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 to conserve and care for the land you love. These last few months have made it very clear that now more than ever, we need natural places for exploration and quiet contemplation. Now more than ever, we need to protect farmland, support farmers, and ensure that we have access to healthy food. And, now more than ever, we need to focus on land conservation as part of the climate change solution. We are so grateful for you, our FLT community. So many of you have reached out in recent months to check in and offer support. We know that protecting and caring for the land matters to you. It is thanks to you that we have so swiftly adapted to a new way of doing this important work. And adapt we have! These last months we have been busy conducting a bio-inventory on a recently donated property, conserving large blocks of wildlife habitat, protecting river corridors and farmland, and planting trees. But we miss you! As you know we have had to cancel or postpone all in-person spring and summer events. We are working on developing safe ways to offer programs to you this coming summer and fall. Stay tuned! Read on to learn more about what we have been up to these last few months. And please keep in touch! |
Some of the most treasured properties in the roster of any land trust are those that come in the form of gifts by landowners who want to
express their love of the land in permanent terms. In 2018, Franklin Land Trust was honored to receive, from local resident Nan Williams,
the gift of a 94-acre upland property situated remotely above the Deerfield River in Rowe, Massachusetts.
![]() FOREST LAND CONSERVATION The Warner Hill Conservation Project The work of FLT Lands staff members Alain Peteroy and Emily Boss has resulted in the recent inauguration of the Warner Hill Conservation Project in the towns of Rowe and Charlemont. Eleven parcels will be conserved permanently, totaling just over 1,000 acres. Once completed, this 1,000-acre project will connect 2,000 acres of already conserved land, resulting in a 4 1/2 square mile unbroken block of protected wildlife habitat just above Route 2 and less than 20 miles from Interstate 91. About 200 acres of this land is farmland, with the remainder in upland, south-facing forest within the watershed of the Deerfield River. The total project cost is just over $2,000,000, with a combination of state funding grants and landowner donations covering all but $250,000 which must be identified to complete and steward the effort. $75,000 of that amount has been raised to date. Conservation on this scale is a rare opportunity here in the Commonwealth, as is leverage of this magnitude. To learn more, or to support this effort please contact Mary Lynn Sabourin at mlsabourin@franklinlandtrust.org.
PROTECTING RIVER CORRIDORS
COMMUNITY OUTREACH Street trees provide a variety of environmental benefits. As temperatures reach record highs due to climate change, trees can cool hot
city streets and reduce cooling costs for residents by providing shade to homes and buildings. Trees also reduce stormwater runoff,
reduce air pollution, and even provide habitat for birds and other wildlife. There are also a lot of social and community benefits
that trees bring by making streets more walkable, slowing traffic, and increasing access to outdoor spaces.
VIRTUAL RIDE - DIYD2R2 A Virtual Ride for the Land – DIYD2R2 – will take its place instead this summer, allowing cyclists to participate in their
own hometown throughout the month of August. With leaderboards for distance, time, and elevation, as well as prizes and raffles for
participants, it is hoped that riders will join in the fun from around the country. Learn more at bikereg.com/diyd2r2. Plus share your adventures across social media with the #DIYD2R2 ! GIVE THE GIFT OF CONSERVATION Between now and June 30, when you renew your membership with FLT, we will offer you a second FREE membership to gift to a friend or family member. Visit franklinlandtrust.org/donate and chose “In Honor Of” to provide us with the gift recipient’s name and email address. We will email them a Gift of Conservation card on your behalf. Thank you for your support! |