Designating an area as "protected" places restrictions on land use that enables the continued development of a diverse wildlife and nature habitat while still providing access for the public to use and enjoy.

As of 2013, about 384,000 acres - or 21% of all land in MetroWest - was deemed "protected." This was a slightly smaller percentage than Massachusetts as a whole (25%). Among the region's counties, Worcester had the largest share of protected land (23%) while Middlesex and Norfolk had the least (19%).

Among local communities, Milford had the least protected land (3%), along with other towns on the western side of the region, such as Medway (4%), Bellingham and Hudson (both at 9%). Towns with the largest percentages of protected land were concentrated northwest of Boston, including Lincoln (40%), Wayland (32%), Sudbury and Carlisle (both at 31%). Southwest of Boston, Medfield also had one of the highest rates of land protection (33%), while nearby Westwood had one of the lowest (8%).

MassAudubon is expected to release an update in the fourth quarter of 2019.