Five years of land preservation progress and the challenging road ahead
With the generous support of donors and partners, Lower Cape land trusts have accomplished a lot over the past half-decade. But there’s still important land-saving work to do, and the stakes are higher than ever.
A meadow in bloom at Harwich Conservation Trust’s (HCT) Muddy Creek Headwaters Preserve.
From 2021 through 2025, the Harwich Conservation Trust, Brewster Conservation Trust, Dennis Conservation Land Trust, Orleans Conservation Trust, Sipson Island Trust, Chatham Conservation Foundation and the Native Land Conservancy completed a total of 79 projects that preserved 521 acres, according to The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts.
Mark H. Robinson, long-time director of The Compact, said, “The fragmentation of the Cape’s landscape by development requires land trusts to be strategic in what they can cobble together to keep habitats and water healthy for plants, animals and humans. Land trusts like HCT keep their eye on the ball, finding land opportunities and acting on them before it’s too late. There’s so much work by local land trusts that happens with each and every project to keep this special place special.”
During the time frame, Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) completed 33 projects that preserved 249 acres. The Brewster Conservation Trust completed 21 projects that preserved 152 acres, the Dennis Conservation Land Trust completed 11 projects that preserved 31 acres, the Orleans Conservation Trust completed nine projects that preserved 44 acres, the Chatham Conservation Foundation completed three projects that preserved six acres, the Native Land Conservancy preserved 17 Harwich acres in collaboration with HCT, and the Sipson Island Trust preserved 22 acres of the island in Pleasant Bay.
While there is good reason to celebrate the work of local land trusts to protect woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life, the challenges of development pressure and high real estate value means these organizations need continuing community support.
At the May 4, 2026 Town Meeting, Harwich voters can say YES to CPA funding that will help HCT preserve 18 acres on Robbins Pond in the Herring River watershed. Photo by Gerry Beetham.
The time to act is now
According to the Association to Preserve Cape Cod’s (APCC) Hanging in the Balance report, “with only an estimated 14 percent of the Cape’s land remaining as undeveloped and unprotected, the actions we take now to protect what we have left will decide what kind of Cape Cod our future generations will inherit.”
Acting now to preserve land will benefit Cape Cod’s iconic natural landscapes, freshwater ponds and wetlands and critical wildlife habitats, many of which have been impacted by development over the past 50 years.
According to APCC’s report, “development in upland areas adjacent to wetlands or in the watershed to a pond, coastal estuary, or other waterbody also directly impacts the health of these water resources.” The negative effects of septic system contaminants, including nitrogen and phosphorus is particularly problematic for these waterbodies. Synthetic chemicals known collectively as per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are pollutants of concern for the Cape’s drinking water supplies.
APCC has kicked off a campaign that seeks to spur preservation efforts of the undeveloped and unprotected land that still exists on Cape Cod. According to APCC, “The Cape We Shape is a campaign to unite everyone who cares about this place—Team SOS— in protecting what remains of the land, water, and wild spaces that all life here depends on.”
Land trusts provide ‘straightforward form of protection’
One of the most effective tools in reaching this land-preserving goal, according to the APCC, is this: “A land trust or conservation organization buys land and protects it forever. This is the most straightforward form of protection—the land stays natural, accessible, and ecologically intact.”
Stay tuned for eco-restoration planning updates on HCT’s 50-acre Cape Cod Rail Trail Land Preservation Project. The property could have been converted into a 9-lot subdivision. But thanks to the power of partnerships and farsighted HCT donors, the future for this spectacular land looks bright. Photo by Gerry Beetham
That’s where local land trusts, including HCT, come in. Since 1988, HCT has preserved more than 850 acres of land in Harwich and successfully accomplished two ambitious eco-restoration projects that transformed retired cranberry bogs into rewilded wetland habitats, home to all kinds of wildlife and flourishing native plants.
The creation of flat and even All Persons Trails on these properties (the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve and the Hinckleys Pond — Herring River Headwaters Preserve) allow people of all abilities and ages to enjoy nature. And a third HCT eco-restoration project is currently in the planning and design stages.
With the dwindling amount of open land that remains on Cape Cod, and the ever-present pressure of development, the importance of continued land-preservation success has never been greater.
We thank everyone for their support and promise to work hard every day to preserve the places that you love. Wildlife, water quality and our communities will benefit from the work we do together. Let’s roll up our sleeves and keep going!
—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.