Save Waltham Wildlife Community Forum

Join Save Waltham Wildlife (SWW), an initiative of the Waltham Land Trust, in a Zoom meeting on January 23 at 7:00pm to learn about local efforts to keep our Waltham wildlife—and our outdoor pets—safe from anti-coagulant rat poisons (SGARs). Hear about SWW’s successes to date, find out about effective alternatives to SGARs, and help strategize on ways to expand SWW's efforts moving forward. Waltham's threatened wild creatures need us all to become informed and to take a stand.

flowers in a vase on a table

Earn WLT $1 for every bouquet!

Through the whole month of January you can purchase a specially marked Bloomin' 4 Good bouquet in person at the Waltham Hannaford (55 Russell St) and WLT will get $1.

A narrow dirt trail through green springtime woods.

Gloria Champion

The Waltham Land Trust remembers Gloria Champion as a key figure in protecting the open space and environment in Waltham. Gloria died on January 1, 2025.

During a life dedicated to conservation, she founded the Prospect Hill Park Advocacy Group and, with George Darcy, was the impetus for founding the Waltham Land Trust. She was also a member of our initial Board of Directors. Under her leadership, the Prospect Hill Park Advocacy Group encouraged public interest in the park and proposed a master plan for its improvement. Gloria certified a vernal pool on the former Berry Farm property that is now in the Berry Park section of Prospect Hill Park. That pool has been an educational resource used by many in the community.

Gloria served as the clerk of the Waltham Conservation Commission for many years and was recently appointed as a member of the commission. Her actions helped to protect the environmental assets we all treasure. Waltham Land Trust joins the Waltham community in mourning the passing of one of our founders, and our condolences go out to Gloria’s family and friends.

Get out on the trails

You can hear the trails calling your name... go for a walk!

Open space needs your help

Protecting and preserving takes time, energy and your support.

Please consider a year end donation to help protect and preserve open space in Waltham.

Thank you!

A Commitment to Open Space

The Waltham Land Trust: Protecting, preserving and connecting since 1999

News

Beaver Brook Historic Reservation Walk, December 14, 2024

December 29, 2024

It was a chilly but sunny day as fifteen people strolled around the southern part of BBH Reservation, the first park established by the Commonwealth in 1893. We admired many special trees, briefly crossed over Beaver Brook into Belmont, and learned that the non-profit that would be become The Trustees of Reservations was formed in…

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25th Annual Meeting, November 19, 2024, with presentations!

December 22, 2024

To celebrate the WLT’s 25th year of incorporation, we held our 25th Annual Meeting and 54 people attended, including Mayor McCarthy. After hearing about program and stewardship highlights, we heralded Betty MacKenzie as the Environmentalist of the Year. Professor Mike Barnett amazed us with a presentation about engaging local youth as environmental justice and community…

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Walk along Renovated Charles River Path, November 16, 2024

December 6, 2024

Close to 50 people came on our stroll on the newly renovated path along the Charles River between Prospect Street and the Charles River Museum of Industry & Innovation. That was a lot of people! We’re grateful to the MA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation for investing in this popular trail with invasive plant control,…

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Trails Opening Celebration with DCR and City of Waltham, November 12, 2024

December 5, 2024

On a very windy day, which fueled wildfires across the Commonwealth and led to a delayed starting of this event, the MA Dept. of Conservation & Recreation invited City of Waltham officials and local advocates to a ribbon-cutting, celebrating the renovated Charles River path and nearby new Mass Central Rail Trail. The WLT was well…

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Western Greenway 5K Trail Run/Walk, October 27, 2024

December 4, 2024

On a sunny day (for once), 115 people crossed the finish line of the WG5K. We were so impressed with the enthusiasm expressed by all who participated, including volunteers! Thanks to our major sponsors, Mighty Squirrel Brewing Co, Brandeis Aging Brain Study, and Garden Remedies Cannabis. Be sure to join us next year! See all…

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YMCA Western Greenway Walk, October 18, 2024

December 3, 2024

A dozen members of the Waltham YMCA joined WLT ED Sonja Wadman for a quick nature walk along the Western Greenway trail in the Chester Brook woods north of the Y’s property. We were out in the late afternoon and were happy to hear the buzzing sounds of insects, the chirping of birds, and the…

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Reverse Tashlich Charles River Cleanup, September 29, 2024

October 11, 2024

Twenty-two people, most of whom were from Temple Emunah in Lexington, plus a handful of WLT Stewards, removed “society’s sins” from the waters and banks of the Charles River in the third Reverse Tashlich we’ve organized with them as part of The International Jewish Waterfront Cleanup. We look forward to next year’s event! See all…

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Outdoor Autumnal Equinox Yoga, September 23, 2024

October 11, 2024

Fourteen yoga enthusiasts walked up to Little Prospect to celebrate the Autumnal Equinox by practicing yoga outside. We had to postpone this event twice! So happy it finally happened—the leaves were just starting to turn. Gorgeous! Thanks to instructor Jeanne Kelly for leading us! See all the pictures on our Flickr!

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Walk to and around Wellington Fields, September 22, 2024

October 11, 2024

Thirteen people met by the Dog Ranch in North Waltham for a hike on the Western Greenway and its fabulous long boardwalk through the Met State property to Wellington Fields and back. WLT Steward Betty MacKenzie and City of Waltham Ranger Adam Green led the group. See all the pictures on our Flickr!

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Lakeview Preserve Celebration, September 8, 2024

September 13, 2024

On a gorgeous Sunday, close to 50 people gathered at the WLT’s Lakeview Preserve on Hardy Pond to recognize and thank the Giardina family for their stewardship of their lakefront property and their commitment to ensuring the public’s enjoyment of it by selling the land to WLT. We enjoyed a plaque dedication, brief remarks, refreshments,…

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Upcoming Events

Save Waltham Wildlife Community Forum

01/23/2025 7:00 pm - 01/23/2025 8:30 pm

Mass Central Rail Trail Walk

01/25/2025 2:00 pm - 01/25/2025 4:00 pm

Panera Bread Fundraiser

01/25/2025 4:00 pm - 01/25/2025 8:00 pm

Annual Duck Walk along the Charles River

02/15/2025 10:00 am - 02/15/2025 12:00 pm

Specials to Support WLT!

Earn WLT $1 for every bouquet bought

All January, purchase a specially marked Bloomin' 4 Good bouquet in person at the Waltham Hannaford (55 Russell St) and WLT gets $1.

Buy Chateau gift cards online

Any gift cards purchased online with the coupon code WLT will earn the Waltham Land Trust 5% of that sale. Get yours today!

Get 10% off merino wool crew socks

Use the code “WLT10” when you buy merino wool socks from Warm Peet and all profits tied to that code will be donated back to the Waltham Land Trust.

Waltham Wildlife

We aren't the only ones that benefit from preserving open space in Waltham. Here are some pictures of Waltham wildlife that you could find living on or passing through the open spaces in Waltham. Some of the pictures were taken at night with a camera that was triggered by a sensor.

Our Mission

Founded in 1999, the Waltham Land Trust’s mission is to create a legacy of land conservation in Waltham by promoting, protecting, restoring, and acquiring open space with a community of volunteers and a small staff that operates with mutual respect and goodwill towards each other. Recognizing that diversity strengthens our organization, the Waltham Land Trust strives to create an environment where everyone is respected, valued, and appreciated regardless of their race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, abilities, or disabilities. We welcome those who share these values.

The Waltham Land Trust envisions growth in public appreciation of natural resources, preservation and restoration of native habitat, and increased biodiversity to foster a healthier environment.