The Landlocked Forest - also known as the ‘Landlocked Parcel’
- is Burlington's largest unprotected forest.
It is a haven of green in an otherwise built up, suburban world of office parks and malls.
Help us protect The Landlocked Forest - become a Forest Friend!
Make a $20 donation and receive a Landlocked Forest t-shirt with our new logo! T-shirts are available in white or natural. Sizes: adult small, medium, large, and extra-large. If you would like to receive a T-shirt, please contact Chris Warren at dwarrenma@yahoo.com with your order. Pick-up or drop-off times will be arranged. Cash or checks will be gratefully accepted (checks should be made out to "Friends of the Landlocked Forest"). We hope to see many folks around town proudly wearing these beautiful shirts!
Friends Celebrate Marked Trails in the Landlocked Forest
The Public Lands Preservation Act (H. 3438) is in committee at the State House now. If the state legislature approves this bill, it would require alternative analysis and equivalent land in value and natural resources to replace the removal of Article 97 land. This would make it more difficult for towns to dispose of Article 97 land (open space). It would provide much needed protection for the Burlington Landlocked Forest.
On Tuesday, December 15th there was a hearing at the State House in Boston on The Public Lands Preservation Act. The Burlington Conservation Commission voted to unanimously support the proposed law, and sent a letter (which specifically mentions the Landlocked Forest) supporting a favorable vote by this Committee. The letter was also sent to the weekly local newspapers (we haven't seen it published yet), our state legislators, Mass Audubon, and the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions.
A Friend of the Landlocked Forest made a statement at the hearing (see below), and we urge you to write a letter supporting the bill. Letters should be emailed soon, to Representative Straus (Committee Co-Chair) at:
Rep.WilliamStraus@hou.state.ma.us and Rep.Straus@Verizon.net and to State Senator Petruccelli (Committee Co-Chair) at Anthony.Petruccelli@state.ma.us asking them to report the bill out favorably to the legislature. It would also benefit the Landlocked Forest if you sent a copy of the letter to your own state representative and state senator. Aother way to help is to send your message to your local newspaper.
Please write a letter to show your support for the Forest!
Comments below from Christine Herter Warren, representing the Friends of the Landlocked Forest, a citizen’s group based in Burlington:
For the past two years, our group has worked to protect Burlington's Landlocked Forest from development. It is 250 acres of town-owned land that was taken by eminent domain under Article 97 almost 20 years ago. The purchase of this land has been paid for by Burlington tax payers to specifically protect our water supply and preserve open space, since Burlington has the good fortune of providing water from its own sources rather than depending upon the MWRA system. In our experience, the developer has relentlessly pursued the purchase of this town owned land for commercial development, with the plan to overturn Article 97 protection to allow development. Under the current laws it is far too easy for Article 97 land to be developed, even if it was designated for environmental protection.
Therefore,we urge the Joint Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Agriculture to strengthen the protection offered under Article 97 by continuing the legislative process to enact the Public Lands Protection Act into law, to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth from constant threat and siege of losing this important constitutional environmental right. Thank you.
Do you like to hike? See wildlife?
Featuring 270 acres of pine and oak forest with a dense blueberry and fern understory, this green space is home to abundant wildlife, including many deer, fox, fisher cats, turkeys and a wide assortment of songbirds, owls and hawks. Walkers, runners, cyclists, snowshoers and cross-country skiers are frequent visitors, and the property offers a chance for people to explore one of Burlington’s last remaining forests.
But for how long? Though town-owned, the Landlocked Forest is in the crosshairs of developers who wish to cut it down and construct the largest bio-tech campus ever built in the state. Let us not squander our last unprotected forest – let’s protect this forest forever and create a meaningful legacy to our children and our grandchildren.
More development is not the answer….. and it costs more than you think.
Let's 'unlock' the Forest by working with the surrounding towns and the state to provide better access, rather than by chopping it down and paving it over. Help us find new ways for Burlington residents to access and enjoy this open space.
Support the Friends of the Landlocked Forest to protect this precious land. We hope this website helps you learn more about this property, its history, wildlife and potential for recreation and much needed green space.
Burlington residents need to voice our opposition to developing the Landlocked Parcel to our Town Meeting Representatives. The developers are hard at work, and if we don’t act now, the forest will become yet another office park and mall, forever. Would you like to help us?
Photo Fundraiser: Support the Friends of the Landlocked Forest by purchasing a photography of the Landlocked Forest. We also offer photo puzzles, T-shirts, aprons, tote bags, mousepads, mugs and bookmarks. All proceeds will go to support our organization.
Friends of the Burlington Landlocked Forest is an organization of citizens concerned with the wellbeing and preservation of 270-acres of land located between Routes 62, 3, and 128 in Burlington, MA. Contact Us
