Mass Audubon Partners with Town of Marshfield to Save Forest Habitat Next to North River Wildlife Sanctuary

MARSHFIELD, MA.—Mass Audubon has worked with the Town of Marshfield to acquire and keep from development 13 forested acres adjacent to the North River Wildlife Sanctuary in that South Shore community.

Protecting the land enlarges an expanse of unfragmented open space in North Marshfield, an area of town near the North River that has long attracted developer interest. This conservation success is the culmination of a partnership among town agencies, community volunteers, and Mass Audubon, which has worked for years to acquire the property owned by the McLarey family.

The land features a mixed oak/pine forest and a tributary of Hannah Eames Brook, which flows through the wildlife sanctuary. The heavily wooded habitat also serves as an important buffer to neighboring wetlands to help reduce the effects of flooding and other climate change impacts.

The Town will own the property and Mass Audubon will hold a Conservation Restriction on it, a legal covenant that preserves the land in perpetuity.

“Most successful community-based land protection efforts are the result of commitment and collaboration, and this project was a perfect example,” Mass Audubon Director of Land Conservation Bob Wilber noted.  

“We are grateful to the McLarey Family for recognizing the long-term benefits of conserving this property,” Wilber added, “and to the Town of Marshfield and its Open Space and Community Preservation committees for their dedication to the project and seeing it through.”

To participate in Mass Audubon’s land protection efforts and to learn more about conserving climate-resilient habitats, please visit massaudubon.org/landconservation.