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

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. $39,000   Pictures and additional details:  http://www.mlsfinder.com/ma_mlspin/kw_366/index.cfm?action=listing_detail&property_id=72132202&searchkey=9ce06b16-b6f8-4341-2191-a8b32f73816a     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

Valley Gives Day - May 2nd

  Only you can protect our peaceful places for today and tomorrow! Where do you go outside to find peace? The top of a mountain, beside a roaring stream, 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... Read More

D2R2, August 19th

What is D2R2? Each August close to 1,500 bicyclists  descend on Franklin County to participate in the nation’s largest dirt-road cycling event, the Deerfield Dirt Road Randonnée. Hosted by Franklin Land Trust (FLT), last year the ride attracted cyclists from 26 states and 5 countries. This year, which marks the 12th anniversary of the event, promises to be the best yet! “D2R2,” as the ride has been nicknamed, offers EIGHT dirt-road courses ranging in length from a16... Read More

A Guide to Land Conservation & Management Programs

Making Sense of Land Programs The vast majority of western Massachusetts woodlands are owned and cared for by private individuals and families. Privately owned lands provide clean air, water, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and contribute to the scenic beauty of our region. The decisions private landowners make about their land will determine what our region looks like in the future. There are a wide range of programs offering expertise, funding, tax benefits, and help in taking care of land. However, the programs can be confusing and difficult to... Read More

Conway Tornado Clean Up

FLT was happy to mobilize our members and supporters to help our friends and neighbors in Conway who were impacted by the recent tornado. About 40 volunteers joined FLT staff and board members in cleaning up debris in a hayfield, wetland, and stream in Pumpkin Hollow, the neighborhood that was hit the worst by the storm. Thanks to the Maggs and Sheehans for welcoming us on their land, the 9th grade at the Academy of Charlemont and all the volunteers that helped us make short work of the clean-up, as well... Read More

Snowshoers & Hikers Welcome

Last week our Land Steward, Emily Johnson, led a small group of volunteers on a snowshoe hike at Guyette Farm in Plainfield. Open to the public and accessible year-round, Guyette Farm boasts diverse habitat with lots of evidence of wildlife! Over the past several years, the Franklin Land Trust has been managing Guyette Farm's old pastures to provide early successional habitat for wildlife browsing. After having spent hot autumn days cutting to promote juniper and blueberry, Emily - also... Read More