MATTAPOISETT — The Mattapoisett Land Trust is looking to preserve nearly 40 acres of land, and on Tuesday, July 29 the organization came one step closer to doing so.

Presenting one location that is near the Mattapoisett River and another near Pine Island Pond to the Mattapoisett Select Board, Mattapoisett Land Trust President Mike Huguenin explained that there are several conservation restriction requests currently waiting for state approval, including two that should be approved within four to six weeks.

A conservation restriction is a legally enforceable agreement that’s designed to ensure permanent protection of specific conservation values, according to the Mass.gov website.

Once approved by the state, the restrictions must also receive town approval, including signatures from the Select Board members.

The first property under consideration is a 13-acre plot of land currently owned by Veronica Kenney and Christopher Lenk that is on the eastern shore of Mattapoisett River below Route 6.

“They will retain ownership of the land, but they’re donating a conservation restriction that will prohibit in perpetuity anybody from building any more houses there,” Huguenin said.

Kenney and Lenk will still own the land, so it won’t be open to the public, with its main purpose being to maintain the wildlife habitat.

“About two thirds of the lot is habitat for rare species, and a good part of it is also in the coastal adaptation zone, which they basically expect to become salt marshes,” Hugenin said.

The second property is about 26 acres large and encircles Pine Island Pond and Pine Islands.

“This is one of the most iconic land forms on Buzzards Bay … it’s a really spectacular place to go look at,” Hugenin said.

He explained that the Mattapoisett Land Trust now owns this acreage, which will link up with land already owned by the town.

Hugenin said that the land will be open to the public and give people a chance to get away from busy beaches or areas. He noted that while the organization will be able to do vegetation control if there are any invasive species and is planning to put in some trails, the intention is to leave the land wild.

“We’ve really got the makings of a beautiful preserve here someday,” he said. “It’s just a nice place to go anytime of the year.”

During the July 29 meeting, Select Board members voted unanimously to approve the conservation restrictions and sign off on them once they come back from the state.