About the Conservation Commission:
The Conservation Commission is an appointed body and regulating authority whose purpose is the protection and preservation of the City of Gardner's natural resources.

The Conservation Commission's primary role is the administration of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 40) within the City of Gardner as well as the City of Gardner Wetland Protection Ordinance. In addition, the Commission acquires properties through purchase or gift and manages them for the enjoyment of the general public.

The Wetland Protection Act provides for the protection of several types of Resource Areas, those most relevant to Gardner include, Bordering Vegetated Wetlands (bordering on lakes, ponds, and streams), Banks, Land Under Water, Land Subject to Flooding, and Riverfront Areas (area within 200 feet of a river or perennial stream).

In addition to the Wetlands Protection Act, the City of Gardner has adopted a Wetland Protection Ordinance which provides additional protection to areas not covered under the Wetland Protection Act (some intermittent streams, vernal pools) and setbacks from the Resource Areas (30 foot no disturbance, 30 foot no build).

Any person or persons wishing to do work within the Riverfront Area or the Buffer Zone (area within100 feet of Bordering Vegetated Wetlands, Banks, Land Under Water, and Land Subject to Flooding) must file with the Commission prior to any work being done. If you are not sure whether there are wetlands on your property or whether the work you are planning to do requires a filing, please contact the Conservation Commission. We will be happy to assist you.

Conservation Commission Meetings:
Commission meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday of every month barring holidays or at the discretion of the Commission. Meetings are held in the City Hall Annex, room 203, and normally begin at 6:30 p.m.

Conservation Areas:
The Conservation Commission manages two large parcels of land for conservation as well as recreation purposes. One of these, the Otter River Conservation Area, is part of an ongoing program of acquisition of lands bordering on the Otter River and is accessed through the Gardner Municipal Airport. Canoe access to the Otter River can be made via a boat launch located on the property. The other area, Old John Eaton Road Conservation Area, can be accessed from the Gardner to Winchendon Bike Trail or from Old John Eaton Road off of Stone Street. This area is primarily forested and lacks any trail development at this time.

Office Hours
Monday through Friday
8:00 am to Noon
or by appointment

For more information, please contact:
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection:
www.state.ma.us/dep
DEP Central Regional
627 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608
Phone: 508-792-7650
Fax: 508-792-7621