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Conservation
The Conservation Office is located on the garden-level of the Town Office Building, 1625 Massachusetts Avenue. See Town Office Building accessibility information.
Overview
The Conservation Division serves three primary purposes:
- to administer and enforce state and local wetlands protection codes, as well as the state Stormwater Management Policy
- to manage over 1,400 acres of town-owned conservation land and monitor conservation easements and restrictions
- to conduct outreach and education regarding the town's natural resources and watersheds
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Dose of Nature Series Guided Walks
Join Conservation and Public Health Staff once a month for a guided tour of the many Conservation lands in town. Registration is not required. Click here for the upcoming schedule
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Town-Wide Bicycle and Pedestrian- Take a survey and map your ideas
Help create a town-wide plan to build a safe and connected biking and walking network Find out more
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Chiesa Farm
Chiesa Farm, just one of Lexington's wonderful conservation areas!
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Juniper Hill
Juniper Hill, just one of Lexington's wonderful conservation areas!
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Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park
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Lower Vine Brook
The Lower Vine Brook running through Lexington
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Paint Mine
Paint Mine, just one of Lexington's wonderful conservation areas!
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Willards Woods
Willard's Woods, just one of Lexington's wonderful conservation areas!
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Accessibility on Conservation Areas
Learn about the accessibility on Conservation Areas.
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Certified Bee City
Lexington Conservation staff hosted and supported multiple projects that benefited pollinators in 2021. Starting in January 2021 and lasting through May 2021, Conservation staff organized and hosted a monthly webinar “Lexington Nature Speaker Series” to help keep our volunteers and community-engaged over the winter months and during COVID-19.
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Community Garden
Lexington continues to offer community garden plots for growing organic vegetables, fruits, and flowers at Idylwilde Conservation Area off of Middle Street.
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Conservation Projects
In addition to annual maintenance and management of the town's conservation trails and meadows, the Lexington Conservation Division and Conservation Stewards are engaged in a number of projects to improve the town's conservation infrastructure, wildlife habitat, ecosystem health, and scenic value.
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Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission is responsible for the preservation of open land and the protection of wetlands through the provisions of the State and Federal Wetlands Protection statutes.
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Conservation E-Newsletter
Have something to share? This is the place for all things Stewardship in Lexington, including upcoming volunteer work events, newly completed projects, local trainings and educational events, as well as new from the Lexington Conservation Office.
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Conservation Permits: Wetlands Protection
The Town of Lexington regulates wetlands and floodplain protection in accordance with the terms of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. 131 Section 40 A) and the Town of Lexington's Wetlands Protection Code. The Environmental Protection Agency / United States Army Corps of Engineers also regulates activities in wetlands through the Clean Water Act.
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Land Stewardship
The Lexington Conservation Office manages over 1,400 acres of town-owned Conservation land by engaging a diverse group of volunteer Stewards, neighbors, consultants, and community groups.
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Open Space and Recreation Plan
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Other Conservation Organizations & Information
Find related Lexington conservation groups and other conservation information.
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Public Land & Trails
Lexington has over 1,400 acres of conservation land, including 26 conservation areas with trail access and over 50 miles of trails, many with boardwalks through wet areas. This conservation land creates a patchwork of forests, fields, and wetlands that provides important habitat for plants and wildlife, ecosystem services such as air and water filtration, and adds to the quality of life for Lexington residents. On Lexington's conservation land, visitors have many opportunities for nature enjoyment and passive recreation, including jogging, picnicking, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, and bicycling.
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Running Bamboo
At a Special Town Meeting in 2020, Chapter 131, Running Bamboo Control, was added to the Code of Lexington “…to preserve and protect private and Town-owned property and Town-owned rights-of-way from the damaging spread of Running Bamboo…”.
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Stormwater
Stormwater is the water that flows over the ground when it rains or snows. When precipitation falls on vegetated areas, most of the water soaks into the ground rather than running over its surface.