The Nantucket Conservation Foundation - Part 3

You don't need a ski lift to climb to the top of Altar Rock, but at 103 feet above sea level, it is the third highest elevation on Nantucket. From this vantage, beautiful views of the harbor, Great Point and Sankaty Lighthouses and the village of Siasconset are unobstructed on a clear day. Located in Middle Moors, it is part of the Conservation Foundation's largest property holding on the island. Actually consisting of 27 separate but connected parcels, they total just over 3,200 acres in eastern interior Nantucket.

Much of the terrain in this area is heathland and closely related sandplain grassland. Both are open grassy areas dotted with low growing shrubs, a result of grazing sheep and other livestock during the 1800's. In addition the wind, salt spray and sandy soil tend to discourage the growth of larger shrubs and trees. Ground cover and low growing plant species common to the area include black huckleberry, low bush blueberry, bayberry and beach plum. Two birds of prey call this area home, the northern harrier and short-eared owl. Both are included on the Massachusetts List of Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species.

Located in the eastern portion of Middle Moors is the Milestone Cranberry Bog, totaling 737 acres. Before becoming subdivided in the 1960's, it had the distinction of being the world's largest connected cranberry bog. Today, the Milestone Bog together with the Windswept Bog is leased to Northland Cranberries of Wisconsin. All proceeds are used exclusively for the purchase of additional conservation land on Nantucket.

Gibbs Pond, one of only a few fresh water ponds on the island, is located just west of Milestone Bog. During September and October when the cranberries are ready for harvest, the bog is flooded with water from Gibbs Pond. A machine is used to dislodge the berries from the vines, which then float to the surface. The berries are maneuvered to one section then pumped into waiting trucks. It is quite a sight to watch one of these huge open trucks, filled to the brim with cranberries, drive off the ferry in Hyannis.

Looking toward the east, one can see Heath House located atop an isolated hill. Purchased by the Foundation in 1984, the building and surrounding 3 acres are used as a Ranger Station. Since 1988, the Foundation has employed a ranger during the summer months to greet visitors, maintain trails and roadways and keep an eye on the properties.

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