Local Food, Local Farms

We are nestled within one of the country's great agricultural hubs. Once called The Breadbasket of New England, the Connecticut River Valley is home to some of the most productive farmland in the nation. In western Massachusetts, Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties account for 28 percent of farms in the entire state. Built on a rich tradition of family farming, these operations provide food for their communities, bolster local economies, and lend the region the pastoral character cherished by residents and visitors alike. ... Read More

Top 10 Favorite Local Hikes

 As we adjust to a new normal, many people are turning to nature for exercise, inspiration, and peace. But it can be hard to know where to go locally and how to get there. To make it easier to find places to go, Franklin Land Trust would like to share our favorite local hiking trails with you and your family. Click the links for maps, directions, and more information. Happy Trails! Read More

Responding to a Changing Forest

Each year we see the impact of climate change in our region: intense heat and cold; extreme rain and wind events; and shorter winters with less snow cover. These changes have an impact on the plants and animals on the land. As our climate shifts, our forested land will shift with it. Increased pests, invasive plants and tolerance for drought or heat are predicted to change our forested landscape. As forest landowners and managers, FLT and MWI are actively working to arm... Read More

24 Acres in Ashfield/Conway Donated to Franklin Land Trust

Franklin Land Trust received a gift of 24 acres of forested land in Ashfield and Conway, donated by landowners Ed Etheredge of Northampton, and Larry Hott of Florence. This land sits at the intersection of Ashfield and Conway, with views of Mt. Monadnock, Mt. Wachusett, and Mt. Greylock in the fall and winter months. This land is home to Bradford Brook, a state listed cold water resource, and while not contiguous, this northern hardwood forest contributes to larger blocks of conserved land in the region including Chapel Falls Reservation, Poland Brook... Read More

Winter Fun in Franklin County!

We hope everyone has been enjoying the first major snow of the season here in western Mass! Now seems like the perfect time to share one of our latest projects - an interactive map of fun activities you and your family can find in Franklin County this winter: https://bit.ly/37tpPCE Check back over the next few weeks as we add in more of your suggestions, and please let us know if we missed a cherished spot. If you use the map ... Read More

Local Wood: Grow, Build, Live webinar series

Massachusetts Woodlands Institute, a subsidiary of the Franklin Land Trust, partners with Northern Woodlands, and New England Forestry Foundation to present a  Local Wood: Grow, Build, Live webinar series. Join us as we explore examples of how to grow, build, and live with beautiful and sustainable local wood products at different scales—from furniture to homes to institutional buildings.   January 20th, 2pm-3:30: Tree to Table February 24th, 2pm-3:30: Woods to Home March 17th, 2pm-3:30:Forests to Cities Tree to Table: ... Read More

Franklin Land Trust Acquires 154 Acres in Heath on the West Branch of the North River

       Franklin Land Trust (FLT) recently acquired for conservation 154 acres in Heath abutting its 96-acre Crowningshield Conservation Area (CCA). The 154-acre parcel purchase – which took place on June 25th, 2020 from the Gudell Family – was supported by funding from MA Fish and Game; local, state and national chapters of Trout Unlimited; the John T. and Jane A. Wiederhold Foundation; the William P. Wharton Trust; and Franklin Land Trust’s Heath Conservation Fund. Tom Curren, FLT Executive Director, is thrilled to see this project cross the finish line. “This... Read More

June News and Views

The spring of 2020 has been a lesson in adaptation. As our nation shut down due to COVID19, we saw individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and service organizations develop safe systems to continue moving forward with grit, grace, and determination. Franklin Land Trust is no different. We too have continued to move forward throughout these challenging times, creatively and persistently finding ways ... Read More

FLT Covid-19 Safety Policy

Franklin Land Trust Safety Policy The staff of the Franklin Land Trust are continuing to meet with landowners about new conservation projects and have already begun the annual work of land stewardship monitoring that are attendant to our mission. This year, in the interest of the health and well-being of all concerned, we are taking the steps that are consistent with the Governor's public health guidelines. We hope that our friends in the community understand the rationale behind our efforts to stay healthy, productive, and comfortable in our work. ... Read More

The Whole Landscape Catalog

We find ourselves improbably, impossibly cooped up in our homes for an undetermined amount of time: grateful, stunned, apprehensive, uncertain, counting jars of applesauce. How did this happen? In some ways it is terrifying, in some ways, comforting; if we stay off the retail internet long enough, maybe the whole thing could even be therapeutic, in a bizarre kind of a way. Here we are: ships in a bottle, occupants of our own terrariums, enrolled in encounter groups with our spouses. Has anything like this ever happened before? ... Read More