For The Birds

Coastal Ecologist Brian Degasperis and Ecology
Program Director Russ Hopping gave me a bird's-eye
tour of Crane Beach.

As we said goodbye to summer, I had the opportunity to participate in two extraordinary events. One in Ipswich and the other in Nantucket, and both had to do with birds!

We held our annual staff picnic at Steep Hill Beach on the Crane Estate in Ipswich. It was a wonderful day, with families invited to partake in the day's festivities. As the new leader of this incredible group of professionals, it was inspiring to meet the loved ones that support us all. Relishing in a glorious day of sunshine, we were visitors instead of staffers, and we enjoyed great barbecue and ice cream – and, of course, great company.

For those who have been reading this blog since its inception, you will know that I am incredibly passionate about and grateful for the team we have. Our places would not be what they are if it weren't for the dedication and commitment of the people in the offices and in the field. Thus, it was great for me to enjoy the day together.

I also had the great pleasure of learning about our ecosystem work with Trustees' Ecology Program Director Russ Hopping and Coastal Ecologist Brian Degasperis. When we talk about ecology here at The Trustees, people often assume we are referencing the bird work. It's about more than birds, though; it's about healthy places.

Through Russ's orientation, I learned about the long-term ecological approach we've taken to keeping The Crane Estate healthy. From allowing beach grasses and dunes to thrive in their natural state to mitigating the impact of our human use on this incredible refuge, The Trustees ensure that the land is for all, including the species that depend on it.

If you visit Crane Beach today, you will see areas of this beautiful coastline roped off to visitors. Crane plays a critical role in the migration passage of many species of birds and we ensure that they can do this uninterrupted while also giving people access. It's a fine balance and we monitor it on a daily basis across our coastal work.

What inspired me is the educational signage detailing our shorebird work, including a photo identification book for the curious visitor. As we were walking the beach, I saw many stop and read about our commitment to bird protection and engage in conservation. This is The Trustees: land for all, encouraging attachment to nature.

Great Point Lighthouse is a highlight of the refuge.

From Ipswich, I caught a puddle jumper to Nantucket for our annual Great Point Circle affair! A popular event held on Great Point, part of our Coskata-Coatue Wildlife Refuge, this is a unique fundraiser. No chicken dinners and stuffy speeches – this is a toes-in-the-sand gathering complete with crashing waves on one side and beautiful lighthouse on the other.

Started by volunteers, the Great Point Circle serve as our ambassadors on Nantucket. They come from all over the Northeast and their love for Nantucket is the common thread. With fishermen, sailors, hikers, and beach goers, they flock to this wildlife haven as soon as we open the Point annually.

What’s fascinating is that these visitors share the Point with plovers and terns, with the birds inhabiting the property for half the summer. This has caused some stir over the years, as the plover population rebounds ever so slightly and experiences more fledges, causing us to delay the opening of Great Point for visitor use. Ultimately, this reduces the time a summer Nantucketer can experience the beauty of the Point and that can be frustrating. Yet the people I talked with at this event understood the compromise.

Lovers of nature know that it's about a larger ecosystem. It's the sum of the parts and if all elements are supported, any special place is better for it. So we celebrated the official opening of the point during the last week of August, and raised a glass to all who work so hard to manage this property, and, of course, to the birds.

As I've said before, it's about people and place, especially healthy people and healthy places.