Conservation Trust Announces Major Plans For Thacher Property

HARWICH - The Harwich Conservation Trust is embarking on a major land preservation project seeking to raise $3 million to acquire 50 acres of the Raymond Thacher property, primarily cranberry bogs that run alongside the Cape Cod Rail Trail adjacent to Great Western Road in North Harwich.

“If you’ve ever biked or walked along the Cape Cod Rail Trail through the woods in Harwich, there is a memorable moment where the forest suddenly opens up to reveal a breathtaking vista with panoramic views across the Thacher family’s

cranberry bogs,” said Harwich Conservation Trust Executive Director Michael Lach.

“Only a few open spaces like this gem remain on the Cape. Now imagine preserving this land in perpetuity and ecologically restoring the property to enhance biodiversity for both wildlife and people. Instead of just passing by, you could hop off your bike at this unique destination to experience true Cape Cod beauty while strolling scenic trails through re-wilded wetland and upland habitats.”

The Thacher family bog property is the missing link in a constellation of nearby protected open space properties, according to Lach. Raymond “Link” Thacher, the steward of the family bogs for 70 years, was a tireless supporter of conservation. Thacher, who died in April 2021, turned over the bogs to his son, Ray Thacher in 2015. Ray Thacher will continue to operate the bogs for two years after the sale of the property, Lach said.

The HCT has received some comment about cranberry bog properties disappearing and it’s understood these properties have sentimental value, said Lach. The Cold Brook eco-restoration project off of Bank Street is taking place in fallow cranberry bogs and the trust is going before the conservation commission in the near future for an eco-restoration project associated with the former Jenkins bogs to the east side of Hinckley’s Pond.

“It’s important to recognize that it’s the economic market forces that are causing local bog owners to look for alternatives,” said Lach. “Overproduction of cranberries in the Midwest and in Canada has hurt the local market. Land owners can either look to sell the land for subdivisions, or they can prefer to work with local land trusts.”

These bog areas are great for walking trails, Lach said, and once they are restored there will be a greater diversity of wildlife and the waters flowing through these areas will be much cleaner, reducing nitrogen impacts on the environment, he added. The Cold Brook eco-restoration will go a long way to improving conditions in the Saquatucket Harbor watershed and people of all ages will be able to enjoy the scenic views, wildlife diversity and the enhanced trails, according to Lach.

Lach said to the west of the Thacher property there is the 11-acre town-owned Sand Pond Beach; to the northwest, there is the 80-acre Sand Pond Conservation Lands, jointly owned by the town and the Trust; to the north, there is the 33-acre Main Street conservation area through which a stream flows from Flax Pond; to the south, Harwich Conservation Trust has the 30-acre Coy Brook Woodlands; and to the southwest, the town has more than 250 acres in the Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands, though which the Herring River flows.

“Preserving a property of this size on its own would be worthwhile, but when looking at the bigger conservation picture with this property’s central location to more than 400 acres of protected lands, the land-saving vision becomes even more compelling,” said Lach.

The property is the largest remaining undeveloped parcel in Harwich and could be converted into a nine-lot subdivision, according to Lach. If developed, septic system nutrients would flow toward the Herring River, which already suffers from impaired water quality. Eco-restoration of this site could create free-flowing stream channels with enhanced fish passage and connectivity between natural wetland habitats, he added.

“As we explore eco-restoration designs, Ray Thacher will continue to farm the bogs for the next couple of years,” Lach said.

Reaching the $3 million fundraising goal will cover the cost of acquisition and an eco-restoration feasibility study. Lach said they hope to be able to raise those funds by June 30, 2025. Based on the study results, the trust would then seek town, state, and federal sources to fund the actual restoration.