• spalding house, historic yellow house with dark green shutters, an American flag and sign hanging

    PROTECTING SPECIAL PLACES

    Shedding light on our hidden gems

  • ACTIVATING STEWARDS

    To protect Lowell’s natural resources

  • CONSERVING NATURE

    Creating meaningful connections to the world around us

  • CONNECTING PEOPLE

    Through trails, engaging youth, and healthy living programs

  • PROTECTING PLACES

    Find your special place

LP&CT Spotlight

We’re Hiring: Development Director

LP&CT is looking for a candidate who believes in, is motivated by, and inspired by LP&CT’s conservation work in a diverse, urban community.…

Sign Up for Our E-Newsletter

Receive our electronic newsletter: Breaking news, events, conservation updates, and volunteer opportunities.

Become a local hero

Create YOUR impact today.  Support conservation, special places, and youth all year-round. 

Become a monthly donor.

Donate Today

Recent News

We’re Hiring: Development Director

LP&CT is looking for a candidate who believes in, is motivated by, and inspired by LP&CT’s conservation work in a diverse, urban community.…

Categories: News
Accredited land trust accreditation commission logo

Stakeholder / Public Notice

The Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust is pleased to announce it is applying for renewal of accreditation. A public comment period is now open…

Categories: Land Protection, News

The Environmental Youth Task Force Welcomes New Applicants This Summer

If you are between the age of 15-21, you can join today. Build environmental skills and knowledge. Lead and participate in environmental projects …

Tree planting at Gage Field, Robinson School

Greening the Gateway City – Program Expanded!

Would you like a FREE tree?   If you live in the designated planting area, check out the map below (click to enlarge) to…

Categories: News, Urban Forestry

YOU CAN make sure that nature is for EVERYONE!

Together, we’re protecting the health of our regional watershed by connecting people to land, water, and wildlife.  When you give to the Trust,…

Categories: News

2024 Eco-Film Series Announced

From the Dead Sea, to foraging, and solutions to climate change – this Eco-Film line up is one you don’t want to miss.

Categories: News
LEADS Youth & Climate Change Action Awardees

2023 Sustainability Summit & Awards

In a vibrant display of civic engagement and interest in a sustainable future, the 6th Annual Lowell Sustainability Summit …

Annual Fund – Donate to Support Community Conservation

Your gift to the Annual Fund will help us meet the challenge of connecting more people to nature and protecting the special places we all love.

Categories: News

Protecting Lowell’s Last Farm

We’re partnering with Mass Audubon and Mill City Grows to preserve Lowell’s last farm …

Categories: News

Environmental Experiences in Lowell: My LP&CT Internship

Enthusiastic Walkers Enjoy the Greenway for Annual Meeting (11/18/23) The rain clouds passed just in time for our Annual Meeting and public walk…

Categories: News

Environmental Youth Task Force Receives NPS funding

PRESS RELEASE The National Park Trust, in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), announced recently $375,100 to fund 18 education and outdoor…

Categories: News

Dragonfly Mercury Project – community science

LP&CT volunteers contribute to community science…

Bobcat & Grey Fox Caught on Video

Our trail cam recently captured a bobcat followed by a gray fox just seconds later! One of our land stewards, Steven Nagle, manages…

Categories: Land Protection, News

LP&CT selected as a 2023 Social Innovator

LP&CT one of eight nonprofits selected to receive support and resources.

Categories: News

LP&CT now accepts Crypto

Donate Cryptocurrency to the Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust Making a cryptocurrency donation to support the Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust enables us to equitably connect…

Categories: News

LPCT is 2022 Great Nonprofit!

Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust, Inc. has earned a spot on the 2022 Top Rated List! Read inspiring stories from our community about…

Categories: News
A mustard yellow house with dark green shutters and a white door, a wooden pole holds a white sign that reads 1760 Spaulding House M. Davis." In the center of the sign is a fish and a river bank

Spalding House – Preservation Mass Grant Award

The repair of a historic building is often considered the ultimate recycling project. As architect Carl Elefante stated, “the greenest building is the…

The Future of Rollie’s Farm / អនាគតនៃកសិដ្ឋាន Rollie’s Farm / O futuro da Rollie’s Farm / El futuro de Rollie’s Farm

Help us design for the future of Lowell’s historic farm!  Oct. 2022 Update: Thank you for your input and attending our community visioning…

Categories: Land Protection, News

The Environmental Youth Task Force Welcomes New Applicants This Fall

If you are between the age of 15-21, you can join today. Build environmental skills and knowledge. Lead and participate in environmental projects …

Categories: News

Lowell 6th graders to study phenology

How are trees in Lowell responding to changes in climate?  What story does the data tell?  These are the two essential questions that…

Learning to make insects fun

Insects get a mixed reaction in our after-school program. We often discuss the importance of insects as pollinators.  Butterflies, bees, and ants can…

Landscape of Poetry

Three poets in Lowell writing about three beautiful urban conservation areas will be published as part of the Writing the Land project…

Categories: Land Protection, News

Stepping Up for Climate Change

The Environmental Youth Task Force members were recently featured in the Smithsonian Magazine for their work in climate change.  This team will be…

Welcome, Sylvia!

Sylvia joined the LP&CT team in October 2021 as the Community Conservation Coordinator …

Categories: News

Community Conservation with Cassandra

Say hello to Cassandra Milnes! She joined our team this fall as a communications intern from UMass Lowell. A third-year English major with…

Categories: News
new bridge over the Concord River Greenway

Concord River Greenway – 1st Bridge Installed

We’re excited to share with you that the first bridge on the newest section of the Concord River Greenway was installed early today.…

Categories: News

Entomology Research at West Meadow

We did not expect to see hundreds of ants running from one site to another, but that’s just what we encountered while taking Christina Kwapich, …

Categories: News
graffiti on wall

Construction Begins on Connector Trail Project

The City of Lowell announces that construction has begun on the Connector Trail, which will extend the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail into Lowell.

Categories: News

Executive Director Honored with Girls Inc. Award

Join us and Girls Incorporated of Greater Lowell on Thursday, June 3rd at 6pm EST as our very own Executive Director, Jane Calvin,…

Categories: News
Neighborhood tree planting

Greening the Gateway City

Would you like a free tree?   If you live in the designated planting area (Lower Highlands or the Acre), check out the map…

Categories: News, Urban Forestry
turtle web camm

Turtle LIVE Webcam (7am-9pm)

VOTE for the TURTLES in the Chamber of Commerce video contest. Last summer we rescued a nest of eight Blanding’s turtles.  We’ve been…

picture of Nancy Dubner, mother of Jollene Dubner

Nancy Dubner – An Inspiration to LP&CT

With great sadness we share the news that Nancy Dubner, mother of Jollene Dubner, died on February 14, 2021.  Nancy was an inspiration…

Categories: Land Protection, News
2021 Eco-Film Series line up - Kiss the Ground, FLush, Complicit, Barbarian Utopia, Felled, and Climbing Blind

2021 Eco-Film Series Line-Up

From heroic advocacy, overcoming adversity, and a refreshing look at agriculture – this Eco-Film line up is one you don’t want to miss.

Categories: News
group collage of 8 students

Environmental Youth Task Force to present project to Smithsonian Affliations

The Environmental Youth Task Force is a Lowell based youth group that “strives to educate, inspire, and create change.” This task force empowers…

mill town helping hands winners check 2020

MillTown Helping Hands Winner – Thanks to You

The votes are in – LP&CT has been declared the winner of MillTown’s Helping Hands community give-back program! Every month, MillTown Plumbing selects…

Categories: News
LTC TV Show: Conservation Through Learning

New Cable TV show with Lowell Telemedia Center

Check out our new cable access TV show, Conservation Through Learning …

Leaders Enagged and Activated to Drive System Wide Change LEADS _ jane calvin

Executive Director Selected as a LEADS Fellow

Congratulations to Executive Director, Jane Calvin, for being selected to be part of the Lowell cohort of LEADS …

