The Thayer Conservation Foundation seeks to conserve the natural resources of Thayer forests, woods, meadows, fields and Gardens.
Hilltop Rd, Lancaster MA, 140 Acre Conservation: The 208 Acre property located in Lancaster, MA is placing a perpetual conservation restriction on 140 acres. The property is abutted by 284 acres of conservation land, thereby encompassing a 424-conservation area. The property was originally a part of the Thayer family estate of more than 4,000 + acres in Lancaster, Worcester County, MA and is the last remaining parcel.
Back_To_Top_Of_Page
George Hill Rd., 1905 Garden Restoration: The Thayer Conservation Foundation will restore, plant and re-engineer the 7 Bayard Thayer Estate gardens. Many of the millions of plantings still exist. All species currently inn the gardens will be maintained.
Back_To_Top_Of_Page
1907 Audubon Museum Acquisition & Restoration: John Eliot Thayer I (b. April 3, 1862), fourth son and sixth child of Nathaniel II, was a promi ent citizen, generous benefactor, notable scholar, and founder or-officer of organizations of all types. He became interested in birds while trying to interest his son in wildlife. His fascination eventually led him all over the world studying and collecting birds, eggs, and nests ("John Eliot..." 10). He collected thousands of the birds in his collection himself ("Col. Thayer..."). Soon his collection featured every bird species known in North America and people soon came from throughout the U.S., Canada, and abroad to see his collection. In 1903 he built a bird museum on Main Street to accommodate and display his. collection. It was designed by Raphael Gaustav, who also designed the Boston Public Library and the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. In 1931 the majority of the collection went to the Harvard Museum of Comparativ Zoology; it contained 28,000 stuffed birds, 15,000 eggs and nests, including ten Great Auk eggs, one sixth of the total worldwide inventory. The rest of the collection remains in this Lancaster Audubon Museum. TCF is purcahsing and conserving this Landmark and the bird collection.
Back_To_Top_Of_Page
Sustainability: Zero Energy Thayer Conservation Foundation: The Thayer Conservation, the George Hill Rd Gardens, and the Thayer Audubon Museuam will all be zero energy sites. TCF is installing a 600 KW solar filed (existing field) and 1.2 MWh storage capacity to supply both direct and net metered energy to all the locations. The site will be sustainable and serve a dual purpose for energy and grazing for live stock.
Back_To_Top_Of_Page
