Land Stewardship

Mashpee has an active ″Land Stewards″ Program which is intended to provide a first line of defense in helping to protect Mashpee’s open space conservation lands. This program was first initiated by the Mashpee Environmental Coalition, modeled after Falmouth’s highly successful program.  Among other things, it aims to monitor conservation lands and report on damage caused by storms, ATVs and illegal dumping. This worthwhile program is zero-cost, grassroots volunteerism at its best, and it is now managed by Mashpee’s Conservation Department.

Volunteer Land Stewards are asked to visit their assigned area once or twice a year (or more often if feasible), observe conditions, and report them via a simple check list. Volunteers may also wish to take along a pair of small hand clippers to accomplish minor trail maintenance and bring a bag to pick up small litter. Land Stewards may additionally be asked to help with (optional) annual clean-ups and pollinator garden maintenance if so needed.

The Mashpee Environmental Coalition recommends your participation in this worthwhile program and a number of our members are active participants.  For the most up-to-date information on the Land Stewardship Program, conservation land maps, and application forms please visit the Mashpee Town website at www.mashpeema.gov/mashpee-land-stewards-program or stop by the Conservation Department at Town Hall.