OPINION: Conserving Open Space is Critical When Planning for Development, Housing

The following opinion article represents the views and opinions of the authors, and not necessarily those of Westwood Minute.

By Eric Arnold, Thomas D. French, and Karen Manor Metzold

As Massachusetts’ population grows, it is critical that we sharpen our focus on protecting open space. We must think carefully about how we live our daily lives and manage our communities. Development is needed, yes. But conservation is needed, too.

Some see the environment as inherently important, which justifies its protection. Others point to its utility in providing natural resources and protecting human health. We should also consider quality of life: In what kind of settings do we want to live, work, and play? Nature is critical for our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Climate change is reshaping the world before our eyes, and open space can make us more resilient to its impact. Meanwhile, as communities work to create much-needed housing, we need to do so in a way that maintains open space and provides access to it for all. We cannot favor one town’s interests at the expense of another’s. Zoning and community planning, in all towns, will need to concentrate development where it is most warranted and protect open space where we can’t afford to lose it.

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If we fail to maintain large tracts of open space, we will all suffer the consequences. Air quality will deteriorate. Temperatures will rise. Biodiversity will decrease. Wildlife corridors will inevitably become traffic corridors. Our collective quality of life will decline. The 1,250 acres Hale Education calls home, just over three miles from Boston’s city line, is one timely example of a conservation opportunity that hangs in the balance—and once open space is gone, it is gone forever.

History shows the degree to which humans can influence their environment, but with that power comes a unique responsibility: to balance meeting our own needs with those of the natural world. Solutions to society’s challenges cannot come at nature’s expense. We urge everyone to summon the courage and creativity to protect open space in their communities.

Thanks to Eric Arnold, Executive Director of Hale Education, Thomas D. French, President of Dover Land Conservation Trust, and Karen Manor Metzold, President of Westwood Land Trust for contributing this opinion article to Westwood Minute.

Westwood Minute takes no position on the opinion articles that it publishes, but seeks accurate and thoughtful commentary on topics that matter to our community, from a variety of differing viewpoints. Feel free to reply with your reaction below, or submit another perspective to WestwoodInAMinute@gmail.com

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You may also be interested in reading:

- Majority of Westwood Voters Approve New Areas Zoned for Mixed Use and Multi-family Housing (Updated)

- Hale Education's Changed Strategies on Conservation Restriction Favors CR in Dover with Private Donations (Updated)

- Select Board Chair Reports Westwood, Dover No Longer Parties to a Proposed Hale Conservation Restriction

- Select Board Not Ready to Present Hale Conservation Restriction to Voters at May Town Meeting (Updated 3/21/24)