Charlie Cohn

We were deeply saddened to say goodbye to the former President and Treasurer of the FLT Board and longtime friend, Charlie Cohn. FLT’s first Executive Director, Mark Zenick, sent along his reflections on Charlie. While I was so fortunate to have Charlie as a prized and beloved friend for more than four decades, the land preservation community knew no more ardent champion of rural values and rural landscapes. While leading the Franklin Land Trust, I so benefitted from Charlie’s keen insight and implacable wisdom during his long tenure on FLT’s Board of Directors. He taught me and reminded... Read More

“Bee” a Beecologist: Webinar 2/24

Interested in becoming a ‘beecologist’? Please join our friend, Dr. Rob Gegear, for the first Beecology Project Webinar “Bee the Change” on February 24th from 12pm-1pm. He’ll give you the buzz about bumblebees, tell you about some of his online resources, and teach you how to use the new smartphone apps (Android and iPhone) to conduct bumblebee research in your own backyard! Bumblebees play a role in maintaining ecosystem health and biodiversity throughout Massachusetts, yet many... Read More

​2017 in Review

600 Acres of Land Conserved in Franklin County The Franklin Land Trust (FLT) helped eleven landowners conserve over 600 acres in seven towns in 2017. The 600 acres consist of a mix of prime agricultural lands in Greenfield and Colrain, watershed lands in Whately and Conway, scenic hilltop land in Shelburne, and vital wildlife habitat in Leverett, Conway, Whately and Heath. “With the support of our members and donors, the Franklin Land Trust has helped ensure that these lands will provide critical services to people and wildlife forever,” said Rich Hubbard, Executive Director of the land... Read More

Wildlife Photos

We have been fortunate to capture some great images and video of moose, bear, bobcat, beaver, and deer on our wildlife camera these last few weeks at a recently conserved property in Hawley, reminding us why we do what we do and the importance of keeping nature wild.   Our wildlife camera was purchased as part of a grant generously gifted by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.   Check back often for updated photos, or submit your wildlife photos to mlsabourin@franklinlandtrust.org for inclusion on our Wildlife page. Check out our Facebook page for recent... Read More

Giving Tuesday

#GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that has been built by individuals, families, organizations, businesses, and communities in all 50 states and in countries around the world. Millions of people have come together to support and champion the causes they believe in and the communities in which they live. We have two days for getting deals – Black Friday and Cyber Monday. On #GivingTuesday, we have a day for giving back. Together, people are creating a new ritual for our annual calendar. #GivingTuesday... Read More

Save North Pond!

Save North Pond Join the fight to save the pristine shores of North Pond in Southwick! We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect the only remaining undeveloped land on North Pond. GOOD NEWS! We are almost there. To date, we have raised 3/4 of the funds needed to Save North Pond.But we need your help to reach our final goal by June 30, 2019 Only YOU can stop dozens of new houses and waterfront docks from being built on this land.... Read More

Partnerships in Progress

Thanks to you and your neighbors’ commitment to conservation, Massachusetts is blessed with one of the highest number of land trusts in the country. Many of these land trusts are run by volunteers and are focused on one town or a small region where your knowledge of the local landscape is key to connecting with landowners. Though volunteers play an invaluable role in both staffed and unstaffed land trusts, the business of land conservation and running a land trust can be time-intensive and complicated. FLT has been working with... Read More

​FLT at the Ashfield Film Festival!

FLT at the Ashfield Film Festival!   FLT’s film, “The Land is My Inspiration” was awarded the “Best Film about a Non-Profit” in the 2017 Annual Ashfield Film Festival. This short film showcases Ashfield landscape painters who capture on canvas the essence and beauty of the land we work to protect. Big thanks to the Ashfield Film Festival Committee for supporting our work! To see this short film, visit here. Read More

Peaceful Places [Video]

  Only you can protect our peaceful places for today and tomorrow! Where do you go outside to find peace? The top of a mountain, a hammock in your backyard, or a quiet drive on a country road? Spending time outside renews, restores and refuels us as we navigate our way through an unrelenting and fast-paced world. Your support helps save places for everyone to find their own peaceful refuge. Each day, development threatens our natural places, and endangers the water, air and lands that your kids will inherit. For 30 years the Franklin Land Trust... Read More

The Healing Power of Nature

Science and popular culture may soon be starting to appreciate something that you have likely known for a long time—being in nature benefits the human body, mind, and spirit. It comes as no surprise to hear that being outside in the woods, surrounded by living, breathing plants, birds, and animals, can decrease your stress levels, improve your mood and fight depression, improve your memory, and improve your general sense of well-being. If you’re walking and getting your heart rate up, all the better. Though many of us have... Read More