Top 10 Favorite Local Hikes
As we adjust to a new normal, many people are turning to nature for exercise, inspiration, and peace. But it can be hard to know where to go locally and how to get there. To make it easier to find places to go, Franklin Land Trust would like to share our favorite local hiking trails with you and your family. Click the links for maps, directions, and more information. Happy Trails! Read More
A Letter from the Executive Director - Coronavirus Update
We are all doing our best, in these challenging days, to maintain our health, our equilibrium, and our productivity. After consultation with our board and with colleagues throughout the non-profit field, we have decided to postpone scheduled gatherings for the month of March and have asked that our staff prepare to work in their home offices for the remainder of the month. Our staff can still be reached by calling the office (413-625-9151) and dialing their extensions or contacting them via email. We will continue to keep our conservation projects for the year moving... Read More
Year in Review
You made a difference in 2019! You helped to permanently protect important land that provides critical habitat for wildlife, clean air to breathe, and clean water for you and your family. Because of you, FLT has conserved a total of 32,925 acres of forests, farms and waterways over the last 33 years, creating resilient lands that are part of the climate change solution. We deeply value your commitment to protecting the land you love. Thank you! To find out more about the work that you helped us achieve, visit our Annual... Read More
Voluntary Public Access
Do you allow public access on your land? If not, would you consider it? Franklin Land Trust’s Voluntary Public Access Program has money to purchase easements that allow public access on your land. You can choose between temporary (10 years) or permanent public access easements on all or part of your land. Payment rates are based on how much land you enroll and the activities you choose to allow. ... Read More
Responding to a Changing Forest
Each year we see the impact of climate change in our region: intense heat and cold; extreme rain and wind events; and shorter winters with less snow cover. These changes have an impact on the plants and animals on the land. As our climate shifts, our forested land will shift with it. Increased pests, invasive plants and tolerance for drought or heat are predicted to change our forested landscape. As forest landowners and managers, FLT and MWI are actively working to arm... Read More
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
Leaving a Legacy
On a sunny Saturday afternoon with the stunning backdrop of Apex Orchards, hundreds of our land trust friends and partners celebrated the land conservation legacy of our recently retired Executive Director, Rich Hubbard. Along with speeches by Board President, Paul Cooper; Former State Representative Stephen Kulik; Cris Coffin from American Farmland Trust; and Pioneer Gardens' Jaap Molenaar - Rich was presented with a State Citation for his efforts of "Conserving Land across the Commonwealth" by Representative Natalie Blais as well as a Governor's Award for his legacy of conservation work presented by Cris Chisholm of MassWildlife. The FLT Board presented Rich... 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