FLT Conserves Over 60 Acres Across Three Communities
Franklin Land Trust (FLT) is proud to announce the successful closing of three conservation projects on December 19, 2025, permanently protecting more than 60 acres of forest, farmland, wetlands, and wildlife habitat in the Connecticut River Valley and surrounding hill towns.
These projects—made possible through partnerships with private landowners and municipalities—reflect Franklin Land Trust’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding the region’s natural, agricultural, scenic, and ecological resources for current and future generations.
Montague: Wright Conservation Restriction (31 acres)
In Montague, FLT finalized a donated conservation restriction on approximately 31 acres of farm and forest land along Old Sunderland Road, formerly part of the historic Craven Farm. The property includes active agricultural soils, managed forestland, and roughly 500 feet of Cranberry Pond Brook, a cold-water fisheries resource, near its confluence with the Connecticut River. The land also holds significant scenic value and lies within a landscape of extensive nearby conserved farmland and forest. The project was made possible through the generosity of landowner Elinor “Nell” Wright, who worked closely with FLT to ensure the permanent protection of this ecologically and culturally important property.
Gill: French–Samuels Mountain Road Conservation Restriction (17 acres)
In Gill, FLT completed a donated conservation restriction on 17 acres of forestland along Mountain Road from long-time conservation partners Richard French and Emily Samuels. The entirely forested parcel is managed under a Chapter 61 forestry plan and lies within a large BioMap-identified core habitat supporting rare species and regional landscape connectivity. This conservation effort builds on decades of collaboration between the landowners, FLT, and local and state partners to protect forests, farmland, and wildlife habitat in Gill and Northfield .
Granville: Town of Granville Community Preservation Act Conservation Restriction (12 acres)
In Granville, FLT finalized a conservation restriction held on behalf of the Town of Granville, protecting 12 acres of forest, wetlands, and watershed land acquired with Community Preservation Act funding. The conserved land includes tributaries to Trumble Brook and will be open to the public for trail walking and wildlife observation, forming a new town forest. This project reflects FLT’s long-standing partnership with Granville to advance conservation goals in the Winding River Land Conservancy region and protect drinking water, wildlife habitat, and public access to nature .
“Closing these three projects is an example of landowners, towns, and conservation organizations working collaboratively,” said Alain Peteroy, Director of Land Conservation. “Each of these places is unique, but together they strengthen the ecological resilience, working landscapes, and sense of place that define our region.”
The Franklin Land Trust staff extends sincere gratitude to the landowners, municipal partners, board members, and donors whose dedication made these permanent conservation successes possible.