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Coalition Expertise Helps Local Land Trusts Protect Open Space
The Coalition recently assisted the Rochester Land Trust (RLT) in protecting over thirteen acres of forest and wetlands, including a state-certified vernal pool, on Marion Road in Rochester. A conservation restriction was donated to the RLT by landowners Maureen and Stephen Sperry, enabling the property to be preserved in perpetuity. The Conservation Restriction will be co-held by the Coalition. Doggett Brook, a tributary of the Sippican River, runs along the entire eastern border of the Sperry’s property. “Protection of this tract will buffer that length of the Brook from runoff or other upland impacts,” said Allen Decker, Coalition Land Protection Director. The Coalition, through its Bay Lands Center, works to enhance land acquisition by serving as a coordination, service, and financial arm for local land trusts. The work is often collaborative, bringing together an array of private and public partners to encourage Bay-focused watershed land protection, empower local land trusts, and educate private landowners about land conservation options. The Sperry property in Rochester includes over thirteen acres of forest and wetlands, including a state-certified vernal pool. Decker worked closely with RLT Clerk Susan Peterson on the Conservation Restriction and assisted the Land Trust in assembling all of the supporting documents, recording the Conservation Restriction and its accompanying survey at the Plymouth County Registry, and getting the State to review and approve the deal. “We couldn't have done it without Allen and the Coalition,” said Petersen. “We needed Allen's expertise and his time that was dedicated solely to land conservation. RLT is a young organization, without assets or staff and a conservation restriction is a major commitment. If RLT were to fail to carry out its responsibilities, it is important for property owner to know that Coalition will be there to back us up.”
The Coalition also played a role in the Sippican Lands Trust’s (SLT) successful conservation of the White Eagle property - 248 acres in the Aucoot Cove watershed. The land supports a rich diversity of habitats including upland pine, mixed hardwood forest, shrub and wooded swamp, freshwater marsh and cranberry bogs. The project combined the outright purchase of the land by SLT with the placement of a Conservation Restriction on the property in cooperation with the Town of Marion. The 248-acre White Eagle property lies in the Aucoot Cove watershed and supports a rich diversity of habitats. Coalition land protection staff offered the SLT general support in this project and assisted with fundraising. The Coalition also made two loans from their Revolving Fund, which provides immediate financial assistance to allow organizations to move quickly to protect open space. The Revolving Fund was established with contributions to the Coalition’s Saving Buzzards Bay Lands Campaign. "The Coalition has been an outstanding partner in the White Eagle Project,” said Chris Bryant, SLT President. From staff support, to training for solicitations and Revolving Fund loans, to expertise and moral support; the ability of a lands trust to take on large projects is greatly increased by the staff of CBB." |
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