SALT POND AREAS BIRD SANCTUARIES, INC. 2011 ANNUAL REPORT Preserving the natural, the beautiful, and the traditional. SALT POND AREAS BIRD SANCTUARIES, INC. P.O. Box 535 West Falmouth, Massachusetts 02574 www.saltpond.info June 2011 DEAR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS: Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc. was incorporated as a non-profit association in 1962, making our association one of the oldest nature conservancies on the Cape. We have been preserving the natural, the beautiful, and the traditional in the Town of Falmouth for many years and will strive to continue to do so for many more. Last year our organization acquired land, and provided maintenance on the buildings at Peach Tree Farm and Bourne Farm. There is continuous trail work during the growing seasons at Bourne Farm, Salt Pond, Marsh- lands and the Knob that our wonderful land steward, Denny Williams, tends to. Whether it is a building or land, there are constant costs associated with the important work that we do. Your generous donations and membership dues are relied upon. A visit to one of our properties will show you how your contributions are put to good use. As a non-profit we are both cost and budget conscious. The current economic condition has affectedall of us and your renewed membership, donations or help in signing up new members is vital to the daily operations of our association. Please ask your friends and neighbors to join and help us. Your support and commitment help to preserve Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries and its holdings for all to enjoy. Sincerely, Francesca Parkinson Membership Chairman SALT POND AREAS BIRD SANCTUARIES, INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2011 SALT POND AREAS BIRD SANCTUARIES, INC. Officers President – Barrie W. Murray Vice President – Jacqueline Nolan Treasurer – James Lloyd Clerk/Secretary – Joseph Martyna Executive Director Katharine M. Taylor Board of Trustees Betsy Heald Arthur* Michael McGrath Christopher Reddy Sally B. Cook Barrie W. Murray* Anne Saganic David Lawrence Jacqueline Nolan* Paul Sellers James Lloyd* Francesca Parkinson* William Swift Joseph Martyna* Nancy Pendleton Katharine M. Taylor* * denotes a member of the Executive Committee Committee Directors Membership: Francesca Parkinson Science: Christopher Reddy Nominating: James Lloyd Knob: Joseph Martyna Bourne Farm: Katharine M. Taylor Lands: Barrie W. Murray Public Relations: Katharine M. Taylor Education: Sally B. Cook Community Outreach: Jacqueline Nolan, James Lloyd SALT POND AREAS BIRD SANCTUARIES, INC. P.O. Box 535 West Falmouth, Massachusetts 02574 Tel. 508-548-8484 E-mail: [email protected] Visit our website: www.saltpond.info This Annual Report is copyright © 2011 by Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc., a non-profit privately administered corporation dedicated to conserving the natural resources of the Town of Falmouth, Massachusetts. Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc., under Subsection 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code EIN: 04-6125554, is termed tax-exempt. “Cumulative List of Organizations,” Publication Number 78, includes the organization as one to which contributions are deductible for federal income tax purposes under Section 170 of the Internal Revenue Code. Printed on Recycled Paper 1 PRESIDENT’S REPORT Officers By Barrie W. Murray President – Barrie W. Murray Vice President – Jacqueline Nolan Have you walked the main trail to the end of the Knob located in Quissett Harbor and enjoyed a gorgeous Treasurer – James Lloyd sunset over Buzzards Bay or taken your dog on a leisurely walk at Bourne Farm in West Falmouth? If you have, Clerk/Secretary – Joseph Martyna I know you will return again and if not, I hope that you will do so in the future. The Knob and Bourne Farm are two of the many properties owned by Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc. Executive Director Katharine M. Taylor Salt Pond is a well established non-profit organization founded to help save our heritage of untouched land, Board of Trustees wildlife and open space. Salt Pond is 49 years old in 2011. With 231 acres of unique conservation land in Falmouth, our properties give everyone the opportunity to enjoy nature at its best. In 2010, the organization’s capital improvements involved re-shingling the west side of the antique barn at Bourne Farm and staining the main building located at Peach Tree Circle Farm in West Falmouth. At Bourne Farm, we joined forces with the Falmouth Track Club to install a water bubbler adjacent to the kiosk located at the bike path. We would also like to thank the Woods Hole Foundation for a generous grant for this project. * denotes a member of the Executive Committee This past year Salt Pond acquired 4.48 acres in Gunning Point. We would like to thank the Sippowissett Committee Directors homeowners whose tireless efforts through the years have saved this property from development. The 300 Membership: Francesca Parkinson Committee was also instrumental in preserving this property with a conservation restriction. Science: Christopher Reddy