Land Stewardship

The Land Stewardship Subcommittee (LSC) was established in 2010, as a subcommittee of the Conservation Commission. In the beginning, the focus was on educating the public about conservation areas and helping with the stewardship of several Town-owned lands. Participants were members of the Conservation Commission. Representatives from the Agricultural Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee joined in 2012. Other representatives were added in subsequent years. In 2017, the LSC recognized that the town needed more guidance and coordination of stewardship on the growing inventory of town conservation areas, parks, and other lands, which led to the hiring of a Land Stewardship Coordinator. In 2021, the LSC updated and refined the purposes of the Subcommittee.

The Land Stewardship Committee consists of nine regular voting members, including one representative from each of these six Town boards/commissions and three at-large members, along with two alternates, as follows:

Agricultural Commission
Conservation Commission
Historic District/Heritage Commission
Parks and Recreation Committee
Town Council
Trustees of the Trust Fund
Three at-large residents selected by the Conservation Commission (for 3-year terms)
Two alternates appointed by the Conservation Commission.

Each board/commission appoints its own member who serves an open-ended term. Each board/commission may designate an alternate at their option.

The two alternates appointed by the Conservation Commission may attend and participate in all meetings but may not make motions, second motions, nor vote except when seated for a missing regular member. The two alternates may be seated for any of the nine regular members who might be absent or recused. If an alternate is seated for a representative from any of the six boards/commissions the alternate shall report back to that board/commission about any discussion at the meeting pertinent to the concerns of that board/commission.

These Town officials provide assistance to the Land Stewardship Committee but do not vote:

Land Stewardship Coordinator
Parks and Recreation Director
Public Works Director
Town Administrator

Purpose of the Land Stewardship Subcommittee (LSC):

Using a collaborative and consensus driven process across multiple committees and town departments, the LSC will:

Discuss and develop guidelines on land management issues on Town-owned lands, including purposes of the property, management plans, allowed/prohibited uses, and other management activities
Provide a forum for members, staff, and the public to bring forward land stewardship issues related to ecological integrity, recreation, public access, wildlife habitat, forestry, agriculture, invasive plants, historical resources, and other conservation-related topics
Provide an open forum for coordination and collaboration among Town departments, committees, and commissions.
Support a Volunteer Trail Steward program, providing guidance to the stewards and follow-up on any trail stewardship issue.
Provide input on educational materials, signage, and web-based information to inform and engage the public in caring for and enjoying town lands.
Assist with the annual monitoring of town-held conservation easements.
Help guide the work of the Land Stewardship Coordinator.

Annual Land Stewardship Reports -- see below under "Supporting Documents"