Creating a Legacy of Land Conservation in Waltham

By N/A N/A July 29, 2026
Enjoy delicious Mexican drinks and cuisine at Margaritas located on Moody Street in Waltham! Screenshot the image above or download using the provided link
By N/A N/A July 29, 2026
Learn about the history of the railway on which the Mass Central Rail Trail now sits! *Registration is limited- Register to receive location
January 23, 2026
The Natural History of the Cornelia Warren Estate: Camp Cedar Hill, Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts by Lesley Sneddon Now Available! Camp Cedar Hill is a portion of the former estate of Cornelia Warren . In keeping with her desire to maintain the land for public benefit, Ms. Warren wished to carry this tradition beyond her life by stating so in her will.  After her death, the Trustees of Cedar Hill deeded five parcels of the estate among several beneficiaries, including the Massachusetts Girl Scouts (now the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts). To this day, Cornelia Warren’s legacy of philanthropy and social welfare continue to benefit the residents of Waltham and beyond.
By Daniel Melnechuk August 24, 2025
A Walk in the Park: A Guide to Plant Communities at Prospect Hill Park, Waltham, Massachusettsby Lesley Sneddon This book is a nature guide for the non-scientist interested in learning about plants and basic ecology.

Get outside and on the trails! Waltham and its neighboring communities offer numerous well-marked and maintained trails through a variety of beautiful natural landscapes.


The WLT has produced a series of Guide to Open Spaces available as a free resource on our website.

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


Join the team and become a member today.

Protecting and preserving takes time, energy and your support. Volunteers build trails and maintain them. Your support helps provide the tools and supplies.



Please consider a donation to help protect and preserve open space in Waltham. Thank you!


Upcoming Events


News

By N/A N/A August 3, 2026
BY EMILY SZCZYPEK ● AROUND TOWN ● JULY 30, 2026  Photo featuring: Stacey Daley, Dee Kricker, and Sonja Wadman. Twenty-six people gathered at Waltham Fields Community Farm on July 23 for an evening of local history, birdwatching and farm-fresh refreshments at the farm’s annual history walk and talk.
By N/A N/A July 30, 2026
Stow Conservation Trust and the Waltham Land Trust are teaming up to help promote conservation in both of our communities. We hope you will join SCT for their Bike for the Woods on August 9th and WLT for the Western Greenway 5k on October 25th!
By N/A N/A July 29, 2026
Join WLT in our first ever water pistol fight! Open to adults , between the ages of 18 and 40! Registration is highly desired through the link below, but feel free to just show up! Don't miss out on some summer fun!
By N/A N/A July 27, 2026
BY CYD ABNET ● ENVIRONMENT ● JULY 19, 2026 The drought has significantly affected Waltham’s local flora and fauna. According to Waltham Land Trust Executive Director Sonja Wadman, the effects are cascading. “Water sources like the Charles River, Hardy Pond and our brooks shrink, resulting in concentrated amounts of pollutants and exposing critical habitat for fish, migrating birds and amphibians found along the edges of waterways and in wetlands,” she explained. Wadman also noted that trees and plants are affected by the lack of water and often die as a result. “Our volunteer trail and land restoration stewards are very busy trying their best to keep our recently planted and even more established vegetation moist,” she said.
By N/A N/A July 16, 2026
26 people and one dog enjoyed lemonade, snacks, games, and conversation at the historic Wellington Fields parcel on Trapelo Road. Mort Isaacson provided an update on projects happening around the house, and a few folks braved the rain for a quick walk around the parcel to admire the landscape being transformed by the WLT colunteer stewards, in coordination with the City of Waltham's Recreation Department. Be sure to join us for next year's Lemonade Social!
By N/A N/A July 15, 2026
Twenty-six people (including one baby!) came to the Field Station at 240 Beaver Street on a perfect evening for a talk and walk about the vast history of the property, including across the street at Camp Cedar Hill, and the legacy of Cornelia Warren who donated the land after she died. Historian and long-time Field Station advocate Dee Kricker informed us of Cornelia's stipulation to keep the parcels open to the public for agricultural and educational purposes in her will, which resulted in the Girl Scouts taking control of Cedar Hill, and what would become the University of Massachusetts continuing ag work and research at 240 Beaver Street. Sonja Wadman, Waltham Land Trust (WLT) Executive Director, talked about the nonprofit groups that had offices or used the land there, which included WLT and of course, Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF) and Green Rows of Waltham (GROW) community gardens who were the first to operate there and are still in operation after the City of Waltham bought the property from UMass. Then Stacey Daley, WFCF ED, lead a tour of the farm fields where we saw lots of wildlife! The event ended with snacks and teas made from farm-fresh ingredients, and Sonja taking a peek at the gardens. What a magical evening!
By N/A N/A July 7, 2026
About 22 children and their parents joined WLT Board Director Deb Herman on a guided nature walk along the Mass Central Rail Trail for families. The group met at the AutoZone lot on Lexington Street and walked east towards Lyman Street. Many youngsters were very excited to learn about native plants; all were thrilled with the prizes they got at the end--small animal figurines for the littles and bird houses for older kids.
By N/A N/A June 26, 2026
After postponing twice due to rain in the forecast, 14 yoga enthusiasts finally were able to unplug and stretch by the shore of Hardy Pond at the property owned by the Waltham Land Trust. Led by Laura Arena, a popular instructor at the YMCA, we enjoyed listening to morning doves and 13 other bird varieties, games being played at nearby Lazazzero Park, and folks walking by on the road. We were treated to a stunning almost-full Buck moon rising over the water as we departed. Namaste!
More News

Specials To Support WLT!

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!


Waltham Wildlife

We aren’t the only ones who benefit from preserving open space in Waltham. The photos below highlight some of the wildlife that can be found living in or passing through Waltham’s open spaces.

Waltham Wildlife

(Please note:  Some of these images were captured at night using a motion-activated camera triggered by a sensor)


Our Mission

Founded in 1999, 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, 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.