Our Story
Barnstable Land Trust
has protected over 1,250 acres of land and advocated for public funding sources to allow the Town to protect over 10,000 acres
Back in the 1950’s, the town of Barnstable looked like this:
The green old days
Back then, the Mid-cape Highway was not finished and development was mostly clustered around our shorelines and waterways.
Fast forward to the 1970 and 80’s…
The Cape was a target of rampant development, both residential and commercial.
Land trusts were started all over the Cape to preserve the places we all love the most, and to protect our most precious open space and scenic views, our habitat and waterways. Barnstable Land Trust was formed in 1983.
Conservation pays off
BLT worked hand-in-hand with Town leaders to protect 11,000 acres of land, including large sections of Barnstable’s Great Marsh, Crocker Neck, Bridge Creek and many smaller parcels. Almost all of the green areas you see are protected forever.
Fast forward to the present. Barnstable Land Trust has persisted as a constant and effective voice for conservation. Because of BLT, Lowell Park will be preserved forever as a woodland around the Cotuit Kettleers field. Coombs Bog remains a hidden jewel, protecting a watery ecosystem. Eagle Pond is now protected by 150 acres of conservation land. Bayview Farm’s hundreds of acres will remain open in perpetuity. And residents of Barnstable have voted to spend public funds for conservation again and again.
BLT has provided the tools and expertise to support the public vision for conservation.
Land use change to Barnstable from 1951 through 2005
…watch as nature disappears
Looking Forward
Our Challenge…
Going forward is to protect the most critical community landscapes and parcels left undeveloped.
Our own priority mapping shows that there are about 2,500 acres critical for protection – for open space, water quality, recreation and habitat.
You can help us:
Join, volunteer or donate to help work toward a greener Barnstable.
