Protecting land and water in the northernmost reaches of the Bay’s watershed
A 32-acre stretch of woodlands along Indian Brook in Carver will now be permanently protected by the Buzzards Bay Coalition, which acquired the property to protect water quality, preserve public access to natural resources, and conserve important wildlife habitat.
The land, which consists of two separate parcels, bookends 30 acres of existing conservation land owned by the Town of Carver. Together, these two newly acquired properties will significantly improve and expand public access to the outdoors while also protecting vital forest habitat and water resources.
“We’re really pleased to be protecting the Griffith Forest property through a productive partnership with the Community Preservation Committee and Conservation Commission in the Town of Carver,” said Brendan Annett, vice president of Watershed Protection at the Coalition. “This is a centrally accessible location and BBC’s acquisition of this land will provide great opportunities for public access to outdoor spaces for recreation and relaxation in this community.”
The north end of this property sits directly across the street from the town-owned Sampson Pond boat ramp on Lakeview Street and also has frontage on Main Street (Route 58). The site offers the unique opportunity for a trailhead parking area on Lakeview Street that supports access to walking trails as well as use of the nearby access site for fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and great views of the pond.
Another part of the property, located along Indian Street, sits directly adjacent to the 29-acre Indian Brook Conservation Area, which features an existing walking trail. The Coalition’s acquisition offers the opportunity to extend the town’s trail into a network that provides more opportunities for exploration.
The preservation of the Griffith Forest lands also holds significant benefits for water protection in Sampson Pond and Indian Brook, a tributary of the Weweantic River, which flows into Buzzards Bay. The Weweantic is particularly important as a host to a variety of migratory fish, including river herring, American eel, white perch, and rainbow smelt.
The forest itself provides valuable habitat for a variety of birds, including songbirds, owls, hawks, waterfowl and a variety of other wildlife. This acquisition was supported by the Carver Community Preservation Fund, a grant from the Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program and private contributions.