Long Point Wildlife Refuge - The Trustees of Reservations

Property Description

632 acres | Established 1979

Long Point Wildlife Refuge is part of a sand barrens ecosystem that exists in patches from New Jersey to Maine. This ecosystem is home to many rare community types. Exemplary occurrences of these communities' scrub oak shrublands, sandplain grasslands, coastal heathlands, and pitch pine barrens can be found at Long Point. These habitats require disturbances for their existence. In the past, fire, grazing, mowing hay, clearing, and other agricultural uses dating to Native American times have maintained these habitats. The Refuge also supports coastal salt ponds, and its sandy beach. A two-mile trail leads through oak forest and savanna bordered by Middle Point, Long Cove, and Tisbury Great Ponds.

In recent decades, rare sand barrens communities have declined significantly throughout their range because of fire suppression and decline in farming activities. To maintain and restore these rare communities, The Trustees has re-introduced active habitat management prescribed burning, grazing, mechanical mowing, and clearing. Many rare species of plants and animals depend on these open areas at Long Point.

The Wampanoag lived at Long Point, using the land for firewood, growing corn, hunting, and fishing. Throughout the eighteenth century, settlers developed farms as woodlots, orchards, and croplands; cleared land for grazing cattle and sheep; hunted; fished and seined in coastal ponds; and harvested hay as fodder for livestock.

In the early twentieth century, wealthy seasonal residents purchased abandoned farms along the south shore to establish waterfowl hunting clubs. After the Tisbury Pond Club closed, the remaining members gave their interest in Long Point to The Trustees of Reservations.

View current weather conditions at Long Point!

Trails

2 miles of trails plus beachfront. Easy walking.

Facilities

Public restrooms. Picnic tables. Bike rack. Small visitor center.

Tours

The Trustees of Reservations offers a guided canoe and kayak tour that help adults and children alike explore the natural wonders Long Point Wildlife Refuge. Guided tours are led by expert naturalists.

All proceeds support ongoing conservation work at Long Point Wildlife Refuge, including conducting wildlife research, protecting endangered species and their habitats, and restoring sandplain grasslands and heathlands.

Note: Membership in The Trustees of Reservations is not transferable; therefore, member cards may not be used by nonmembers to quality for member discounts on tours.

Wildlife Discovery Tour
Explore Tisbury Great Pond by canoe or kayak. Learn basic paddling techniques, local ecology, and natural history of Long Point Wildlife Refuge. Observe marine life, shorebirds, and the spectacular sandplains of the refuge.

Duration: 1.5 hours
Departure Point: Tours-only parking area at off-season entrance gate located at the end of Deep Bottom Road.
Days/Times: June 15 to September 15, daily 8:30am, 11:00am, and 1:30pm.
Limit: 12 per tour (including children)
Reservations: Required. Call 508/693-7392. Messages returned.
Tickets: Trustees members: adult $15, child (15 & under) $10; nonmembers: adult $25, child (15 & under) $10.

Literature

Printed trail maps are distributed free from bulletin boards in parking areas. Please understand that supplies periodically run out. You may also download trail maps from this web site or mail order trail maps in advance of your visit.

Some publications are also available for purchase at the Islands Regional Office at 508/693-7662.

Special Programs

Claire Saltonstall Education Program (CSEP)
Educational programs for Martha's Vineyard school children are offered throughout the year. For more information, contact the Education and Interpretation Program Coordinator Sarah Trudel at strudel@ttor.org.

Track "Homer"
Homer is a young male osprey hatched at Long Point in 2005 and fitted with a satellite transmitter. Click to see where he goes when he heads south for the winter.

Hunting Advisory

Seasonal hunting (waterfowl only) is permitted at this property subject to all state and town laws. In addition, a Trustees of Reservations permit is required. Click here for further information.

Property Acquisition History

Original acreage a gift of Frederick N. Blodgett, Carl J. Gilbert, and William B. Rogers in 1979. Additional land given by Arthur Hadley in 1990, Anthony Lewis and Margaret Marshall in 1993, and Richard and Barbara Campbell in 1999.