Wayland is fortunate to have access to a wide variety of sustained land filled with walking trails and many opportunities to explore. The conservation land takes up a substantial portion of the secured open space in Wayland and is distributed widely throughout the town. The land offers a valuable outlet for residents of our community to connect with nature, release stress and get exercise, making it extremely important that we keep it in good shape.

The conservation land was first established in 1961, after the founding of the Conservation Commission. It’s made up of 1,023 acres of land which include 19 major districts and numerous trails that range in ease and length. All 19 districts and all their trails are open to the public and encourage visitors to hike, walk and explore the intricate ecosystems that operate in their woods. Because it is so precious to the community, the conservation land relies on its visitors following the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act and the Wayland Wetland Law and Water Resource Bylaw. These are government issued regulations that keep the land protected and water sources preserved.

No two districts are alike, and consequently they each have their own specific rules and regulations that are crucial to maintaining the environmental efficiency of the land. On the Conservation Land and Trails page, you can find links to specific details and explanations of these rules for each district which work to keep them safe. For example, the Upper and Lower Millbrook advises visitors to be wary of driving nearby on rainy nights due to the high amphibian population living in the land. In the Greenways conservation area, the commission asks fishers not to dig for bait within areas the district encompasses. It is extremely important to follow these rules and recommendations in order to reduce the risk which certain threats are imposing on the area.

Unfortunately, the conservation land is not always peaceful. With rapid fluctuations in the climate combined with visitors ignoring the rules and regulations, the land faces threats on a daily basis. This previous summer was especially bad when it came to the invasive species, the Purple Loosestrife. This perennial plant thrives in wetlands but is not native to local conservation land and negatively affects the wildlife in ways of competition.

“The Purple Loosestrife are known to outcompete native plants because they’re faster at growing,” Conservation Department Assistant Emily Cueller said. “They can take over a lot of space really easily. That’s why they’ve easily outcompeted native plants this year.”

These plants also prove to be a problem when it comes to one native threatened bird species, the Bobolink. These birds thrive in marshy wetlands, so certain districts of the conservation land provide an ideal habitat for them.

“The conservation areas are perfect for the Bobolink to have their little nests on the ground and raise their young,” Cueller said.

The Purple Loosestrife poses a threat to the success of species like the Bobolink, because invasive plants compete with other producers that bear more nutritious food for the bird and their babies. This affects all birds in the area, but it has a much more imminent impact on species that are threatened.

“Their [Purple Loosestrife] fruit is a lot less nutritious than what native species offer,” Cueller said. “That can be a major detriment to the birds themselves.”

The health of the conservation land is heavily impacted by visitors not being mindful during their time in the districts, especially when they don’t follow rules related to dogs. Dogs are one of the biggest problems the Conservation Committee has had to manage while trying to maintain the land.

“I would say that’s kind of our biggest issue,” Cueller said. “When people take their dogs off leash and don’t pick up after it, that’s an issue.”

Dogs off of their leashes can chase after species–like the Bobolink– that conservators are trying to protect, as well as erode the landscape. Owners leaving behind waste also degrades the cleanliness of the trails and creates a worse experience for other walkers.

While invasive species and the lack of adherence to regulations may not seem like the biggest deal, obeying the rules of the land is extremely important in protecting its sanctity. This land offers the community a peaceful environment to exercise and explore nature on top of numerous mental health benefits, so keeping it pristine is an asset to the town.

“I think being out in nature promotes positive habits,” WHS wellness teacher John Berry said. “There are so many health benefits that come about just being out in nature, whether it’s getting natural sunlight and vitamin D or just breathing fresh air. It’s just so good for your body. Conservation lands for communities offer a place for the residents to have a peaceful sanctuary.”

A recent Earth.com study reported that 66% of people felt a mood boost after being outdoors for an hour a day. The conservation land allows everyone in our community to have an outlet like this, acting as a healthy way to release stress. The trails also provide stunning views and a great place to walk dogs.

“I like the trail because it’s really pretty at sunset and a very fun area to walk my dog,” sophomore Shawnie Loveless said.

Conservation land is a valuable resource that our town is fortunate to have so much of, so we need to work as a community to keep it preserved. As we continue to stare down the effects of climate change, the importance of green land like this becomes more and more important. We must not take this land for granted, and do our part to give back and care for it.

“Having this much conservation area and this much green space is such a rarity in so many communities,” Cueller said. “Protecting these spaces is incredibly important.”

To get more information and updates about what’s going on in the conservation land, visit the conservation website and the conservation Instagram page.