Protecting 232 Acres in Oxford and Doubling the Size of Pierpont Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary

On May 1, Mass Audubon acquired a 232-acre parcel of land in Oxford that more than doubles the size of the Pierpont Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary. The acquisition will enable Mass Audubon to expand the trail network at the sanctuary and protect important habitat for generations to come. Funding for the purchase was provided by Mass Audubon’s 30x30 Catalyst Fund, the state’s Conservation Partnership program, and the Bafflin Foundation. 

A Special Place for Humans and Wildlife

While primarily mature forestland, the property, which is designated by the state’s Natural Heritage BioMap planning tool as Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape, includes a hayfield, scattered wetlands, multiple certified and potential vernal pools, and a stream flowing from a small pond. 

The forest of mixed oak and pine on the property’s lower slopes gives way to a dry oak woodland on the ridge along the town line. Sustainable forest management activities over the past four decades have created a forest with a variety of age classes, providing habitats for birds and other wildlife that benefit from forest disturbance, many of which are of conservation concern. 

The land is zoned for single family residential development, and was potentially developable, but Mass Audubon and partners’ efforts will ensure it remains protected as open space from now on.

A Conservation Vision

The land was initially assembled decades ago by Raymond Stevens, Jr., due to his passion for forestry and spending time in nature, and was given to his two daughters, Lee Stevens and Sue Stevens Kruse. Lee and Sue agreed to sell the property to Mass Audubon for less than market value in order to honor their father’s legacy and intentions for the land. 

“Our dad loved these woods and knew every corner of the property,” Sue shared. ”He even retired early so that he could spend more time in Oxford.” 

As part of that legacy, Mass Audubon will be granting a permanent conservation restriction on the property to Dudley Conservation Land Trust (DCLT), which owns and manages conservation land to the south. Mass Audubon is excited to work with DCLT on this important land protection effort. Mass Audubon already has plans underway to connect Pierpont Meadow’s trail system to this new parcel, along with removing patches of invasive species. 

Funding for the acquisition was provided by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs through a Conservation Partnership grant to the project, by the Bafflin Foundation, and by all the donors who have contributed to Mass Audubon’s 30x30 Catalyst Fund.

Get Involved

If you’d like to be part of making projects like this happen, consider donating to the 30x30 Catalyst Fund today!

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