Mission and Purpose
The Sippican Lands Trust (SLT) is a non-profit organization founded in 1974 with the mission to acquire, preserve, and protect land in the Town of Marion for the long-term conservation of open space and to encourage appreciation, knowledge and healthy engagement of the natural world. Currently, the SLT protects 1,335 acres of open space.
While the Sippican Lands Trust continues to acquire new properties, it’s main focus is to open more public trails (13+ miles) on our properties, and to expand our community outreach programs and events to nature lovers of all ages.
Properties
When visiting our properties please be mindful of the plants and animals that inhabit these places, and make sure to wear appropriate clothing and shoes while walking in the woods. Please remember to apply insect repellent with DEET to prevent tick and mosquito bites while visiting our properties. For more information on ticks click here.
As part of the connection between land protection and water quality, the Sippican Lands Trust has posted information about water quality for those properties with trails near bodies of water monitored by the Buzzards Bay Coalition Baywatcher Volunteer Program. The following SLT properties listed below have links to water quality information from nearby monitoring locations managed by the Buzzards Bay Coalition and their volunteers:
- Brainard Marsh (Outer Weweantic River)
- Howland Marsh (Planting Island Cove)
- Osprey Marsh (Planting Island Cove)
- Peirson Woods (Blankenship Cove)
Membership
Your membership dues and donations are our primary source for operating funds, which enable us to:
- Carry out our mission to acquire, protect and offer public access to open space in Marion for the enjoyment of recreational pursuits and the beauty of nature.
- Work towards creating a “public trail system” throughout the town on our 1,375 acres, spanning 50+ parcels to encourage physical wellness in the outdoors.
- Build an accessible boardwalk and viewing platform at our Osprey Marsh property off of Point Road for persons with disabilities, aging members of our community, families, and school groups.
- Continue to expand our educational and outreach events and collaborations for the benefit of the community throughout the year.
Our Sponsors
History
The Lands Trust sponsors events, educational workshops and lectures, and makes its properties available for natural history programming of area schools and other interested organizations.