. Having measurable outcomes of land protection validate the communication to relay its message to larger audiences. important role that land trusts have in communities. As undeveloped

Photo Credit: Paul Gasek 32

I focused on environmental politics and international relations in college. To couple the analytical breadth of my degree, I wanted hands-on experience serving a local community. I was fortunately chosen for AmeriCorps Cape Cod where all of these interests intersected. During my service, I saw how “I” can impact “we.” We worked as a group to educate and engage the local community, while performing needed labor for all conservation-related entities. Seeing how much of an impact a small group of interested college graduates could have on the Cape-community encouraged me to continue my pursuits of preservation. Future challenges are dealing with waterways degradation, water usage, and fertilizer/pesticide education. In the long term, the interesting question will be, what is the nexus of conserva- tion and development? Is there an ideal amount of people that should live on Cape Cod (seasonally v. year round)? How can we help create a sustainable community? When we, local towns and trusts, have saved enough land — and if people start building vertically — we will have to be more involved in protecting our water, air, and way of life. I think land trusts will have to switch gears from land acquisition to land management and education. Managing the land we already own is a huge undertaking, and raising the funds to adequately remove invasives and restore habitat will require education campaigns about ecosystem services and biodiversity, especially with regards to Matt Cannon scant resources, growing populations, and climate change. There is a critical role to be filled, and I think trusts can be leaders for sustainable living. We need more school Chatham Conservation involvement: from elementary schools to high school and college. We will need to sustain Foundation Administrator our incredibly willing and able retired volunteers and create space where they can be the mentors for some younger folks. There are some current opportunities with boys/girls scouts, high school classes, and community college that are very important to maintain. Maybe the trusts would even become a significant part of school’s “outdoor club.” Or maybe even we could contribute ideas for the school’s curriculums? There are many possibilities, and I think we need to remain open in how we engage our communities.

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I’m attracted to land preservation work because I feel that it provides an opportunity to get involved in shaping the future of my community in a lasting and meaningful way. The work that Cape Cod’s land trusts do is a critically important part of community planning and growth management. As a professional planner, I’m especially attracted to this work for it provides me with the opportunity to be a voice for preserved open space which I believe is an essential component of a healthy and balanced community. Through my work with The 300 Committee Land Trust, I’ve found that one of the richest and most rewarding aspects of land conservation is working closely with landowners as we navigate through the process of putting their land into permanent protection. Land is a precious resource and it’s very special to be able to help people to preserve the land they love. Looking ahead to envision the next few decades of land preservation, I imagine that more and more land trusts on the Cape will be facing the challenges of acquiring parcels that have been previously disturbed and require significant restoration efforts to reinvigorate the conservation values. From restoring degraded wetlands, establishing and maintaining open field habitats, to creating pocket parks, the resources required for land preservation will need to account for significant restoration efforts above and beyond the resources needed to fund the land acquisition costs. As the land trust movement continues to mature, land trusts will need to work creatively to get their message conveying the many benefits of land conservation to a diversified audience. Retaining long-time supporters and attracting new younger supporters Jessica Whritenour will require different strategies for communicating the importance permanently preserve The 300 Committee Land Trust open space. Across the board, it seems that the best way to engage the next generation is to Administrator work person to person to convey the importance of land conservation for the sake of a healthy environment and improved quality of life in our communities. One new communication strategy that The 300 Committee recently used involved a series of articles in the local newspaper featuring volunteer land stewards and the parcels they take care of through our stewardship program. The series provided a new way to tell the story of land preservation and environmental protection through the eyes of everyday people who are stewards, neighbors, and supporters of The 300 Committee’s mission. This is but one example of a larger effort to diversify the voice of our land trust as we work to share our message and attract supporters.

