Massachusetts Delivers Wildlife Preservation Grants
- Author: Monica Jackson
- Posted: 2023-12-24
What the Grant Funds Will Do
The grant funds will go to ten different wildlife habitat improvement projects in Massachusetts. The total area served by the grants is 308 acres. The largest areas are in the Falmouth and Nantucket areas. According to Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, his administration is committed to making smart investments in wildlife habitats. The state wants to make sure that protected wildlife habitats in the state are well-managed and ecologically healthy. He added that the local projects will also deliver helpful economic benefits. The improvement areas will offer new outdoor recreational opportunities for the state's residents. Some of those outdoor activities include bird watching, fishing and hunting.
About the Falmouth Wildlife Habitat Project
The community of Falmouth will receive $11,306 to improve a grassland ecosystem at the Connamesset Reservation. This grassland is part of a sand plain. It is home to sand cranes, cranberry bogs and other threatened animal and plant species. The funds will be used to keep the areas clean, improve monitoring and perform wildlife species counts throughout the year.
About the Nantucket Project
The Nantucket Conservation Foundation will receive a $24,074 grant to manage sand plain barrens and heath land. The sand plain barrens are ecologically important due to their butterfly and moth species. The areas are home to wild blueberries, hazel, grasses, sage and prairie willow shrubs. Heath land is known for its wide range of species and acidic soil. Some of the species found in the Massachusetts heath lands include broom crowberry, which only grows in this area. It is not known to grow anywhere else in the world under natural conditions. The heath lands that will be under protection through this grant are located on the Middle Moors property near Nantucket.
Sand Plain and Heath Land Restoration in Nantucket
The Mass Audubon organization will receive a $44,007 grant to perform sand plain and heath land restoration services at the Sesachacha Heathlands Wildlife Sanctuary on Nantucket. The Sesachacha Heathlands Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its brackish water, which attracts more than 300 species of birds. Some of the birds that reside in or visit the area include eastern towhees and northern harriers. Plant species in this protected area include bayberry, bearberry, low bush blueberry and little bluestem grass. The sanctuary is also known for its vast area of huckleberry shrubs, which turns a vibrant scarlet in the autumn months of the year. The entire sanctuary encompasses 875 acres, and it has five miles of walking trails that are groomed but unpaved.
Why These Grants Are Important to the Community
The residents of Nantucket and Falmouth spend a lot of time in these environments. The wildlife preservation areas provide essential outdoor recreation, fitness and activity spaces for people of all ages to enjoy. Many community organizations, such as Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, use these areas for their projects. Individuals and families often visit these areas to relax, watch birds, look for different types of plants and animals and to exercise. These sanctuaries are also popular for wedding and family photo sessions.
Economic Importance of These Grants
Wildlife sanctuaries make important economic contributions to their communities. People are happier and more satisfied when they live in a place with beautiful natural areas and parks to enjoy. This makes communities desirable. When a community is more desirable, its property values will be higher. People will be willing to pay more to live there. The tax base for the community will be higher when properties have a high value. Visitors from other parts of Massachusetts often come to explore these wildlife preservation areas. When they do, they are likely to have a meal at a local restaurant or make a purchase in a local shop. This contributes to the success of small businesses in Falmouth and Nantucket. The wildlife reserves also bring good jobs to the area. Because the sanctuaries are open year-round, these economic benefits are consistent throughout the year.
