THE WALDEN WOODS PROJECT

CONSERVATION & LAND MANAGEMENTTHE WALDEN WOODS PROJECT PRESERVES AND PROTECTS WALDEN WOODS AND THOREAU COUNTRY IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR WORLDWIDE LITERARY, HISTORICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE AND THEIR CAPACITY TO MOTIVATE OTHERS TO PROTECT THE GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECOLOGICALLY/HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT AREAS THAT EXIST IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.THE WALDEN WOODS PROJECT OWNS AND STEWARDS NEARLY 200 ACRES OF LAND THAT PROVIDES AN IMPORTANT SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC AS A HIGHLY SOUGHT-AFTER RESOURCE FOR PASSIVE RECREATION AND EDUCATION. THE MAJORITY OF OUR LAND IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC YEAR-ROUND, AND OUR INTERPRETIVE TRAILS ARE USED EXTENSIVELY BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND A WIDE VARIETY OF ORGANIZED GROUPS, INCLUDING SCHOOL GROUPS, ELDER SERVICES GROUPS, AND TOURISTS. MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES INCLUDE MAINTENANCE OF EXISTING TRAILS, TRAIL DESIGN, INTERPRETATION AND CONSTRUCTION, MAINTENANCE OF TRAIL HEAD PARKING FACILITIES, AND ECOLOGICAL IMPROVEMENTS INTENDED TO BENEFIT WILDLIFE AND THE NATURAL VALUE OF OUR LAND.THE PROJECT'S LAND MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS SUPPORT COLLABORATION BETWEEN A WIDE VARIETY OF CIVIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS.THE WALDEN WOODS PROJECT MANAGES CONSERVATION RESTRICTIONS ON 53.90 ACRES OF LAND, WHICH PREVENTS DEVELOPMENT OF SITES NOT OWNED IN FEE (TOTAL ACRES OWNED IN FEE: 130.30). ANNUAL CONSERVATION RESTRICTION MONITORING ENSURES THAT THE PROTECTIONS PRESCRIBED IN THE CONSERVATION RESTRICTIONS ARE IN EFFECT.THE LAND WE OWN AND MANAGE INCLUDES A CERTIFIED ORGANIC FARM THAT OFFERS HEALTHY, LOCALLY GROWN PRODUCE FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION AND THAT HOSTS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROJECTS. IN ITS CAPACITY AS THE STATE-DESIGNATED "FRIENDS OF WALDEN POND," THE WALDEN WOODS PROJECT PARTNERS WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION ON FUNDRAISING FOR PUBLIC PROGRAMS AND CONSERVATION INITIATIVES AT THE WALDEN POND STATE RESERVATION.

EDUCATION:THE EDUCATION PROGRAMS OF THE WALDEN WOODS PROJECT SERVE AN AUDIENCE OF STUDENTS, EDUCATORS, AND LIFE-LONG LEARNERS AROUND THE GLOBE. OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAMS INCLUDE GUIDED TOURS FOR GROUPS VISITING WALDEN WOODS; THE GLOBAL LIVE DELIBERATELY ESSAY CONTEST FOR YOUTH AGES 14-19; APPROACHING WALDEN, A WEEK-LONG SUMMER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM FOR TEACHERS; OTHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR; VIRTUAL GROUP VISITS, AND THE STEWARDSHIP LECTURE SERIES. ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE INSPIRED BY THE WRITINGS AND PHILOSOPHIES OF HENRY DAVID THOREAU AND ASK PEOPLE TO EXPLORE THEIR OWN SENSE OF PLACE-THEIR CONNECTION TO THEIR OWN COMMUNITY AND OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD-AND TO DEVELOP AN ENVIRONMENTAL ETHIC. AS THOREAU HIMSELF IS A HIGHLY INTERDISCIPLINARY SUBJECT, WE ADDRESS THE TOPICS OF TRANSCENDENTALISM, SOCIAL REFORM, WRITING, NATURAL HISTORY AND 19-CENTURY HISTORY IN OUR PROGRAMS.