Friends of the North 40
Location, Location, Location
The North 40 is contiguous to Morses Pond, making this area an important wildlife corridor.
The North 40's forty-six acres form a triangle bounded by Central Street, Weston Road and Turner Road in Wellesley, Massachusetts.
The North 40 holds the following attributes:
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Located over an aquifer
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Part of a Zone II Water Supply Protection District
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Valuable ecosystem (which includes a vernal pool)
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Large wildlife corridor (contiguous to Morses Pond)
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Part of our Town's valued trails system
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Hosts community gardens
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Provides passive recreation to residents
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Enjoyed by the public for decades.
This map shows that the North 40 is in a Groundwater Resource Area for Wellesley drinking water wells. The underground aquifers are shown in grey and pink.
This Open Space Map shows current land use. The dark green and dark purple areas are Town and State owned Article 97 protected lands. See the legend below for more information. (Please note this map does not show the pending purchase of the North 40.) More information about open space data can be found in this Natural Resources Commission Report.
Wellesley Open Space Map
News:
The North 40 was purchased in part with $10 million dollars of funding from the CPA. The Community Preservation Committee has proposed the acreage to be under deed restriction to the Select Board. Watch the discussion from the November 14 Select Board meeting starting at 1hour 26minutes.
The Wellesley Trails Committee submitted a Statement on Protecting the North 40 to Town Boards. Read it here:
Adobe Acrobat document [219.9 KB]
Ribbon Cutting at the Vernal Pool
The skies cleared for a beautiful ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of the boardwalk at the North 40 Vernal Pool, which provides both access and protection to this important resource.
Selectman Jack Morgan and NRC Director Brandon Schmitt addressed the large crowd in attendance, and lead volunteer Bill Giezentanner had the honor of cutting the ribbon. The boardwalk was funded by the Community Preservation Act (CPA), and built with over 500 hours of volunteer labor.
See the video about the boardwalk here.
Vernal Pool Cleanup
Thanks to all of the volunteers who help to maintain this important resource area. Learn more and see photos.
(Spotted Salamander photo courtesy of Joy Marzolf)
Weston Road Gardens will soon be in bloom and bounty! Have a look.
There's even a video:
Congratulations!
Wellesley Selectman Barbara Searle and Wellesley College's Ben Hammond sign closing papers. Photo courtesy of Wellesley Townsman
Thank you!
Over 500 People Explored the North 40!
Raptors, Goats and You!
Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.
Frank Lloyd Wright
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