Two treasured coastal farms on Buzzards Bay protected this summer
Coastal farmland is part of what defines the character and charm of Buzzards Bay towns like Dartmouth and Fairhaven. This summer, the Coalition permanently conserved two treasured coastal farms in these towns to protect clean water, preserve coastal habitats, and create new places for people like you to explore.
Ocean View Farm: Conserving significant wildlife habitats on Allens Pond in Dartmouth
As part of this project, Round the Bend Farm in Dartmouth will grow their sustainable farm by 55 acres, encompassing part of the Ocean View Farm.
From Horseneck Road to Barney’s Joy, visionary local landowners and conservation organizations have worked together over decades to protect and preserve Allens Pond in Dartmouth. If you’ve ever explored Mass Audubon’s Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, you’ve experienced firsthand the benefits of this land conservation. The sanctuary’s 600 acres of unspoiled salt marshes and rugged beaches along Buzzards Bay are one of the most significant coastal habitats in southern New England.
Now we can add another piece of protected land to this jewel of Buzzards Bay: the aptly named Ocean View Farm, a 115-acre waterfront property that was one of the last large unprotected parcels in this area. Stretching out like a banquet table to the waters of Allens Pond and Buzzards Bay, Ocean View Farm’s rich soils and magnificent views have narrowly missed being covered with new homes several times in recent years.
Working in close partnership with the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust (DNRT) and Round the Bend Farm, the Coalition raised over $8 million to save Ocean View Farm. Round the Bend Farm will now put the deep, rich soils on the northern 55 acres to work as an all-organic farm, and DNRT will eventually open a new public trail on a 60-acre portion of Ocean View Farm so everybody can discover this spectacular place.
Carvalho Farm: Closing the gap in protected land on Nasketucket Bay in Fairhaven
62-acre Carvalho Farm in East Fairhaven contains large agricultural fields, a forest-lined stream emptying into salt marsh, and a unique granite outcrop called “Indian Rock.”
Owned and farmed by the Carvalho family for generations, this 62-acre farm in East Fairhaven is home to fields, forests, streams, salt marshes, and a unique granite outcrop known as “Indian Rock.”
Carvalho Farm was one of just a few missing gaps in a large complex of permanently protected land on the north side of Nasketucket Bay – one of the healthiest waterways in all of Buzzards Bay. Conserving the farm’s large agricultural fields, forest-lined stream, and rich salt marshes will prevent further development along the coast, create a natural corridor of habitat for wildlife, and allow the existing farm fields to remain in active use.
The Coalition will work to develop a trail alongside the fields and into the woods to allow people to visit Indian Rock, which emerges near the southern tip of the farm overlooking Shaws Cove. The property’s proximity to the Phoenix Bike Trail and Shaw Farm Trail will link the farm with easy bicycle and walking access.