Categories: News
graduating high school student with father showing her diploma

Mid-Summer update

Silent auction, art exhibit, virtual summer classes, and see where are graduating teens are headed …

Environmental Youth Task Force - Inspire Hope & take Action for the environmental

Please Welcome the Environmental Youth Task Force

We are thrilled to share the news of an exciting initiative that has recently begun – the Environmental Youth Task Force! This task…

Categories: News
Environmental Youth Task Force Info Sheet

Environmental Youth Task Force Sign Up

Join our Youth Task Force to tackle an environmental stewardship project in Lowell. There’s a stipend for participants and you get to design the project and see the outcome come to fruition. Apply now…

Categories: News

Getting Outside During COVID-19

Getting out on the trails can be a great way to clear your mind, reduce stress, and enjoy spring unfolding all around. Mindful of Massachusetts’ stay-at-home order and with a focus on our collective health …

Categories: Land Protection, News
Sheila Kirschbaum LP&CT president smiling by a Lowell canal and willow tree

A message from our President

In difficult times like these, we need more than ever to find sources of serenity …

Categories: News
Target Circle Partnership non profit partner logo, "We've partnered with Target Circle" "vote by March 31"

Target Circle Partnership

We’re participating in the Target Circle program! You can vote for us and help direct Target’s giving to benefit our nonprofit …

Categories: News
a collage of film logos for the eco film series 2020

2020 Eco-Film Series Line-up

2020 Eco-Film Series: Check out the selections …

Categories: News
A woman and her daughter sit at the edge of a fish ladder in summer

Mass Environmental Trust Awards Grant to LP&CT

Have you noticed?  Massachusetts has environmentally-themed license plates featuring the Right Whale Tail, Leaping Brook Trout, Blackstone Valley Mill, and the new –…

Categories: News
Accredited land trust accreditation commission logo

LP&CT Earns Renewal of National Accreditation

“The Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust’s accredited status demonstrates our commitment to permanent land conservation that benefits the entire community,” says Mark Romanowsky, President.

Categories: Land Protection, News
Map of massachusetts with a star on Lowell that says "176!"

CPA Passes in Lowell

Thank you for voting to support the Community Preservation Act! 

Kronos corporate event group photo outdoors by stone wall

KRONOS at the Greenway – #GiveInspired

Kronos employees showed us what it meant to #GiveInspired by cleaning up the Lawrence St. section of the Concord River Greenway on Tuesday,…

Categories: News
two woman wear name tags smiling at a classroom conference

Climate Change: Teachers are the Most Important Influence

“Teachers are the most important influence on the future of climate change action.” – Lori Weeden Thank you to the UMass Lowell Climate…

LP&CT Eco-mobile Creating Community through Conservation, photos on truck

Look for our new Eco-mobile at upcoming events!

Our new Eco-mobile debuted at our Summer Solstice Soiree! Soiree donors over the past two years have generously funded the exterior design and…

Fed Ex employee in purple smiles as she plants flowers under the Concord River Greenway Park sign, sign reads "Concord River Greenway Park Please carry out what you carry in"

FedEx Cares

Celebrating Lowell as an “Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership City” Fifty FedEx volunteers celebrated Lowell’s designation as an Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership City by…

Categories: Land Protection, News
high school students and staff pose by rafting boats in parking lot of hotel

Youth Featured on “A Wicked Good” Blog

The Concord, Conquered – A Tale of Hearts and Crafts Rafting press day brings out all sort of media.  This time, local blogger…

Categories: News
group of teens and organizations attending the EYC - one stduent holds a earth ball, and a sign reads "Welcome to the 2019 EYC"

3rd Annual Environmental Youth Conference

High school youth from around the watershed gathered to share projects, ideas, and learning …

Categories: News
Accredited land trust accreditation commission logo

Public Notice – Renewal of Accreditation

Press Release Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust seeks Accreditation Renewal Stakeholder Notification/Public Notice March 4, 2019 The land trust accreditation program recognizes land…

Categories: News
3 children kneel on the ground examining a log on a tarp

What’s your curiousity quotient (CQ)?

