Land Protection and Habitat Restoration as Catalysts for Sustained Community Engagement at the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild

The Roslindale Wetlands “Urban Wild,” a 10-acre forested wetland in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts, is the backdrop for a compelling story of land preservation and habitat restoration as primary drivers for sustained community engagement. Originally identified for residential development, this patchwork of City and private land was long neglected and degraded by incompatible adjacent development and illegal dumping. In 2005, the community group Roslindale Wetlands Task Force (RWTF) was formed to start the long, gradual process of cleaning up and advocating for full preservation of the site. However, between 2019 and 2023, an alignment of several strategic joint planning ventures between the RWTF, the City of Boston, and Mass Audubon accelerated efforts and culminated in a giant leap forward. By 2023, the majority of the site was permanently protected and was ecologically restored through a $1 million City capital renovation investment. These milestone achievements, in turn, have recharged long-term community organizing and site stewardship efforts and contributed to a wider embrace of this nature park by Bostonians.

In a nutshell, this resource offers:

• An example of how a community successfully preserved an urban natural area. 
• A detailed description of land acquisition. 
• Connection between restoration efforts and community engagement. 

How to use this resource:

• As a case study for preserving an urban wetland. 
• As a case study of preserving a multi-parcel natural area that also prioritizes affordable housing.
• As an example of community engagement efforts after land is acquired. 

Author: Paul Sutton, Nicholas P. Long, and Taylor Andrews, Boston Urban Wilds Program, and Erica A. Holm, Mass Audubon

Date published: 2023

Point of contact: Paul Sutton paul.sutton@boston.gov

Citation: Sutton, Paul; Long, Nicholas P.; Andrews, Taylor; and Holm, Erica A. (2024) "Land Protection and Habitat Restoration as Catalysts for Sustained Community Engagement at the Roslindale Wetlands Urban Wild," Cities and the Environment (CATE): Vol. 13: Iss. 1, Article 41. DOI: 10.15365/cate.2020.130141

Resource is available online here.