Rounseville Homestead Protected in Rochester

May 26, 2005

CONTACT:

Mark Rasmussen, Executive Director

The Coalition for Buzzards Bay

(508) 999-6363 x201

Mark Primack, Executive Director

The Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts

(781) 934-9018

ROCHESTER, MA—164 acres of forestland along the Mattapoisett River will be protected forever thanks to the vision and generosity of the Rounseville family of Rochester and the hard work of three conservation organizations and four towns.

“The more land we can protect – the better off we are,” said Ann Poland, one of the Rounseville family members who spearheaded this project.  “My family just figured that land should be saved.  We couldn’t just let someone come in and chop down the trees.  It would have changed so much.  We love the town of Rochester and wanted to leave a legacy where people could enjoy nature and the outdoors.”  

On April 29, 2005, the Coalition for Buzzards Bay completed the acquisition of a Conservation Restriction in partnership with the Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts and the Town of Rochester Conservation Commission.  The conservation restriction was received through a generous bargain sale from the heirs of Lincoln Rounseville, from his sister, Ann Poland and niece Judith Dupont.

Roughly half of the funds necessary to purchase the Conservation Restriction were from municipal governments and half from private individuals and foundations. Private fundraising for the project was managed by The Coalition for Buzzards Bay and the Rochester Land Trust as part of the Saving Buzzards Bay Lands Campaign.

“The Rounseville family has had a long history of environmental stewardship,” said Laurell J. Farinon, Conservation Agent for the Town of Rochester.  “The Town of Rochester is extremely grateful for the generous bargain sale that the Rounseville family has given us.” 

“The land itself is truly outstanding,” said Mark Primack, Wildlands Trust Executive Director.  “Spanning both sides of the Mattapoisett River, the property includes a diversity of wetlands and conserves large blocks of land which are of special importance to wildlife species and nesting birds. The conservation restriction also covers frontage on Rounseville and Hartley roads, protecting the wonderful scenic and rural character of Rochester.”

Another benefit of the land conservation is that it protects portions of the Mattapoisett River Valley.  It is located in the Recharge Area for the regional Mattapoisett River Drinking Water Supply which provides clean drinking water to the towns of Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Rochester and Marion.

Coalition for Buzzards Bay Executive Director Mark Rasmussen commented that, “For us this has been a regionally important project—27,000 people drink the water that flows through the Rounseville land every day. That brought together an incredible conservation effort where four towns—Rochester, Marion, Mattapoisett, and Fairhaven each voted funds at their Annual Town Meetings for a project that was entirely in one town.”

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The Coalition for Buzzards Bay is a private, non-profit membership organization dedicated to the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of Buzzards Bay and its watershed. The organization works to improve the health of the Bay ecosystem for all through education, conservation, research and advocacy and is supported by more than 4,700 members.

The Wildlands Trust of Southeastern Massachusetts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the natural heritage of Southeastern Massachusetts. The Trust holds its lands in trust and perpetuity, to benefit the public today and to pass on to future generations.