Our Mission
Our mission is to conserve Wareham's open space and natural resources, unite citizens in a common goal of conservation and responsible land use, and educate the public about the environmental and economic benefits of protecting open space and promoting sustainable development. We hope you will join us in safeguarding valuable land and water resources while inspiring our community's future generations.
Wareham Land Trust events inspire community connection, bringing people together to celebrate and protect our beloved natural resources. Through guided walks, workshops, and clean-ups, these gatherings deepen our bond with the land and each other while fueling our conservation efforts.
20+
Years of Experience
Properties
The Wareham Land Trust safeguards about 691 acres of conservation land throughout the Town of Wareham. As of October 2023, we own 174 acres and hold conservation restrictions (CRs) on 517 acres. Most of these properties allow public access with trails ideal for walking and wildlife viewing, while others offer canoe and kayak access to Wareham's exceptional water resources. Below are some of the most popular conservation areas in Wareham. We encourage you to visit these beautiful properties.
The conservation areas that the Wareham Land Trust protects exist through cooperative efforts of conservation organizations, the Town of Wareham, and the Community Preservation Act (CPA). CPA funds are instrumental in acquiring open space that significantly increases permanently protected conservation land with public access for passive recreation.
Properties
The Wareham Land Trust safeguards about 691 acres of conservation land throughout the Town of Wareham.
Acquisition
The Wareham Land Trust finished out 2023 with a bang by closing on the Marks Cove Vista property at 120 Cromesett Road.
Stewardship
The Wareham Land Trust's TerraCorps Service Member has been facilitating bi-monthly trail days. The location and focus of each event varies depending on greatest need.
Field Guides
The Wareham Land Trust is excited to add some region-specific, free to download, basic identification field guides.
Passports
Use the map inside the passport to explore Wareham's green spaces! Complete the activities and bring your completed passport.
What We Do
● Land Acquisition
In the short time since its inception, the Wareham Land Trust has conserved over 690 acres of open space though land acquisition and conservation restrictions - protecting wildlife habitat, safeguarding wetland and estuary ecosystems, preserving scenic vistas, and providing natural areas for passive recreation.
● Stewardship
With over 690 acres of open space conserved though land acquisition and conservation restrictions, the Wareham Land Trust is tasked with responsibly managing and stewarding those lands. In all cases, we manage our properties to ensure the conservation values of the land are protected.
● Outreach
The Wareham Land Trust endeavors to keep the community apprised of conservation issues and threats to the local environment. To that end, we aim to hold frequent public events and talks throughout the year to educate young and old about the importance of conserving land.
Donate a Conservation Restriction
A Conservation Restriction (CR) is a legal agreement between a landowner and the Wareham Land Trust that permanently protects land for its conservation values. A CR restricts property development but allows the landowner to continue to own, manage, and sell the land. Some concessions may be allowed, such as planting a garden, building a small outbuilding, or replacing a driveway. A conservation restriction is permanent and remains with the property in perpetuity; the CR's terms will bind future land owners. The WLT monitors the land and ensures the terms of the CR are followed. A CR may apply to all or a portion of the property; public access is not required for a donated CR.
While most people donate CRs because they love the land and desire to see it protected for future generations, there are also significant tax benefits associated with a CR donation. These tax benefits can include a federal income tax deduction, lower real estate tax, and estate tax reduction. The value of a conservation restriction donation (for tax purposes) is typically the difference between the value of the property without the restriction and its value with the restriction.
In general, to be tax-deductible, the CR: must be given in perpetuity (must be permanent), must be given to a qualified governmental or non-profit organization (like the WLT), must have a qualified appraisal to determine the value of the CR, and must be donated exclusively for conservation purposes (the property must have some significant natural, scenic, historic, scientific, recreational, or open space value and the restriction must protect those values).
