Audubon neighbors cry foul
The Massachusetts Audubon Society, the largest conservation group in New England, is under fire for its proposal to convert a Lincoln residence into a preschool because the plan requires pouring asphalt and removing trees.
It's the principle of the matter, say neighbors of Mass. Audubon's Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, which is one of the organization's 45 nature preserves across the state. The 232-acre Drumlin Farm property sits across South Great Road (Route 117) from Mass. Audubon's state headquarters, which has helped define the town of Lincoln over the last half-century as a leader in environmental preservation.
"We're frustrated with their hypocrisy," said Kevin Williams, an Audubon member who lives around the corner on Lincoln Road, directly across from the site of the proposed preschool. "You assume when you are dealing with a conservation organization that they actually believe that and want to conserve land."
Mass. Audubon estimates that about 20 trees will have to come down for a parking area with 15 spaces. There is enough asphalt already there for a driveway and a couple of parked cars.
Neighbors say many more trees, as many as 50, may be lost. Birds live in the trees slated to be to cut down, said Williams. Increased traffic is also a concern on scenic Lincoln Road, which includes a bike path.
The new facility would replace the preschool that Drumlin Farm runs on its main campus, on South Great Road. The preschool takes up the largest teaching space on the campus and can only be run three mornings a week, according to Christy Foote-Smith, the sanctuary's director.
There is demand for a five-day program that would offer an afternoon session as well, she said, and the Lincoln Road residence, which until a few months ago had provided housing for directors and caretakers, is the only suitable site. Class sizes would stay the same, at 12 per session, she said.
As for the trees and asphalt, Foote-Smith responded that it's a worthwhile tradeoff, particularly because the trees are not in great health. "We can save it, save it, save it," she said during a walk around the property that she hopes will be a preschool in September. "Or we can use it to help teach kids to be great stewards of the earth."
The debate started in January, when Audubon officials met with a few neighbors and started to hear concerns being raised. Last week, after sending out invitations to 90 nearby residents, Audubon representatives met with about 18 neighbors. This week, several residents turned out for a Board of Selectmen meeting, where Audubon staff presented preliminary plans.
Neighbors say that the preschool should be on the main campus, which already has a large parking lot, so the students can be closer to the owls, sheep, fox, goats, and many other resources that make Drumlin Farm an attractive place for the youngsters.
"I think it's bad planning," said neighbor Margie Brown. "I hope this public process will put them back on track."
Margaret Olson, another neighbor, called it a "philosophical disagreement." She would prefer that a material other than asphalt be used for the parking area - partly for aesthetic reasons and partly because, as an Audubon member, she believes the group should be setting a good example environmentally.
Williams and his wife, Jackie, said they have offered to buy the house and give it back to Mass. Audubon, or make a donation, if they can persuade the organization to put the preschool elsewhere. Jackie Williams said she is largely worried about traffic because she often walks in the neighborhood with her 4-month-old daughter in a stroller.
Foote-Smith said that Mass. Audubon is open to a compromise. "We're still thinking about the things we heard."
Lisa Kocian can be reached at 508-820-4231 or lkocian@globe.com.
