Conservation, Housing, & Access
A collaborative conservation project preserving the largest unprotected parcel of land in Lincoln, Massachusetts.
Slides from RLF’s 4-14-2025 presentation to the Select Board (PDF)
Slides from RLF’s 5-7-2025 public presentation at the Lincoln Library (PDF)
Who’s Involved
This conservation project is the result of a multi-year collaboration between the Rural Land Foundation of Lincoln (RLF), Farrington Memorial Nature Linc, and the Panetta Family.
RLF, founded in 1965, has led creative land development in Lincoln, continually balancing the importance of open space with other Town needs, including housing. Nature Linc’s parent organization Farrington Memorial has been operating in Lincoln since 1912. Nature Linc’s mission since 2011 has been to provide children from low-income, urban communities with equitable access to and immersive engagement in nature. The Panetta Family has been on the land for generations and previously farmed much of their property.
With this project, RLF, Nature Linc, and the Panetta Family seek to permanently protect more than 77 acres of land in Lincoln in a way that provides a conservation benefit to Lincoln, meets an important town need for increased housing diversity, and ensures Nature Linc’s continued ability to operate their program in Lincoln for years to come. This project will conserve the largest remaining parcel of undeveloped and unprotected land in Lincoln.
About the Project
This project protects more than 77 acres of forest, wetland, and field habitat on the Nature Linc and Panetta Family properties, located off of Route 2 Eastbound. Both properties are identified as Land of Conservation Interest in the Lincoln Open Space and Recreation Plan. Together, these parcels represent the largest area of undeveloped and unprotected woodlands and wetlands in Lincoln.
75-Acre Nature Linc Property
- 65 acres of land permanently protected
- New 1.5 mile trail along the western edge of the property, connecting the new housing development to the Osborne Conservation Area
- 10 acres for Nature Linc’s core programmatic use, with restrictions to maintain similar land use intensity
20-Acre Panetta Family Property
- 12 acres of upland and wetland habitat permanently protected
- 17 new starter homes created, addressing a gap in Lincoln’s housing diversity
Additional Partners
The City of Cambridge, the Town of Lincoln, and the Conservation Commission are crucial land conservation partners for this project. The City of Cambridge’s Water Department has helped protect hundreds of acres of land in the Cambridge Reservoir’s watershed in Lincoln. Additionally, Lincoln residents have consistently supported conservation projects at Town Meeting, particularly through the Community Preservation Act Fund.
Why Conservation Matters
Land conservation matters. Not only is it one of the most impactful ways to address climate change and carbon sequestration at the local level, land conservation also protects contiguous habitat, which is critical for the survival of many wildlife species. Lastly, much of the land to be protected is within the watershed for the Cambridge Reservoir.
Creating Public Access
An important part of this project is the creation of more than 1.5 miles of public trails connecting the new housing development to the Osborne Conservation Area. The new trail connection will allow pedestrians to walk the entire length of the site and continue to Trapelo Road. East Lincoln’s trail network is less extensive and connected than in the rest of town, and this project will greatly improve public access in this area.
Housing Diversity
This project seeks to meet a need in Lincoln for increased housing diversity. Currently, RLF is working with CIVICO, a developer, to plan 17 new starter homes. The houses will be part of a proposed North Lincoln Overlay District. The housing development will provide densely clustered single-family houses. A minimum of 15% of the homes will be affordable and the houses will have an average size of 1,850 sq.ft. each. In addition, the three existing Panetta Family homes will be rebuilt and included in the housing development. All houses will incorporate elements of green design.
All costs of the housing development will be paid for by the developer. Private donations directly support the conservation component of the Nature Link Project.
Panetta Family Property & Farm Stand
One of the project goals is to preserve Gerard’s Farm Stand on Route 2, which is an important part of Lincoln’s agricultural legacy. The project therefore proposes a warrant article to create a limited B-1 Zoning use for the property.
Financing the Project
| The total land conservation acquisition cost is $3.1M. | |
| Public Funding Requests | $950K from the Town of Lincoln Community Preservation Act Fund (CPA)(Town Meeting Vote) |
| $800K from the City of Cambridge | |
| Private Fundraising Pledges (to date) | $500K from Rural Land Foundation (RLF) and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT) |
| Amount still needed from private donors: $850K | |
Residents at Town Meeting will vote on the public CPA funding request, the zoning for the North Lincoln Overlay District, and zoning for the Farm Stand. For this project to be successful, we need your support at Town Meeting.
Additionally, we hope that you will make a generous donation toward this critical project. As with all acquisitions of open space, we have a moment in time to continue Lincoln’s legacy of protecting land in coordination with other important Town needs. Make a pledge below by filling out the form, or print and mail this PDF pledge form.