“Our goal,” said Superintendent Chris Egan, “is to help people experience the entire property, from the gnarled oak forests to the tranquil grasslands and unique coastal ponds ecosystems.” Doing so, he hopes, will inspire visitors to support stewardship at the refuge.

In response to the plan, expanded hours of operation and easier access to fishing and shellfishing areas will be provided. A series of hunting blinds will be re-created and increased educational programs and materials will be offered to help visitors appreciate the natural and cultural resources at the refuge.

At the same time, the plan takes care to preserve the natural resources of Long Point. A habitat restoration plan will restore nearly 300 acres of heath, savanna, shrublands, woodlands, and grasslands that are reminiscent of the landscape the Wampanoag knew before European immigrants arrived. And because no reservation stands in isolation, the plan urges increased community efforts to protect the watershed of Long Point's coastal salt ponds.

Creating such a comprehensive management plan is a dynamic process that involved ecologists, naturalists, superin-tendents, and other stewardship professionals. At Long Point, staff searched for rare species of plants and insects, surveyed visitors about their experiences on the refuge, and delved into records relating to the land-use history of Long Point. The result, says Regional Ecologist Lloyd Raleigh is “a blueprint for balancing conservation and access” that will make sure Long Point remains an inspiring place to visit for generations to come.