HARWICHCONSERVATION

TRUST www.HarwichConserva t ionTrus t . o r g

PRESERVE LAND FOREVER SPRING 2012 NEWSLETTER

Nancy Viall Shoemaker

P.O. Box 101, South Harwich, MA 02661

Addre

ss S

ervi

ce R

equ

este

d

HARWICH

CONSERVATION

TRUST

PR

ES

ER

VE

LA

ND

FO

RE

VE

R

IN THIS ISSUECape Sea Grille Winetasting page 2 Reserve for Live Raptors page 32nd Home & Land donated to HCT page 3Herring Count page 4Free Seminar: Tax Credits for Land page 5Cold Brook Project page 6Thank You, Volunteers page 7Eyes on Owls page 8Business Support page 9Memorials/Gifts pages 10 & 11 Leave a Legacy back cover

Pri

nte

d o

n r

ecyc

led p

aper

wit

h s

oy-b

ase

d i

nk

PRSRT STD

U.S. Postage

PAID

LEOMINSTER, MA

Permit No. 17

On April 20th: Don’t MissHCT’s Spring WinetastingDinner at Cape Sea Grille

details on page 2

Leave

a L

egacy

to S

ave

Speci

al

Pla

ces

Placing HCT in your will (also known as a beq

uest) is a forw

ard-thinking way

to support

our land-saving work. If you are interested

, please call Exec. Dir. Mike Lach at 508-432-3997

or email hct@

cape.com. Think ahead and help us save m

ore special places. Find m

ore

inform

ation at: w

ww.H

arwichConservationTrust.org/Planned

_giving.htm

l. T

han

k you.

State Selects HCT’s Cold BrookProject as a Top Priority

- Details on page 6 -

Cold Brook by Bill Giokas; Katydid by Mark McGrath

32467 Harwich_News_HCTNewsletterSpring2012CMY2.qxd 3/12/12 2:01 PM Page 1

P.O. Box 101 South Harwich, MA 02661

508-432-3997 • hct@cape.com

www.HarwichConservationTrust.org

BOARD OF TRUSTEESPresident - Robert F. Smith, Esq.Vice President - Thomas M. Evans

Treasurer - Edward A. RubelSecretary - Donna J. Peterson

William F. Baldwin, Matt CushingColin A. Leonard, Bruce Nightingale,William R. Schumann, Andrea Silbert

STAFFMichael W. Lach, Executive Director

Ryan J. Mann,Outreach & Stewardship Coordinator

HCT’s MissionHCT preserves landto protect woods,water, wildlife

and our shared qualityof life in Harwich.

HARWICH

CONSERVATIONTRUST

2 Harwich Conservation Trust Spring 2012 Spring 2012 Harwich Conservation Trust 11

Michael Lach

Gifts to HCT - in honor of and in memory ofIn Memory of Mary Ruth Follas

John & Carroll FollasIn Memory of Bruce A. Hackford

Harriett H. HackfordIn Memory of Anne & Edward Hall

Karen & Warren HallIn Memory of James Hamel

Florence LofbergIn Memory of Dorothy P. Handren

Handren Brothers Builders, Inc.In Memory of Bob Healy

Jane P. HealyIn Memory of Robert C. Healy

Jane P. HealyIn Memory of Gwen Hobbs

Lynn VardakisIn Memory of John Joseph Horton

Susan HortonIn Memory of John D. Kenney

Virginia & David ClarendonIn Memory of Marjorie K. LaCroix

Jean BarkerIn Memory of Michael LaDouceur

Edward LaDouceurIn Memory of Nathan Lieberson

Morton ShamesIn Memory of LilyBobbie McDonnell

In Memory of Dorothy LowellAllen & Nancy McCarter

In Memory of Scot Byron McClainDonna & Pete Peterson

In Memory of John McMahonHaven & Minna Wiley

In Memory of Bea NaughtonRobert J. Naughton, Sr.

In Memory of Speaker & Mrs. Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr.

Rosemary D. O’NeillIn Memory of Robert Our

Eileen OurIn Memory of Charles F. Palmer, Jr.

