A Community Effort for Education & Awareness on Cape Cod
Cedar Spring Herb Farm Botanical Sanctuary
Harwich, MA
By Donna Wood Eaton
It has been 7 years since Cedar Spring Herb Farm joined the UpS Sanctuary Network. At that time the dream of a UpS Medicine Trail was conceived. Part of the farm’s 7 acres includes a vernal pool, which had been ‘mistakenly’ disturbed by neighboring development. A plan to rehabilitate the wetland, which included a native medicinal plant trail, was proposed and sent for approval on the local and state level. Rehabilitation included natural berming of the land to protect from runoff, replanting native vegetation and clearing of the warrior plants (poison ivy and bull briar) that had been protecting the vernal pool. Planting beds were marked and amended each year and native species were documented and encouraged.
In the fall of ’06, I was encouraged to apply for a Mass. Cultural Council Grant through the Harwich Cultural Council, for trail signage in text and Braille, and a UpS grant for medicinal plants. Both grants were generously approved and we spent the winter searching out plants and signs. Plants were obtained through New England Wildflower Society’s Garden in the Woods and Jeff McCormack’s, Garden Medicinals & Culinaries, in Earlysville, VA. Three dates were set for volunteers and farm staff to plant and set signs in early spring. At the same time, the Harwich Conservation Trust was involved in a program to certify and register vernal pools in town and the farm’s vernal pool qualified for protection.
A grand opening date for the trail was set and advertised in conjunction with the Harwich Conservation Trust, the Harwich Cultural Council and the local Conservation Commission. Herbalist Tracey Fisher developed a visitor’s guide for the 3000 – 5000 people that visit the farm each year. The opening day was a beauty and attended by 60+ plant lovers, conservationists, friends and family. Thanks to all who helped make this dream come true and thank you UpS for your generosity, inspiration and continuing support of the green world.
Donna Wood Eaton
Cedar Spring Herb Farm
159 Long Pond Dr.
Harwich, Ma. 02645
www.cedarspringherbfarm.com