The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

walking to Black Pond © Kerry Crisley

Open to the Public

Yes

Things To Do

There are short and long hikes, suitable for all ages. View All

Plan Your Visit

View All

Get Directions

Why You Should Visit
The Black Pond Nature Preserve encompasses several habitat types: Atlantic white cedar swamp, forest, a small meadow and — most significant ecologically — a bog surrounding Black Pond.

The pond itself is a deep glacial kettlehole which has a limited water supply. Its water is naturally extremely acidic and low in nutrients. These factors, in combination with a cool, coastal climate, make the bog plant community unusual.

Location
Norwell, Massachusetts

Size
101 acres 

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
The quaking sphagnum bog creates habitat for a unique plant community at Black Pond, which was the first Nature Conservancy preserve in Massachusetts.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
This preserve was managed in cooperation with the Massachusetts Audubon Society for many years and Audubon continues to lead walks on the property. The boardwalk was closed for seven years in the 1970’s due to overuse, however, the bog has recovered. In 2004, Nature Conservancy staff added new signs and repaired the boardwalk.

Hours
Open year-round

What to See: Plants
As plants grow inward from the edges of Black Pond, they cover the water with a floating, sponge-like mat of sphagnum moss which harbors sundew, sedges, cranberry, cottongrass, swamp loosetrife and Virginia chain fern.

Surrounding the bog mat is a wet shrubby zone containing wild blueberry plants and Atlantic white cedar. The shrub zone grades into a red maple swamp as one moves away from the pond, and at the perimeter of the swamp is an upland forest dominated by oak, beech and hemlock, with scattered American holly.

Accessibility
All reasonable requests for special accommodations will be made with ample notice.

Video
Check out a great video by Jeff Gold about Black Pond Bog and Wes Osborne, the preserve's longtime champion and caretaker.

Things To Do

Suitable for all ages, this short trail and connecting boardwalk will take you through upland forest and cedar swamp to close-up views of the bog’s rich and unique vegetation. For a longer hike, this path connects with a trail system on abutting town land.

Looking for something else to do while you're in the area? Consider visiting the South Shore Natural Science Center in Norwell.

Plan Your Visit

Please contact our Boston office at (617) 532-8300 to arrange a visit. Groups can obtain permission to use the parking lot when you contact us.

Directions

From Route 3 south:

• Get off at exit 13 and head north briefly on route 53 until you hit route 123.
• Take route 123 east about 2.5 miles until you see Lincoln Street on left
• Left onto Lincoln Street and follow to end (about 1.6 miles).
• Right onto Mount Blue Street for approximately 0.4 miles.
• The preserve sign is on the left, park on the right side of the road
• After starting on the trail, take a right at the first fork down to the boardwalk

Discussion

Have you been to this preserve? Are you thinking of visiting? See what others are saying about their experiences and add your comments below.

Add Your Comments

Time for you to join the discussion. Tell us about your experience at this preserve. What plants and animals did you see? When did you go? You can help others plan their visit when you share your thoughts. And thank you for visiting one of our nature preserves!

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