[MASSBIRD] Template letter to conservation organizations about Cumberland Farms IBA

[Barbara Volkle]

Thanks to Nate Marchessault for this important post.

Barbara Volkle
Northborough, MA
bar...@theworld.com

*

From: Nate Marchessault <natemarc...@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 2021 08:26:50 -0400
Subject: Template letter to conservation organizations about Cumberland
Farms IBA


Friends,

As many of you may know the majority of the land at Cumberland Farms IBA is
up for auction on May 26th. Though up for auction, please note that the
land is not yet lost to us and by working together we can do our best to
ensure that this land that is so important to many species in decline in
Massachusetts and nationally.

I'm attaching a template letter that can be used for expressing our
concerns on the potential loss of Cumberland Farms as an important area for
wildlife. Only the recipient and sender name need to be changed, although
custom flare and personal anecdotes are welcome.

By making our voices heard =E2=80=93from as many bird clubs and individuals
as possible - we can demonstrate how important this area is to us as a
collective group of birders, ornithologists, and conservationists. Below
are a list of important contacts that would be ideal to contact as soon as
possible given how quickly the date for auction is coming.

Mark Tisa, MassWildlife Director -mark...@mass.gov
Jonathan Regosin, MassWildlife Deputy Director -
    jonathan...@mass.gov

David O'Neill, Mass Audubon President - don...@massaudubon.org

The Nature Conservancy Massachusetts office - massac...@tnc.org

Thanks so much and if you do share let us know! It would be great to know
how loud our collective voice is.

Best,

Nate




Dear (recipient name),

I am writing to inform you of the auction of large parcels of the
Cumberland Farms Important Bird Area and Hockomock Swamp Important Bird
Area and Area of Critical Environmental Concern. Of particular interest,
Cumberland Farms Important Bird Area (IBA) is stated by Mass Audubon to be
2000 acres, ~1700 acres of which are up for auction. Over 250 bird species
have been documented at Cumberland Farms IBA alone, with several being
state-listed species in Massachusetts. The impact created by the
destruction of this important breeding, migratory, and wintering site will
not only be felt locally but would be a critical loss to priority species
across North America.

Cumberland Farms IBA is an important area for birders, hunters, and
environmentalists. This is the largest grassland in southeastern
Massachusetts and supports many species of birds protected under the
Massachusetts Endangered Species Act including Eastern Meadowlark (breeding
and wintering), and wintering Northern Harriers, Short-eared Owls,
Long-eared Owls, and Vesper Sparrows. Bobolinks =E2=80=93 another species
in significant decline due to habitat loss with significant conservation
effort and money being devoted to conserving them - breed in the weedy
fields as well. The Cumberland Farm Fields IBA also contains a river and
small wetlands which have hosted breeding King Rails, Least Bitterns, and
American Bitterns, all birds also protected by the Massachusetts Endangered
Species Act. These wetlands are also an important migratory stopover for
vast numbers of waterfowl including a state high count of Wood Ducks (636
on Nov 2nd 2010) utilizing the wetlands to roost, and in the spring
thousands of ducks and geese utilize the fields to feed. Hunters have long
enjoyed this area, with deer being a primary target species along with
stocked Northern Bobwhite and Ring-necked Pheasants.

We urge you to consider this conservation effort a priority for your
organization and hope that you will work cooperatively with all government
agencies and non-government organizations to conserve this important
natural area.

For more information:
Massachusetts Audubon Cumberland Farms IBA information:
https://www.massaudubon.org/our-conservation-work/wildlife-research-conservation/statewide-bird-monitoring/massachusetts-important-bird-areas-iba/iba-sites/cumberland-farms
Auction description: http://www.jjmanning.com/property.cfm?id=3D956

Best,

(name)