Losing Ground 2020: Statistics
Town of Goshen
Sixth Edition
Published February 2020, Losing Ground: Nature's Value In A Changing Climate reports on the pace and patterns of land development and land protection in Massachusetts between 2012 and 2017.
These statistics describe changes in land use between 2012 and 2017. Estimates of acres of land converted from a natural state to a developed state can be found here, as well as the rate of development in comparison to other areas. Natural land consists of forest, wetland, and water; open land consists of agricultural areas, bare soil, beaches, barrens, or low vegetation; development includes low density residential and commercial/industrial/high density residential development. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Total area of newly developed land from 2012 to 2017 (acres)
29
238
Total area of newly developed land from 2012 to 2017, standardized by town size (acres per square mile)
1.7
244
Total area of development (acres)
177
331
Total area of natural land (acres)
10,534
141
Total area of open land (acres)
538
262
Percent developed land
2 %
317
Percent natural land
90 %
30
Percent open land
5 %
265
Size of town in acres
11,345
214
Size of town in square miles
17.7
214
The level of protection for the area is summarized below. We also consider the proportion of important conservation resources that are protected in the area, including BioMap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape, Green Infrastructure Network, and relatively climate change resilient land. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Total area of permanently conserved land (acres)
2,541
191
Overall percent permanently conserved
22 %
169
Total area of newly conserved land from 2012 to 2019 (acres)
403
173
Total area of newly conserved BioMap2 Core Habitat (acres)
36
220
Total area of newly conserved BioMap2 CNL (acres)
301
87
Total area of newly conserved TNC resilient land (acres)
9
174
Total area of newly conserved GIN (acres)
403
173
Size of town in acres
11,345
214
Size of town in square miles
17.7
214
Fifth Edition
Released in June 2014, Losing Ground: Planning for Resilience reports on the pace and patterns of land development and land protection in Massachusetts between 2005 and 2013.
These statistics describe changes in land use between 2005 and 2013. Estimates of acres of land converted from a natural state to a developed state can be found here, as well as the rate of development in comparison to other areas. Natural land consists of forest, wetland, and water; open land consists of agricultural areas, bare soil, beaches, barrens, or low vegetation; development includes low density residential and commercial/industrial/high density residential development. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Total area of new development (acres)
17
264
Total area of newly developed land from 2005 to 2013, standardized by town size (acres per square mile)
1.0
265
Natural land converted to development (acres)
16
211
Open land converted to development (acres)
1
333
The level of protection for the area is summarized below. We also consider the proportion of important conservation resources that are protected in the area, including BioMap2 Core Habitat and Critical Natural Landscape, and relatively climate change resilient land. Percentage calculations are based on the state's total land area, excluding major waterbodies.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Area protected 2005 - 2013 (acres)
56
225
Percent BioMap2 Core Habitat protected
12 %
311
Percent BioMap2 Critical Natural Landscape protected
26 %
248
Percent TNC resilient land protected
25 %
224
Fourth Edition
Released in May 2009, Losing Ground: Beyond the Footprint reports on the patterns of development and their impact on the Nature of Massachusetts, 1999 - 2005.
These statistics describe changes in land use between 1999 and 2005. Estimates of acres of land converted from a natural state to a developed state can be found here, as well as the rate of development in comparison to other areas. Natural land consists of forest, wetland, and water; development includes low density residential and commercial/industrial/high density residential development.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Natural land (acres) converted to development (1999-2005)
30
314
Total area of newly developed land from 1999 to 2005, standardized by town size (acres per square mile)
1.7
314
Acres protected for this area is shown below.
Rank in relation to other towns/cities is indicated.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
There are 351 towns/cities in Massachusetts.
Statistic
Value
Rank in state
Acres protected (1999-2005)
636
61