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
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![Peaceful Places [Video]](/Ollie and Egan.png?Action=thumbnail&Width=300&Height=225&algorithm=fill_proportional)
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
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
Meet our new Board Member - Barbara Miller
FLT is thrilled to welcome Barbara Miller to the Board. Barb recently retired after a long career with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) and lives on a conserved farm in Ashfield. We asked her some questions to get to know her better! 1.Why do you think land conservation is important? Land conservation is critical at this time in history because our economy sees development as the highest and best use, therefore it compensates the landowner the most when they need to redeem equity. So, to preserve important farmland and unique landscapes and habitats,... Read More