As more than 2,000 land conservation professionals from across the country gathered for the annual Land Trust Rally held in Providence in late September, participants had the opportunity to explore the remote beauty of Cuttyhunk Island during a special day trip organized by Buzzards Bay Coalition. The island, the outermost of the Elizabeth Islands off the coast of southeastern Massachusetts, serves as a living example of the power of conservation partnerships.

Cuttyhunk’s future was secured through a collaborative effort from 2018 to 2022, led by the Coalition, alongside federal, state, and local partners. Over $6.2 million was raised to purchase 68 acres of precious island habitats, protecting them from potential development. This success story was further amplified when a private landowner contributed a 230-acre conservation restriction, bringing the total preserved land to nearly 70% of the island.

Fifty Rally attendees enjoyed a scenic cruise across Buzzards Bay to reach the island, where they hiked its rolling trails, explored shorebird management areas, and visited an oyster aquaculture farm. The trip to Cuttyhunk was a perfect complement to the Rally’s discussions on sustainable conservation practices and community collaboration, highlighting the real-world impact of their collective efforts.