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What
is the RLF?
The Rural Land Foundation (RLF)
is one of three major conservation-oriented groups in Lincoln. It is
dedicated to maintaining Lincoln’s heritage. Established in 1965 as a
charitable trust, the RLF attempts to ensure that, as Lincoln steadily
changes, important land and economic diversity is not lost forever.
The RLF is guided by up to 20 trustees, all residents of Lincoln, who
share the common goal of preserving the natural beauty and rural character
of the Town. Many of the RLF’s efforts have relied heavily on generous
landowner and resident gifts combined with purchase, sale of development
rights and deed restrictions. The RLF’s process of land preservation
involves:
Identifying land of conservation interest to the Town;
Working with townspeople who would like to preserve their own land or
neighborhood parcels; and
Protecting land through acquisition and limited development
strategies.
RLF’s Philosophy:
The RLF’s fundamental
principle is to continue Lincoln’s land preservation for future generations
while intelligently addressing the realities of today’s economic and social
pressures in this tradition. The RLF believes that the residents of
Lincoln benefit from living in one of the most beautiful natural settings
for a suburb of a major metropolitan area, and that as a community we
can conserve its land heritage and secure its future.
The RLF realizes that Lincoln cannot simply be insulated
from the rest of society to preserve its beautiful landscape or unique
culture. While the RLF recognizes that growth cannot be stopped, it believes
that with creative conservation strategies and limited development land can
be substantially conserved. Sound planning and conservation can work
together.
some of the RLF’s projects:
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Wheeler Property, 1965 - The RLF’s
first project was the purchase of the 109-acre Wheeler Farm.
56 acres were put into conservation and the remainder creatively
developed through a cluster subdivision.
Codman, 1972 - 71
acres of Codman land were acquired by the RLF. 55 acres were set aside
for conservation and recreation use. Lincoln Woods low and
moderate-income housing development and the Mall at Lincoln Station
were built on the remaining acreage.
Hunsaker, 1999 - 36
acres of this 51 acre parcel were permanently conserved, and only two
new house lots were permitted on the remaining acreage.
Drane, 2000 - Working
with neighborhood residents and interested buyers, the RLF purchased
the 36-acre property off Todd Pond Road. Over 26 acres were
permanently conserved and only two new house lots were permitted on
the remaining acreage.
The Lincoln Fields and Tower
Road Field Projects, 2001 - With the help and generosity of
the landowners and townspeople, over 40-acres of highly significant
and visible fields and forest on Sandy Pond, Weston, Silver Hill,
Trapelo and Tower Roads permanently conserved. |
FOR MORE INFORMATION about the RLF’s land conservation initiatives please
contact any of the Trustees or the staff at (781) 259-9250 or email:
RLF_of_Lincoln@hotmail.com
CLICK HERE to
visit the Rural Land Foundation's website
CLICK HERE to visit the Lincoln Land
Conservation Trust page
CLICK HERE to visit the Lincoln
Conservation Commission page |
