The state purchased 597 acres of conservation land in Wareham and Plymouth from the A.D. Makepeace Company on Friday, according to Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Maeve Vallely Bartlett.

The $2.8 million land purchase conserves habitat for over 20 rare animals and plants and provides opportunities for public recreation including fishing, hunting, hiking and bird watching.

To view an interactive map of the conservation lands, click here.

Using open space bond funds and approved for acquisition use by the Patrick Administration, the state acquired two properties in its latest phase of the conservation partnership with A.D. Makepeace. In Wareham, 345 acres will become part of the Maple Springs Wildlife Management Area and 252 acres in Plymouth will augment the South East Pine Barrens Wildlife Management Area.

“Under Governor Patrick’s leadership, the Commonwealth has engaged in the largest land protection initiative in state history, acquiring more than 125,000 acres of conservation land,” said Secretary Bartlett. “This important partnership with A.D. Makepeace Company will protect some of Massachusetts’ richest habitats for generations to come.”

Since 2008, Department of Fish and Game and its Division of Fisheries and Wildlife acquired a total of 1,311 acres from A.D. Makepeace Company. These properties helped establish the 473-acre Maple Springs Wildlife Management Area in Wareham, the 437-acre South East Pine Barrens Wildlife Management Area in Plymouth and the 124-acre Halfway Pond Wildlife Management Area in Plymouth and helped expand the 683-acre Red Brook Wildlife Management Area in Plymouth and Wareham.

A.D. Makepeace and the state have worked cooperatively on a wide range of issues, including land acquisition, habitat restoration, review under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, smart commercial and residential development, renewable energy development and climate adaption.

"We at the A.D. Makepeace Company have a long history of responsible land stewardship," said Michael P. Hogan, company president and CEO. "Our partnership with the Commonwealth in land protection and preservation is a lasting legacy of which we can all be proud."