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Making a difference
Your gift of real estate can make a major contribution to Mass Audubon's conservation work. While we welcome conservation-quality land, all property has the potential to make a difference. Our House to Habitat program is designed for those people who are able to donate real estate without significant conservation value: a residence, vacation home, condominium, or commercial property. Proceeds from the sale of your donated property can support land protection, environmental stewardship, and the urgent conservation needs that you care most about in Massachusetts.
The three short examples below demonstrate how people like you have made a real difference.
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Finding our center
Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary in Easthampton was first established in 1944. Designated a Priority Habitat and an Important Bird Area, the 725-acre property encompasses lowland floodplain forest, marshland, river and stream, upland forest meadow, and grassland. Visitors enjoy hiking the five miles of trails and canoeing on the Connecticut River.
Yet, something was always missing. One of the key remaining parcels, a 65-acre farm at the heart of the sanctuary, remained privately owned...until now. After nearly half a century of negotiations, Mass Audubon has finally acquired the former farm. In addition to enhancing the existing sanctuary, this property could eventually become a nesting area for grassland birds.
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A grand entrance
The trail at Barnstable's Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary takes you through shady groves of tupelo, holly, and spruce; around ponds and buttonbush swamp; and, finally, to a spectacular vista of salt marsh and ocean. This 110-acre sanctuary is a haven for wildlife, from dragonflies to red-tailed hawks.
Recently, Mass Audubon partnered with the Barnstable Land Trust, The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts, and the Committee to Save Northside Open Space to raise funds to preserve scenic acres of open meadow at the entrance to the sanctuary. Securing this land permanently prevents intrusive residential development. In addition, the meadow is valuable breeding ground for the American woodcock and feeding territory for a variety of raptors.
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A good neighbor
Jane Gray Dustan grew up across the street from the estate that would one day become Mass Audubon's Habitat Wildlife Sanctuary. As a young girl, she loved to play tennis there and wander through the extensive gardens. When this 67-acre Belmont Hill property became a Mass Audubon sanctuary, Jane was happy that other children would also have a chance to enjoy this beautiful, peaceful place.
Until the end of her life, Jane frequently visited Habitat to walk through the woods or simply sit on the terrace. When she died, she made a generous bequest: the house where she was raised. Proceeds from the sale directly support Habitat. The bequest also included a transfer fee: a legal arrangement that requires each new owner of her former home to give a percentage of subsequent sales to Habitat.
Jane Gray Dustan's bequest is literally "the gift that keeps on giving," providing stewardship for Mass Audubon's urban oasis-for generations to come.
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