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Ansel B. Chaplin Award for Excellence in Open Space Protection on Cape Cod

Recipients Ansel B. Chaplin D. Isabel Smith Charles H. Thomsen Henry Kelley II 2003 2004 2005

Susanne Goodman Robert G. Hankey Anne G. Gould Henry Lind Celine F. Gandolfo John Nye Cullity Andrew P. Young Hallstein 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2006

The Ansel B. Chaplin Award honors the founding president of The Compact. The late Mr. Chaplin led the organization from 1986-2000. He also founded the Truro Conservation Trust. Robert F. Smith Barbara B. Birdsey Richard A. Johnston Peter Johnson R. Dennis O’Connell 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 35 Original Founders

Association to Preserve Cape Cod (1968) Buzzards Bay Coalition (1987)

Dr. Herbert Whitlock Reginald Robins Theresa Almeida George Hampson Dwight Peavey Phil Schwind Josh McClennen Mrs. John C. Bullard Alan Hankin Susan Pedeson Orin Tovrov Liz DiCarlo Dr. George Haydock Viola Pina Anne Dewees T.W. Kingman Edwin H.B. Pratt Jr. Harnet Ane Didriksen Peter Kortright David Roach Barnstable Clean Water Coalition (1996) Thomas Fantozzi Peter Lavigne Steve Smith Seth Garfield Robert A MacGregor John Todd William G. Gahagan Joseph D. Hinkle Elizabeth Hornor Robert Gray Irwin Marks Mercy Wetherbee Robert M. Gill Chatham Conservation Foundation (1962) Barnstable Land Trust (1983) George W. Bloomer Robert E. Clayton John T. Mason, II Robert G. Brown Stephen P. Hayes David Rouse Carroll A. Bearse Frank G. Love Elisabeth Eaton Clark Gilbert Newton Jean Whiteley Percy A. Grey Kenneth F. Eldredge Joseph E. Dietzgen C.D . Putnam The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts (1986) Bourne Conservation Trust (1980) Mary Louise Eddy Ansel B. Chaplin Charlton D. Putnam Stephen Ballentine * David Dimmick Philip DeNormandie* Richard LeBlond Charles H. Thomsen Durand Echeverria John M. Corcoran Walter Everett Jean Williams Dennis Conservation Trust (1988) Brewster Conservation Trust (1983) Carole W. Bell * Alice W. Dingman Edmond R. Nickerson * Mary-Louise Eddy John L. Lobingier Glenn H. Rowley Constance G. Bechard * Edward Gelsthorpe Norton H. Nickerson Ruth N. Eddy Roger V. O’Day * Peter W. Soule * Florence E. Crockett Richard A. Johnston * Richardson Reid Ernest J. Gage Henri S. Rauschenbach Kenneth B. Woods Jr. Joe Crowell Beverly LeBlanc * G. Howard Hayes Berry D. Richardson * founding members who still serve as board members in 2016-17

36 Original Founders

Friends of Herring River (2008) Massachusetts Audubon Society (1896) Miss Harriet E. Richards James Arnold Lowell Donald J. Palladino Barbara Grey Rich Morssi Mrs. Frank Bolles George H. Mackay John Riehl Jeff Hughes John Portnoy Mrs. Arthus T. Cabot J.B. Millet Lisbeth Wiley Chapman Gary Joseph John Connors Miss Minna B. Hall Charles S. Minot Ph.D. Outram Bangs Mrs. Augustus Hemenway Ernest A. Cadman, M.D. William Brewster Friends of Pleasant Bay (1985) Native Land Conservancy (2012) Kathryn H. Manson Norman P. Clarke Jay Harrington Errol Hicks Ramona Peters * Marcus Hendricks Andrew Young Betsey Cochran Thomas Lyman Leslie Jonas * Allyson Pocknett Alan McClennen Sr. Dr. William A. Dickson William Sargent Rita Lopez Danielle Hill Barbara S. Waters Paul Donham Sherrill B. Smith George Buckley Dana W. Eldridge Barna Sprague Richard S. Burling Mrs. Erma J. Fisk Martha Stone The Nature Conservancy (1951) Howard C. Cahoon Rev. Gerald Gilmore Charles H. Thomsen Richard Pough

The 300 Committee Land Trust (1985)

