Beebe Woods

Additional Resources

In 2024, the Sippewissett Association Board of Directors recognized that the threat of wildfires from Beebe Woods is a critical concern impacting our Association members as well as numerous other stakeholders in Falmouth. Board Member Jeff Lunn created a “Beebe Woods Wildfire Mitigation Strategy” to address this growing concern, and organized an important subcommittee including the following: Arthur Gaines, Jennifer Gaines, Alan Jacobs and Jill Gottfried.

Purpose of this Initiative: Restore the historic Beebe Woods carriage trails through Beebe Woods for both Falmouth Fire and Rescue access as well as improved recreational access as detailed in the original Lilly deed to the town. In addition, we recognize the critical role of educating and preparing our members on how each individual resident can mitigate the threat of wildfire risks both on their property and in their neighborhood.

History and Background

  • 1947: Great Fire of 1947 burned over 1,150 acres; 9 firefighters were injured

  • 1963: Falmouth Hospital Construction Completed

  • 1976: Lilly Gift of Beebe Woods to Town

  • 2005: Beebe Woods Wildfire and Preparedness Plan

  • 2007: Beebe Woods Management Plan

  • 2020: Beebe Woods Forest Stewardship Plan (Falmouth Conservation Committee)

  • Increased Development Surrounding Beebe Woods (residential, medical, educational, cultural, commercial)

  • Beech Tree Leaf Disease (nematode development)

  • History of Recent Droughts

  • Wildfire Frequency & Severity (Western US and Canadian wildfires; 5-1-2025 Otis-Joint Base Cape Cod wildfire, most recent local example)

  • Current deteriorated state of historic carriage trails now prohibits Falmouth Fire & Rescue proper access for personnel and equipment, impaired access for the intended recreational purpose due to erosion/scouring/overgrowth.

Stakeholders

  • Town of Falmouth Conservation Committee

  • Town of Falmouth Fire Chief

  • The 300 Committee Land Trust

  • Neighborhood Associations & Residents

  • Falmouth Hospital & Medical Offices

Process

Throughout 2025, numerous meetings with various critical stakeholders were completed, including the following:

  • Falmouth Conservation Commission (Jennifer Lincoln & Mark Kasprzyk)

  • Falmouth Fire Department

  • The 300 Committee Land Trust

  • Cape Cod Fire Warden’s Office

  • Falmouth Hospital

  • Homeowner Associations (including Sippewissett Highlands, Greengate community, etc.)

  • Dr. Elizabeth (Betsy) Gladfelter (ecologist & environmental advocate)

On November 3, 2025, a walk through of Beebe Woods was completed that was led by the Falmouth Conservation Commission (Jennifer Lincoln & Mark Kasprzyk) and other local and state officials, with the purpose of assessing and identifying the necessary clearing of the historic carriage trails for Falmouth Fire Department personnel and equipment to get in and out safely to mitigate the threat of wildfires.

Town and State officials recognized that the scope of this project must be limited in its initial phase due to financial and resource restraints.  The scope includes the following:

•        Only major historic carriage trails including access from the North, East & South (see below map with yellow highlighted trails)

•        Trees to be cut & limbs dispersed

•        No need for chipping

•        Only tree work to be addressed: no filling of scoured trails with gravel/aggregate in this phase

On November 13th & 25th, 2025, a walk through of Beebe Woods was conducted by Mass DCR Forestry Analyst Jim Rassman, Jeff Lunn and Bob Skilton to document, label (small blue paint marks) and catalog over 160 trees to be cleared from the historic carriage trails. A tree inventory database was then created that qualifies and quantifies the work to be performed.

Phase 1 Project Began March 2026

On March 27th – 28th 2026 approximately 25 volunteers began Phase 1 work to clear the historic carriage trails of fallen trees and new tree growth.  The critical factor enabling this project to begin was the all-volunteer work force of over 20 members from Team Rubicon which is a national non-profit organization.   They provided over 20 volunteers from across New England to perform the tree clearing work.  The following description is from Team Rubicon’s web site (https://teamrubiconusa.org/):  “a veteran-led humanitarian organization that serves global communities before, during, and after disasters and crises. Our vision is to support humanity and build resiliency for vulnerable communities across the world.” 

The Town of Falmouth has successfully used Team Rubicon for other town projects at no charge in the past as have other towns on Cape Cod.  Josh Nigro who is the state Fire Warden for the Cape & Islands has also successfully used them in similar projects across the Cape.

The Sippewissett Association provided an important role in facilitating, securing and paying for their overnight accommodations at Falmouth’s Saint Barnabas Church Parish Hall.  We also organized a lasagna dinner prepared by the Church of Messiah in Woods Hole.  Falmouth Elks Lodge also provided a dinner for the 20+ volunteers.  Coordinating and securing the generous support of these local religious and fraternal organizations was critical in ensuring the all-volunteer workforce was housed and fed while performing their important work.

This community project now underway has proven to be a “Win-Win-Win” for all stakeholders.   First and foremost, the Town of Falmouth completed an initial phase of an important project of mitigating the wildfire risk in Beebe Woods at virtually no cost to the town and minimal resources needed.  Secondly, the Sippewissett Association and our members can now begin to appreciate the decreased threat of wildfire risk which directly impacts our homes and properties that are adjacent to Beebe Woods.  Thirdly, many of the Team Rubicon volunteers are retired veterans from either our armed forces or police/fire departments across New England.  Many suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from their years of service to our country and communities and these voluntary projects they perform help provide them a critical sense of purpose, value, self-worth and community.  Team Rubicon volunteers help improve their physical and mental health by remaining active in this type of community project.  They proved to be not just amazing individuals but truly amazing contributors to the public good and should be applauded for their efforts. 

The following photographs document the Team Rubicon volunteers at work on March 27, 2026.

All photos by Sam Gutter © 2026

Next Steps

‍This community project is now on target to be resumed in November of 2026 after the hurricane season ends and once the leaves on the trees have fallen.  Unfortunately the scope, complexity and safety issues with so many additional fallen trees and limbs resulting from the February 2026 historic blizzard has made the job more extensive than originally planned.  There was too much work to be completed in the first work weekend of March 2026.  The Sippewissett Association will be working closely again with the Conservation Commission and other stakeholders to ensure the Fall 2026 phase is successfully completed.  It will essentially be a repeat endeavor of the March 2026 phase.  If additional work is needed by the Conservation Commission, a third project in March of 2027 will also be planned.

How can you help mitigate wildfire risk?

At our annual meeting of the Sippewissett Association held on June 28, 2025 at the Woodwell Climate Center in Woods Hole, a special presentation on mitigating wildfire threats was arranged with Josh Nigro who is the State Fire Warden for Cape Cod and the Islands. Josh included as part of his presentation an offer to conduct wildfire mitigation inspections for individual homeowners here in Sippewissett. This free consultative service is an important part of our strategy that focuses on educating residents on mitigating wildfire risks. Josh Nigro’s team is available to any resident and they can be reached via email at josh.nigro@mass.gov to schedule your individual wildfire mitigation assessment for your property.

Falmouth Fire Department has important information on their website regarding “Open Burning Guidelines.” Given the strong winds our area usually experiences, it is vital that residents comply with all Open Burning Guidelines. More information is available at:

htps://ma-falmouth.civicplus.com/188/Fire-Rescue

There is a wealth of information on our Fire Department’s website. Please click on the “Fire Prevention” link and again on the “Open Burning” link to review important guidelines and procedures on open burning.

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