The Seekonk Land Conservation Trust has two nature reserves open to the public: the Edna Martin Reserve and the Cushing Reserve. Ideal for a walk in the woods and nature observation, these properties are suitable
for nature lovers of all ages and in any season. Cushing Conservation Area (Property A): The Cushing Conservation Area is an 11 acre property located between Taunton Avenue and Chestnut Street with a small parking lot on Chestnut Street. The trail from the gravel parking area leads to a pond with a bench for bird watching and contemplation. Edna Martin Wildlife Refuge (Property B): Named for Edna Martin, who donated the property to the SLCT in 1967, the Martin Reserve consists of 27 acres along Fall River and Arcade Avenues. An information board greets you at the parking lot, which is off Arcade and accommodates about a dozen cars. The main trail leads through a succession of forest, new forest, and fields winding by Burrs Pond. The SLCT also owns other parcels of land. While not open to the public, these areas serve Seekonk’s ecosystems by simply remaining open and undeveloped.
Most of these properties are privately owned and are protected through conservation restrictions or agricultural preservation restrictions.
A “conservation restriction” (called “conservation easement” in any other state) and“agricultural preservation restrictions” are voluntary legal agreements initiated by a landowner who sells or gives (or a combination of both) the development rights to a government agency (town, county, state, etc.) or a qualified land protection organization (such as the SLCT) for the purposes of conservation. These legal agreements remove the right for the property owner to sub-divide or develop the property. A conservation restriction, once set in place, "runs with the land" and is binding on all future owners of the property. The only property that is shaded light green that is open to the public is the Audubon Society of Rhode Island’s Caratunk Wildlife Refuge, which is located on Brown Avenue.
|
|