James F. Cowah Philip M. Wessling William J. Overholtz Orenda Wildlife Land Trust (1986) Jayne B. Abbott Catherine Diane Borestos Susan P. Smith Barbara Birdsey Lawrence Keddy Miriam Tod Richard E. Kendall Peter Kroll Dewitt C. Jones Charles Birdsey Janet Polomis Donald Vaughon Lois McCoy A. Canepa Andrea L. Turkington Michael B. McGrath Gregory Watson B. Kelly Jon D. Witten Orleans Conservation Trust (1970) Harwich Conservation Trust (1988) Malcolm M. Dickinson Malcolm R. Hobbs Orin Tovrov Osborne Earle Arthur B. Nichols Coral Grande Kenneth Mason D. Isabel Smith Reginald L. Higgins Laurin C. Peterson Eleanor W. Hayward Margaret D. Ribb Robert F. Smith Ralph A. Hayward Charles Schneiderhan Betts Swanton * founding members who still serve as board members in 2016-17

37 Original Founders

Eastham Conservation Foundation (1978) Truro Conservation Trust (1981)

Joyce E. Brookshire Joseph F. Moran, Jr. * Richard W. Wallace * Betsey A. Brown Clive Driver Margaret Worthington John F. Cronan Michael M. Radlhammer Ansel B. Chaplin Barry Kahn Charles S. Davidson Dexter Keezer Oyster Pond Environmental Trust (1995) Wellfleet Conservation Trust (1984) John E. Dowling William D. Brewer Barry N. Norris Cecily C. Selby (Coles) Stanley Hart Dana F. Rodin * Helen Aaron D. Alan Frazier William S. McCord Lon Hocker William B. Kerfoot * Donald J. Zinn Henry C. Atwood Robert Hankey Linda B. Miller Wendy L. Gabriel Werner Loewenstein Janet R. Bell Gary J. Joseph * Helen Olsen Steven Blacher Richard F. Lay John Wallace Durand Echeverria William Magenau Richard E. Wallace Provincetown Conservation Trust (1980)

Ruth Hiebert Munro G. Moore Heaton Vorse Wildlands Trust (1973) Jeffrey W. Parker Mark S. Primack Philip Alexander William E. Fitts Richard LeBlond Dorothy E. Cook Sidney Bamford Francis X. Corbin

Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries (1962) Yarmouth Conservation Trust (1986)

Ermine W. Lovell Hollis R. Lovell Patricia L. Auger J. Clifford Cosgrove D. David MacEachern Barbara Lawrence Robert J.G. Barlow Clifton C. DeMotte Lawrence T. Perera Anne W. Blizard Thomas D. Gregory David D. Reid Thomas J. Broidrick, Jr. Carol M. Hunter Dave M. Spahn Sandwich Conservation Trust (1985) Arthur M. Connelly Michael L. McGrath William J. Beard Lynn F. Parete George Sutton John N. Cullity * Sherry Sass * founding members who still serve as board members in 2016-17

38

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our appreciation to all of The Compact members who agreed to be featured, interviewed, and photographed for this booklet. “We expect that The Compact The leaders of the local land conservation trusts provided the information for their pages, and we especially thank Katherine Garofoli, Matt Cannon will continue to serve as and Jessica Whritenour for providing their opinions on land conservation. Project Author: Mark H. Robinson, Executive Director a national model of land Planning Interns: Halley Steinmetz and Meredith Riley For more information or additional copies of the booklet, please contact: trust collaboration among Mark H. Robinson, Executive Director land trusts.” The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc. P.O. Box 443, Barnstable, MA 02630 — Robert Bowers, Chairman, Land Phone: 508-694-7415 Trust Alliance (Wash. D.C.), 2002 Email: [email protected] Web: www.thecompact.net The Compact is available to provide free, private consultations with any landowner who owns land on Cape Cod and wishes to learn more about the process and potential tax benefits of preserving their land as protected open space. The Compact conducts its work on behalf of the local land trusts in “Special places don’t stay each community. The Compact is a 501c3 non-profit organization. All contributions made to special by accident.” The Compact are fully deductible. — Margo Fenn Prepared 2017 by The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, Inc. This document may be reproduced without permission, but with attribution. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this booklet, unless directly attributed to others, are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of any organization.

