SVT Accepts Conservation Restrictions in Northborough and Southborough

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Sudbury Valley Trustees has accepted conservation restrictions (CR’s) on town-owned conservation lands in Northborough and Southborough.

In Northborough, the Town of Northborough and SVT collaborated on a successful effort to protect 19.2 acres of land on the east face of Mount Pisgah, adding to the conserved properties of the Tri-Town Initiative.

The Northborough Conservation Commission and Open Space Committee are very excited to add this parcel to their Mount Pisgah Conservation Area. Mount Pisgah is a very popular spot for hiking, and SVT is excited to continue to secure trails like those on the Bennett land, adding them to the formal trails in the conservation area for public enjoyment far into the future.

The Town purchased this property from the Bennett family in 2019 using Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds. The use of CPA funds requires that a conservation restriction (CR) be placed on the property to ensure that it remains in its natural state and is never developed. The CR must be held by a third party with experience in monitoring conservation lands. On August 30th, the Town granted a CR on the Bennett land to SVT. 

In Southborough, the Town of Southborough purchased the 30-acre Halloran property in 2018, also using CPA funds. Located off Rockpoint Road, this woodland abuts other conservation land owned by the Town off Hubley Lane and includes several streams and wetlands, providing important wildlife habitat in an otherwise developed area. The Town granted a CR to SVT on this land on August 25th.

SVT is responsible for annually monitoring these new CR’s in Northborough and Southborough, in addition to the 93 existing CR’s it holds on other conservation lands in the region. Monitoring ensures that the conservation values are being protected. These CR’s are an important part of making sure that public land set aside for conservation is protected in perpetuity. SVT is grateful for the foresight of municipal leaders and residents in purchasing these properties for passive recreation, wildlife habitat, water quality protection, and the many other benefits they provide.