National Grid : Transfers 199 Acres of Land to the Harvard Conservation Trust

WALTHAM, MA - National Grid and the Harvard Conservation Trust have concluded a multi-year dialogue, resulting in National Grid selling 199 acres of land in the town of Harvard, Massachusetts to the Trust, forever preserving 19 parcels of undeveloped land.

"National Grid is committed to improving the environment, as well as giving back to those in the communities we serve," said Steve Woerner, New England President, National Grid US. "One of the ways we can do that is by partnering with great local organizations like the Harvard Conservation Trust. We are grateful to be able to transfer this land to a group we know will take exceptional care of it."

Comprised of parcels ranging in size from 2 acres to 52 acres, the properties conveyed to the Trust contain land that has been untouched for generations and includes areas of rare native species and their habitats, exemplary natural communities, and a rich diversity of ecosystems. These parcels were originally purchased by the Company in the 1960s as part of an effort to assemble an electric transmission corridor across eight Central Massachusetts communities from Milford to Ayer. The properties conveyed last month also abut many already permanently protected conservation areas, extending contiguous protected land areas for passive recreation and wildlife corridors. In addition, the parcels will now allow for the Trust to connect their existing trail network with adjoining conservation lands.

"The Harvard Conservation Trust is excited about its recent acquisition of an undeveloped utility corridor from National Grid," said Mike Morton, President, Harvard Conservation Trust. "This spectacular landscape includes a contiguous 100-acre pine and hardwood forest, geological features, stone cliffs and forested wetland areas. A portion of the corridor is designated as priority habitat by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program. The Trust appreciated the opportunity to work with National Grid to permanently protect this corridor. We are grateful to the National Grid personnel who shepherded this project internally."

As part of the Company's Responsible Business Charter, National Grid has pledged to improve the environmental value of 10% of the land it owns by the year 2030. To accomplish this, National Grid has consistently worked with community partners and other stakeholders to find mutually beneficial strategies to move this goal forward. Last October, National Grid similarly conveyed approximately 12.15 acres of vacant land in North Andover to the Trustees of Reservations, a non-profit land conservation and historic preservation organization committed to protecting land with scenic, historic and ecological value for public use and enjoyment.