Our after-school program connects kids and young adults to nature, to their community, and to each other …

Inconvenient Sequel Truth to power, film logo "Fight like your world depends on it"

2019 Eco-Film Series Line-up

2019 Eco-Film Series: Check out the selections …

Categories: News
2 High school students hang up trail blaze signs in winter at West Meadow

Changing Forest Study at West Meadow

This fall, Lowell High students set up a forest plot in West Meadow as part of the Harvard Forest Changing Forest Study. This…

Concord River Aerial Map

Concord River Greenway – Final Approval for Next Sections

The City of Lowell’s Conservation Commission approved the Concord River Greenway’s final stages of construction at its November 2018 meeting, allowing the city…

Categories: Land Protection, News
Teenage girl stands at podium with adult staff and uses microphone

Youth Speak at Annual Meeting

This year’s Annual Meeting (November 13, 2018) focused on climate change.  Alexandra Vecchio, Climate Change Program Coordinator with Mass Audubon was our guest…

Categories: News
4 teens and one adult woman smile with trees behind, Girls Inc with Staff Emily

Land Science in Lowell

Girls Incorporated of Lowell CITs ( Counselors in Training) explored Hawk Valley Farm, taking in the sights and sounds of this green oasis…

group of teens in cafeteria doorway holding a sign that says "welcome"

Local Youth Host Environmental Youth Conference

Lowell High School TREES & Environmental Adventure students have been hard at work throughout this school year as the organizers and planners of…

small model ambulance with "Eco Mobile, photos of youth and rafting" table decoration. Flowers on top of truck

Eco-Mobile Rollout

Help us get mobile… out and about the city …

Cummings Foundation Grant

We are pleased to be the recipient of a $100K for 100 grant from the Cummings Foundation.  This Foundation knows how to walk the talk of philanthropy! More …

Categories: News
teen girl paints a "rain garden" sign outdoors

A Rain Garden For All!

For their student-designed service learning project, ninth graders in our COMPASS Program, developed a rain garden to reduce stormwater runoff in the alleyway next…

NH Chronicle webpage event, screen displaying May 2, Urban White water rafting

NH Chronicle Features Concord River Whitewater Rafting

Local youth raft the Concord and get featured on NH Chronicle…

Categories: News
2018 Eco film series on top of a film strip graphic with movie posters, "Addicted to sheep", Citizen Jane", A Plastic Ocean, "Wasted"; old film camera graphic in black below

Eco-Film Series Celebrates Six Years of Inspiring Films

Mark your calendars for the last Tuesday of the month, January – June! Our Eco-Film Series is right around the corner! We are…

Categories: News
A mustard yellow house with dark green shutters and a white door, a wooden pole holds a white sign that reads 1760 Spaulding House M. Davis." In the center of the sign is a fish and a river bank

Restoring the Past

The Methuen Festival of Trees (FOT) powers historic preservation projects all year throughout the Merrimack Valley. We’re grateful that this year, funds from this locally-renowned…

Categories: News
six people stand on a outdoor wooden stair case, pine trees behind them, dirt and snow on ground, they are in winter clothing

Constellation at West Meadow

Volunteers from Constellation improved access to our West Meadow conservation property…

Categories: News
6 people hold up a large check from the 3M foundations, underneath a banner for Lowell parks & Conservation Trust, the group is outside by trees and a smoke stack

3Mgives Grant for Fish Restoration

The Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust is pleased to be the recipient of a 3Mgives grant in support of our herring restoration program. …

Categories: News
a group of people in the woods removing branches and vines and putting them into a black trash bag

Kronos: #Give Inspired. Thank you!

Thank you to several Kronos employees that celebrated their #WorkInspiredWeek by volunteering with several organizations in the area on November 2nd. Those that…

Categories: News
4 woman hold up a large check from Whole Foods Market, in front of a Lowell banner

Thank you, Whole Foods!

Thank you to Whole Foods for being a great corporate partner and sponsor of our work to “create community through conservation.”

