Get to Know the Waltham Land Trust

On May 7, Waltham Land Trust Executive Director Sonja Wadman was the featured guest in the League of Women Voters’ Know Your City series. In this engaging conversation, Sonja dives into the heart of the Land Trust’s mission, ongoing projects, and its growing impact on the Waltham community.

🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTube

🌿 What Is the Waltham Land Trust?

Founded in 1999, the Waltham Land Trust (WLT) is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to conserving open spaces, restoring ecosystems, and connecting the community to nature. The idea was born out of frustration that the city was neglecting opportunities to preserve green space. Citizens joined forces to create a city-wide organization—and the WLT was born.

Since then, WLT has:

• Trained over 300 trail stewards
• Supported native habitat restoration
• Advocated for land conservation protections
• Launched community programs like Save Waltham Wildlife
• Hosted signature events like the Green Space Blues Jam and 5K Trail Run/Walk

🧤 Powered by Volunteers

WLT thrives because of its passionate volunteers—especially the Trail Stewards who help maintain local trails, remove invasive species, and plant native vegetation. There’s also a core group helping with outreach, mailings, and events. WLT volunteers are truly the lifeblood of the organization.

💡 Education & Advocacy

From informative e-newsletters to hands-on events, WLT keeps the public engaged and informed. The team also advocates for conservation restrictions on city-owned land, ensuring green spaces are preserved for future generations.

WLT has also been instrumental in raising awareness about the dangers of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs), which pose serious threats to local wildlife and pets. Through the Save Waltham Wildlife campaign, they are working with the city and institutions like Brandeis to promote safer alternatives.

🗺 Trails and Access

Waltham is rich in trails, but many residents don’t know where to go or how to access them. WLT offers printable maps and guides on their website for dozens of open spaces. While many trails are wooded and not ADA-accessible, WLT is working to identify and highlight more accessible options.

Some trail hubs include:

• Prospect Hill Park
• Mass Central Rail Trail
• Charles River Pathway
• Beaver Brook Reservation

🛠 Big Projects Underway

Sonja shared updates on several exciting projects:

• Connecting the Western Greenway to the Mass Central Rail Trail, including a proposed bridge over a waterway near the Lyman Estate.
• Lakeview Preserve—WLT’s first owned land on the shores of Hardy Pond, where green infrastructure will reduce runoff and improve water quality.

🎶 A Night to Remember: Green Space Blues Jam

Held at the historic Stonehurst Estate, the Blues Jam is one of WLT’s biggest fundraisers. Attendees enjoy live music, local drinks, and a silent auction—all supporting land conservation. Discounts are available for members and attendees under 40.

💚 Become a Member or Supporter

WLT is funded through memberships, donations, grants, and event sponsorships. Annual membership starts at just $25, with a “living lightly” option at $15 for seniors, students, and others. Members receive newsletters, discounts to events, and the satisfaction of supporting Waltham’s green future.

• 🌐 Visit walthamlandtrust.org
• 📩 Sign up for the newsletter
• 💚 Become a member
• 🗓 Volunteer or attend an upcoming event
• 🎥 Watch the full video interview: https://youtu.be/iyImcrzDZh8?feature=shared