Photo Credit: Paul Gasek 39

Appendix - First land donation to a Cape Cod Town Conservation Commission , 1961

Who was Lucy Chapman and why is she a Cape Cod open space hero? History, began cobbling together gifts of land for his facility, then She was a petite woman who never mar- known as the Cape Cod Junior Museum, throughout the late 1950s. ried, a Brewster native who returned from And the Town had acquired land for a variety of purposes, beaches th the big world of New York to care for her and recreational sites, in the 20 Century. (Wing Island was bought extended family, a Radcliffe-educated Eng- in 1962 for recreational purposes under the custody of the Select- lish teacher and lover of language. But his- men). But Lucy Chapman established a new trend—showing that the tory must also record her as the first person Town itself could hold land strictly for conservation purposes. to donate land to a Town Conservation The Brewster Conservation Commission was itself new in 1961, Commission on Cape Cod. completing its first full year. It was the second ConsCom established Lucy Chapman in her On November 6, 1961, Lucy Harriet teaching days, c. 1910 on Cape Cod (Barnstable’s was first in 1957). “Massachusetts invent- Chapman donated 3.57 acres to the ed the municipal Conservation Commission [in 1957],” says the Mass. fledgling Brewster Conservation Commission to be kept in a “semi- Assoc. of Conservation Commissions, “A specific agency and authori- wild state” in the “interest of conserving natural beauty.” She had zation of conservation as a valid munic- bought the Main Street parcel from Freeman Atwood in 1938. She ipal purpose were needed before wished the Town to keep it as the Chapman-Harden Preserve, honor- communities could acquire areas for ing the two old Brewster families of which she was a proud part. passive use, rather than active recrea- tional development.” In the 50 years since her conservation land gift, much has changed. Towns have come to rely upon expensive purchases of open space Before ConsComs were saddled with before the land can be consumed by development. Local non-profit their busy duty to administer wetlands land trusts like the Brewster Conservation Trust have arisen in each protection permits for the Town in 1972, ConsComs identified town to serve as an alternative repository for gifts of land. New legal important natural areas in town and figured out ways to save them. techniques, such as the conservation restriction, have been created Since then, much of that latter work has been handled by the Town to preserve land. But the spirit engendered in Miss Chapman’s Open Space Committee (founded in 1984) and the non-profit Brew- simple gift of land persists—Cape Codders who care about their envi- ster Conservation Trust (founded in 1983). ronment and set land free to let Nature have a little bit of what is left. Despite the green sign marking its location on the south side of Route Lucy’s gift was not the first land set aside from development in Brew- 6A, the Chapman-Harden Preserve is fairly ignored now, wedged ster. Mrs. Roland C. Nickerson donated 1,700 acres for the State between the entrance to Town Hall and the driveway to the Eddy Park in 1934. John Hay, founder of the Cape Cod Museum of Natural School. A stonewall runs down the west side. Along the east side of

(continued) First land donation to a Cape Cod Town Conservation Commission , 1961

