Sterling Land Trust on the Land Conservation Assistance Network

Sterling Land Trust
Create an Account
last updated: August 2023

The Sterling Land Trust operates within Sterling for the preservation of open space in the town. The Trust was formed in 1998 and in governed by a board of directors, all Sterling residents. Our operations are funded solely by memberships, contributions, gifts, and time of volunteers.

The first Land Trust holding was 11 acres of land off Pratts Junction RD. Gifted to the Trust in 1999 by William and Betsy Spratt, and now known as the Wekepeke Path, there is a marked trail and small bridge over the Wekepeke brook that provide access for hikers and fishermen.

The Land Trust holds a conservation restriction on 15 acres of land off Johnson Rd. The land is owned by the French family who gifted the restriction to the Trust in 1999. Under a Conservation Restriction the land owners retain ownership of the property, but they agree not to develop the land or change it in other negative ways as negotiated on a case by case basis. The Conservation Restriction must be approved by the board of Selectmen and by the Commonwealth. The owners’ real estate tax base is thereby reduced and the land is protected by documents recorded at the county courthouse. The holder of the Restriction inspects the property annually to assure that the terms and conditions are being upheld.

In 2001, The Trust received a very generous gift of 19 acres of forest land, from Charles E. Allen, and includes a small house at 43 Heywood Rd. The land is known as the “Allenwood Parcel” and has a marked trail where views of the Wekepeke reservoir basin can be seen as well as the agricultural lands of Maplebook Farm and Crystal Brook Farm on Tuttle Rd. Mr. Allen also included an endowment to cover the costs of maintaining the property.

In 2003, a Conservation Restriction was granted jointly to the Land Trust and the Sterling Conservation Commission by R. Gary Griffin, Trustee of Fitch Pond Realty Trust I. The restriction covers 30 acres of land abutting both Fitch Pond and another 30 acre parcel at 136 Kendall Hill Rd., also given to the trust by R. Gary Griffin, trustee Fitch Pond Realty Trust I.

Contact Sterling Land Trust

REMINDER: This listing is a free service of LandCAN.
Sterling Land Trust is not employed by or affiliated with the Land Conservation Assistance Network, and the Network does not certify or guarantee their services. The reader must perform their own due diligence and use their own judgment in the selection of any professional.