Carole PalmerIn Memory of Mrs. Will Price

Peggy SevierIn Memory of Elizabeth L. Pring

Kenneth PringIn Memory of RattailDenise & Robert Anthony

In Memory of my brother, RichardJane H. Ferris

In Memory of Glenna RowleyFrederick W. Rowley

In Memory of D. Isabel SmithMr. & Mrs. Richard BrennenMr. & Mrs. Richard I. Pickett

Gifts to HCT - in honor of and in memory of

Join HCT for our 10th AnnualSpring Winetasting Dinner.Space is limited, so reserve now!The Cape Sea Grille restaurant inHarwich Port will be offering amulticourse dinner, accompaniedby fine wines.

SPRING WINETASTING DINNERAT THE CAPE SEA GRILLE

IN HARWICH PORTFriday, April 20th

6 - 9 p.m.$100 per personall inclusive with

multi-course dinner,fine wines,and gratuity

Enjoy your eveningwhile helping

HCT preserve land.

Reserve on-line at www.HarwichConservationTrust.org

ormail a check payable to:Harwich Conservation Trust

P.O. Box 101South Harwich, MA 02661

For more information:call (508) 432-3997

or email hct@cape.com

DinnerDinnerIn Memory & Honor of Isabel SmithDavid S. Crestin & Elizabeth A. Bierbower

In Memory of Isabel, Dayton& Lisa SmithWilliam West

In Memory of Dr. Russell SmithDoris B. Schaub

In Memory of Ken & Glenna SwantonBette Swanton

In Memory of Robert W. UdellJoyce H. Udell

In Memory of Charles O. VerrillHenry & Eleanor Hood

In Memory ofMuriel & David Wadsworth

Mary & Brian HastingsIn Memory of Milton & Barbara Welt

Gregory J. AngeliniPatti & Robert SmithNancy Viall Shoemaker

In Memory of Thad W. WicksMartha Wicks

In Memory of Blair & Anne WormerJeanne Lapierre & Paul Keary

In Honor of Margerie CampanellaBarbara Garvey

In Honor of Rich EldredBill & Karen Goggins

In Honor of the Tom Barker FamilyJane & Andrew Walker

In Honor of Tom Leach, HarbormasterRobert K. Leach

In Honor of our Grandchildren:Kiara, Aedin, Rosie, Oliver & Frankie

Mary Ann & Ronald RosivackIn Honor of Michael Lach

Robert G. HankeyIn Honor of Ryan Mann

Peter W. SamselIn Honor of Melissa B. Mills

Susan & Taylor MillsIn Honor of Scott Ridley’s book

“Morning of Fire”Samuel F. & Suzanne M. Winsper

In Honor of Sarah & Owen SherwoodBarbara A. Tomasian & Stephen Erwin

In Honor of Robert SmithThomas & Janet Evans

Barry KnowlesIn Honor of Jeanne Dudley White

Sally Mahoney

We strive to save special placeswhile being mindful of the manydedications to HCT. Thank you.

32467 Harwich_News_HCTNewsletterSpring2012CMY2.qxd 3/12/12 2:01 PM Page 2

Spring 2012 Harwich Conservation Trust 310 Harwich Conservation Trust Spring 2012

N. Viall Shoem

aker

N. Viall Shoem

aker

Events/ProgramsEvents/ProgramsGifts to HCT - in honor of and in memory ofDedicated gifts as of March 5, 2012Gifts to HCT - in honor of and in memory ofIn Memory of Kathryn Howes Alvord

Clark & Harriet Alvord IIIn Memory of Lena Anderson,

beloved mother of Karin CadwellJoel, Marilyn, Sherri & Steven GellerIn Memory of Dick Baldauf

Joanne BaldaufIn Memory of Lee W. Baldwin

Sherill Baldwin & Kimball Cartwright, Jr.Gail & Florence Hancock

Connie L. PinaIn Memory of

Martha Barca & Kristin BarcaRebecca Barca-Tinus & Michael J. Tinus

In Memory of William “Tom” BarkerRuth Alberding

Andrea AldrovandiJeanne Barker

Jacqueline & Charles BarrettJonathan & Karen Booraem

Pamela A. BratschFrederick & Janice ButlerPat & George CavanaughEvan & Patricia CookJane & Alice DalzellWilliam Doherty, Jr.

