Protecting Brewster's Woodlands, Ponds, Marshes and Meadows
Conservation for the Community
May 15, 2023 - TOGETHER WE GOT IT DONE!
After little more than a year, BCT is delighted to announce the successful conclusion of the Conservation for the Community capital campaign. Shortly after the Town’s acquisition of the former Sea Camps Long Pond Property in October of 2021, BCT announced the Conservation for the Community campaign to fund its commitment to contribute $1.75 million toward the $6 million purchase price in order to protect the unique conservation values of this very special property. This was (by far) the most significant fundraising effort in BCT’s 40-year history, and our friends and neighbors understood its importance and rose to the challenge!
We are so pleased and proud that our community has – once again – given such strong support to Conservation! We are grateful to all who helped us achieve this milestone. Thank you!
We are now participating in the Town’s Long Pond Property planning process to produce a plan that protects the property’s special conservation values – drinking water protection, pond water quality protection, special habitat, and trail connections.
Hydrogeological Analysis of the Long Pond Property
The 66 acres parcel, which we refer to as the Long Pond Property, stretches from State Route 137 to frontage on Long Pond, Cape Cod's largest pond. Recognizing the important conservation value of this property, based on its location in the Zone II Public Drinking Well recharge area and on Long Pond, the Brewster Conservation Trust turned to local Hydrogeologist and Water Resources Specialist, Tom Cambareri to learn more about just how important the property is for water quality protection.
Absent any influences, the entire Long Pond property is within the natural recharge area of Long Pond. However, more than half of the property (38 of 66 acres) is located within the Zone II of the Town's main wellfield, which is a big influence. Pumping of the Town’s wells are shown through the Zone II analysis to distort the natural aquifer flow to the pond to the wells. This makes the entire property important for water quality protection, either for recharging the waters in Long Pond or in the Town’s main wellfield.
November 16, 2021 - Brewster Conservation Trust Announces “Conservation for the Community”
The largest undeveloped parcel on Cape Cod . . . fronting on the Cape’s largest freshwater pond . . . to be protected forever thanks in part to “Conservation for the Community,” the most ambitious capital campaign in the Brewster Conservation Trust’s four-decade history. In a special Town Meeting and at the polls, Brewster voters overwhelmingly approved the Town’s purchase of the Cape Cod Sea Camps’ properties: 55 acres on the Bayside and 66 acres on Long Pond.
Tino Kamarck, BCT’s President, noted that, “In addition to 1200 feet of pond frontage, the Long Pond parcel includes a designated Town well field recharge area and abuts 42 acres of conservation land, allowing for an extensive trail system and wildlife habitat and corridors.” Kamarck went on to say, “We are pleased to announce BCT’s Conservation for the Community capital campaign to protect and preserve these unique conservation values by contributing $1.75 million to the Town over five years in support of the purchase of the Long Pond parcel.”
The campaign has been seeded with pledges from all BCT’s volunteer trustees and several major gifts, Kamarck reported, and BCT will now be asking for multi-year pledges from conservation-minded donors and philanthropies both on- and off-Cape. “We’re especially depending on the generosity of those in the community who will benefit most from the conservation of this unique property.” The Trust hopes to make substantial progress toward fulfilling its $1.75 million goal over the next twelve months.
September 26, 2021 - Brewster Conservation Trust Supports Town's purchase of Sea Camps properties.
Thank you to 1,495 Brewster residents for attending September 26 town meeting. Voters enthusiastically approved the $26m purchase of both bay and pond parcels, 110 acres. And, Thank you, again! Special Election Results: Both the pond and bay parcel debt exclusion passed! See full results on the Town of Brewster page here.
Congratulations Brewster!
Once in a Lifetime Opportunity
The Brewster Conservation Trust supports the Town of Brewster’s acquisition of the Cape Cod Sea Camp properties and was excited to learn that a negotiated agreement to purchase the properties has been reached.
Both properties offer substantial opportunities for public benefits, and BCT especially recognizes the important conservation value of the Long Pond parcel. At 66 acres, it is one of the largest undeveloped parcels remaining on Cape Cod. Half of the property is located within the Town’s well field recharge area, vital for protection of Brewster’s drinking water quality, and has features recognized by the Commonwealth as important for sustaining ecological health and diversity. With beach frontage on Cape Cod’s largest pond and abutting 42 acres of existing public walking trails owned by Town, the parcel also provides significant opportunities for recreation.
Over almost 40 years, BCT has often partnered with the Town in support of conserving natural open spaces. In that long history, this chance to acquire so many potential benefits for the public is unique -- a once in a lifetime opportunity to preserve the best of Brewster. Accordingly, BCT has pledged to contribute $1.75 million to the Town’s acquisition of the Long Pond property – representing its largest ever capital campaign commitment.
We urge the public to continue to support this acquisition and urge everyone to participate in the future planning process for these two incredible properties.
Cape Cod Sea Camps - Conservation of Regional Impact
May 15, 2023 - TOGETHER WE GOT IT DONE!
Hydrogeological Analysis of the Long Pond Property
Once in a Lifetime Opportunity