Hello Neighbor!

As stewards of over 2,500 acres of town-owned conservation land, we would like to introduce ourselves.  We are the Marshfield Conservation Commission, a board of seven volunteers appointed by the Select Board to protect the natural and watershed resources of Marshfield.  If you use, wish to use, or live near conservation land please feel free to visit us in our office at the Marshfield Town Hall (2nd Floor) to find out more.  Conservation Maps are available through the Conservation Commission Website under the Conservation Land Trail Maps Tab.

What Is Conservation Land? 
Conservation land is Town-owned land that has been placed under the jurisdiction of the Conservation Commission for the protection of its natural and scenic values.  This land provided us with a variety of benefits, some of which may not be obvious to the casual observer.  These include the following:

  • Water Resource Protection. Many conservation parcels contain marshes, swamps, bogs and other wetlands that improve water quality by filtering out sediment and dissolved nutrients in storm runoff.  Natural vegetated uplands, such as forests and fields, have high infiltration rates, which promote groundwater recharge and help to maintain stream flow during dry seasons.
  • Flood Control. Low-lying natural areas in Marshfield provide temporary storage of flood-waters during storms.  If these areas were filled for development, the loss of flood storage would cause more severe flooding in developed areas downstream.
  • Passive Recreation. Recreation that is compatible with natural resource protection is encouraged on conservation lands.  Walkers, joggers, birdwatchers, skiers, and photographers are among the many who enjoy these areas.
  • Scenic Landscape Protection. Of the scenic landscapes that still exist in Marshfield, many have survived only because they have been protected by key conservation acquisitions.
  • Wildlife Habitat. The diversity of habitats found in conservation lands – from people and marshes to upland fields and forests – helps to ensure that a variety of wildlife will always be found in Marshfield.  The preservation of a few large tracts is essential if some species, such as the fox, great horned owl, short-eared owl, sharp-shinned hawk, and least bittern, are not to disappear from town altogether.

Good Neighbors
We hope you share our desire to be good neighbors.  How can we be a good neighbor to you?  If you stop to reflect for a minute, you’ll probably realize that living near conservation land has many benefits, including those mentioned above.  Most conservation parcels provide an attractive view and a quiet setting.  Nearby conservation land almost certainly enhances the value of your home.  Conservation land belongs to all the residents of Marshfield, and our goal is to manage it in a way that provides enjoyment to people today while preserving its natural and scenic values for future generations.  We are always interested in ways to improve people’s enjoyment of conservation lands. If you have suggestions, please contact us.

How can you be a good conservation neighbor?
You can help us to carry out our mission in several ways.

  • Report illegal activities to the proper authorities.  Because conservation land would soon be degraded if everyone used it as they chose, the Commission has adopted regulations to govern the use of conservation lands.  These regulations prohibit dumping, hunting, target shooting, and the use of motorbikes and snowmobiles for instance.  A list of some of the regulations are listed below. If you see an illegal activity being conducted, contact the Conservation Office and submit a written complaint so that we can inspect and take corrective action.  
  • Respect conservation land boundaries.  We are committed to keeping conservation land in a natural state.  Please do not extend your lawn into it, or permanently place patio furniture on it, or store equipment or automobiles within its boundaries.  Such encroachment gives the appearance that this land is private land and discourages others from using it.  It also makes you guilty of illegal trespass. Also, please do not dump lawn clippings, leaves, or other landscape debris on conservation land.  You would rightfully be upset of the Town dumped brush on your property.  While it is true that this material will rot with time, in the meantime it is unsightly, destroys ground plants, and creates a fire hazard.
  • Volunteer to help.  We can always use help maintaining and improving conservations lands.  This can be as simple of taking a bag along as you walk to pick up trash.  If you would like to volunteer you may undertake a variety of tasks depending upon your abilities and interests, from simply keeping an eye on an area and picking up litter, to clearing trails and helping to plan overall management strategy.  If you interested, call the Conservation Office.

Conservation Land Regulations
All are welcome to use Marshfield Conservation Land during daylight hours for hiking, canoeing, picnicking, nature study, fishing, birdwatching, photography, berrying, and pursuits that do not damage the land or impair other people’s enjoyment of it.  To protect these lands, the following activities are prohibited:

  • Possession and/or use of alcoholic beverages
  • Cutting or removal of vegetation
  • Excessive noise or destructive conduct
  • The use of motorized vehicles, including trail bikes and snowmobiles
  • Hunting, trapping, or possession of firearms or bows and arrows
  • Fire, except by Fire Department and Conservation Department Permits
  • Horseback riding, except in designates areas.

Conservation permits must be obtained in advance for Blueberry Island and Couch Beach overnight camping and special activities.  The Marshfield Leash Law applies to these lands.

Please see the full regulations under the Wetland Regulations Tab

Please observe all posted signs.

Violators of these rules are subject to punishment by law.

Originally published by H. Warren Harrington, Conservation Administrator (1975-2002)