Mission:The Foxborough Conservation Commission is dedicated to conserving, protecting, and preserving the ecological integrity of the Town’s wetlands and natural resources for the common good.

Established in 1961, the Commission is responsible for managing 2,000 +/- acres of land and waterbodies for open space and conservation purposes, accepting gifts of land and money for conservation purposes, maintaining the town’s Open Space and Recreation Plan, seeking grant money for conservation purposes, administering the Massachusetts Wetland Protection Act (M.G.L. Ch. 131, § 40) and the Foxborough Wetlands Protection Bylaw (Code of Foxborough, Ch. 267), providing environmental education, and advising town boards on environmental concerns.

Members Term Date
Robert W. Boette, Chair 5/31/2025
James Marsh, Vice Chair 5/31/2024
David D. Opatka, Clerk
Open Space Committee
5/31/2026
Peter Atanasoff 5/31/2026
Taunya Orlando 5/31/2025
Rebecca Kelly, 
Board of Recreation
5/31/2024
Richard Golemme, 
Friends of Foxboro Conservation & NRRC
5/31/2026

WETLANDS PROTECTION BYLAW

Foxborough’s Wetlands Protection Bylaw protects the Town’s floodplains, wetlands, groundwater and abutting land areas, by controlling activities deemed to have a significant or cumulative adverse effect upon wetland values. Activities proposed within 100 feet of a wetland or vernal pool, or within  200 feet of a river or stream, are subject to protection under the Bylaw.

Protected wetland values include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Public or private water supplies and groundwater;
  • Flood control, erosion control;
  • Floodplains (which help to prevent storm damage);
  • Water pollution prevention;
  • Wildlife habitat, including vernal pools, rare species and fisheries habitat;
  • Buffer zones (defined in the Regulations); and
  • Open space and passive recreation preservation.

Contact:Diana Gray, Land Use Administrator

Address:Foxborough Town Hall
40 South Street
Foxborough, MA 02035

Phone: 508-543-1251

Facebook:@FoxboroughConCom



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OPEN SPACE & RECREATION PLAN UPDATE:

The Open Space Committee is currently working on the Update of Foxborough's Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP), which expired July 31st. If you would like to help with the 2018 OSRP update, please contact Jane Pierce (email address, above). We appreciate any help you can give!

An OSRP is an important planning guideline that:
  • Qualifies the town of Foxborough to apply for various State grant programs;
  • Identifies residents' overall goals for the Town's open space and recreation resources; and
  • Recommends strategies for development that will support these goals.
Paper copies of the current (2011-2018) OSRP are available at the Boyden Library, Conservation Office in Town Hall, and digitally, on this website.

USE THIS SITE TO FIND:

This site has been created as a resource tool; it contains meeting agendas and minutes (automatic notification is available; see Foxborough home page), important environmental updates and other information, including:

Meeting Dates and Filing DeadlinesIf you're proposing a project that will need a wetland permit, please refer to this list first.

Wetland Application Forms & Instructions:This link provides downloadable wetland applications and instructions including NOIs, RFDs, ANRADs, filing fees and more. We ask that you use these forms, rather than downloading forms from the State DEP.

Conservation Land Information:Information about Foxborough's 2,000+/- acres of conservation land and waterbodies, including:

  • Guide to Foxborough's Conservation Land and Open Spaces
  • Trail Maps
  • Rules and Regulations
  • Requests for Use of Conservation Lands
  • Hunting Information

Important Alert for ATV Owners:
KNOW THE FACTS!Effective February 2011, legislation signed in August of 2010 (Ch. 202 of the Acts of 2010), brings significant changes to Massachusetts off road recreation vehicle laws. Not knowing the laws is no excuse for breaking them!

Open Space & Recreation Plan:An Open Space and Recreation Plan (Plan) is a critical tool, since Towns with up-to-date Open Space and Recreation Plans are more likely to receive State grant monies. Without a current OSRP, Foxborough does not qualify for State grant programs. Although currently working on an update to the plan, the 2011-2018 plan expired on July 31st, so the Commission would appreciate residents' help.

Scouting Guides:This page was created to guide anyone, particularly scouts, who are interested in helping us preserve and enhance Foxborough's many conservation areas. The Commission relies upon (and appreciates) volunteers' help with the countless tasks that are required to maintain our conservation areas in great condition for all of our residents' enjoyment.

Foxborough's Vernal Pools and Wildlife:Information about rare species, vernal pools, wildlife, invasive species issues (plants and bug pests) and ID guides, as well as other topics that may be of interest to residents. If you have any requests, or ideas about the content of this section, please send us an email... we'd love to hear from you!

Insect Pests and Invasive Species:
This page includes information about ticks, the diseases they spread, and how to keep safe, while enjoying the great outdoors. It also has information about some of the invasive insects that are infesting and damaging trees in MA.

Lakefront Living Tips:Created to help waterfront property owners with the many environmental challenges they face. Learn the facts so you can help clean up our waterbodies. Knowledge is power!

Landscaping with Native Plants:Find out how you can help our native wildlife and pollinators, and also clean up our waterbodies, simply by landscaping with native plants. Native plants are easy to care for and good for the environment!

Useful Website Links:Includes a website resource library with links to sites that we have found to be useful and informative.

Find Out "What's New":Find important news and information about updates to environmental issues, such as invasive (plants and animal) species news, and new, proposed, or revised State, Town and Federal environmental policies, procedures, laws and/or regulations.

Preserving Your Land:While it is easy to find people who can help you sell your property, it's not always easy to find someone who will help you preserve your family land. This link connects you to the website of Steven Small, trusted and referred to by land trusts and conservation commissions alike.

Friends of Foxboro Conservation:The Friends of Foxboro Conservation group orchestrated the recently built Lane Learning Center. If you would like to volunteer to help the Conservation Commission, please become a member of the Friends group; a link to their Facebook page is our “What's New” page.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions:Use this page as a quick-reference guide to commonly asked questions about the Conservation Commission, state and local laws, wildlife and other subjects.

Please Give Us Your Feedback:Please let us know if you have found this site to be helpful, hard to use, or otherwise. If you have any suggestions about how we might make this site more useful, please send us an email... we are interested in hearing from you! Thank you in advance for your input.

For more information, or if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Conservation Agent Jane Sears Pierce (508-431-1251) or [email protected].
                                                             
It's Your Land… ENJOY IT!