‘Astounded’ at what HCT has accomplished: Founding Trustee Bette Swanton recalls early days of Trust

The Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) story began in 1988, when a group of citizens banded together to address the rapid pace of development that was threatening the natural resources of the town. In 1990, HCT preserved our first parcel, a quarter-acre lot in East Harwich overlooking Mill Pond.

Decades and hundreds of preserved acres later, HCT is a regional leader in the ongoing effort to protect woods, water and wildlife. Thanks to the generous support of HCT donors, this year marked the completion of two ambitious eco-restoration projects, at the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve and the Hinckleys Pond — Herring River Headwaters Preserve.

These efforts transformed retired cranberry bogs into thriving wetlands and created habitat for native plant species and a wide variety of wildlife. Cold Brook is now flowing freely through the Preserve for the first time in more than a century, and both projects included the creation of All Persons Trails, which allow people of all abilities to enjoy nature.

The wide-ranging community and ecological benefits of this work would not have been possible without the pioneering spirit and farsightedness of HCT founders.

We recently caught up with HCT Founding Trustee Bette Swanton to get a better idea of how HCT came to be, and why she feels continued support from the community is important.

Bette was kind enough to answer our questions by email from her home in Bar Harbor, Maine. Her replies have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

How long did you live in Harwich and what drew you to the town?

My folks rented a cottage in Harwich Port in 1943, when I was two years old. In 1944 they built a cottage close to the beach on Hiawatha Road. In the early 1950s, I was old enough to swing a hammer and help, and we built a house on Wah-Wah-Taysee Road. We spent summers, weekends and vacations there year ‘round. After high school, in 1959 I moved to Harwich Port full time. My folks then developed and built a house on Fiddlers Landing which I kept into the mid-1990s.

How did you get involved with HCT?

I was in Bar Harbor, Maine having recently graduated, at close to fifty, from College of the Atlantic with a degree in Human Ecology. My capstone project was to research and share a story of the human history and ecology of the area around Allen Harbor in Harwich, and to provide a better understanding of human/habitat relationships over time. To better understand where we have been, and how the present will inform the future.

One evening my Mother phoned and said there’s a meeting next week at the Cape Cod Five that sounds like something you’d like, you might come down and attend. And so, I did and that was how I became involved in HCT. My first action was to design a logo for the new group.

Please describe the early days of HCT and what the main goals were.

Conservation Trusts gathered steam in the 1960s but it wasn’t until the vision and efforts of Robert Smith that brought Harwich along. I think for us all the awareness of increasing development prompted the desire and need to preserve open space, protect fragile ecosystems, and especially to protect groundwater.

Why do you think it is important to support HCT?

Support for the Trust is especially important now as we face the increasing challenges of climate change. The Cape is a very fragile ecosystem that deserves our attention and care.

I think any of us who were involved early are (or would be) astounded and pleased as punch at what the Trust has become. I am very grateful for the stewardship of a very special place. We have been fortunate to have great and continued leadership.

—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.