Mass. Program Wins National Planning Award

A publication outlining the Massachusetts Heritage Landscape Inventory Program won this year's American Planning Association public education award.

"Heritage landscapes are those physical aspects of a town that make residents feel familiar, at home, and a part of the history of their community," according to the APA. "Unfortunately, many of these unique places and spaces are not protected from development by any long-term legal mechanism. As part of its Heritage Landscape Inventory Program, Massachusetts's Department of Conservation and Recreation developed this critical tool for residents concerned about the changing character of their communities both to identify those areas that are most significant to their town and to help guide community planning efforts to ensure their lasting value."

Reading the Land – Massachusetts Heritage Landscapes: A Guide to Identification and Protection can be ordered for $2.50 postage from the Conservation Department Web site.