Mattapoisett Land Trust member Don Cuddy shared this update on work done to restore the Munro Preserve with Sippican Week. The park is a small, but highly visible parcel located near the Town Wharf.

Our mission at the Mattapoisett Land Trust is to protect land for present and future generations, and while we have enjoyed a good deal of success of late in acquiring some valuable and environmentally sensitive acreage, it must be remembered that taking ownership is merely a point of departure. Stewardship of our various properties is a large part of what we do year-round, whether that involves the purely routine – such as mowing and pruning at Tub Mill or Dunseith – or singular projects such as the ongoing restoration of the blueberry patch or the creation of new trails. Although our membership may seem relatively small in comparison to some land trusts in surrounding areas, the Mattapoisett Land Trust is fortunate to have a committed group of volunteers who have combined hard work and ingenuity to meet every challenge to date.

Currently, our focus is on the Munro Preserve. Along with the Seahorse at Dunseith, this is probably our most visible property. It gained even more prominence with the dedication, in May of last year, of the stone on Water Street with a plaque honoring our founders. But over the years the stone seawall along the shoreline had fallen into disrepair.

It was reconstructed once before, in 1998, thanks to the generosity of many town residents and visitors and with assistance from local engineers and contractors. At that time, the perennial beds on the property were also restored by well-known landscape designer Charlie Duponte, a friend and past president of the trust.

However, in the ensuing years, surface soil erosion behind the seawall and along most of its length took its toll, an inevitable consequence of the ceaseless onslaught of storms, wind and tides. Meanwhile, the native plantings had become largely overgrown, choked by a mass of invasive species. It was clear that something had to be done. Fortunately the Mattapoisett Land Trust can avail itself of considerable resources embedded within our community. Mike Huguenin was able, thanks to his acquaintance with UMass professor Heather Miller, to engage the services of Sean Craven and Thomas Da Lomba, two civil and environmental engineering students at UMass Dartmouth. The two men conducted a survey of the eroded area to determine its extent and calculated the volume of material needed to restore it.

All the necessary permits were acquired and we are pleased to report that the installation of the trap rock selected for the task was completed early in January with the assistance of Nicolosi Excavation. Thankfully work was undertaken before the big snows hit. The plan now is to allow this rock to settle for a few months, then to top up any low spots from the remaining amount that we are holding at Mahoney’s.

As many people will undoubtedly have noticed, most of the perennial plantings on the property were removed last summer. Upon inspection, it was determined that the extent of the encroachment by invasive species was such that the original rosa rugosa plantings had been overwhelmed, so it made more sense just to take everything out and start again. As soon as the weather permits we hope to begin this phase of the work.

The exact shape and dimensions of the reconstructed bed, and the specific plants to be added to each will be finalized during the reconstruction. All the material to be added will be either native grasses or indigenous shrubs capable of surviving with minimal maintenance in the harsh environment by the sea at Munro. Charlie Duponte has once again generously offered to design and execute the reconstruction. He will also monitor the reconfigured areas for the first season. Land trust volunteers will maintain and water the beds and apply water as needed during the first season and thereafter.

The cost of creating the new landscape at Munro is being offset thanks to a generous grant of $2,000 awarded by NStar as part of a program they instituted to work with local communities.

This came about through the efforts of land trust board member Sandy Hering who also serves on the Mattapoisett Tree Committee. Sandy researched and submitted the grant application and we have just learned that we are among the applicants to receive approval. Well done Sandy!

We are very fortunate to count this beautiful property, with its prime location and wonderful water views, among our holdings. It is important that we maintain it for its own sake, but also as a reflection of the important work that the land trust does to benefit all of the people in Mattapoisett. When summer finally comes and the plantings are in place, we can all look with pride at the fruits of our labor.