Harwich Conservation Trust

You made it happen. With your generous donations and pledges to Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT), you helped preserve the 42-acre Monomoy River property by the end of 2003. The coastal landscape was the top priority under the Save Land - Save Water Initiative, HCT's long-range plan to preserve lands which help to protect bays, ponds, and drinking water supplies.

"Preserving the 42-acre coastal landscape is an important step forward in the ongoing effort to protect the water quality of Pleasant Bay, Cape Cod's largest estuary which is shared by the four towns of Harwich, Chatham, Orleans, and Brewster," said Robert Smith, President of HCT. Due to the number of pledges yet to be received and a fundraising shortfall, in order to help the Town of Harwich complete the purchase on December 1, 2003 as required by the sellers, the Harwich Conservation Trust borrowed against other funds.

In early 2004, Congressman William Delahunt held a press conference at Harwich Town Hall to pledge a $1.675 million federal Coastal and Estuarine Land Conservation grant for the Town of Harwich to benefit the land acquisition on Monomoy River, which flows into Pleasant Bay. Senator Edward Kennedy paused for a public conference call to extend his congratulations and praise for outstanding grassroots community support.

The pledge from Congress combined with Town of Harwich Land Bank funds, fundraising by Harwich Conservation Trust and Trust for Public Land, and outstanding pledges will help cover the $5.875 million purchase and other costs involving the property. Ownership of the land was transferred to the Town of Harwich and a permanent conservation restriction will be transferred to HCT.

"The widespread support we received from over 1,100 individuals, the Wequassett Inn, the town, the Trust for Public Land, Friends of Pleasant Bay, Chatham Conservation Foundation, Orleans Conservation Trust, APCC, Congressman Delahunt, Senator Kennedy, and many others has affirmed the urgency of protecting land to protect water," said Isabel Smith, Vice-President of HCT and Chair of the Town of Harwich Real Estate & Open Space Committee.

"Over 5 years ago, the Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) took the lead in what has been recognized as a land acquisition effort of regional importance to Pleasant Bay. We reached our goal with strong support from our members, donors, the Congressional delegation as well as the help and guidance of the Trust for Public Land. Saving this land represents the first success of our Save Land - Save Water Initiative," said Robert F. Smith.

"Monomoy River supporters recognized a significant opportunity to protect Pleasant Bay water quality. Preserving the 42 acres will help protect scenic views, walking trails, history, wildlife habitat, and Pleasant Bay for future generations," said Michael Lach, Assistant Director of The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts.

This preserved landscape is significant because it:

Photo Credit: Roger Everett

Protects Pleasant Bay water quality and nearby shellfish beds;
Is next to two active Harwich drinking water supply wells;
Has potential for interconnected public walking trails.
Lies along a half-mile of Monomoy River (Muddy Creek) shoreline;
Contains important wildlife habitat and upland buffer to the tidal estuary;
Has documented historical Native American significance;
Is part of the Pleasant Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC);
Abuts 34 acres of Town conservation land and 30 acres of Water Dept. land (If the 42.5 acres is purchased and protected, then nearly 107 acres of linked open space would result); and
Provides scenic views from Route 28.