Wasque, Nature reserve in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, US.
Wasque is a nature reserve on Chappaquiddick Island near Martha's Vineyard, featuring sandy beaches, coastal areas, and salt marshes. The site spreads across approximately 200 acres and encompasses diverse habitats with characteristic coastal plant communities.
This territory served as a seasonal camp for Algonquian peoples during the warmer months. The name Wasque originates from their language and means 'the ending'.
The name comes from the Algonquian language, rooted in the indigenous peoples who once occupied this land. Local conservationists work to protect the sand barrens habitat today using methods like grazing and controlled burning.
To reach the reserve, visitors need to take a ferry from Cape Cod to Martha's Vineyard, then another ferry connection from Edgartown to Chappaquiddick. The warmer months offer the easiest access when most paths and areas remain open.
The reserve's sandy soil is free-draining and acidic, allowing rare plant species like beach plum, bearberry, and blue toadflax to thrive. These soil conditions also support rich shellfish beds in nearby Katama Bay.
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