Categories: News
3 teens standing in a hole pouring dirt from a wheelbarrow, planting a new tree

Tree Planting with Middlesex Students and Habitat for Humanity

Taking the next steps in transforming a once vacant lot into a new green space for Lowell’s Acre neighborhood…

A woman sits at a desk drawing a landscaping design

Thank You, Aleece!

We were lucky to be joined by Aleece Mount this summer, a senior at UMass Lowell. With her major in public health and a concentration in environmental health, Aleece helped us to…

Categories: News
5 students sit a table with a floral centerpiece, they are smiling, adults mingl in the background of the outdoor event

Congratulations Class of 2017!

“You will all go on to do great things for this world. No matter what path you take, you can always take the skills you have developed to advocate for the things you care about…”

5 high school students hold up "River Steward Awards", smiling by a wooden plank wall

Lowell Youth Win River Stewardship Award

Lowell High students honored for coordinating first-ever watershed-wide youth conference. TREES students wanted to encourage environmental stewardship, reaching beyond Lowell’s borders …

LLIS Students with Representative Rady Mom before receiving the Secretary's Award for Excellence at the State House.

Lowell High Students Honored at the State House

This group of impressive young women worked tirelessly during our summer 2016 service-learning program. Over a month they explored the complex relationship between climate and …

a wooden square lookout hangs slightly over a filled vernal pool, ferns and brown pine needles on the forest floor

A Vernal View

Back in December, our tireless volunteer crew from the Lowell office of Constellation, an Exelon Company constructed an observation platform on our West…

Categories: News

Cummings Foundation $100K for 100

The Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust (LP&CT) has been selected as one of 100 local nonprofits to receive grants of $100,000 each through…

Lowell High School's First Environmental Youth Conference, March 2017

Lowell High School Youth Environmental Conference 2017

Our oldest Lowell Leaders in Stewardship group, TREES, have been busy planning the first-ever Lowell High School…

Categories: News

A Visit with the Congresswoman

Lowell Leaders in Stewardship “Environmental Adventures” students met with Congresswoman Tsongas and Head of School Brian Martin in…

Categories: News
Corporate volunteers from Constellation, an Exelon Company, constructing a viewing platform.

Constellation Hammers It

Thanks to volunteers from Constellation, an Exelon Company, for building a viewing platform for students overlooking …

Categories: News
Bald Eagle - Deb Sofia

Bald Eagle on the Merrimack

Spotted near the Merrimack River, off Pawtucket Boulevard, Jan 7, 2017.
SHARE YOUR WILDLIFE SIGHTINGS …

Categories: News

Annual Meeting 2016 – Restoration of Bunker Hill Roll of Honor

Did you know that when the Battle of Bunker Hill happened, that Lowell did not exist?

Categories: News
climate change youth

Climate Change Education

Do you care about Climate Change? Check out how youth in Lowell are making an impact…

Education

The Path To Leadership in Lowell

Our very own Bora Poun was recently featured in the summer issue of Mass Audubon’s Connections newsletter!  Check out the article about his…

Students Awarded Mass Cultural Council Grant

The TREES  group (Teens Representing Environmental Excellency and Stewardship) at Lowell High School has recently been awarded an Amplify Youth Voices Grant from…

youth, environmental education, service-learning, Lowell High School, Land Trust Alliance, Rally

The Nature of Hope

Lowell Leaders in Stewardship were featured in an article in the national Land Trust Alliance’s Saving Land magazine. The students were also featured…

Categories: News
View All News »

Thank you for the opportunity to share my observations on the Lowell Parks and Conservation Trust. The Executive Director and members of the…

- Charles Cutler, volunteer (March, 2011)

Live webcam of our endangered just-hatched Blanding's turtles! CLICK ON THE [ ] to see the video in full screen.

View the Social Innovator pitch given in May by Executive Director, Jane Calvin, at the SIF Showcase.

Share your passion. Share a picture.

Do you have a fun, beautiful, creative photo you’d like to share with folks that relates to conservation, youth, and special places in Lowell? We’d love to see it.

You may post to our Facebook page or tag us on Instagram.

Or you can share your experience on our story page.

Thank you!