FLT Blog
Ciesluk Farm Conserved
The Ciesluk Farm, a 166-acre gem nestled along the Deerfield River, is one of a shrinking number of multigenerational farms in New England. Frank E. Ciesluk, who purchased nearly 200 acres of fertile farmland along the Deerfield River in the early 20th century, laid the foundation for this enduring legacy. His grandchildren, Jennifer Antonellis and…
Read More47 Acres Conserved in Deerfield North Meadows
We are delighted to announce the successful completion of a conservation restriction in collaboration with Historic Deerfield. The conservation restriction donated from Historic Deerfield to the Franklin Land Trust was recorded on May 10th, 2024. The project secures 47.9 acres of ecologically valuable land, encompassing more than 25 acres of Prime Farmland Soils, diverse wetlands,…
Read MoreEdge Hill Trail Race
We extend our gratitude to all the runners who participated in the inaugural Edge Hill Trail Run on June 29th 2024. This event was a collaboration between the Franklin Land Trust and Beast Coast Trail Running. The race started and ended at the Edge Hill Conservation Area—a property with a rich history as a farm…
Read MoreThe Old Dean Farm
The Franklin Land Trust (FLT) is pleased to announce that Catherine “Kiki” Smith, wife of the late Charlie Cohn, FLT’s former board President and Treasurer, has generously donated a conservation restriction (CR) on approximately 47 acres of land on the east side of Reynolds and Patten Roads in Shelburne. The land, which was part of…
Read MoreYou Can Never Make More Land
Kenburn Orchards Farm is a 151-acre property in Shelburne, Massachusetts, that has been in the same family for nearly 100 years. Thanks to Susan and Larry Flaccus, the current owners of the farm, it has now been conserved. Susan and Larry generously sold a conservation restriction on their land for a price lower than the…
Read MoreTour of Preservation Orchards
Join Land Protection Specialist Liam Cregan and hosts Jonathan Carr and Nicole Blum for a tour of Preservation Orchards, featuring and sheep and goats. Attendees will meet at Carr’s Ciderhouse in Hadley and carpool to the orchard; all are encouraged to purchase farm products or enjoy a glass of cider at Nicole and Jonathan’s outdoor…
Read MoreEastern Brook Trout Joint Venture Press Release
The Massachusetts Woodlands Institute and the Franklin Land Trust RECEIVE GRANT FOR Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture 2023 Coldwater Stewardship Small Grants Program Engaging Land Stewards in Fisheries Habitat Restoration in the lower Deerfield Watershed Headwaters of Massachusetts FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE [Emily Boss, MWI, Executive Director] 413 625 9151 emily@masswoodlands.org January 2nd 2023 The Massachusetts…
Read MoreFLT Completes Acquisition of Edge Hill Golf Course
The Franklin Land Trust (FLT) is proud to announce that it has completed the acquisition of Edge Hill Golf Course in Ashfield, Massachusetts. The purchase was made possible by the generous donations of FLT supporters and an anonymous foundation grant. “We would like to thank the Graves Family for their partnership and patience throughout this…
Read MoreAre you cold yet?
Image by Tobias LaMontagne Boy does time fly! Yesterday evening the hilltowns witnessed the second snowfall of the season, a dusting of thick flakes. It’s hard to believe the snow is back and it’s nearly Thanksgiving again! We have lots to be grateful for as we enter the cold season. We want to thank you…
Read MoreCandid Camera
By Alex Wahlstrom In Plainfield, on the edge of a babbling Meadow Brook, a great blue heron steps into focus. No more than two feet away from the camera lens, the heron cautiously continues to work the edge of the water. A few days later, in the woods of Heath, a Coyote darts through a…
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