Browns Farm Conservation Area

Dr. Guenter Spanknebel donated a 16.8 acre conservation restriction to the Trust in 2007.

“This land is my paradise” he declared, “and I wish to protect it forever and to honor the

previous owners, Mr. And Mrs. Albert Brown, who sold it to me many years ago (1967)

on a handshake when I was struggling to establish my practice.”

He raised his family in the historic home built in 1818, located at 226 Leominster Road.

Working with the Trust, a two-acre exclusion for the dwelling and barn was set aside

with the balance of the acreage slated for permanent protection. This unique land

includes a 1,000 foot run of the Wekepeke Brook which is listed by the MA Division of

Fisheries and Wildlife as a high quality-cold water trout stream; a four acre field

designated by the MA Dept of Agricultural Resources as farmland of statewide

importance; five acres of riparian forest flanking the brook; and the balance in

productive upland forest and wildlife habitat.

Dr. Spanknebel’s contribution to the natural resources of Sterling, particularly for the

environs of Wekepeke Brook, are immeasurable. It was his request to name this land

the Brown’s Farm Conservation Area.

Under the terms of conservation restrictions (CRs), the land remains in private

ownership with the Trust holding the CR interest and assuring that the landowner’s wish

in keeping the land in its natural state, in perpetuity, be honored and defended.

Accordingly, the land is not open to the public, with access granted by permission only.