Project Updates

The Land Protection team always has many projects in the works, at various stages. This is where you can find out the latest status on these projects.

Southeastern Mass, Cape and Islands

Great Neck Conservation Initiative: Mass Audubon has been working with several partners to protect an amazing 300+ acre mosaic of properties fronting on Buzzards Bay. We are currently awaiting final notice on nearly $2 million in federal grant funds for this exceptional land — home to the eastern box turtle and numerous other rare species.

Lakeville, Assonet Cedar Swamp: Mass Audubon is currently negotiating the terms of a conservation restriction with the town of Lakeville to protect 20 acres of important rare species habitat, part of a critical potential link between our wildlife sanctuary and hundreds of acres of other protected land to the southwest.

Greater Boston and North Shore

Massapoag Sportsmen's Club, Sharon: Mass Audubon is currently assisting the town of Sharon to protect 90 acres of land adjacent to Mass Audubon’s Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary and town conservation land. We are providing key technical assistance and will ultimately hold conservation restrictions on the property. This project rides on the heels of the recently completed Arguimbau Farm protection project, also in Sharon.

Great Marsh, Rowley: Mass Audubon is working to protect an extensive area of tidal wetlands on the North Shore which represent a significant link connecting the Parker River Wildlife Refuge, Plum Island Sound, and other protected areas. The land contains habitat for several rare and endangered species, serves as critical migratory bird habitat, and would help accommodate salt marsh migration as the sea level rises in response to climate change.

Rocky Hill Wildlife Sanctuary

Rocky Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, Groton: Mass Audubon is actively working with landowners on key additions to this new sanctuary (currently not open to the public) to provide extended frontage on Long Pond, protect scenic vistas, and protect rare and endangered species habitat.

Bald Eagle habitat along the Merrimack River: Mass Audubon is in early discussions with the owners of a 120-acre parcel of land along the Merrimack River, adjacent to other open space. The land contains important rare and endangered species habitat and nesting areas for the Bald Eagle.

Hamilton: Soon we’ll be acquiring from the town of Hamilton several lots in and adjacent to Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. Some of these parcels are islands in the Great Wenham Swamp, and their acquisition will eliminate the threat of incompatible uses in the heart of this ecologically sensitive area.

Central and Western Mass

More Wildland for Whetstone Wood: Agreement reached to protect 15 acres adjacent to the 2,500-acre Whetstone Wood Wildlife Sanctuary in Wendell. This sanctuary is managed as a wildland, and serves as important habitat for native species, including moose, black bear, and bob cat. 

Somewhere in Worcester County: We are working with several conservation partners to explore conservation alternatives for a landowner with almost 300 acres adjacent to one of our sanctuaries. We recently shared appraisal numbers with the landowner, and discussions are continuing.

West Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary near Dubuque State Forest

Additional Land in Plainfield for Dubuque State Forest near West Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary: Mass Audubon has been working with state and local conservation partners for more than a year to secure a significant parcel of land for addition to the Dubuque State Forest. The land provides excellent forest habitat and would bring together a portion of the forest corridor that is currently divided by a road.

Dickinson Farm Woods, Hampden. As part of our continuing partnership with the Minnechaug Land Trust to protect land near Laughing Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Mass Audubon’s guarantee of a loan from the Norcross Wildlife Foundation enabled the land trust to close in June on the purchase of a 50-acre conservation restriction on Dickinson Farm Woods off Chapin Road, part of a greenway linking hundreds of acres of forest, fields and river corridor.