Get to Know the Waltham Land Trust

June 28, 2025

On May 7, Waltham Land Trust Executive Director Sonja Wadman was the featured guest in the League of Women Voters’ Know Your City series. In this engaging conversation, Sonja dives into the heart of the Land Trust’s mission, ongoing projects, and its growing impact on the Waltham community.

🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTube

🌿 What Is the Waltham Land Trust?

Founded in 1999, the Waltham Land Trust (WLT) is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to conserving open spaces, restoring ecosystems, and connecting the community to nature. The idea was born out of frustration that the city was neglecting opportunities to preserve green space. Citizens joined forces to create a city-wide organization—and the WLT was born.

Since then, WLT has:

  • Trained over 300 trail stewards
  • Supported native habitat restoration
  • Advocated for land conservation protections
  • Launched community programs like Save Waltham Wildlife
  • Hosted signature events like the Green Space Blues Jam and 5K Trail Run/Walk

🧤 Powered by Volunteers

WLT thrives because of its passionate volunteers—especially the Trail Stewards who help maintain local trails, remove invasive species, and plant native vegetation. There’s also a core group helping with outreach, mailings, and events. WLT volunteers are truly the lifeblood of the organization.

💡 Education & Advocacy

From informative e-newsletters to hands-on events, WLT keeps the public engaged and informed. The team also advocates for conservation restrictions on city-owned land, ensuring green spaces are preserved for future generations.

WLT has also been instrumental in raising awareness about the dangers of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), which pose serious threats to local wildlife and pets. Through the Save Waltham Wildlife campaign, they are working with the city and institutions like Brandeis to promote safer alternatives.

🗺 Trails and Access

Waltham is rich in trails, but many residents don’t know where to go or how to access them. WLT offers printable maps and guides on their website for dozens of open spaces. While many trails are wooded and not ADA-accessible, WLT is working to identify and highlight more accessible options.

Some trail hubs include:

  • Prospect Hill Park
  • Mass Central Rail Trail
  • Charles River Pathway
  • Beaver Brook Reservation

🛠 Big Projects Underway

Sonja shared updates on several exciting projects:

  • Connecting the Western Greenway to the Mass Central Rail Trail, including a proposed bridge over a waterway near the Lyman Estate.
  • Lakeview Preserve—WLT’s first owned land on the shores of Hardy Pond, where green infrastructure will reduce runoff and improve water quality.

🎶 A Night to Remember: Green Space Blues Jam

Held at the historic Stonehurst Estate, the Blues Jam is one of WLT’s biggest fundraisers. Attendees enjoy live music, local drinks, and a silent auction—all supporting land conservation. Discounts are available for members and attendees under 40.

💚 Become a Member or Supporter

WLT is funded through memberships, donations, grants, and event sponsorships. Annual membership starts at just $25, with a “living lightly” option at $15 for seniors, students, and others. Members receive newsletters, discounts to events, and the satisfaction of supporting Waltham’s green future.


Want to get involved?

Recent Posts

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
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By N/A N/A July 29, 2026
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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 27, 2026
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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
Waltham Fields Community Farm welcomed Waltham Land Trust along with UMass Grow for their annual land walk exploring the rich agricultural history of the farm fields at 240 Beaver Street. Stewarded by Waltham Fields Community Farm, this land has played an important role in Waltham’s farming heritage for generations. This event was free and open to the public. A huge thank you to our featured speakers Sonja Wadman, Dee Kricker, and Stacey Daley!
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
Unwound, relaxed, and unplugged while enjoying a gentle and restorative yoga session outdoors at the Land Trust's Lakeview Preserve on the west shore of Hardy Pond. Laura Arena, a popular instructor at the Waltham YMCA, led participants through a series of stretches, held poses, and deep breathing exercises as everyone admired the pond before the sun set.
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June 2026