Patrick Administration commits to saving species

Date: 12/9/2008

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



SOUTHWICK Last month, Gov. Deval Patrick announced that a joint effort between Massachusetts and Connecticut has established a 450-acre Wildlife Management Area (WMA) to protect the habitat of endangered grassland birds.

The WMA stretches from Southwick to Suffield, Conn., and was owned by Swedish Match Company. The land now serves as a protective habitat to eastern meadowlarks, grasshopper sparrows, savannah sparrows, upland sandpipers and other species.

"Mass Audubon applauds Governor Patrick and Environment and Energy Secretary Ian Bowles for their contributions in protecting this land," Mass Audubon President Laura Johnson, said. "Results from Mass Audubon's surveys of grassland birds indicates that these species are under considerable pressure, and this public-private collaboration demonstrates the type of innovative thinking that will help protect grassland birds and sustain their populations in the Commonwealth."

The Conservation Fund facilitated the $4.4 million purchase of the land, which took the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (DFW) over six weeks to restore the 254 acres in Southwick.

Ralph Taylor, district manager for the DFW told Reminder Publications that 27 miles of wire and 3,000 poles needed to be removed from the property in order to convert it from a tobacco field to a wildlife habitat.

He noted that in spite of their efforts, the DFW is still trying to stop trespassers from operating illegal ATVs on the land, which are destroying the habitat. Those who see ATVs on the property should contact the Environmental Police at 1-800-632-8075.

Taylor explained that the WMA is open to the public and many outdoor activities are allowed on the property such as biking, hunting, hiking and bird watching.

"We're losing so many species everyday that it's critical that we save every species that we have," Dennis Clark, coordinator of the Conservation Commission, said, adding that the town aided the DFW in restoring the property.

"By reaching across state borders, we will be able to protect and restore this significant grasslands area and boost the Commonwealth's land protection efforts," Patrick said.