The quality and viability of the Sandy Neck/Great Marsh System is due in large part to the fact that over 4500 acres in the project area are already held in conservation ownership.  Nonetheless, there are numerous inholdings and adjacent undeveloped (or underdeveloped) parcels that lack protection and would theaten the ecological integrity of the system if developed.   A multi-year partnership is working to acquire as many of these parcels as possible.

Cape Cod's Barnstable County is one of the fastest growing counties in the northeast, with property values escalating rapidly.   To compete against developers in this expensive market, effective partnerships for land acquisition are essential.