the Preserve, you can still see the old cartpath that connected the the 1800s. A classic half-Cape style home added onto successively Crosby Farm to Main Street. The Preserve is now overgrown with a over the years, it is now the home of Spyglass Antiques. Lucy did not variety of rambling shrubs and trees, including red maple, black cher- live in Brewster all her life, but she was born (1885) and died (1972) ry, pitch pine, red cedar, willow, tupelo and one old apple tree. (A there. In between, she attended Radcliffe College and a teacher magnificent 18-inch diameter tupelo sits out in the swamp.) Fox training school in New Bedford. She is said to have begun her teach- grape, highbush blueberry, arrowwood, bull briar, winterberry and ing career in Springfield MA. But her brother-in-law led the Fieldston tall brambles make a perfect “Briar Patch” School in New York City and Lucy began teaching English grammar for wildlife sheltering. Unfortunately, and literature there for 24 years in the early 1900s. Harcourt Brace & there are also invasive species of plants as Co. published two of her language skills primers. By 1938, she had well, such as asiatic bittersweet, black retired to “Hardenfield” in Brewster, to care for her ailing mother locust and tree of heaven. Lizzie Chapman and her brother Joseph Chapman and his children. The black locusts are perhaps remnants of Lucy’s teacher training came to the fore in tending her nieces and the first use of the Preserve, that of town nephews; when play in the yard reached a fevered pitch, she would tree nursery. In 1964 Conservation Com- lean out the kitchen door and scold, “Modulate your tones!” Lucy missioner Ernie Gage popularized the idea kept a beach cottage on the Bay at the end of Chapman Lane. The of the ConsCom buying seedlings, giving Chapman-Harden family survives in Brewster via many relatives, them a headstart on the Harden-Chapman some still on Chapman Lane. Lucy Chapman, retired in Brewster, c. 1965 Preserve and then transplanting them The Town of Brewster has acquired almost 1,700 acres of town- around town, mostly along Main Street. owned conservation land. The Brewster Conservation Trust has pro- The Cons Com spent several hundred dollars each year with Allard tected another 700+ Nursery and others, obtaining saplings of elm, linden, mountain ash, acres. But it all began locust, maple and willow. One year the Brewster Garden Club donat- 50 years ago with a ed 50 elm seedlings to the town nursery. By 1971 the County began small, good act by a distributing subsidized seedlings (it still does) and reference to Ernie’s small, good woman, nursery passes out of the Town Reports. Undoubtedly, some trees, Lucy Harriet Chap- such as locust and willow, persist. man. Lucy Chapman lived across the street from the Preserve at “Hardenfield,” which had served as the family farm through much of View of Hardenfield, 2257 Main Street, Brewster. Lucy Chapman’s family home

Crossing the bridge to return to the Cape means coming home to a place like no other. It’s a beautiful place blessed with sandy beaches, scenic sunsets, clear kettle ponds, busy harbors, windswept marshes, woodsy foot paths and bike trails all beckoning us outside to enjoy nature. But it’s not by accident that the Cape remains a AFTERWORD beautiful place. Over time and under great pressure to change, the Cape’s beauty continues to be preserved by people from all walks of life drawn together within local nonprofit land trusts & watershed groups that perform a common purpose: to preserve land that protects the natural elements which create and sustain our rare quality of life on Cape Cod. The Compact is the bridge between these dedicated environmental groups and the technical know-how that results in the enduring legacy of permanently protected land. Every single resident and visitor benefits from this land preservation legacy that protects our drinking water, safeguards scenic vistas, holds onto history, and provides sanctuary for both wildlife and people across all fifteen towns. The Land Trust Alliance, the nationwide land trust advocacy organization representing over 1,700 land trusts, describes The Compact, as “the oldest, self- sustaining, regional service center for land trusts in the United States and a model for Michael Lach other environmental coalitions.” It’s heartening to see The Compact respected from coast to coast, but even more reassuring to know that we can call on The Compact for Executive Director local land-saving guidance from the canal to the Atlantic, from Sound to Harwich Conservation Trust Cape Cod Bay, and around precious ponds in between. When land is at risk, so too is the Cape we fell in love with when we first arrived, the Cape we return to when crossing the bridge, and the Cape we hope our children and grandchildren will enjoy. Cape Cod is fortunate to have The Compact by her side bridging the land preservation gap between what could have been lost and thankfully, gratefully, what is preserved for all of us, forever.

4

“ In 1986, six land trusts on Cape Cod took a leap of faith together. With pooled funds, they

launched The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts to advance their missions.

It was a savvy, innovative move– the first of its kind in the land trust community.

And it broke the trail for other collaborative solutions to follow.”

Dale Bonar & Jim Morris, Durable Collaborations, Saving Land Magazine, Spring 2013, Land Trust Alliance, Washington, DC

Dollar Pond, Brewster Credit: Paul Gasek