Conservation

The Andover Conservation Commission aims to protect Andover’s natural resources in accordance with the state law and the Town’s Wetlands Protection Bylaw, Article XIV, and to act as trustees in perpetuity of the Town’s conservation land. As of 2021, there are over 2,200 acres of protected land that are held in the care and custody of the Andover Conservation Commission. This land is managed and stewarded by the Conservation Division, with the assistance of the Department of Public Works and a large network of dedicated volunteer land stewards. Andover’s conservation areas are critical to supporting clean air and water, wildlife habitat, and recreational amenities for the community.

STORM UPDATE

The impacts from the September 8^th windstorm led to an extensive amount of damage on Andover Conservation Reservations throughout Town.  Impacts include many downed trees, severed trees hung up in the canopy (aka “widow makers”), blocked trails, and damaged kiosks and trail signs.  For tree damage, Pole Hill and Carmel Woods seem to be the most impacted.   

 Conservation staff and volunteers have been working to clear trails remove brush and logs, and in making repairs.  We have asked our volunteer Land Stewards to report back to Conservation Staff from their Conservation Reservations with the property’s condition and to report issues as soon as possible.  We are grateful to have such great Land Steward volunteers in our program.  Clearing trails, removing trees, and making repairs will be a great undertaking and will take lots of time. Please be patient as we work through the list of known issues and learn about new ones on Andover Conservation land that resulted from the destructive September 8^th storm.   

 While Andover’s Department of Public Works and their tree work personnel are aware of our situation, emergency tree work along the Town’s roadways will keep them occupied for the foreseeable future.  

 If you are out walking our Reservations, please email CDPConservation@andoverma.us or call us at (978) 623 8630 to report any storm damage you observe.  We will continue to update our growing list of properties to visit and assess in order to make repairs and to clear trails. Thank you, in advance, for your assistance.  

 We will be posting “Clean-Up Days” on our Conservation webpage on the Town of Andover website for anyone who is willing to assist with some of the brush removal and to clean up our Reservations.  Please keep checking in for that information and for future updates.