Mary Duquette-MaitlandRobert & Linda FordMelinda D. ForistHarold & Jill GabrielKathleen Gallo

Tom & Elaine GerryJohn & Louise Greene

Jim KellyMary & Paul LothropBarbara A. MadsonNancy L. Malcolm

John & Linda McPheeAnnie Peterson

Ronald Plock & Paula Nickerson-PlockNancy B. Poor

Janice & Peter RonalterMargaret A. Rose

Melissa A. SandersonJane & Colin StevensonJoseph David ZabielskiJohn & Maxine Zartarian

In Memory of Jean BeckertAnn Beckert

In Memory of Ed & Loretta BownMr. & Mrs. Richard Alexander

In Memory of Henry BracchiJean Bracchi

In Memory of Eddy BrownE.W. Brown

In Memory of Mary E. Brown & Eddy BrownE.W. Brown

In Memory of Rella S. BryerRella S. Bryer Trust

In Memory of Arthur H. CahoonSherrie Cahoon

In Memory of Harry A. CasselJane MacAfee

In Memory of Doug ColeRichard & Janet ColbyRosemary T. ClineVirginia Conefrey

Bunny Barca CrowleyLouise Curtice

Alison & Bertrand CzuchraCate Degraw

Carolyn DelahantyRobert & Barbara Doughty

Thomas DunnSharon ElsworthBud & Betsy FerrisChristine Fitzsimmons

Gail GatesMary Ellen GloverMeryl Heller

Patrick & Rebecca JudgeDoris KelleyKatherine Kelly

On behalf of LIM CollegeBarbara Lockhart

Meg LordStephanie Luty

Staff of the L. C. MacArthur Elementary SchoolLouis & Susan MalikowPhyllis & Patrick McGrath

Margaret NeffThe O’Dell Family

Kim O'DellSuzanne & Alan PearsonDenise & Rod Pendleton

Susan PetersonArthur Podaras

R. Terence & Anne Marie RussellAnne Seeley

Janice & Walter TipertHarvey & Sally TracyKatherine Udall

Mark WaszkelewiczTracy WaszkelewiczJennifer WeldonKeri Wofford

Michael WynsenIn Memory of Judd J. Corbett

Ursula K. CorbettIn Memory of Elisabeth & Lawrence Damon

Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence B. Damon, Jr.In Memory of Martha & Frederick Davis

Bonnie & Ross HallIn Memory of Eileen Diamond

Ralph DiamondIn Memory of Bernard DicksonLinda Flaherty, Lucy & Roberta Tutunjian

Muriel E. ParkerIn Memory of Rev. Harlow Tuttle Doliber

Pauline M. DoliberIn Memory of Philip S. Eagan

Mary M. EaganIn Memory of Carolyn M. Field

Fred-Munro FergusonIn Memory of Janet Brett Griffin

Michael & Rebecca LachNancy Viall Shoemaker

LIVEBirds of Prey

Thursday, July 12th3:00, 5:00, or 7:00 pm show

Admission prices: $15/ages 12 to adult$5/ages 5-11 (not recommended for under age five)

Reserve on-line atwww.HarwichConservationTrust.org

or in advance by check(payable to Harwich Conservation Trust)

Mail to P.O.Box 101, So. Harwich, MA 02661

See raptors such as Peregrine Falcon, Golden Eagle, Great Horned Owl, Turkey Vulture & more

Shows will be held in the gym of the Harwich Community Center at 100 Oak Street

Thanks to Bill and Judy Shinkwin ofMilwaukee, Wisconsin, who gifted theirsecond home in Harwich to HCT, we’veprotected upland habitat for wildturkeys and other wildlife species whilediversifying support for our land-savingwork. The property harbors a grove ofholly trees next to a wooded half-acrethat the Shinkwins donated a few yearsago. HCT plans to lease the home inorder to raise more funds.

Second Home and Land donated to HCTDonating a property with an existinghome is a creative way to generatesignificant funds for HCT. Donors canbenefit from federal income tax deduc-tions and no longer have to worryabout liability, home insurance, or othercosts. If you are looking for a home foryour house, please let us know bycalling Exec. Dir. Mike Lach at 508-432-3997 or emailing hct@cape.com .

