Cranberry Acres

Town:

Tisbury

Total project size:

45 acres

Number of house lots:

Number of youth lots:

Amount conserved:

23 acres

Year project completed:

1983

Type of protection:

Owned by VOLF

Conservation land managed by:

VOLF

Potential number of houses:

This area, formerly a defunct campground, was purchased by VOLF in 1983. Of the 8 house sites created one was contributed by VOLF for the Mary P. Wakeman Conservation Center. An additional adjacent property was subsequently purchased by the Wakeman Center to be used as an annex. The VOLF owned conservation land preserves a cranberry bog and three ponds. VOLF is actively working to restore the bog (see conceptual plan below) to organic production. There is a public walking trail around the large pond. Parking is available at the Wakeman Center 1 mile up from the lower end of the Lambert's Cove Road in Tisbury.

Cranberry bog

Reservoir pond

Planting a demonstration area, September 2004 (right)

Cranberry Bog Restoration Project
Summary

The Cranberry bog is located on 23 acres of conservation land owned by VOLF adjacent to the Mary P. Wakeman Conservation Center. The bog consists of 2.5+ acres and three reservoir ponds.

The project objectives are to:

Serve as a demonstration facility for growing cranberries on an environmentally friendly basis
Demonstrate the viability, economic and agricultural, of the bog
Grow high quality cranberries for the market
Provide a source of funds to support VOLF

PHASE ONE was the planning and permitting state, which was accomplished in early 2004. The project has received support from many technical and governmental organizations. Several Island professionals are donating their time to assist in moving the project forward.

PHASE TWO is the restoration of the bog and the water control structures to support organic growing methods. A one-quarter acre portion of the bog was cleared and sanded in 2004. VOLF is currently in the process of applying for permits to install an irrigation system and is fund-raising for other work in 2005.

PHASE THREE is the reconstruction of the cranberry processing shed and the development of the demonstration area. The goal is to provide a learning resource for environmentalists, biologists, bog owners and tourists and to demonstrate the organic growing of cranberries.

PHASE FOUR is to promote the feasibility of ecologically sustainable cranberry bogs as working demonstrations that integrate protection for wetlands and organic production of cranberries.

VOLF has been raising funds for the bog project and there have been many contributors. Significantly more funds are needed to complete the project. Contributions are solicited.

Mary P. Wakeman Conservation Center

Since 1988, the center has been home to the Vineyard's non-profit conservation organizations, including Vineyard Open Land Foundation, Martha's Vineyard Garden Club, Sheriff's Meadow Foundation, Vineyard Conservation Society, and The Nature Conservancy. The center provides information about environmental events, and is open Monday-Friday, with staff available 9-5.