Causes: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Humanities, Land Resources Conservation

Mission: The Walden Woods Project was founded in 1990.Initially, we focused solely on protecting land of ecological and historic significance surrounding Henry David Thoreau’s iconic Walden Pond in Massachusetts. It was in Walden Woods that Thoreau came to understand the important link between the environment and the life – both physical and spiritual – that it could sustain. And it was there that he first put pen to paper to share those insights with future generations. This typical New England landscape – Walden Woods -- was the cradle of the modern-day environmental movement. The Walden Woods Project protects land (through fee purchase or conservation restriction) within the 2,680 acre Walden Woods surrounding the pond that is threatened with commercial development. (Walden Pond and its immediate environs are protected by the Commonwealth of MA as part of its state park system. ) Our first acquisitions involved Walden Woods lands slated for the construction of a large office building and a condominium complex. After acquiring these properties, the Walden Woods continued -- and continues to this day -- furthering its mission of land preservation in Thoreau’s Walden Woods. We currently steward 180 acres that are enjoyed by the public for recreation and education. Our protected land also includes an organic farm. Despite our success, additional acreage within this revered national historical landmark remain vulnerable and require our protection. In 1998, the Walden Woods Project expanded its mission to include education and research with the opening of its Thoreau Institute library. Our archives hold over 8,000 volumes and 60,000 items of Thoreau-related materials that are available for viewing and research. At the same time, we launched key educational programs for teachers, students and the general public.

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