NEWS

Robert Gordon Hankey

Members and friends of the Wellfleet Conservation trust were saddened over the holidays with the death of our President Emeritus, Robert Hankey. Robert died peacefully on December 23rd.

Robert will be missed by many. He was a founding Trustee of WCT in 1984 and as served as Trustee ever since. He was President for many years and when he turned over the official reins, the Trustees decided it was appropriate to name him as President Emeritus in recognition of his past and then-expected leadership.

Robert was well known in may regional conservation activities, including his part in establishing the Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts and the Compact's Land Fund.

From Mark Robinson, Executive Director, The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts.

 Please know that all of us here at The Compact are very sad to hear the news of Robert's passing. One more "grand old man" has left the stage, leaving Wellfleet and The Cape better for his time here.

He was always a big booster of The Compact and this risky idea of creating a regional bureaucracy to support local grass-roots land trusts. And he helped form our Cape Cod Land Fund when only three or four people on the Cape did any heavy lifting to build it; he was one of them.

He and Eleanor were always very kind to me personally. I will miss him dearly.

In addition to his local and regional conservation efforts, Robert continued to use his legal training and mindset to the benefit of  the Town of Wellfleet. He was guiding light on the Board of Zoning Appeals for nearly 30 years and a long standing member of the Charter and Bylaws committees. Additionally, the voters of Wellfleet looked forward to seeing Robert's smile as he volunteered at the polling site for so many years.

Robert had designated the Wellfleet Conservation Trust as the organization for memorials. The Trust will use any funds to acquire land in Wellfleet, a fitting memorial to such a wonderful man.

Click here to the link to his obituary in the Cape Cod Times. 

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State Income Tax Credit for Land Conservation

Starting late in 2011, for the first time ever, landowners who engage in conservation transactions with non-profit land trusts, towns or agencies can be eligible for a powerful new tax advantage—a refundable State income tax credit worth up to $50,000.  This should be exciting news for landowners.  While there have always been income tax deductions available for land gifts on a donor’s federal returns, there have never been any incentives on the State tax side.  Now there are both.

You do not need to reside in Massachusetts or even pay taxes here; so long as you own the land, and the land qualifies, you qualify.  Contact The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts at 508-362-2565 or click here for more information.

Thank you for your membership renewals and contributions in 2012 that allow us to fulfill our mission. Your tax-deductible support is essential for our success in being able to acquire and maintain properties that are important in maintaining the quality of life in our community.  

You may renew your membership or make a contribution by clicking on the Network for Good button on the header of each page of this website.  Of course, contributions by mail continue to be welcome. 

Wellfleet Conservation Trust and the Town have a very effective private/public partnership through which we can leverage off of each other, so our treasury is critical. 

Wellfleet Conservation Trustees continue to progress our mission to conserve land and protect the resources entrusted to us.  We will publish news on this website about major activities as they occur and other news of interest.  We will of course continue to send our normal Newsletter in late spring and late fall.

Spring 2013 Newsletter

Click here to view the 2013 Newsletter.  It contains the President's letter, updates on recent property activity and upcoming events. 

Planning for Climate Change 

A special event, Saturday May 4, 2013, 9 am to 4 pm at the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, South Wellfleet.

Sponsored by Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Wellfleet Conservation Trust and the Wellfleet Community Forum.

What does the future hold for Wellfleet, and how can we be proactive in planning for it? Join us for presentations and a panel discussion of scientists, thought leaders, and town representatives. Guided community walks in the afternoon complement the morning's discussion.

As a species, we are uniquely able to adapt to change. It can be argued that our ability to cooperate with each other to solve problems is an inherited trait. We are also gifted with a innate affinity for nature. Today, we are facing changes to our climate that will impact the future of our town, and we believe that the solutions lie within us working together.

To adapt and thrive, we should consider the following questions:
1. What of our rich history and culture do we want to preserve?
2. What do we want to be remembered for?
3. What are the best practices for adapting to our changing environment?

For a complete schedule, click here.  Reservations are being accepted in advance by calling the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary at 508 349 2615. 

Photo taken from Route 6 looking downstream at Conservation Trust land along Blackfish Creek.

Click here to see more photos.

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Land Trusts and the Cape Cod National Seashore

The Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trust has produced an 11-minute video describing the partnership between private landowners and the National Park Service to create the Cape Cod National Seashore, emerging threats and the work of non-profit land trusts to save land in the National Seashore.   It is an excellent video and cites several examples of positive partnerships here in Wellfleet.

Click here to go to the Documents Page and view the video.