Land Conservation Plan

 Help shape land conservation in our community. Wellesley's Open Space and Recreation Plan identifies existing open space, however, the Town lacks a forward-looking, actionable plan that targets specific parcels of conservation value and maps out strategies for protecting them. The NRC’s 1978 authorizing legislation instructs the NRC to “propose for acquisition by the town those natural resources that the commission deems useful or important to the town.” 

Given recent missed conservation opportunities, the NRC believes a comprehensive, Town-wide plan is of great value. We have many opportunities to increase preservation. While about 33% of Wellesley is open space, approximately 50% of that open space is held privately with no long-term protection. And overall, only a mere 9% of Wellesley is protected under Article 97 of the state Constitution. 

By engaging in a Town-wide planning process and building consensus upfront, the Town will be best prepared to conserve open space. In preparation for this effort, the NRC has been working with the Town's GIS Department to update property records, so that the Town knows what is currently preserved. The best time to conserve is proactively – not when development is imminent and costs are high. The Land Conservation Plan will position the Town to achieve this.

Read Goals and Action Steps from the Open Space and Recreation Plan here: 

And Find Maps from the Charrette Below:

Online Viewer Here: 

More information, including the report from the Charrette is here.