Nominating: James Lloyd Please mark your calendar and join me and the Board Knob: Joseph Martyna of Trustees at our Annual Meeting on June 2nd, the Bourne Farm: Katharine M. Taylor Wine Tasting on June 11th and Pumpkin Day on Lands: Barrie W. Murray Public Relations: Katharine M. Taylor October 8th. These events will be held at Bourne Education: Sally B. Cook Farm and all members and the public are welcome Community Outreach: Jacqueline Nolan, James Lloyd to attend. Your gifts allow Salt Pond to fulfill its mission statement “Conserving the natural resources of the town of Falmouth and I thank you for your continued commitment to Salt Pond. The properties of Salt Pond are for you and your family to enjoy and the success of our organization is due to you, the loyal membership of Salt Pond. Thank You, President of Salt Pond, Barrie Murray, by farm house at Bourne Farm Barrie W. Murray 2 SALT POND BULLETIN BOARD 2011 Summer Wines & Cheese Fundraiser at Bourne Farm Bourne Farm information Presented by Marc Warner and Falmouth Wine & Spirits. Bourne Farm is available for rent for social functions. The farmhouse, Saturday, June 11, 2011 from 4:30pm - 7:00pm. barn, and grounds provide a uniquely attractive setting for functions: Ticket Price is $40 per person or $200 for a table of six. weddings, parties, receptions, luncheons, and special meetings. Please call 508-548-8484 for more information. For information and to make arrangements, please call Katey Taylor at 508-548-8484. Email to [email protected] Annual Meeting The Salt Pond Annual Meeting. When: Thursday, June 2, 5:30pm. Nature Program 2011 Where: Bourne Farm, 6 N. Falmouth Hwy, North Falmouth, MA Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc. is joining forces again with Guest Speaker: Craig Gibson, will be sharing his photographs of birds Heritage Museums to offer a wonderful Nature Camp for children from Salt Pond conservation properties, including Great Sippewissett ages 4 to 9 at Bourne Farm (located at 6 N. Falmouth Hwy., North Marsh. Falmouth) for two weeks this summer. Each week will have a different theme that will entice and educate your youngster on the wonders of nature. Please see the “Outdoor Discoveries” schedule Annual Meeting discussion followed by wine and cheese. Members, their friends and the public are invited! on the opposite page for more details and the exact class description and schedule. Consider Our Adopt a Trail Program If you would like to remember a special person in your life and show Pumpkin Day 2011 support for the conservation of our Falmouth environment, you may Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011 adopt a trail on one of SALT POND’S properties. Your contribution 9am to 3pm will help SALT POND with the cost of maintaining that trail, and Rain or Shine we will place a sign on the trail in honor of your special person or organization. Please contact the SALT POND office for more CONTACT US: On the internet www.saltpond.info information. Tel: 508-548-8484. Email address [email protected] SALT POND’S VOLUNTEER LAND STEWARDS We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all of our volunteer land stewards for monitoring our Salt Pond properties throughout the Town of Falmouth. These Land Stewards are: William K. Bradshaw Steven Johnson Nancy Pendleton Sally Cook Arthur H. King Allison Robb Rosemary Hoskins Peter S. Maher Dana Rodin Walter E. Murphy Special Thank You to Dana Rodin and the Quissett Harbor Preservation Trust for their tireless efforts every year in monitoring the Knob property. 3 Outdoor Discoveries at Bourne Farm Heritage Museums & Gardens and Salt Pond Areas Bird Sanctuaries, Inc. have teamed up once again to share the wonders of the outdoors with children ages 4-9. Programs will take place at Bourne Farm in Falmouth (6 N. Falmouth Hwy, West Falmouth), with a forest and pond habitat, outdoor classroom, and hiking trails, it is the perfect setting for outdoor discoveries! Each week offers a new topic centered on environmental appreciation and understanding, focusing on making the sometimes strange world of plants, trees, and animals approachable to young children. Programs will be led by the Heritage Museums & Gardens education department staff. Participants will investigate various gardens, go on animal and plant safaris, explore the herb garden, create craft projects to take home, and play games of all kinds while simply enjoying the outdoors! Myths and Legends June 28, 29, and 30; 9am – 1pm There have been stories told for hundreds of years about the natural world. Native Americans have a rich oral tradition involving animals and plants, and we will put on a play based on one story and examine Native American objects made from natural materials. Some cultures also have tales of fairies, elves, and even tree spirits, and we will complete craft projects and play games based on these mythical creatures in nature! Sky Search July 5, 6, and 7; 9am – 1pm This week we will explore the mysteries of the sky as we look up higher and higher each day! We will begin with our feathered friends by exploring replica bird adaptations and completing a bird beak challenge.