Still reeling from the Mass Audubon study released a week ago, "Losing Ground: At What Cost?," which reveals a host of facts that can surprise no one. The largest land consumption of the past 18 years has been to large lot, large residential developments. In fact, nine out of ten acres eaten up by development from 1985 to 1999 was residential. Let's face it, the McMansions go with big lots, not in towns closest to Boston of course, but in the 495 belt and in southeastern Massachusetts. 71 % of Massachusetts' wetlands, forests, lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and open land do not have permanent protection and are in danger of succumbing to development in the near future.

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary
Some towns are taking open space preservation seriously. In Sharon, residents are aggressively promoting plans to save more wildlife habitat. Canton has preserved a few acres here and there, but residents in town show little or no interest in any environment-related issue, even when a town well was to be dug adjoining land with contaminated groundwater! Hard to fathom. In any event, the issue is of great concern to me and I will watch for opportunities to be active in this regard.