Ryan M

ann

32467 Harwich_News_HCTNewsletterSpring2012CMY2.qxd 3/12/12 2:01 PM Page 3

HCT continues to partner with theAssociation to Preserve Cape Cod,Cape Cod Commercial Hook Fisher-men’s Association, and the Town ofHarwich Department of NaturalResources to coordinate the project.

Where were the fish in 2011? Thespring weather was persistently coolduring the 2011 run season, whichmay have impacted the count, or theherring decline continues unabated inthe ocean or both causes compoundadditional impacts. Unsustainable fish-ing has decimated herring and landdevelopment has damaged spawningareas. The fish are resilient if habitat isprotected and their life cycle is sus-tainably safeguarded. There is stillmuch to be learned about estimatedherring populations derived from ourannual volunteer herring counts.

How does it work? Volunteers visit aspecific location at regular intervalsfor as little as 10 minutes per day towatch how many herring pass a cer-tain point. With the information that iscollected, the state documents the rel-ative number of herring to better eval-uate population health, and hopefullyrecover the fishery. If you are inter-ested in joining the Herring Count,please contact Ryan Mann (email:hctryan@cape.com, ph: 508-432-3997).With your help, we can restore theHerring River’s namesake species.

4 Harwich Conservation Trust Spring 2012 Spring 2012 Harwich Conservation Trust 9

Tree Removals • Stump Grinding • Tree & Shrub Pruning • Free EstimatesMA Certified Arborist #2290 • Fully Insured

508-945-1554

Business SupportBusiness Support

2 Post Office Square

Harwich Port, MA

Manager: John JaworskiLocally owned(508) 432-1113

Cape Coastal NurseryThe Cape’s source for Native Plants

146 Great Western Road, South Dennis, MA 02660508-398-1743 • www.capecoastalnursery.com

N. Viall Shoem

aker

David Constan

ce

David

Constan

ce

Herring CountHerring CountHarwich Herring

CountHistorically, the Herring River and itsheadwater ponds comprised one ofthe most significant herring spawninggrounds in the state. However, owingto a precipitous decline statewide, asix-year moratorium on the taking,possession, and sale of herring is inplace. Fishery experts need fieldobservations by volunteer counters or“citizen scientists” to gauge herringhealth and plan a comeback for thiskeystone species.

Volunteer herring counters are aboutto begin their fourth season watchingfor herring that swim and sprint upthe Herring River into Hinckley’s Pondand beyond to spawn. Here are theHerring River count estimates for thelast three years: 19,336 fish in 2009;41,254 fish in 2010; 10,466 fish in 2011.

32467 Harwich_News_HCTNewsletterSpring2012CMY2.qxd 3/12/12 2:01 PM Page 4

You may have heard us talk aboutland-saving benefits, but this time isdifferent. Join us for a free informa-tional seminar at 10 am on Saturday,April 21st to learn about a new stateincome tax credit (up to $50,000!)that can result when preserving eligi-ble land with your local land trust.

In summary, eligible landownerscould have their state income taxwiped out for the year. The state willissue a check for the differencebetween this year’s tax and $50,000 or50 percent of the appraised value,whichever is less. You do not need toreside in Massachusetts or even paytaxes here, as long as you own the landand the land qualifies, you qualify.

Seminar: April 21st

Spring 2012 Harwich Conservation Trust 58 Harwich Conservation Trust Spring 2012

Land ProtectionLand Protection

Once again, Marcia and Mark Wilsonamazed all ages with their live owl pro-gram, “Eyes on Owls,” on March 3rd inthe Harwich Community Center. Fromthe local, pint-sized saw-whet owl tothe majestic Eurasian eagle owl (largestowl species in the world) and all owlsizes in between, the raptors kept aclose watch on the wide-eyed peoplesnapping photos. Great-horned, snowy,screech, barred, and the SouthAmerican spectacled owl were alsointroduced in close encounter fashion.

The owls have permanent disabilitiesand cannot be released into the wild.The Wilsons hold state and federalpermits to offer these one-of-a-kindeducational programs.

Special thanks to our sponsors formaking this inspiring event possible:Bird Watcher’s General Store, CapeCod Five Cents Savings Bank, TheCape Cod Times, The Cape CodChronicle, The Cape Codder, HarwichOracle, and The Register.

