A groundbreaking partnership to preserve a historic farm in Lowell, Massachusetts

Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust, Mass Audubon, and Mill City Grows, in collaboration with the City of Lowell, have reached an agreement with the Perron family to purchase and protect in perpetuity what is currently called Rollie’s Farm. Over 2023 and 2024 we will purchase the property and begin to transform it into Pawtucket Farm Wildlife Sanctuary.

Throughout 2022, we spoke to 200+ residents about the project at public community input sessions across Lowell. This feedback helped us craft an exciting framework plan to guide the design and implementation of the site and prioritize the following:

Access for All
Education and Recreation
Growing Space
Ecological Stewardship.

“Establishing this community space will give Mill City Grows the opportunity to bring many of our food access and education programs to a single location. We’ll create new ways for people to envision and engage with all of the parts of a local food system, and intertwine them with excellent environmental education delivered by our partners. It’s a step towards greater food sovereignty for Lowell.”

Jessica Moore-Wilson, Mill City Grows Executive Director

As there is considerable cost to a conservation project of this size, the three partners have committed, together, to raise the resources for Pawtucket Farm Wildlife Sanctuary. Mill City Grows fundraising will focus on farm infrastructure and operations, educational programming, and the launch of a farm stand on the site to expand our food access points. The current working budget for this project is:

$4,500,000 – Land acquisition
$1,000,000 – Survey and restoration plan, trail improvements, technical and design support
$3,000,000 – Facility improvements, including access, parking, trails, and educational spaces
$1,000,000 – Seed support for Nature in the City staff in Lowell
$9,500,000 – TOTAL

We hope you will join us today and support Pawtucket Farm Wildlife Sanctuary with a tax-deductible contribution.

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This historic project gives all of us an exciting opportunity to increase equitable and inclusive access to nature in the City of Lowell. As project partners, we are honored to preserve this land for future generations to explore, expand, and enjoy. Thank you for supporting Pawtucket Farm Wildlife Sanctuary!

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