Conservation Alert – Andrews Point Public Access in Jeopardy
The ongoing lawsuit by an abutter to eliminate public access to the rocky, coastal portion of a property at 18 Longbranch Ave at Andrew’s Point in Rockport is a conservation issue of considerable interest to the BBC. Birders frequently use this access point to seawatch.
The lawsuit continues even though the property’s deed clearly states that the public shall have trail access in perpetuity. Last year, BBC Conservation Chairperson John Nelson submitted documents and testimony from the birding community proving a history of public access at this location.
On Friday, February 13th, the abutter’s lawyers, the Attorney General’s office, and Rockport town attorney met to negotiate a settlement. Any agreement limiting access is not in the best interest of the public and should not be accepted by the state.
A compromise here could lead other property owners along the Atlantic Path to make similar demands. We could see effects on public access to the Atlantic Path, elsewhere along Rockport’s coastline, and at other locations in the Commonwealth.
The settlement conference is closed to the public, and all parties have signed an agreement not to disclose the proceedings. If a settlement is reached, the Rockport Select Board must vote to accept it. Their decision will occur in a closed session, with little to no direct public input.
We recommend that concerned members email the Attorney General’s office. Rockport residents and property owners may also want to contact the Select Board and the town administrator. Email addresses are listed below.
Please take action tonight to protect the rights the public has enjoyed for so long, not just for ourselves but for the generations to come.
Contact Information:
Attorney General’s Office: https://www.mass.gov/contact-the-attorney-generals-office
Assistant Attorney Generals Representing the Commonwealth
Kendra.Kinscherf@mass.gov
Joel.Quick@mass.gov
Rockport Town Administrator Mitchell Vieira: TA@rockportma.gov
Rockport Select Board: https://www.rockportma.gov/350/Select-Board
Background Information
BBC & Athol Bird and Nature Club Walk
On Friday, September 10th, 6 BBC members enjoyed the Athol Bird and Nature Club -- Brookline Bird Club's co-sponsored walk along Quabbin Reservoir's Gate 35 path. Warblers, thrushes, and other passerines, hawks, Bald
BBC Board Members Go Birding
BBC Board members took some much-needed time to do what it does well: go birding! We joined leader Linda Ferraresso for an early October walk at Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center, in Mattapan, where
VIRTUAL FALL MEETING
You are invited to join us for the BROOKLINE BIRD CLUB 2021 VIRTUAL FALL MEETING October 27, 2021 7:00 – 8:30 PM Register at Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1BQ6FWYRT8earn6zIPeNug Guest Speaker: ROSEMARY MOSCO Cartooning for Bird Conservation Join
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Brookline Bird Club 2020 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 216 species for 2020, based upon 62 reported trips. A total of 215 species were recorded
ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Brookline Bird Club 2019 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 285 species for 2019, based upon 182 reported trips (out of 249 that were scheduled).
Brookline Bird Club “Extreme Pelagic” Trip Report
This year marked the 20th anniversary of when Nick Samson and Eddie Giles organized the first Brookline Bird Club trip to the offshore shelf edge on a 24 hour Captain John "slowboat" marathon trip
BBC & Athol Bird and Nature Club Walk
On Friday, September 10th, 6 BBC members enjoyed the Athol Bird and Nature Club -- Brookline Bird Club's co-sponsored walk along Quabbin Reservoir's Gate 35 path. Warblers, thrushes, and other passerines, hawks, Bald
BBC Board Members Go Birding
BBC Board members took some much-needed time to do what it does well: go birding! We joined leader Linda Ferraresso for an early October walk at Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center, in Mattapan, where
VIRTUAL FALL MEETING
You are invited to join us for the BROOKLINE BIRD CLUB 2021 VIRTUAL FALL MEETING October 27, 2021 7:00 – 8:30 PM Register at Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1BQ6FWYRT8earn6zIPeNug Guest Speaker: ROSEMARY MOSCO Cartooning for Bird Conservation Join
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Brookline Bird Club 2020 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 216 species for 2020, based upon 62 reported trips. A total of 215 species were recorded
ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Brookline Bird Club 2019 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 285 species for 2019, based upon 182 reported trips (out of 249 that were scheduled).
Brookline Bird Club “Extreme Pelagic” Trip Report
This year marked the 20th anniversary of when Nick Samson and Eddie Giles organized the first Brookline Bird Club trip to the offshore shelf edge on a 24 hour Captain John "slowboat" marathon trip
BBC & Athol Bird and Nature Club Walk
On Friday, September 10th, 6 BBC members enjoyed the Athol Bird and Nature Club -- Brookline Bird Club's co-sponsored walk along Quabbin Reservoir's Gate 35 path. Warblers, thrushes, and other passerines, hawks, Bald
BBC Board Members Go Birding
BBC Board members took some much-needed time to do what it does well: go birding! We joined leader Linda Ferraresso for an early October walk at Mass Audubon's Boston Nature Center, in Mattapan, where
VIRTUAL FALL MEETING
You are invited to join us for the BROOKLINE BIRD CLUB 2021 VIRTUAL FALL MEETING October 27, 2021 7:00 – 8:30 PM Register at Zoom https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1BQ6FWYRT8earn6zIPeNug Guest Speaker: ROSEMARY MOSCO Cartooning for Bird Conservation Join
ANNUAL REPORT 2020
Brookline Bird Club 2020 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 216 species for 2020, based upon 62 reported trips. A total of 215 species were recorded
ANNUAL REPORT 2019
Brookline Bird Club 2019 Statistical and Year-End Report By David Scott, Club Statistician The Brookline Bird Club recorded 285 species for 2019, based upon 182 reported trips (out of 249 that were scheduled).
Brookline Bird Club “Extreme Pelagic” Trip Report
This year marked the 20th anniversary of when Nick Samson and Eddie Giles organized the first Brookline Bird Club trip to the offshore shelf edge on a 24 hour Captain John "slowboat" marathon trip
News Categories
Upcoming Field Trips
Field Trips / Events
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Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United States -
Boston Public Garden
Boston Public Garden - Charles St. Entrance Charles St., Boston, MA, United StatesThis is a two-hour walk exploring the four corners of the Public Garden, where a surprising number of interesting migrants have found their way in the springtime.
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Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery 536 Mt Auburn St, Cambridge, MA, United States -
Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester
Worcester - Broad Meadow Brook WS (Mass Audubon) 414 Massasoit Rd, Worcester, MA, United StatesWe’ll walk about 3 miles or mostly even terrain exploring 400 acre urban wildlife sanctuary looking for woodpeckers, raptors, ducks, herons and migrating song birds. There may be a $4 trail fee for Non-Mass Audubon Members. Beginners welcome!
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Annual Members Meeting & Lecture with Hyla Howe: Bobolinks on the Brink
Harvard University Geological Lecture Hall 24 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA, United StatesPlease join us on April 24 for our Annual Members Meeting. The evening begins with a social hour at 6:30. The program starts at 7:30 with the BBC’s annual business meeting and the election of new officers and board members. Once we have concluded with club business and announcements we will go the evening’s speaker.