Did you know?

There are a number of federal, state and private grant programs which could compensate the Town for maintaining Woodsom Farm as open space. Woodsom Farm has several special features that make it eligible for these programs, while other Town-owned lands would not qualify.

· Woodsom Farm is currently used for agricultural purposes, since it is mowed by a private farmer and cows are pastured there.

The state Agricultural Preservation Restriction Grant Program pays the difference between the land’s value as farmland and its value as developable or buildable land. In Amesbury, this would be about $50,000 an acre.

Under the Water Bank Act, the federal Agriculture Department spends $30 million a year to purchase conservation restrictions for agricultural lands that include wetlands.

· Woodsom Farm is a “resting point” on the migratory bird flyway between Canada and Mexico. If you visit the Farm during the spring or fall, you can see hundreds of Canadian geese gathered around the “cow pond”, in the marsh grasses and near the river.

The federal Migratory Bird Conservation Commission acquires land that is on “flyways”, and maintains the land as wildlife refuges. Refuges remain open for recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, birdwatching and other “passive” activities. Earlier this year, the Commission acquired almost 100 acres near the former Hanscom Air Force Base. At last count, Congress had appropriated $197 billion to protect migratory bird habitats.

The Congressionally-created National Fish and Wildlife Foundation provides 33% matching grants for wetlands protection, wildlife and habitat management projects. The Town could apply for a 33% reimbursement of its cost in acquiring Woodsom Farm.

Private groups including The Conservation Alliance, the Chevron Oil Company Foundation and Ducks Unlimited also provide funds to protect bird habitats.

· Woodsom Farm is part of the Merrimack River Watershed.

Both federal and state governments have invested heavily in projects to restore populations of anadromous fish (such as shad and salmon) in the Merrimack River, including $100,000 spent earlier this year to restore an acre of marsh on Plum Island.

· Woodsom Farm has large areas of wetlands.

Under the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, administered by the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, the federal government provides a 75% funding match for projects to conserve wetlands. The Town of Amesbury could apply for reimbursement of most of the $5 million spent purchasing the Farm, in exchange for adding a conservation restriction to the land’s deed. The U.S. spends about $30 million a year on wetlands conservation projects.

Under the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also pays 75% of the cost of projects to acquire, maintain and restore wetlands. Again, the Town could apply for reimbursement of the costs of the Farm.

More Grant Opportunities (Click on Links): Foundation Center Grants Associated Grant Makers Other Available Grants