Land Protection Success Stories

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Fundraising Completed to Protect 300 Acres in Wareham

Sacred Hearts land that overlooks Buzzard's Bay Photo credit: Heidi Marsella Blythe

The Great Neck Conservation Partnership, which includes the Town of Wareham, the Wareham Land Trust, the Commonwealth Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), and Mass Audubon, was notified on October 5 that a federal grant from the NOAA Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation Program (CELCP) of $1.98 million was approved to help permanently protect more than 300 acres of land fronting on Buzzard's Bay. More than $1 million in private funds were raised for the project by Mass Audubon. The final piece of funding needed to protect this land was approved at Wareham Town Meeting on October 27, when $320,000 of Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds were allocated towards the project.

The Great Neck Project encompasses the largest unprotected open space area on the Wareham coastline, and the partnership leveraged the town's CPA contribution to the project more than ten times over in state, federal, and private funds. The Town, through CPA funds in fall 2008, also purchased a conservation restriction for over 20 acres of land that is a critical link to the overall contiguity of the 300 acres and key to providing public access

Wareham Land Trust President John Browning said, "It is especially compelling that Wareham town voters, through an initial allocation of Community Preservation Act funds, provided the seed money that was the catalyst for advancing this amazing project. Now the project has blossomed into the largest conservation area on the Wareham coastline, and the same voters have now completed the project by once again allocating CPA funds to the project. This is a testament to the foresight and commitment of the Wareham community to protecting the unique natural assets on Buzzards Bay."

These 300 acres contain an unusual mix of habitat, including coastal beach, freshwater wetlands, vernal pools, and forest. Hundreds of plant and animal species, including the rare eastern box turtle and several habitats in short supply in Massachusetts, including 13 acres of coastal forest, as tracked by the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program are present in the future protected area. The quality of its wildlife habitat led the Commonwealth to designate the property as among the most important for preservation of the state's biodiversity. It is also a priceless cultural treasure, dating back centuries to when the Wampanoag lived on the land. Today, the remains of a Native American fish weir and shell midden attest to its living history.

"The significance of this property in terms of its natural, cultural, and historical resources cannot be over emphasized," said DCR Commissioner Richard K. Sullivan Jr. "We are delighted and honored to be partnering with Mass Audubon, the town of Wareham, and the Wareham Land Trust to hold the Conservation Restriction on this valuable land."

Over the last 40 years, the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary has owned a key 120 acres of the mosaic of coastal property that will be protected. A retreat center is based on less than 20 acres while the remaining 100 acres remain pristine. The other 200 acres of contiguous land to be conserved is owned by private individuals and Mass Audubon.

When these 300 contiguous acres are permanently protected through Conservation Restrictions held by the Town of Wareham, Wareham Land Trust, DCR and Mass Audubon, 2.75 miles of public recreational trails will offer breathtaking views of open water and peaceful landscapes, and a visitor parking area will all be created by Mass Audubon. "This was a true last chance opportunity to advance the protection of an entire coastal landscape, intact in its function as habitat, and as a place for people to experience the wonders of nature first hand," said Mass Audubon President Laura Johnson. "Mass Audubon is very proud and appreciative of the ongoing collaboration with the Wareham Land Trust, Town of Wareham, and the Commonwealth Department of Conservation and Recreation—a conservation outcome of this scale would not have been possible without this partnership."

Protecting this land will leave an important legacy for future generations, as well as protect coastal water quality, keep taxes lower by limiting future demands on town infrastructure and services, and provide a permanent and publicly accessible sanctuary for people and wildlife.

"This has been a true partnership all the way," continued John Browning, "and we join with our conservation partners to sincerely thank the Wareham community for their support and dedication. They have turned the vision of the Great Neck Conservation Initiative into a reality."