‘A huge achievement’: Hinckleys Pond — Herring River Headwaters Preserve re-opens after eco-restoration project
Moments before the Hinckleys Pond — Herring River Headwaters Preserve reopened after a successful eco-restoration effort, a rainbow appeared over the rewilded wetlands.
It seemed like Mother Nature had joined the incredible team of partners that had helped Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) create a special place which will provide environmental and recreational benefits forever.
The $1.9 million Hinckleys Pond — Herring River Headwaters Eco-Restoration Project was made possible by the generosity of HCT donors and a remarkable roster of federal, state, town and local organizations and individuals. A symphony of teamwork assembled the necessary funding, which allowed HCT to bring in exceptionally skilled experts for the design and construction. Together, we did it!
Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) staff, volunteers and partners gathered at the new pond overlook to celebrate the completion of HCT’s Hinckleys Pond — Herring River Headwaters Eco-Restoration Project. Photo by Gerry Beetham
Many of the partners involved in the project came together for a re-opening celebration at the Preserve on October 22nd. “The completion of this eco-restoration is a testament to the power of partnerships,” said Michael Lach, HCT’s Executive Director. “Thanks to support from all of you, these community benefits are available to everyone.”
Project partners make it possible
The project included the rewilding of 30 acres of retired cranberry bogs into thriving wetland habitat, restoring several hundred feet of pond shore habitat, creating a walking path connection to the Preserve from the Cape Cod Rail Trail and the creation of a new pond overlook and mile-long All Persons Trail that will allow people of all abilities to connect with nature.
Work on the project began in March. The layers of sand that had built up over years of cranberry farming were removed from the surface, and the ground was roughened in a process called microtopography to more closely resemble a wetland environment. This allowed a long dormant native seed bank to spring to life and flourish.
Tom Evans, President of HCT’s Board of Trustees, thanked project partners and had kind words for HCT donors, staff and volunteers. “Who coordinated this all?” he asked. “HCT, the small organization with extraordinary skills that manages to get stuff done. And we couldn’t do it without you.”
He also lauded the contributions of the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), Town of Harwich leaders, commissions and committees, the design work of Inter-Fluve, Tighe & Bond, and the construction prowess of SumCo Eco-Contracting, the eco-restoration construction contractor for the project.
Evans also thanked Jake Brown and his family, who own a retired bog across Hinckleys Pond from the Preserve that was a part of the rewilding effort. “They generously saw a cross pond opportunity and seized it,” noted Evans.
Project partners cut the ribbon to mark the reopening of the Hinckleys Pond — Herring River Headwaters Preserve, after the completion of an ambitious eco-restoration effort. In true Harwich Conservation Trust style, the ribbon was surveyor tape and loppers were used instead of big fancy scissors. Photo by Gerry Beetham
Beyond our imagination
Don Howell, Chair of the Harwich Select Board, expressed gratitude for HCT’s work over the decades. “This is probably the strongest and most enduring partnership we have with any organization,” said Howell. “Our grandchildren and their grandchildren are going to be profoundly appreciative of all these efforts.”
The Hinckleys project is HCT’s second large-scale, multi-partner eco-restoration effort. It follows in the footsteps of the award-winning Cold Brook Eco-Restoration Project, which transformed a retired cranberry bog into a wildlife oasis, and included the creation of a half-mile All Persons Trail in the heart of Harwich Port. Cold Brook now flows free for the first time in over a century toward Saquatucket Harbor on Nantucket Sound.
These accomplishments were noted by Colin Leonard, the longest serving member of HCT’s Board of Trustees. Remembering the humble beginnings of the organization, Leonard said “the highway we’ve traveled down in my tenure is remarkable. It was beyond our imagination that we would accomplish so much.”
“Grateful to be a part of it”
Sam Oleksak, a District Representative for Congressman William Keating, noted that the Congressman is a Cape Cod resident who is deeply concerned about water quality and conservation issues. “It’s such a terrific job that the Harwich Conservation Trust has done,” said Oleksak. “It’s not possible without partnerships like we’re seeing today.”
One of the key partners for the project was April Wobst, Restoration Program Manager for APCC, who helped administer vital federal grant support for the rewilding effort. “We’re really excited to be a part of this,” said Wobst. “I want to congratulate Harwich Conservation Trust for completing this project. It’s a huge achievement.”
Project partners stroll along the new mile-long All Persons Trail at Harwich Conservation Trust’s Hinckleys Pond — Herring River Headwaters Preserve. The flat and even trail allows people of all abilities to enjoy nature. Photo by Gerry Beetham
Hometown charm was provided by Nick Nelson, Senior Geomorphologist and Northeast Regional Director for Inter-Fluve, who led design work on the project. Nelson grew up in Harwich and is a graduate of Harwich High School.
“From the design side, when we are looking at sites like this, we are trying to think about ecological recovery, and recreational access when that’s a possibility,” said Nelson. “Nature has its ways of helping us along the journey. We’re trying to get it on a trajectory for ecological recovery, trying to repair our impaired systems, and thinking seven generations ahead.”
And his deep connection to Harwich added special meaning to the HCT effort. “I feel so fortunate and grateful to be a part of it,” said Nelson. “You’ve done tremendous work here, bringing everyone together and making this happen.”
After the remarks, the group was treated to a ribbon cutting to officially reopen the Preserve. In true HCT style, the ribbon was surveyor tape and loppers were used instead of big fancy scissors. The team of partners then ambled over to the pond overlook area to enjoy the new vista.
And now that the Preserve has reopened after an exciting rewilding effort, we hope to see you out there soon!
The eco-restoration project was funded by HCT donors, the Brown family, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Southeast New England Program (SNEP) Watershed grant, EPA National Estuary Program Coastal Watershed grant under cooperative agreement with Restore America’s Estuaries, Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation MassTrails grant, foundation funds through the Association to Preserve Cape Cod, and a Transformational Habitat Restoration & Coastal Resilience grant through the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
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