Impact: Preservation, Education and Access

Seeing a very timely need to advocate for the preservation of endangered natural spaces in Waltham, members of various neighborhood associations, community activists, environmentalists, conservationists, and “just plain folks” came together to create the Waltham Land Trust in 1999.

One of the Waltham Land Trust’s earliest projects was an inventory of existing open space in the city. We examined the areas and ranked them according to their benefits and their risk of development. The first inventory of its kind in the city, the results were shared with the local government and has been a guiding document for the land trust for many years.

The Waltham Land Trust urged city leaders to work to acquire both of these areas. As a result, the Storer Estate land, directly connected to Chesterbrook Woods, was expanded, and the beautiful and highly visible summit of Jericho Hill became protected.

Waltham Land Trust was instrumental in influencing the City of Waltham to acquire the Shady’s Pond Conservation Area, as well as Sanderson Heights and the Smith Street wetlands.

The Waltham Land Trust was pivotal in the formation of the Friends of the Western Greenway, a move that put the Greenway on the map. More than seven miles of trails have been built to date and countless people enjoy the natural splendor of this important trail system all year long.

Waltham Land Trust was instrumental in the passage of the Community Preservation Act. This legislation now funds and advocates for open space, community housing, recreation, and historic preservation.

The Waltham Land Trust's efforts were central to preventing the development of these two key links in the Western Greenway.

Waltham Land Trust acquired and preserved this small, yet vital piece of property - a peninsula on Hardy Pond. The preservation creates greater access to one of Waltham's largest bodies of water.

Thanks to conversations and advocacy with the Mayor of Waltham and other stakeholders about development of the former Polaroid property at 1265 Main Street, the historic Berry Farm parcel 2 acres of undeveloped land has been protected.

Waltham Land Trust teamed with and guided the group of residents in the area of Grove Street through the processes to get an adjacent landlocked green space protected by the City of Waltham.

The Waltham Land Trust became aware of the end of operations and possible sale of this historical family farm and successfully advocated the Waltham City Council to enter into negotiations for its preservation.

The Waltham Land Trust is actively involved with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to create this multi-use trail from Berlin to Belmont.

The Waltham Land Trust spearheaded the creation of a highly successful local greenspace stewardship program and has trained numerous volunteers to help maintain and monitor the Western Greenway trail, the paths along the Charles River, the Mass Central Rail Trail and Waltham's iconic Prospect Hill Park.

The Waltham Land Trust has been a leading participant in the Fernald Working Group, envisioning a community-based plan for the reuse of the massive Fernald Center site for generations to come.

Promoting our community’s appreciation and use of its protected open spaces has been our priority since our founding. Over nearly two decades, the Waltham Land Trust has guided thousands of people on scenic and educational walks, initiated clean-ups, and overseen trail building projects across the city of Waltham.

Please consider becoming a member and join us at our next event!