A large percentage of Fitchburg's open land is held privately, with uses ranging from agriculture to recreation. Educational institutions own many acres of open space. The city has a number of properties held for the purpose of conservation. The Natural, Cultural, and Historic Resources element of the Master Plan contains information under those categories. Open space in Fitchburg is found near its densest urban areas.
Open space serves many important functions in a community.
Open space protects ecologically sensitive areas, including wetlands and other water resources, important habitats and sensitive soils. The preservation of open space not only directly protects these resources but can also serve as an important buffer zone, without which such sensitive resources might not survive. Agriculture is an important open space resource that can also be protected through the utilization of buffer zones. Open space serves as an important recreational resource. Passive recreational uses which are becoming increasingly more popular rely on vast open areas.