A Message from the President

Sandwich Conservation Trust

A Message from the President, John Nye Cullity

     May I begin by wishing you a wonderful holiday season, with safe travel, family fun, good food, warmth, generosity, and who knows, maybe a walk in a nearby conservation area!  With the leaves down, and perhaps a bit of snow cover, the forest is more open.  We can see “the lay of the land” and the beauty of winter woods.

     I am also writing to explain that the 2019 SCT newsletter will again be mailed in January.  This is due primarily to a death in my family, and the duties and responsibilities that come at such a time.  Perhaps you would appreciate this story:

     My mother, Rosanna Cullity, packed all kinds of interests and activities into her 99 years, including a lot of involvement in preservation projects.  Her first was the ancient Benjamin Nye Homestead, which was slated to be demolished in 1958.  She decided that she couldn’t let that happen, and in true “spark plug” style contacted Nye family descendants and anyone else who could help. The Nye Family Association was re-activated and by 1959 it was determined that the old home would be preserved as a museum.

     As a boy, this made a deep impression on me, that something of beauty and interest could be lost, but if people worked together there was a chance that some form of preservation could be achieved.  My mother’s accomplishment with the Nye Homestead was the direct inspiration for me to become involved in preserving land for habitat, water quality, recreation and visual beauty.  I found committees to join, town meetings to attend, and yes, a non-profit organization to start, with help from a handful of devoted enthusiasts.

     All over Cape Cod there have been many devoted, enthusiastic people who saw the threat to the rural landscape, and did something about it.  They joined committees and formed land trusts.  The collective achievement is remarkable, with thousands of acres of beautiful, diverse Cape Cod land preserved for wildlife and humans alike.  Cape Cod is a national leader in conservation land preservation!

     The Sandwich Conservation Trust welcomes your help and enthusiasm, and I will take this email opportunity to encourage your participation.  Renew or start your membership, get to know us and find out other ways you can help preserve land in Sandwich.  Though the SCT dues envelope will appear with the newsletter in January, you can pay dues or contribute to our Land Maintenance Fund before the end of this year and take advantage of a charitable deduction at tax time.

  Thanks again for your interest and support of the SCT and of land preservation in Sandwich.