Dennis Conservation Land Trust announces the purchase of the 14-acre Tobey Woodlands with the title transferred today.
Dennis, MA – January 15, 2020 – The Dennis Conservation Land Trust (DCLT) is pleased to announce the preservation of 14 acres in Dennis Village, a parcel referred to as “Tobey Woodlands.” The Trust has worked diligently for years to ensure that this historic and ecologically significant property on Old King’s Highway, part of an original colonial grant of land to the Tobey Family, is protected for generations to come.
Joseph Masse, DCLT President said, “We are thrilled to have conserved this historic landscape. We so appreciate the hard work of Katherine Garofoli, our former Executive Director, and contributions from our state and local partners, foundations, trustees, members, and friends. We couldn’t be more pleased with the community support we have received!”
The DCLT purchased Tobey Woodlands for $800,000, with significant funding from the Town of Dennis’ Community Preservation Fund ($400,000). The DCLT raised the balance, combining an $85,000 Massachusetts Conservation Partnership Grant and grants from the Fields Pond Foundation and Cape Cod Five Bank, along with contributions from the DCLT Trustees, members, and from citizens, which totaled nearly $300,000. The DCLT purchased the land from brothers Charles Winters and Tobey Winters, who offered a discounted price for conservation.
The property comprises seven acres of salt marsh at the head of the Chase Garden Creek estuary, and almost seven acres of pine-oak forest, meadow, and maritime thicket upland habitat. Protecting Tobey Woodlands from development offers opportunities for passive recreation, and prevents the loss of wildlife habitat – it is home to deer, coyotes, fisher, fox, migratory birds, and raptors – and enhances the quality of life of Dennis by providing an open space area for residents and visitors to enjoy. The DCLT intends to open the property for trail use later in the year.
Tobey Farm, of which these 14 acres were a part, dates to 1670 and has been in the extended family ever since, some of whom still manage the farm stand.
For more details and to learn about other DCLT properties, events, and educational programs, please visit dennisconservationlandtrust.org.
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More about the DCLT – Founded in 1988, the Dennis Conservation Land Trust (DCLT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving open space within the Town of Dennis, Massachusetts. The DCLT has worked with over 75 families, the Town of Dennis, and several community partners to realize the benefits of placing land in conservation. Since 1988, the DCLT has acquired ownership of 394 acres of diverse land types, including uplands, wetlands and beachfront, and holds perpetual conservation restrictions on another 217 acres.
Contact: Julie Early, DCLT Executive Director, jearly@dennisconservationtrust.org; 508.694.7812