Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge

IUCN Category V - Protected Landscape / Seascape

A stretch of beach in the protected area

The conservation area Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge comprises a total area of ​​516 acres (2.1 km ²) and is located on the belonging to Edgartown Chappaquiddick Island on the territory of the State of Massachusetts United States. It is managed by the organization The Trustees of Reservations.

History

Chappaquiddick is separated from Martha 's Vineyard, since the year 2007, a storm separated by the narrow land bridge at Norton Point. Therefore, today the entrance to the reserve exclusively over the waterway by boat from Edgartown out is possible.

The eastern end of the island forms a natural barrier beach and already created several thousand years ago by currents that run along the coast and tons of anspülten sand. Today, this beach stretches over a distance of 7 mi ( 11.3 km ) of Wasque Point in the south to Cape Poge Good. In the northern area nesting Yellow-footed plovers, terns and brown oystercatchers.

The trustees were given the first part of today's land reserve paid in 1959. Other parts were in the 1970s and 1995 are available for purchase, additional donations were made in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Sanctuary

The Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, together with the immediately adjacent protected areas Mytoi and Wasque most of a total of just under 1,000 acres (4 km ²) area, which offers a variety of leisure and recreational facilities. On the northern tip of the island the first time in 1801 built lighthouse Cape Poge Light, the ships through the Muskeget Channel in the Edgartown Harbor is headed. The tower was twice the victim of storms and erosion and needed to be re- built in 1844 and last in 1893.

The area is accessible around the clock, however, limited to anglers during the night hours. A total of 14 mi ( 22.5 km ) of hiking trails. Access to the reserve is free for members of the Trustees, however, non-members must pay an entrance fee. In reserve the seasonal hunting is allowed, in addition applies an extensive list of rules of conduct.