COMPONENTS OF THE RESERVE

Visitor Center/Headquarters Property
Acres: 28
Habitat: oak and pine forest, grassland meadow, bay shoreline
History: The Visitor's Center is open year round, Monday through Friday, 10am -- 4pm. The administrative, research, and education buildings are located in the historic buildings of the Sargent Estate. Purchased in 1987 by the Commonwealth, great care was given in restoring the buildings.
Recreation: Short nature trail, numerous seasonal education programs

South Cape Beach State Park, Sage Lot and Flat Ponds
Acres: 432
Habitat: The barrier beach and fragile dune systems provide the Bay some protection against the dynamic shore, which changes with the season as well as in response to coastal storms and hurricanes.The beach serves as a nesting ground for the protected species such as piping plover and least tern. Sage Lot and Flat Ponds are salt ponds to the east of the Bay that are part of South Cape Beach State Park. Barrier beaches separate them from Vineyard Sound.
History: South Cape Beach has features similar to a prehistoric site in the National Seashore in Eastham on the Outer Cape.
Recreation: The eastern part of the barrier beach system is South Cape Beach State Park, a swimming beach which is also a noted surf casting site during the annual bluefish and striped bass migrations. A parking fee of $7.00 is charged per vehicle from mid-May to mid-October. A lifetime senior citizen pass for Massachusetts state residents, which entitles you to free parking at the state beach (and all other state parks), is available at the Reserve Headquarters. Call the Reserve at (508) 457-0495 for more information.

Washburn Island
Acres: 330
Habitat: barrier beach, oak and pine forest, and coastal salt ponds
History: One of the last large undeveloped coastal properties on Cape Cod and a jewel within the Reserve, Washburn Island is bordered by the Seapit River and Eel Pond. Artifacts dating back 450-1000 years, including hammer flakes and shell middens, have been found on the island.
Recreation: Limited camping is available at 11 wilderness camp sites. A BOAT IS NECESSARY TO REACH THE ISLAND.

Quashnet River Property
Acres: 361 acres
Habitat: The River is the largest source of fresh water to the Bay and provides important habitat for brook trout, herring and eels. Upland forests comprise most of the property. .
History: The Property was purchased by the Commonwealth in 1987 and incorporated into the Reserve. The Reserve and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife manage the Property.
Recreation: There is a 3 mile loop trail that circumnavigates the Quashnet River. Be sure to admire the restoration work done by Trout Unlimited that has transformed this from a cranberry bog channel back into the productive river it is today.

North Quashnet Woodlands
Acres: 25 acres
Habitat: Pine Woodland
History: Like many rivers of Cape Cod, this portion of the Quashnet River was used for a cranberry bog in days past. Our most recent acquisition, the trails of this area are not used as much as it's popular cousin to the south.
Recreation: Hiking and fishing

Waquoit Bay
Acres: 825
Habitat: Fresh water enters the Bay from 4 principal sources; the Quashnet/Moonakis River, Red Brook, Childs River, and ground water flow.
History: Salt water enters through two maintained channels and a new inlet created by Hurricane Bob in 1991. It is relatively shallow (maximum depth 9 feet, average depth less than 3 feet). It is a little over 2.5 miles from the entrance at the southern end to the Reserve Headquarters at the northern end.
Recreation: Kayaking, sailing, power boating, fishing, birding.

Hamblin Pond, Jehu Pond and Abigail's Brook
Acres: Hamblin, 141 acres; Jehu, 172 acres; Abigail's Brook, xx acres
Recreation: The best way to explore Hamblin and Jehu Ponds are by kayak. Don't forget to look for Osprey nests in the area. Abigail's Brook offers wonderful hiking opportunities.
Hamblin and Jehu Ponds are salt ponds to the east of the Bay fed through the Little and Great Rivers. The salt ponds are generally bordered by private housing and undeveloped land which is now parts of the Mashpee National Wildlife Refuge.

Bog, Bourne and Caleb Ponds
Acres: Bog Pond, 2.8 acres; Bourne Pond, 10.6 acres; Caleb Pond, 5.7 acres.
Habitat:These are freshwater ponds that drain into the Bay at the northern end. Caleb Pond drains into the Bay at the northern end.
History: As late as the early 1800's, some Wampanoags still near Bourne and Caleb ponds, where a spring supplied fresh water to the settlers and native americans alike. Bourne Pond is more than ten acres in surface area and consequently is considered a Great Pond under the laws of the Commonwealth. As such it is kept in trust for all of the citizens and is not privately owned.
Recreation: Kayaking, fishing

Child's River
Habitat:Abandoned cranberry bogs and pine woodlands surround coldwater streat