Popponesset Spit

The Spit is a barrier peninsula between Popponesset Bay and Nantucket Sound that extends about one mile northeast from Popponesset Beach. Save Popponesset Bay (SPB) owns two thirds of the land on the western portion of the Spit.  The State of Massachusetts owns the section immediately at the bottom of the Fishermens Landing stairs. The eastern third is owned by Mass Audubon and the entire Spit is home to endangered plovers and terns.

Please stay off the dunes - help us preserve The Spit

The dunes on the Spit and the eel grass plantings there protect and help preserve Popponesset Bay for all of us to enjoy. SPB, PBA and other stakeholders  have invested in maintaining the Spit by adding sand, plantings and dredging to off-set erosion of this barrier beach. Mass Audubon monitors and protects the area for endangered migratory birds which are impacted by the presence of dogs and humans. Dogs are prohibited on the Spit during nesting periods, and dogs and humans are expected to stay off the dunes and plantings at all times.
RESTRICTIONS: Dogs are prohibited on the Spit during nesting periods, and dogs and humans are expected to stay off the dunes and plantings at all times.

Save Popponesset Bay

Save Popponesset Bay (SPB) owns two thirds of the land on the western portion of the Spit. SPB has undertaken a variety of important initiatives to protect and preserve the Spit and to keep the waterways in and around Popponesset safe and navigable. Homeowners and guests can support preservation of the Spit by supporting the efforts of SPB.
Save the bay - Get involved! Ways you can help...(click to open)

FROM SAVE POPPONESSET BAY:
Now is the time to get involved in our community! SPB needs your help, we are all in this together. Below are the areas where we could use YOU! If you would like more information or are ready to get involved, please email Kathy [email protected] or Marlene [email protected].
  • FUND RAISING: Raising money to support the work which SPB spearheads to maintain and improve the Spit and surrounding waterways, is of the utmost importance. We need people willing to dig in, join our team and assist in raising the funds that we need both for our annual expenses and our future Channel Project.
  • COMMUNICATIONS: We are in search of someone who would like to assist in communicating with our membership as well as the community. Preparing newsletter emails (using Constant Contact) and articles for the Peninsula Reporter. It is imperative that we stay in touch with our community and keep them informed. No experience with Constant Contact is necessary and training can be provided.
  • SECURITY: We have formed a committee that is currently working on our security issues that take place on the Spit. We are looking at what has gone wrong in the past and are working on a better plan for the future which we are hoping will be a joint venture with the Town of Mashpee and the surrounding communities.
  • EDUCATION: After having a tour of the Spit with a leader from Mass Audubon, there has been an interest in providing more educational programing. We are working on putting together a committee to plan and execute this type of events.
  • GRANT WRITING EXPERTISE: The government offers many grants which SPB may be able to benefit from. Please let us know if you, or you know someone who has, writing experience and can help us secure funding through grants.
  • NEW SEABURY VILLAGE AMBASSADORS: As an SPB ambassador you would attend your village’s annual meeting and events. Your primary goal will be to liaison between SPB and the community. Meet with other village ambassadors to determine the best way to get the community involved in our mission.
  • COMMUNITY OUTREACH: We need to reach out to the broader community, not just New Seabury and Popponesset. There are other neighborhoods that use our waterways, as well as boaters who come and use the Spit as a destination. We need to reach out to boat owners and homeowners in Mashpee who have docks to inform them about the work that SPB does and to hopefully get them involved and supportive of our mission. We also want a working relationship with local businesses such as the Marina’s, Rideaway Adventures, Yoga on the Beach and any others that seem relevant.
MASS AUDUBON owns the eastern third of the Spit and manages the conservation area:
"Popponesset Spit Conservation:...provides nesting habitat for coastal waterbirds of high conservation priority including Piping Plovers, Least Terns, and Common Terns. The wildlife sanctuary also serves as a pre-migration fall staging area for Common Terns and sometimes Roseate Terns as well as many shorebird species."