Franklin Land Trust Welcomes New Executive Director

The Franklin Land Trust’s (FLT) Board of Directors and staff welcome their new Executive Director, Thomas S. Curren, to the organization. Tom succeeds Richard Hubbard, who has served as FLT’s executive director since 2004, and during whose tenure the Trust reached the 32,000-acre mark in conserving farms, forests, wildlands, and other natural resources in western Massachusetts. Tom brings more than forty years of non-profit management and leadership experience in support of the mission at FLT. He served as vice president of marketing and development at the Crotched Mountain Foundation, executive director... Read More

Celebrating Rich Hubbard

Retirement Party to Celebrate Rich       June 15, 2019      1-4pm      Apex Orchards, Shelburne, MA Join us in celebrating Rich Hubbard and his many and meaningful accomplishments as FLT’s Executive Director.We will gather at beautiful Apex Orchards on June 15th and celebrate Rich's legacy of land conservation over drinks and appetizers. Enjoy the stunning view as we raise a glass to a man who has devoted his career to protecting the land we love. All are welcome. RSVP required. Can't join us? Feel free to send along stories and photographs to share. Find out how you... Read More

Help us Rebuild the Barn!

We’re re-building the ell of the Guyette barn and we need your help! Although the main Guyette barn found a new home elsewhere on our New England landscape, the original Guyette ell was dismantled and stored for us in hope of a future raising. Now’s the time to make the dream of raising the barn a reality but we need your help to rebuild it on its original site and with all of its former glory! The frame is in great shape, and the current Wildlife Habitat Improvement project happening on... Read More

Guyette Farm Forestry: Managing for wildlife and local wood

Overview and Project Partners Franklin Land Trust will be engaged in logging operations at its Guyette Farm Conservation Area on Gloyd St and South Central Street in Plainfield. This work is funded by a Wildlife Habitat Grant from the Department of Fish and Game and will create 17.5 acres of young forest habitat that will benefit ruffed grouse, woodcock, and a host of other wildlife species. This work is guided by FLT’s Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) partners: The Ruffed Grouse Society, the American Woodcock Society and the Wildlife Management ... Read More

Dean Farm Conserved

Greenfield Recorder - Richie Davis      SHELBURNE – Before his death nearly a year ago, longtime Franklin Land Trust contributor and board president Charles Cohn purchased 21 acres of the former Dean farm on Little Mohawk Road in Shelburne’s Patten District. Cohn, a former Wall Street broker who moved to Shelburne in 1978 to become a financial adviser and who was dedicated to protecting farmland and other natural resources of the region, bought the 72-acre farm in 2016 to keep it from being subdivided... Read More

Land for Sale, Cummington

  Privacy prevails on this 6.28 Acre lot that will allow you to decompress from work or to simply breathe the fresh air just west of Berkshire County.   Proceeds from the sale of this property will provide funds to FLT to help further its land conservation work.Pittsfield is 20 minutes and Northampton is 35 minutes with Creamery Co-op just minutes up the road. Hiking, Kayaking, Fishing, Skiing as well as many cultural opportunities await including Greenwood Music Camp, William Cullen Bryant Homestead and much more. Seller will perc with an accepted offer. $24,900   Pictures and additional details: https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/Cole_Cummington_MA_01026_M44566-37987?view=qv ... Read More

Franklin Land Trust accepts 124 acres in Shelburne

Greenfield Recorder - Richie Davis     SHELBURNE — When it comes to “scenic byways,” the Mohawk Trail through Shelburne readily comes to mind, and now a conservation restriction has been placed on a 124-acre property directly along the highway to preserve it as woodland and pastureland. Franklin Land Trust helped the Town of Shelburne accept a conservation restriction on property of John A. and Margaret G. Payne, the land trust using $400,000 in state Scenic Byways funding just before the Nov. 16 death of... Read More

Saving a stunning view for generations to come

Greenfield Recorder - Wednesday, December 26, 2018 ERVING — The view from the French King Bridge is stunning, drawing visitors to stop for photos or to simply take in the panorama year-round. What those visitors may not know is that the view is protected though land preservation efforts like the 5.39 acres recently purchased by Franklin Land. That land is just west of the French King Restaurant and Motel. The Nov. 27 acquisition from the Prondecki family, which has owned the land surrounding the restaurant and motel since the 1950s, completes the four corners of the... Read More

A heartfelt thanks to land preservationists

Greenfield Recorder  Those who appreciate the pastoral nature of Franklin County owe that rural ambience to the many landowners and farmers who shield their fields and forests from development. Many of them work with local land trusts to preserve that protection in perpetuity. And so it is we all — residents or visitors, driving or bicycling — get to enjoy this picturesque backdrop in our travels. Franklin Land Trust has protected 34,000 acres in our region over 32 years, for example, and since 1986, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust has helped protect more... Read More

Conserving Land for You (Annual Report)

Thanks to you—our faithful land conservation supporter—significant lands throughout western Massachusetts are now permanently conserved. With your help, the Franklin Land Trust closed out our 31st year with the completion of 11 new projects, permanently protecting 1,032 acres in 2018. Because of you, FLT has helped to conserve a total of 32,000 acres of forests, farms and waterways over the last 32 years. We tip our hats to you! View Annual Report   Read More