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

A heartfelt thanks to land preservationists

Greenfield Recorder  Those who appreciate the pastoral nature of Franklin County owe that rural ambience to the many landowners and farmers who shield their fields and forests from development. Many of them work with local land trusts to preserve that protection in perpetuity. And so it is we all — residents or visitors, driving or bicycling — get to enjoy this picturesque backdrop in our travels. Franklin Land Trust has protected 34,000 acres in our region over 32 years, for example, and since 1986, Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust has helped protect more... Read More

Conserving Land for You (Annual Report)

Thanks to you—our faithful land conservation supporter—significant lands throughout western Massachusetts are now permanently conserved. With your help, the Franklin Land Trust closed out our 31st year with the completion of 11 new projects, permanently protecting 1,032 acres in 2018. Because of you, FLT has helped to conserve a total of 32,000 acres of forests, farms and waterways over the last 32 years. We tip our hats to you! View Annual Report   Read More

Passing the Baton

In early September, FLT’s Executive Director Rich Hubbard announced his plans to retire in 2019. After 14 successful years with FLT, Rich has decided it is time to move on and enjoy his new grandchildren. FLT’s Board could not be more appreciative of the fine work Rich has done on behalf of all of us and our beloved western Massachusetts home. Our beautiful landscape of active farms, woodlands and wildlife habitat would be so different now if Rich hadn’t been there to ensure that this valuable resource has... Read More