10/25/2026
Think of a place in Pelham you would miss if it were gone. A quiet patch of woods. A field along your favorite road. A trail where you walk with a friend. A brook where your children once looked for frogs. Places like these help make Pelham feel like home. Keeping them takes planning, patience, and people willing to do the work. That is where the Pelham Conservation Commission comes in—and its members have been busy. ( Photo below- Shaw Farm- A new Conservation Easement)
Through mid-October, the Commission has worked on 10 separate land protection deals this year. Four are complete, one is nearly finished, and five are still in progress. The properties range from one acre to 50 acres. Some involve land donations. Others involve purchases. Each offers a chance to protect a piece of Pelham’s future. It has been one of the busiest years since these land protection efforts began in 2002. Back then, Pelham held about 1,700 acres of open space. Since then, the Commission’s work, landowner generosity, and taxpayer support have helped nearly double the amount of protected open space.
What does protected land do for you?
You do not have to walk a trail to benefit from conservation.
· Cleaner water. Woods and wetlands help filter water before it reaches our ponds, streams, and wells.
· Less flooding. Wetlands hold rainwater and slow its flow.
· Room for wildlife. Connected woods and fields give animals places to feed, nest, and move safely.
· Places to enjoy nature. Where public access is allowed, conserved land offers room to walk, explore, and unwind.
· A town that still feels like Pelham. Open fields, forests, and scenic views help preserve the rural character we love.
These benefits reach all of us—and the generations who will live here after us.
