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Lush, manicured lawns are an aesthetic of the past. Native trees, shrubs and flowers, which provide habitat to wildlife and perform important ecosystem services, are the landscape preference of the present and future. Conservation is an important part of our town’s ethos and an essential response to climate preparedness. In this program given by the Natural Resources Division and the Concord Land Conservation Trust, learn how you can transform your lawn into useful habitat, implement conservation practices at home, and become the best stewards of your landscape to support biodiversity and land resiliency. Following the presentation, take a tour of two on site habitats prepared by the Natural Resources Division and bring home a native perennial to plant in your yard!

Presenters:

Delia Kaye is Concord’s Natural Resources Director and has served in this role since 2006. She advises the Natural Resources Commission and its subcommittees on conserving and protecting Concord’s wetlands, natural resources, and agricultural lands. This includes administering and enforcing the state’s Wetlands Protection Act and the Concord Wetlands Bylaw, implementing the Open Space and Recreation Plan, monitoring conservation restrictions, coordinating land protection and stewardship efforts with local and regional preservation groups, stewardship of 1,500 acres of Town conservation land, maintaining agricultural agreements on nearly 200 acres of Town-owned lands, and support of four community gardens. In the efforts to preserve and expand native pollinator habitats, she has worked to develop pollinator gardens and Barretts Mill Farm and Heywood Meadow, as well as supported efforts at West Concord Park and Harrington Park.

Jane Gruba-Chevalier is the executive director of the Concord Land Conservation Trust (CLCT). The CLCT was founded in 1959 and works to conserve the natural resources of Concord and the Town’s traditional landscape of woods, meadows, and fields. Since its inception, the CLCT has acquired through gift or purchase nearly 1000 acres and holds conservation restrictions on an additional 265 acres. These lands are protected and stewarded in perpetuity by the CLCT. We connect the community to the land through membership, volunteer opportunities, and programs. Our activities are funded primarily from membership and private donations.