Save North Pond!
Join the fight to save the pristine shores of North Pond in Southwick! We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to protect the only remaining undeveloped land on North Pond.
GOOD NEWS! We are almost there.
To date, we have raised 3/4 of the funds needed to Save North Pond.
But we need your help to reach our final goal by June 30, 2019
Only YOU can stop dozens of new houses and waterfront docks from being built on this land.
Your help today means that the woodlands and beachfront will be conserved and allowed to remain wild and open for future generations.
YOU CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN!
There are many environmental reasons to conserve this land as well.
The land is located over an aquifer that filters clean drinking water to the thousands of residents in Southwick, Westfield and West Springfield. Ground wells for all three communities are located within this aquifer.
Without your help, this parcel of land will be developed into dozens of homes, forever altering the character of North Pond, disrupting sensitive habitats, and threatening water quality.
Your help protects the drinking water for thousands of people and preserves a future well site that will ensure clean water for future generations!
The land is also directly adjacent to the 267 acre Southwick Wildlife Management Area, and an additional 251 acres of conserved grasslands in Connecticut, which makes this area one of the largest areas of permanently protected grasslands in New England. Several threatened species of birds rely on these grasslands, such as the kestrel, woodcock, bobolink, grasshopper sparrow, vesper sparrow, and the upland sand piper.
Your help expands the grasslands, providing important habitat for threatened bird species!
In addition, there is a pitch pine forest on the North Pond land, which is a rare ecosystem in Massachusetts. Having the forested land, the grassland, the wetland and the water habitat all together and unbroken by development, allows for biodiversity and for a more resilient habitat for a changing climate.
Your help ensures that the wildlife on North Pond have the best chance of survival in the face of climate change!
When conserved, all of the land will be open to the public. The western portion of the land will be owned by the Town of Southwick and the eastern portion of the land will be owned by the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game.
Your help means that the land will once again be open for hiking, fishing, picnicking and swimming. PLEASE HELP!
Please donate using the form below.
Or mail your check to:
Save North Pond
c/o Franklin Land Trust
P.O. Box 450
Shelburne Falls, MA 01370