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| A view of Beaver Dam Brook from the top of the Ridge Trail at Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary. |
In late November,
Massachusetts Audubon opened Tidmarsh, a 479-acre wildlife sanctuary in
Plymouth. Land conservation is always something to celebrate, but this
acquisition is also noteworthy for its scope.
In recent
years Tidmarsh was a working cranberry farm. Before Mass Audubon granted it permanent
protection as a wildlife sanctuary, the property underwent a significant
restoration. It took years – and the removal of nine dams – to return Tidmarsh
to its natural state. Thanks to the efforts of Audubon and its partners in this
project – the Town of Plymouth, the Massachusetts Division of Conservation Services,
the MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service -- Tidmarsh is now – once again – a winding coastal stream
bordered by freshwater wetlands. In fact – in the Northeast – it’s the largest
freshwater ecological restoration to date.
Tidmarsh is
a most-welcome pin on Mass Audubon’s map. While Audubon manages 57 wildlife
sanctuaries across the state, until now, its presence on the South Shore was
limited to three properties in Marshfield and Duxbury. This new sanctuary in
Plymouth fills the gap between the three South Shore sanctuaries and the four
on the South Coast (Wareham, Attleboro and South Dartmouth/Westport).
At the
center of the property is Beaver Dam Brook – a stream that meanders for three
miles from its inland headwaters to Plymouth Harbor. Once impeded by a series
of dams -- a necessary part of the cranberry bog system -- the brook now flows
freely to the sea . . . for the first time in over a century!
Wildlife has
taken notice. In the spring, river herring were spotted in the brook, making
their way upstream for their annual migration (which is now possible, due to
the absence of dams). Muskrats have returned as well. And birds are
rediscovering this property too. Common species such as red-shouldered hawks
and northern harriers have been spotted regularly, as well as more-rare
visitors such as king rails, blue grosbeaks and Caspian terns.
Tidmarsh is
a new property with big plans. There are already three miles of well-tended
trails, with more on the way. There is already plenty to see. From the parking
area, follow the Entrance Trail (0.4 miles) past a small pond and through a
forest of pine and oak. This will lead you to a large open meadow. You can take
the Ridge Trail (to the left) uphill to an overlook that features a spectacular
view of the entire property.
Or if you
have more time, follow the Meadow Trail (to the right) to either of two longer
paths. The Farm Road Ramble takes you over Beaver Dam Brook, along the edge of
the wetlands, and eventually to the scenic Madar Loop (about 1.4 miles total).
The Volunteers’ Trail, along the wetlands’ opposite bank, runs farther into the
sanctuary. You can hike for a mile each way, with many views of the
newly-restored wetlands and stream. There are plans in place to eventually
connect these two trail systems, so that visitors can tour the entire stream
valley in one long loop.
One of the
most inspiring things about the Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary is what it means,
in terms of the Big Picture. First there was Beaver Dam Brook, and the wetlands
that surrounded it. Then came the influence of agriculture and industry, where
unfortunately nature took a backseat. The birds went away; the fish and furry
creatures found other places to inhabit. Now the original habitats have been
restored. The wetlands are capable of serving their natural function once again
– to contain floodwaters and support the water supply against drought. As the
increasing consequences of Climate Change become more evident, Tidmarsh brings
a sense of hope that it is not too late to protect our planet.
Tidmarsh
Wildlife Sanctuary is located at 60 Beaver Dam Road in Plymouth, not far from
Route 3A in Manomet. Trails are open daily from dawn to dusk. Before your
visit, be sure to check Mass Audubon’s website (https://www.massaudubon.org/get-outdoors/wildlife-sanctuaries/tidmarsh). At the time of this writing, the sanctuary
was temporarily closed due to parking lot construction.
Kezia Bacon's articles appear courtesy of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, a local non-profit organization devoted to protecting our waters. For membership information and a copy of their latest newsletter, contact NSRWA at (781) 659-8168 or visit www.nsrwa.org. To browse 20 years of nature columns, visit http://keziabaconbernstein.blogspot.com
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