CAMP WING CONSERVATION AREA
Introduction
Camp Wing is Duxbury's newest and largest conservation area. The Town purchased Camp Wing Conservation Area in June of 1998 under the permanent protection of the Conservation Commission. Named after the Crossroads for Kids camp, from whom the property was purchased, the 353.4 acre conservation area preserves the rural character of Duxbury, protects ground water supply by preserving a significant corridor along the South River, preserves habitat for numerous plants and animals- many of them rare and endangered, and provides links to existing conservation lands.
A Management Plan
The Duxbury Conservation Commission commissioned a management plan to guide the use of this property. The objective of this management plan is to balance the natural values of this property with public access and provide short and long-term recommendations for management of the property. Three main objectives have been set: 1) Protect Camp Wing Conservation Area's natural values; 2) Promote appropriate public use of the property, including activities such as passive recreation, education and research; 3) Pursue land protection in surrounding areas.
Historic Land Use
In the early 1600's, not long after the fifty-four original land holders settled in Duxbury, the Camp Wing Conservation Area and much of the present day Pembroke were designated as Common Lands. This land was used for woodcutting, hunting and fishing by the community.
The current site of the dam, off the west side of River St. is thought to be the site of an old mill. Judging from a few remaining cedar trees and many standing stumps, the mill pond created by the dam had earlier been a cedar swamp. The icehouse located off River St., known as "Simon's Tomb", probably provided a winter income to the owner of the above mill when the water froze. Old stone walls and soil types indicate that the farming of livestock probably occurred on the uplands portions of the property. The Consolidated Cape Cod Cranberry Company (CCCC) operated the now abandoned cranberry bogs from the early 1900's into the late 1960's when Route 3 was constructed. The area was logged and harvested about 10-15 years ago and has since
started to grow up again.
Camp Wing Conservation Area
Camp Wing Conservation Area protects a 2 mile stretch of stream habitat on the South River. Several rare or uncommon species of plants and animals are known to occur on the property. At Camp Wing, walkers, joggers, bicyclists, equestrians, cross country skiers and nature lovers will all discover a place to indulge their passions. Some of the trails follow old logging trails created years ago to measure groundwater. They follow an old stone wall that used to serve as a property line. This all comes to a terminus at an observation deck looking out over the abandoned cranberry bog on the Western loop.
An Unusually Diverse Habitat
Camp Wing Conservation Area is unique because there is almost no human impact. This makes the large parcel excellent for animals that need to be far from human activities. Camp Wing contains these five natural communities which taken together, support an exceptional diversity of plants and rare animals.
Open Water: The shallow segment of the South River serves as high quality habitat for water fowl such as Great Blue Herons, mallards and other migratory water fowl, as well as raccoons, opossum and even otters. Common plant species include Big Duckweed, Common BladderWort, and Wool Grass
Marsh: On this area of low-lying waterlogged land grows emergent vegetation like Wide-leafed Cattail and Blue Joint. It is difficult to cross on foot due to soft, wet ground.
Shrub Swamp: The shrub wetlands, near the abandoned cranberry bog, are probably the result of forest cutting 40-50 yrs ago. This may very gradually become forested again. Common plant species include Red Maple, Sweet Pepperbush and Green Briar.
Fen: The grasses, sedges and spagnum moss of this low, nutrient-poor marshy area is located on the northern half of the abandoned cranberry bog.
Upland forest: The transition from Camp Wing s wetlands to upland invites a variety of plants found in both wetlands and upland. The timber harvest in the past promoted native tree species such as Red Maple, Eastern White Pine, and both White and Red Oak. You will notice that the trees are much younger and smaller as they are in the process of reforestation.
Camp Wing Wildlife
White-tailed deer, fox and coyotes as well as many small mammals such as field mice, red and grey squirrels, raccoons, opossum, and even otters can be see on this property. The wetlands and vernal pools found on this property provide habitat for a variety of salamanders, frogs and turtles. The Shrub Swamp habitat is suitable for species that are listed as "Special Concern" by the state such as the Four-toed Salamanders and Spotted Turtles. The Fen habitat is excellent potential habitat for a globally rare dragonfly, the Banded Boghaunter.
In addition to wetland resources, the large unfragmented forested areas of upland are of high value to the forest interior birds such as the Scarlet Tanager, Oven Bird and Ruffed Grouse.
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