Land once studied by Thoreau eyed for preservation

CONCORD, Mass. (AP) -- A nonprofit group that seeks to preserve the legacy of writer Henry David Thoreau is offering the town of Concord $2.8 million to protect nearly 35 acres of land at the former landfill.

The site is considered a key area studied by Thoreau in the 19th century.

The Boston Globe reports (http://bo.st/JEEu9X ) that the landfill is capped but the town uses it for leaf composting and snow disposal. Town officials are interested in installing a solar installation for the municipal light department.

The proposal calls for the Walden Woods Project to pay the town in exchange for a conservation restriction. It will eventually go before voters at Town Meeting.

The group was founded by former Eagles member Don Henley in 1990 when land was threatened by commercial development.