9th Annual
Race for Open Space
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July 17th at 8 a.m.
Click to here to register online
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| Foundation Properties are OPEN YEAR ROUND | 
Here are just a few of the many properties that our Members have helped to preserve:
Nantucket Field Station
Tupancy Links
Sanford Farm
Squam Swamp
Milestone Cranberry Bog
Squam Farm
Masquetuck
Windswept Bog
Eel Point
Coatue/Coskata
Little Neck
Head of The Plains
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Please help us
save some of these... | 
Save trees and receive next year's annual report electronically through an email link. To sign up call us at (508) 228-2884 or click here to send an email.
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1 8 0 P O L P I S R O A D
Nantucket Field Station
The Nantucket Field Station in Quaise is the newest of the Foundation's holdings. The $22 million commitment to purchase this property from the University of Massachusetts Boston and save it from development was the largest financial undertaking in the Foundation's history. Under a unique and mutually beneficial agreement with the University, they maintain a scientific and educational presence while the Foundation permanently protects and manages the remaining acreage in its pristine state.
In addition to its role as an educational facility, the Nantucket Field Station is also one of the most beautiful and ecologically diverse areas on the island. Totaling 110 acres, this protected parcel contains harbor beach front, freshwater ponds and salt marsh habitats. Many native and rare wildlife species use these habitats for feeding and breeding.
Visitors to the Field Station are likely to see egrets, herons and other wading birds in the marsh, songbirds around the freshwater pond and seabirds from the shoreline. There is also an active osprey nest located on the property.
There are approximately 1.5 miles of scenic upland trails through the property that showcase native plants and great views of the surrounding areas. Trail maps are available at the Foundation office, at the Field Station kiosk or you can download one by clicking here. The Nantucket Field Station is located at 180 Polpis Road and parking is available 250 yards from Polpis Road adjacent to the kiosk.
We are still in the process of finalizing our capital campaign for the purchase of the Nantucket Field Station. Tax deductible donations, in any amount, are greatly appreciated and may be made by clicking here.
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Mornings for Members
 Our popular Mornings for Members program will begin on June 17 and run through September. Middle Moors Ranger Allen Reinhard leads these fun, interesting and informative walks on a variety of Foundation all over the island. Each walk is designed to showcase the different flora, fauna and geological features of each location. For a complete schedule and additional trail information, please click here.
N E W F O R 2 0 1 0
Rantum Scoots
Rantum Scoots?! A Rantum Scoot is an old Nantucket expression for "a pleasant journey with no objective other than pure enjoyment." This year we are introducing two Rantum Scoots in the Middle Moors. These walks differ from the traditional Mornings for Members outings in that they are designed for longer, uninterrupted excursions. Members of our Science and Stewardship department will host the walks and be on-hand to answer questions along the route but the intent is more for continuous walking and exercise. The primary goal of the series is to introduce people to new and different walking trails on Foundation properties throughout the Island. The trails will be easily navigable to encourage people to come back and use on their own. While they will range in length and difficulty they will generally be in the 3-4 mile range over moderately difficult terrain. Members are encouraged to bring their friends and guests on these walks. You can sign up for a Rantum Scoot on our website by clicking here or by calling us at (508) 228-2884.
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S Q U A M F A R M
Spring Lambing Season is Here!
 We are currently in the process of welcoming new lambs to our sheep flock at Squam Farm. Nineteen ewes (female sheep) were bred last fall, and the lambs began arriving in mid-April. So far, most of these ewes have given birth to twins. We expect our flock of Romney, Cotswold, and Romney-Cotswold crossbreed sheep will exceed 80 by the end of this lambing season in early June.
As soon as the lambing season is completed, the adults and new lambs will begin rotational grazing around the Squam Farm property. Our "Nantucket Native" lambs learn very quickly to eat both grass and shrub vegetation in these pastures, especially if they are introduced to it very early in their lives. Last season, we documented healthy populations of several rare grassland plant species (bushy rockrose, New England blazing star, and purple needlegrass) growing within our grazed pastures, indicating that grazing is achieving desirable ecological results. Since the flock is much larger this year, we expect to be able to treat larger areas with repeated grazing, using the sheep as meaningful land management tools.
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N E W F O R 2 0 1 0
Fun Runs
Hosted by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation Associates, a group of 21-40 year olds who assist in our mission of preserving and protecting the Island's open spaces, these jogs are on trails through Foundation properties. These casual runs are a great way to learn about new places to jog, meet other off-road runners and get in a good workout on a summer morning. The routes will be in the three mile range with longer options available. All runs will be led by a Foundation staff member but participants are welcome to run at their own pace. The Fun Runs start at 8:30 am and are for all ages and abilities. No pre-registration is required but please visit our web-site or call us at (508) 228-2884 for more information regarding parking, trailhead locations, etc.
F U N R U N S C H E D U L E
Saturday, June 19th - Sanford Farm
Sunday, July 11th - Head of the Plains (Madaket)
Saturday, August 7th - Middle Moors
Saturday, September 4th (Labor Day weekend) - Cranberry Bog Loop
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F E A T U R E C R E A T U R E
Horseshoe Crabs
Image courtesy of beachchairscientist.com  |
The horseshoe crab is an aquatic sea creature that has remained virtually unchanged for over 350 million years. It is not an actual crab, but a close relative of spiders and scorpions. Its armored outer shell provides protection from predators and it uses its long, spiny tail for steering. Horseshoe crabs prey on mollusks and sea worms, grasping them with their six pairs of claws. From early May through June, horseshoe crabs come ashore to spawn during high tides near the full and new moons.
Our Science and Stewardship Department is participating in a regional volunteer effort spearheaded by the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries to identify shoreline used as horseshoe crab spawning habitat and document population trends. Scientists believe that localized population declines may be occurring due to loss of spawning habitat from shoreline development and overharvesting for medical research and bait. We are placing numbered tags on horseshoe crabs this year. If you see one around Nantucket with a tag on it, please call us with the tag number and the location of where it was seen!
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W H A T ' S B L O O M I N G N O W
Bushy Rockrose
 Bushy rockrose (Helianthemum dumosum) is a low-growing, perennial wildflower found in dry, open sandplain grasslands, heathlands and grassy openings in pine forests. This plant species appears to be intolerant of shade and moisture. It bears delicate, yellow flowers with five petals in late May and early June and has elliptical, pale green leaves covered with fine, dense, star-shaped hairs. The stems are reddish and the fruits, which appear in late summer, are small, round and pinkish-green.
Bushy rockrose is a "Species of Special Concern" in Massachusetts because populations are limited to open habitats on Cape Cod and the islands, coastal Rhode Island, and Long Island, New York. However, it occurs in relative abundance on Nantucket because of its vast areas of protected sandplain grasslands and heathlands. On the Foundation's conservation lands, we work to encourage and preserve this rare species. Our research and monitoring efforts have shown that populations appear to respond favorably to both prescribed fire and sheep grazing.
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P H O T O G R A P H Y:
Cheryl Beaton, Karen Beattie, Josh Drizin, Jim Lentowski
Danielle O'Dell, Kelly Omand, Eileen Powers
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