Becker Farm Conservation Easement

Crane Island

Year Protected: 1986

Land Protected: 17 acres

Shoreline Protected: 210 feet

Public Benefits: Agricultural lands, undeveloped shoreline

Subdivided in 1960, Crane Island is the largest and most developed of the Wasp Island group.  Consisting mostly of small waterfront building lots, the center of the island—which includes an air strip and open space—is held in common by the surrounding landowners.  In 1986, Robert and Nancy Becker and their family donated a conservation easement on their 17-acre waterfront farm on Crane, the largest private property on the island under single ownership.  A picturesque example of our rapidly-disappearing historic island farmsteads, the Becker family worked the land for many years using draft horses, and continues to lovingly steward it to this day.