The Mattapoisett Land Trust is pleased to announce that it has acquired 22 acres of woodland and salt marsh along Mattapoisett Neck Road from Jeanne and Gregory Downey of Mattapoisett. The property lies between parcels of land that were previously protected by the Mattapoisett Land Trust as well as the Wildlands Trust of Duxbury, MA. Most importantly, the land lies entirely within an area that the Commonwealth’s Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program BioMap2 report (2012) describes both as “Core Habitat” and “Critical Natural Landscape,” meaning that it is among the most important areas to preserve for the protection of rare and threatened species.
In addition to private contributions, the acquisition was only made possible through a grant of $75,000 from the North American Wetlands Conservation Act administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and obtained through the assistance and cooperation of the Buzzards Bay Coalition, the Wildlands Trust, as well as the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program. Additional funding came from foundation sources including the Lee L. and Judith E. Selwyn Foundation, the Fields Pond Foundation and the Sheehan Family Foundation. Fund-raising efforts to retire the $25,000 principal remaining on a loan that was required will continue through the summer. Individuals interested in contributing can donate to the Land Trust through its website at www.mattlandtrust.org or by mail to P.O. Box 31 in Mattapoisett.
The MLT hopes to eventually link the property to the existing trail on the Walega-Livingstone Preserve, thereby providing a public trail access to Brandt Island Cove from Mattapoisett Neck Road. Future generations will have the opportunity to experience the natural beauty of the salt marsh and woodlands along the bay.
