Hinckleys Pond — Herring River Headwaters Eco-Restoration Project
Following our great eco-restoration success at the Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve which is now open to the public, we hope to soon be beginning work on our next important wetland eco-restoration project, this time at Hinckleys Pond in the Herring River watershed. The Hinckleys Pond Herring River Headwaters Eco-Restoration Project includes the eco-restoration of two retired cranberry bogs that bookend Hinckleys Pond at the headwaters of the Herring River estuary and are immediately downstream of river herring spawning habitat in Long Pond and Seymour Pond.
PROJECT GOALS:
The goals of the Hinckleys Pond Herring River Headwaters Eco-Restoration Project are to restore 30± acres of retired bogs to natural wetlands, restore 500 feet of pond shoreline on Hinckleys Pond, and enhance the visitor experience to achieve the following outcomes:
- Restoration of freshwater wetland habitat with native plants to benefit wildlife,
- Improved recreational opportunities including an all persons accessible trail, and
- Improvement to water quality in Hinckleys Pond and the Herring River to benefit river herring and other aquatic species.
Construction was scheduled to begin in February 2025, and if the federal funding freeze hadn’t happened, the project could have been completed by early Fall. It is unknown when construction can start because of the nationwide disruption to government programs caused by the federal funding freeze. Once construction begins, the site will be closed for public safety and the safety of the workers. The Cape Cod Rail Trail will be open as usual and will provide a great vantage point to watch the transformation of the site into a wildlife oasis and enhanced visitor experience. Please stay on the bike trail as you pass the site.
Project Partners
The Association to Preserve Cape Cod had secured federal funds from the NOAA Restoration Center, U.S. Department of Commerce.
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under a cooperative agreement with Restore America’s Estuaries. The contents of this webpage do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For more information, please see https://estuaries.org/initiatives/watershedgrants/.
The Brown Family has generously agreed to include their property in this ecological restoration project. A conservation restriction to protect the natural resources on their private land will be granted to HCT as part of the restoration project. It's important to note that the Brown family's land will continue to be private. Private landowners can protect the environmental values of their properties with a conservation restriction donated to HCT. Preserving natural resources on private lands also helps the public by protecting water resources that are important to the community like Hinckleys Pond, Herring River and the drinking water supply.
When the Hinckleys Pond Herring River Headwaters Preserve reopens to the public, you will be able to enjoy the new views and wildlife watching opportunities from the new all-person accessible trails, an accessible scenic overlook at Hinckleys Pond, and a walkable connection to the Cape Cod Rail Trail.
For an overview of the project, please click here to watch the recording of HCT's Winter Talk on the Hinckleys Pond -- Herring River Headwaters Eco-Restoration Project. Or, to read about the key takeaways from the presentation, please click here.
If you're interested in supporting the Hinckleys Pond - Herring River Headwaters Eco-Restoration Project, please contact HCT Exec. Dir. Michael Lach by phone 508-432-3997, email mike@harwichconservationtrust.org, or click here to donate.