Mark Wilson, Eyes on Owls

Owls Amaze and InspireOwls Amaze and Inspire

Land Project onHold

In HCT’s last newsletter, wefeatured a story about thepotential for the Town topurchase a key parcel con-necting Bell’s Neck Conserv-ation Lands with the CapeCod Rail Trail bike path, if anagreement could be reachedwith the parcel’s owners. The land within the Herring River Watershed frontsan estimated 800 feet on the West Reservoir. Unfortunately, at this time despitea good faith effort by the Town and the owners, a purchase agreement couldnot be reached. HCT has been corresponding with the owners for more than12 years and will continue to keep the door open for future discussion.

Left: Marcia & snowy owl

Top: Mark with screech &saw-whet owls

Right: saw-whet up close

All photos by Paul BlackmorePaulBlackmorePhotography.com

Step

han

ie Foster

Nan

cy Viall Shoem

aker

FREEINFORMATIONAL

SEMINARon the new stateincome tax credit

WHENSaturday, April 21 at 10 am

WHEREHarwich Community Center100 Oak Street, Harwich Center

RSVPEMAIL: hct@cape.comPHONE: 508-432-3997

32467 Harwich_News_HCTNewsletterSpring2012CMY2.qxd 3/12/12 2:01 PM Page 5

to reach an amazing milestone in2012. Thanks to continued volunteerinvestment in our land protection,stewardship, citizen science and officeprojects, the total estimated dollarvalue of their combined contributionsby the end of 2012 will reach$1,000,000 (that’s right, $1 million!).

Without the hard work of ourmany volunteers, much of thesuccesses we have achievedover the past six years wouldnot have happened. Theirwork is, in fact, invaluable.We thank all who have givenand continue to give their pre-cious time.

6 Harwich Conservation Trust Spring 2012

Old flumes like this one will be removedor replaced when restoration is completed.

The state’s priority designation for theCold Brook Project underscores theimportance of the growing public-private partnership to preserve thearea’s biodiversity. The Division ofEcological Restoration will providetechnical expertise to help plan,design, obtain permits for and imple-ment ecological restoration that canenhance water flow and wildlife habi-tat as well as walking access aroundthe Preserve. Stay tuned as we explorea range of restoration possibilitiesover the next year.

Bill Giokas

N. Viall Shoem

aker

Spring 2012 Harwich Conservation Trust 7

Thank You, VolunteersThank You, Volunteers

Mark McG

rath

Cold Brook ProjectCold Brook Project

Bill Giokas photos

David Constan

ce

State Selects HCT’sCold Brook Project asa Top PriorityIn the heart of Harwich Port, ColdBrook runs through HCT’s 66-acreBank St. Bogs Nature Preserve beforereaching Saquatucket Harbor onNantucket Sound. A series of oldflumes affect the stream’s natural flowand the movement of aquatic animals.Ecological restoration of the streamand surrounding habitat has been atop stewardship priority for HCT.

Recently, HCT received good newsfrom the Commonwealth’s Division ofEcological Restoration (DER) whenthe state agency designated ColdBrook as a top ecological restorationpriority. Over the past few years, agrant to HCT from the federal WildlifeHabitat Incentives Program managedin Barnstable County by Don Liptackand another grant from the Common-wealth’s Coastal Zone Managementagency provided funding to conductpreliminary planning for streamrestoration as well as selectivelyimprove wildlife habitat. HCT is nowworking with DER’s Jeremy Bell,Franz Ingelfinger, and their colleaguesto take the next steps.

A great diversity of wildlife includingunusual creatures such as this pink katydid,

shown at right, live in the Bank StreetBogs Nature Preserve.

HCT volunteers areworth a million in 2012Volunteers truly make our conserva-tion world go round. In 2005, HCTformally launched a coordinated vol-unteer program and has been trackingresults. Since then, more than 1,000people have donated their time andenergy to trim trails, find vernal pools,monitor protected lands, mark bound-aries, lead walks, present talks, organizethe office, assemble mailings, documentwildlife (eels, herring, songbirds), runfundraising events, fix computers andso much more.

The countless hours that create tangi-ble results also result in a tremendouscost-savings. In fact, we are on track

Exercise and learn from walk leaders such asbotanist Rich Eldred.

32467 Harwich_News_HCTNewsletterSpring2012CMY2.qxd 3/12/12 2:01 PM Page 6