The wonderful diversity of the Massachusetts landscape ranges from mountain peaks to pristine barrier beaches. This unique and inspiring landscape is the result of countless, conscious decisions to protect our natural and cultural heritage. Working with conservation organizations like The Trustees of Reservations, landowners across the state have conserved many thousands of acres. This conservation ethic has spanned hard times and boom times—and continues to this day. The choices you make today will shape the Massachusetts landscape you leave to the next generation. Despite its small size, Massachusetts ranks 6th in the nation when it comes to protecting land. As impressive as this may be, the future of roughly 2.5 million acres of undeveloped, unprotected land (approximately 47% of the state) hangs in the balance. Current trends are not encouraging. In 1998, the Massachusetts Governor's Blue Ribbon Panel on Land Conservation stated, "If recent development trends continue, roughly one-third of the land mass of the state will be developed by the year 2010, four times as much land as was developed in 1950." Already, more than twice as much land in Massachusetts has been developed in the last 50 years than in the previous 300 years combined. And each day, 44 acres of open space is developed. That's the equivalent of paving over the Boston Common every 12 hours.
If you are concerned about the future the Massachusetts landscape, this web site can help you to take action.
If you own land that you would like to protect, contact our Land Conservation Department at 978/840-4446 x1919 or e-mail landcons@ttor.org. Our land protection staff can help you assess the cultural and natural resources on your land. Together, we'll help you explore land conservation techniques, identify local land use plans and networks of open space, evaluate alternatives to conventional sub-division and development, and sort through fundamental tax and legal considerations. Whether you want to protect a small meadow or an entire forest, we're here to help.