We are thrilled to announce that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the
Franklin Land Trust and the Kestrel Land Trust have just completed the LARGEST Conservation Restriction on private land in Massachusetts history!   
 
December 23, 2011- The Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Secretary Richard K. Sullivan Jr. today announced that a partnership between the Department of Fish and Game (DFG), Franklin Land Trust, Kestrel Land Trust, and North Amherst-based W.D. Cowls, Inc. has resulted in the conservation of 3,486 acres of working forest land in the Pioneer Valley towns of Leverett and Shutesbury.  

The Conservation Restriction (CR) acquired today by the DFG and its Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) from W.D. Cowls is the largest on a contiguous block of privately owned land in Massachusetts' history. The Conservation Restriction will conserve wildlife habitat, guarantee public recreational access, and promote sustainable forestry in perpetuity.

“The Cowls' Family has left us all an amazing gift this holiday season. They are to be commended for their foresight and love for their land.” said Richard K. Hubbard, Executive Director of FLT.

The 5.4 square mile area of woodlands protected by the Conservation Restriction (CR) on the Paul C. Jones Working Forest encompasses almost all of Brushy Mountain and includes additional adjacent parcels. Brushy Mountain and its adjoining Rattlesnake Gutter was recently named by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism as one of the state’s "Best 1,000 Places.” The conservation restriction ensures that the property will not be developed--protecting key wildlife habitat--and guarantees public access for hunting, fishing, hiking, and other recreation. Motorized vehicle use, except for snowmobiles, motorized wheelchairs and owner forestry-related vehicles, will not be permitted.

Read More:
8.8M Deal Preserves Major Forest, Gazette 12.24.11
Letter to the Editor, by J Lacy 12.30.11
A Forest's Long View, Gazette Editorial 12.26.11
Colossal Deal Preserves Land, Amherst Bulletin 12.30.11
Deal Conserves Acres of Forest, Republican 12.24.11
Deal Keeps Large Forest Protected, Boston Globe 12.24.11
Into Brushy Mountain Wilds, Gazette 1.3.11
Land Deal Preserves Brushy Mountain, Recorder 12.24.11