News

Unfortunately, the Charles River Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, September 26 has been cancelled due to the weather forecast. Another group, Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, is having a cleanup at the exact same place on next Saturday, October 3, 10 am to noon. If you’d like to do that, please sign up HERE The Waltham Land Trust is planning to host a Charles River cleanup on Saturday, November 7, with Waltham Pride and probably the other groups who were to join us on Saturday. Stay tuned!

*Our MCRT History Walk is being postponed to September 27, 2026. Same time and meeting spot for those who registered. Sorry for the last-minute change, but due to the unexpected heavy rain, we had no choice but to postpone. Thank you for your understanding. Learn about the history of the railway on which the Mass Central Rail Trail now sits!

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.

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!

Nine people joined in WLT's inaugural water pistol fight, which was geared towards those aged 18-40 years old (but a few older folks participated). We were thrilled to do this at WLT's Lakeview Preserve, located on Hardy Pond. WLT ED Sonja Wadman described to attendees the plans WLT has for the property and explained the "insect hotels" recently installed on two trees that were designed to give beneficial garden bugs - like solitary bees, ladybugs and butterflies - a safe place to nest, sleep and stay safe during cold winter months. They were made and donated to WLT by employees Pegasystems.

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 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.

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!

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!