Orenda Wildlife Land Trust and Town of Mashpee
For Immediate Release:
Contact: David H. Tately, Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, Inc. 508-362-4798
Drew McManus, Conservation Agent- Town of Mashpee 508-539-1424 X 8539
Conservation Partners Restore Habitat to Benefit Wildlife, Reduce Fire Risk
Work will begin on or about February 20, 2013 in Mashpee, Mass., to benefit a rare rabbit and other native species. The Orenda Wildlife Land Trust,Inc., Town of Mashpee, Natural Resources
Conservation Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries &
Wildlife, will restore native habitat at the Mercy Lowe Sanctuary, 177 Lovells Lane and 147
Lovells Lane. The parcels are part of Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge, a Cape Cod natural area with salt marshes, cranberry bogs, Atlantic white cedar swamps and freshwater marshes.
The project, which will also reduce the risk of wildfire to the refuge and neighboring communities, will include cutting and thinning of some trees and creating fire breaks, followed by controlled prescribed burning in the future.
Residents, motorists, and recreationists in the area, should expect to see heavy equipment for cutting which should end on or about April 1st. For your safety, please keep at least 300 feet away from machines. This work will only be performed on weekdays.
The goal of the restoration is to increase the growth and variety of shrubby plants such as scrub oak, the preferred habitat for the New England Cottontail, a native rabbit that is a candidate for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act. More than 15 other rare native animal and plant species will benefit from the project.
Firebreaks will help firefighters to safely maneuver in the event of a wildfire as well as provide safe controlled burn operations. Thinning trees and controlled burning will reduce fire risk to neighboring homes and businesses by reducing flammable vegetation that could promote fire spread.
Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, Inc. is proud to participate in this model of a private land trust working within a National Wildlife Refuge. The cost of habitat restoration is projected to be over
$70,000.00. Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, Inc. is supporting this important project with funding from Natural Resources Conservation Service and donations.

###