The Great Marsh

The Great Marsh. . , From this spot, you look out to the Castle’s Neck River, a meandering seven-mile tributary that is part of the Great Marsh ecosystem. , The Great Marsh is the largest salt marsh in New England and includes over 25,000 acres of spectacular coastal wetlands, stretching from Gloucester to New Hampshire. , A Natural Treasure , The grasslands, tidal creeks and estuaries of the Great Marsh are home to many species of fish, insets, shellfish, amphibians and mammals. The natural abundance of t his area has earned it state designation as an Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC). It is also an internationally recognized Important Bird Area (IBA) that contributes to the survival of many breeding and migratory birds. , History and Culture , The Great Marsh has been an essential part of human life for as long as people have resided here. Today, salt marsh haying, farming, fishing, shipbuilding, recreational tourism and the arts continue to be important contributions to the region’s economy and culture. These wetlands also support our coastal communities by preserving water quality, filtering stormwater pollutants and preventing storm damage. , A Conservation Ethic , On reason the Great Marsh remains relatively unspoiled is that a large percentage of these coastal wetlands and surrounding uplands are protected as conservation land. Since its founding in 1961, Essex County Greenbelt and its conservation partners have protected several thousand acres of land within the Great Marsh. In the mid-1990’s, Greenbelt and other organizations and agencies combined to form the Great Marsh Coalition, which continues to work towards raising awareness and collaborating on conservation strategies for the Great Marsh. , Experience It! , The best way to get to know the Great Marsh is to get out and enjoy it! For more information on walking, biking and paddling opportunities within the Great Marsh communities, visit www.ecga.org or www.greatmarsh.org. , DownRiver’s Role , Human activities have significant impact on the health of our wetlands. Human generated pollutants that enter upstream rivers make their way toward the sea, accumulating in marshes and altering the chemical and biological balance of these delicate ecosystems. DownRiver Ice Cream serves as a role model for businesses and homeowners to have as little negative impact on the natural environment as possible. Among the many steps they took to create a green business are: , . Recycled material: all cups, spoons, and other materials can either be recycled or composted. , . Energy savers: a tankless water heater rapidly heats water upon demand and high-efficiency compact fluorescent light bulbs use less electricity. , . Water savers: they use an air-cooled rather than water-cooled, ice cream machine; they use very low-flow toilets; four 55-gallon rain collectors at the base of the building’s gutters serve to water on-site plants and a fruit garden. , . Local products: supplies and ingredients are purchased locally whenever possible. , Greenbelt’s Mission , Essex County Greenbelt is a member supported nonprofit land trust that has conserved over 13,000 acres of land in Essex County. Greenbelt works with local communities and landowners to acquire and protect ecological areas, farmland, and scenic vistas. One of our major goals is the creation of “greenbelts” consisting of river, trail, and other natural corridors, coastal systems and visually intact landscapes. , For information on membership and/or voluntary opportunities and a schedule of walks and events, visit www.ecga.org or call (978) 768-7241.