The Groton Conservation Trust (GCT) announced that the MA Department of Fish and Game has received a Conservation Restriction (CR) from the GCT that will put the Bruner Land and the Mason Back 100 into permanent protection. While these two properties are owned by the GCT, the CR guarantees permanent conservation protection, which the Commonwealth has the power to enforce. 

The project was a remarkable collaboration between Massachusetts and a federal program, the Forest Legacy Program (FLP), which assists the state with costs associated with obtaining the CR. In Massachusetts, the Forest Legacy Program is managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation in cooperation with the US Forest Service.  Since joining the program in 1993, Massachusetts FLP has protected more than 16,000 acres of forest land on more than 100 properties.

Anne Gagnon, the Northeast District Land Agent for the MA Dept. of Fish and Game, worked with GCT Trustees Rick Muehlke, Ed McNierney, Chuck Vander Linden, Mark Gerath, and former GCT President Ted Lapres to secure the funding from the federal program for the CR. Muehlke applied for the funding through the Forestry Legacy Program Steering Committee, which reports to the Nashua River Wild and Scenic Stewardship Council. 

The Steering Committee was led initially by Al Futterman of NRWA, and more recently by Anna Wilkins of North County Land Trust in Fitchburg.  Patience and perseverance were what led to ultimate success.  “Five years of monthly meetings with homework was a lot. But it was worth it”, said Muehlke, who was GCT’s representative on the Steering Committee. 

“This is a great example of how ecologically valuable land can be permanently protected by conservation agencies working together,” said Gagnon. “The Groton Conservation Trust has been a great partner, providing knowledgeable assistance to MA Wildlife as we work to conserve key areas of the state, and create protected corridors across New England.” 

Gerath, who championed the process once he became President of the GCT, said this kind of state and federal coordination will be key to the future of land protection. “Local land trusts are key in identifying key areas. Supportive partners at the state level, like Anne, ensure our local protection efforts are as successful as they can be. It’s a win all around.”

In 2013, the Department of Fish and Wildlife acquired title to an 80-acre portion of the Mason Back 100 and a 20 acre parcel named “Bruner North” from the GCT. This is a prime habitat for Blanding’s turtles, an endangered species as well as other state-listed species.  The area is also the site of the largest peat bog in the area, rare this far south in New England.  This first acquisition allowed the state to create and later expand the Unkety Brook Wildlife Management area, now preserving  over 400 acres in Groton, Dunstable, and Pepperell.

With this new CR in place, the rest of the Bruner property and the portion of the Mason property still owned by the GCT will be permanently conserved.

The Bruner Land and Mason Back 100 properties are located off of Old Dunstable Road. While the Bruner Land is trailless, it is open to the public.  The Mason property trails will still be open to the public. However, no motorized vehicles are permitted.

Susan Hughes, President of the GCT, confirmed the grant of the CR by the GCT to MA Dept of Fish and Game and acknowledged the central role played by Anne Gagnon.  

“While the GCT has been working for over 60 years to protect land in Groton, conservation requires partnership. We are very lucky and grateful to work with Anne. Her passion for protection and land knowledge has helped the GCT identify areas that are valuable to our core mission of habitat protection, recreation and climate resiliency.” 

Conservation efforts also require persistence, said Hughes. “Special thanks to Mark and Rick for shepherding this project through the years and seeing it to completion.”

You can read about the history of Bruner Land and the Mason Back 100 by following these links.