50 Acres: Cape Cod Rail Trail Land Preservation Project

Thank you Harwich voters! A unanimous vote at the 2025 Town Meeting passed Article 29 in support of $500,000 in Community Preservation Act open space acquisition funds to assist with Harwich Conservation Trust’s (HCT) 50-acre Cape Cod Rail Trail Land Preservation Project. We are grateful for your support.

Largest Remaining Privately-Owned Property in Harwich

If you’ve ever biked or walked along the Cape Cod Rail Trail through the woods in Harwich, there is a memorable moment where the forest suddenly opens up to reveal a breath-taking vista with panoramic views across the Thacher family’s cranberry bogs.

Only a few open spaces like this gem remain on the Cape. Now imagine preserving this land in perpetuity and ecologically restoring the property to enhance biodiversity for both wildlife and people. Instead of just passing by, you could hop off your bike at this unique destination to experience true Cape Cod beauty while strolling scenic trails through re-wilded wetland and upland habitats.

50 Acres & the Big Picture of Protecting Land & Water

The Thacher family bog property is the missing link in a constellation of nearby protected open space properties. Preserving a property of this size on its own would be worthwhile, but when looking at the bigger conservation picture with this property’s central location to more than 400 acres of protected lands, the land-saving vision becomes even more compelling. The property is the largest remaining undeveloped parcel in Harwich and could be converted into a 9-lot subdivision. If developed, septic system nutrients would increase for the Herring River which already suffers from impaired water quality.

Eco-restoration potential of the site could create free flowing stream channels with enhanced fish passage and connectivity between natural wetland habitats. As we explore eco-restoration designs, Ray Thacher will continue to farm the bogs for the next couple of years. Reaching our fundraising goal will cover the cost of acquisition and an eco-restoration feasibility study. Based on the study results, we would then seek town, state, and federal sources to fund the actual eco-restoration. As we continue to grow our natural history knowledge about this unique landscape, we’ll add to this webpage.

—Sign up for HCT eNews, a great way to stay in the loop about exciting HCT events, guided walks and other interesting news.

—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.