The Tesla Investment Holdings LLC Board of Directors is fully committed to supporting a “no” vote on Articles 3 and 4 at the June 25, 2025 Lincoln Special Town Meeting to block the Rural Land Foundation of Lincoln’s (RLF) Nature Link project, which proposes adding a 20-home single-family condo development to the six-acre Panetta property. We stand with you to protect Lincoln’s rural character and ecological integrity.
To counter RLF and Civico’s claims that our rewilding offer is a distraction, we provide this unified, formal statement of our plan to purchase the Panetta land and rewild it, in line with Lincoln’s vision statement: “Lincoln is a town that cherishes its rural, agricultural character, its small-town heritage, its open space, and its historical legacy.”
Concerns with the Nature Link plan
- Wildlife disruption — Developing Panetta land disrupts natural wildlife corridors revitalized by TendingYourYard.org‘s rewilding site at 100 Page Rd. in Lincoln, which has attracted bald eagles, pollinators, and other species.
- Oversized luxury development — The 20 homes, with 17 estimated to cost ~$1 million and up, contributes only the minimum required three affordable units to the town’s housing stock. All homes carry HOA fees, making even “affordable” options out of reach for most.
- Watershed risk — A large septic system on Farrington Trust conservation land undermining environmental integrity.
- Taxpayer burden — Lincoln’s $950,000 taxpayer-funded Community Preservation Committee (CPC) money indirectly subsidizes developer profits, allowing Civico to build more substantially more units than they would have been able to do otherwise.
- Lack of transparency — This deal was negotiated behind closed doors, without public input or any advance notice to abutters. Keeping the community in the dark not only excluded valuable alternatives like our rewilding proposal, it also significantly limited what was possible for the site and the town.
Longtime Lincoln residents and founders of the nonprofit Tending Your Yard, Tending the Earth will expand their nonprofit with a vision to rewild the Panetta land.
A sustainable alternative: rewilding the Panetta property
- Farrington conservation land can still be conserved — Our plan supports all aspects of RLF’s proposal — Farrington’s conservation, Lincoln’s CPC contribution toward conservation, and Cambridge’s watershed protection. The only major difference is that Civico’s luxury condo development will be replaced with land preservation and their large septic system located in the middle of new conservation land will no longer be required. Our rewilding secures Panetta’s legacy and conserves Farrington’s future.
- Farrington easement — We will grant Farrington Trust a vehicle easement for environmental training, aligned with TendingYourYard.org’s mission, after they transfer 2–3 acres (~$1 million value) to the Panetta property deed, as agreed in the Nature Link project, expanding conservation to 8-9 acres. As with the Nature Link proposal, the access ceases if Farrington sells their land or repurposes it against their conservation charter.
- Rewilding vision — TendingYourYard.org will rewild the land (native plantings, trails, educational center) without disturbing existing buildings (two houses, one barn), which may need repairs. Detailed plans (e.g., budget, scope) will require weeks of on-site assessment and community input post-“no” vote.
Tesla Investment Holdings LLC’s commitment
- On June 10, 2025, the Tesla Investment Holdings LLC board approved a $3.3 million distribution from our Schwab brokerage account, payable immediately, to replace Civico’s $3.3 million in the Nature Link plan and secure the Panetta land deed from the RLF.
- TendingYourYard.org, a nonprofit created by Arline Sutherland’s Irrevocable Trust (a major Tesla Investment Holdings LLC shareholder), requested that Tesla allocate $3.3 million to hold the Panetta property for rewilding, similar to our successful site at 100 Page Road. Jeff and Arline Sutherland are Lincoln residents and abutters to the Panetta land.
Financial assurance
- Tesla Investment Holdings LLC manages an $80 million fund with over $12 million in loans to partner organizations. The $3.3 million check, authorized by our board, is immediately available from our Schwab brokerage account.
- Yesim Taskor, our CFO and a Farrington Trust abutter, can verify the offer’s legitimacy and provide financials to RLF or the Town of Lincoln upon request.
- Dennis Murphy of Hill Law is our land trust lawyer and has reviewed this document.
Why our offer wins
- Immediate funding — Our $3.3 million check is ready today, unlike other unfunded proposals. RLF provides the Panetta deed, and we close swiftly, no rezoning required.
- Community benefits — Rewilding avoids oversized condo development and septic risks, supports Farrington’s conservation, and aligns with Lincoln’s vision statement and intended use of CPC funds.
- Open discussion — A “no” vote enables community input on all proposals, unlike Nature Link’s rushed, opaque process.
Our “rewilding Panetta” proposal is a true win-win for our town, our residents, and our natural environment—but it is only possible with a “no” vote on Articles 3 and 4 at the Special Town Meeting on June 25 at 6:30pm.
Sincerely,
The Board of Directors, Tesla Investment Holdings LLC (100 Page Rd., Lincoln):
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- Jeffrey Sutherland (CEO, JVS Management Inc.; managing partner, Tesla Investment Holdings LLC)
- Reverend Arline Conan Sutherland (Arline Sutherland’s Irrevocable Massachusetts Trust; shareholder, Tesla Investment Holdings LLC; creator, TendingYourYard.org)
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I am sorry we are just learning of this intriguing proposal now…. two days from the vote.
Laura – that’s because the process for the Naturelink project was handled by the RLF behind closed doors and sprung on us when it was already set. Had the RLF reached out to the community, this offer could have come to fruition earlier. There’s still an opportunity though at town meeting!
Lincoln neighbors, it seems a wild rumor has taken flight. The claim that Tending Your Yard charges $100–$150 per visit for our rewilding efforts is, frankly, nuttier than a squirrel’s winter stash. Allow us to clear the air with a bit of humor and a whole lot of truth.
We’ve never—ever—charged a single penny for our work to transform our current TendingYourYard.org into a conservation showcase. Our mission is to let nature thrive, not to nickel-and-dime our community! As for funding, our TendingYourYard.org site does have a donation box, but here’s the kicker: a feathered friend decided it was the coziest spot in Lincoln to build her nest. So, our donation box is currently out of commission, graciously occupied by a bird who, in lieu of cash, donated a single, perfect egg. (We’re calling it the ultimate eco-friendly contribution!)
Rest assured, our commitment to rewilding the Panetta property is fueled by passion, not fees. We will work with the Farrington Trust and local conservation allies to protect this land, not to profit from it. So, let’s put this rumor to rest—unless it’s willing to donate an egg or two of its own.
With a nod to our winged benefactor,
The Tending Your Yard Team
Rewilding Lincoln, one nest at a time
I also heard that despicable vote slanting rumor/lie. Sadly, there are some bad “eggs” in Lincoln. Seems clear that some are nervous their misleading agenda is threatened. There are much better options for Farrington and Panetta properties. Please vote no on this proposal.