Update: As of July 2025, this parcel is now officially protected.
Nestled in the northwestern corner of swiftly developing Fitchburg, Massachusetts, lies a 25-acre parcel of land nearly conserved in perpetuity. Of those 25 acres, 20 will be conserved with forever wild principles.
The story of how this came to be begins in 2022 with Ralph Baker, a passionate conservationist and retired environmental soil scientist. Ralph approached North County Land Trust (NCLT) to discuss the possibility of conserving the land through a conservation restriction with forever wild values.
To be considered “forever wild”, a piece of land is legally and permanently protected from development or management that would alter the land and vegetation. Conservation restrictions, also known as conservation easements, allow a landowner to retain ownership and certain rights to the land while ensuring future stewards of the land will keep it undeveloped. While all conservation restrictions are slightly different, the common attribute of forever wild restrictions is that they limit human activity and allow nature to direct the ebb and flow of life. They afford land the opportunity to be self-willed and free, with management by people kept to a bare minimum.
This concept was essential to Ralph, as he wanted to emphasize the importance of wildlands as a critical component of forest conservation, especially in the face of Massachusetts’s rapid urbanization and disappearing forests.
“When long-time neighbors who owned the property informed me that they would be moving, I offered to purchase it so I could protect the land. There’s a public trail that passes through the back of the parcel that I want to preserve. As there are few, if any properties in our area explicitly designated as wildlands, this 25 acres, which includes a large wooded wetland struck me as a good beginning. I’m excited to work with NCLT to help create a Forever Wild CR within a key ecological corridor between the densely populated Twin Cities and the highlands of Jewell Hill, Mt. Watatic and the Wapack Range.” -Ralph Baker
This was not the first time Ralph had taken action to protect forested land in this area. Back in 2017, when the trees behind the Baker couple’s home were marked to be logged, Ralph and his wife, Judith, stepped in by donating to the city under a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement with the City of Fitchburg ensured that the 205-acre parcel would not be cut for at least 30 years (through 2047). This land is now known as The Baker Family Public Forest Reserve and is open to the public to explore.
The organization Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands & Communities (WWFC), highlights the importance of a thriving Wildland network in New England. According to the WWFC, wildlands are vital for counteracting the global crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and human health and safety. Alarmingly, only 3.3 percent of New England’s forested land is permanently protected as Wildlands.
The 20-acre parcel that has been protected as forever wild in this conservation restriction held by NCLT is heavily forested, with a diverse mix of tree and shrub species. It includes a wetland area and is adjacent to city-owned land for watershed protection, making it a crucial addition to conservation in the area. Currently, the land is transitioning from a young to a mid-aged forest, with the forest floor adorned with mossy logs and ferns in many places.
Also important to Ralph was designing a 5 acre “special use area” which includes a garden and other historic features including an area that had been used by a local boy scout troop as a camping area for decades. This 5 acre area permits cordwood harvesting, gardening and other homesteading activities balancing the no-touch properties of the forever wild portion of the conservation restriction. Working with NCLT to craft the legal document that upholds both aspects of his intent for the land, and would pass muster through the state’s intensive review process, took many conversations, revisions, and site visits.
By conserving this land with NCLT, Ralph is filling in a puzzle piece of watershed protection, considering future sustainable land use, and highlighting how private landholders can do their part for local sustainability. Ralph’s vision for a forever-wild space is a small but powerful and permanent way to counteract global environmental challenges.
NCLT is pleased to add the Baker Conservation Restriction to its list of conservation responsibilities. If you’re interested in exploring the idea of conserving your land or simply want to learn more about it, feel free to reach out to Anna Wilkins, Director of Conservation and Climate (awilkins@northcountylandtrust.org).
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the land has officially been protected and included an inaccurate description of the property’s location.