FLT Blog
Supporting Local Farms, Strengthening Our Communities
To help you discover and support the many farms that make up our region, check out our interactive farm guide that profiles local farmers and provides directions to their farms and nearby farmers’ markets! In the Connecticut River Valley, once known as The Breadbasket of New England, agriculture is more than a tradition. It’s a…
Read MoreNeither Migration Nor Hibernation: The Winter Adaptations of Animals Who Stick it Out
On Wednesday, December 10th, 2025 from 10AM to 11:30AM, we will be learning about the winter survival techniques of wildlife at Guyette Farm in Plainfield MA. How do animals survive the deep chill of winter? From the enchanting to the downright gross—and from the brilliantly clever to the just plain weird—wildlife that stays active through…
Read MoreWin A Firefly Bicycle
For ten years, Firefly Bicycles has stood with the Franklin Land Trust to protect the wild places, working farms, and scenic roads you love to ride. Over the years, this small but mighty Boston-based builder—dedicated to meticulously crafting some of the finest bikes on the market—has donated more than $57,000 in hand-built titanium bikes. With…
Read MoreCliff Swallow Nesting Structure at Edge Hill
If you are traveling on Barnes Road in Ashfield past FLT’s newly-acquired Edge Hill property, you might notice a structure near the barn that at first glance looks like an information kiosk—but it’s not—it’s a Cliff Swallow nesting structure! Most people are more familiar with Barn Swallows, which build cup-shaped nests of mud inside barns.…
Read MoreVolunteer Info Session
Hello and happy spring! Come join Franklin Land Trust staff and learn about the many ways you can help support our conservation efforts by volunteering your time. FLT has a variety of different tasks that we could not do without the generous help of our volunteers each year, ranging from D2R2 set up to help…
Read MoreEdge Hill Conservation Area Trail Work Day
Join us on June 7th for a hands-on trail clean-up event in colloboration with Ashfield Trails. We’ll be working together to improve a section of the trail by bench cutting, a process that helps prevent erosion and keeps the trail in top shape for everyone to enjoy. The clean-up will run from 10:00 AM to…
Read MoreDynamic Forests Event
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER. NEW DATE TBD. Visit Guyette Farm in Plainfield to learn about the Dynamic Forests Initiative and land stewardship programs and grants. Franklin Land Trust is working with the Dynamic Forest Restoration Initiative to showcase this property as a mini-dynamic forest, one stop to see many types…
Read MoreCPR Training
TO REGISTER EMAIL: slamontagne@franklinlandtrust.org Get certified and be ready to respond in emergencies! Join us for a CPR Certification Training course, designed to teach essential life-saving skills in a focused, hands-on environment. This course will prepare you to effectively perform CPR on adults, children, and infants in a variety of emergency situations. You’ll receive expert…
Read MoreWelcome Home: A Migratory Bird ID Walk
Scads of warblers, swallows, kestrels, and woodcocks; a profusion of birds migrates back to Western Massachusetts in the springtime. Come welcome them home at Guyette Farm in Plainfield. Learn how to identify migratory birds by song and sight, and delight in their colorful return north. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! This event is sponsored…
Read MoreMore Milestones Ahead
More Milestones Ahead We are thrilled to announce that Alain Peteroy has been promoted to Deputy Director at the Franklin Land Trust. After 17 years of dedicated service as Director of Land Conservation, Alain’s unwavering commitment and exceptional leadership have profoundly impacted our organization and the conservation community. Alain’s visionary approach and tireless efforts have been…
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