Massachusetts

Working with local land trusts, The Conservation Fund is safeguarding the agricultural legacy of Massachusetts' working farms and protecting its rivers and forests. We've protected nearly 5,000 acres across the state.

Connecticut River Valley

With some of the best farmland anywhere and historic properties throughout the region, the Connecticut River Valley is a special place. But as the population continues to spread, this land could be lost to unchecked development, unless the communities safeguard this land. And local groups are working to do just that.  

The Fund has been helping local communities with their efforts to conserve their special places. Since 1998, we've provided conservation financing to local land trusts to help them meet their conservation goals. One of our frequent partners is the Franklin Land Trust. Over the years our financing has helped them conserve more than 1,700 acres of fertile land in one of Franklin County’s most rapidly developing areas. Learn more about our work with them here.

Other projects include our work with the Deerfield Land Trust to protect more than 100 acres of farmland and our efforts to protect nesting and breeding habitat for dozens of bird species with the purchase of a 450-acre former tobacco farm straddling the border between Massachusetts and Connecticut. This latter project was made possible with key support from Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell and Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. The two states plan to restore and manage the property as a new wildlife management area.

Photo: Dominic Sherony/Flickr

The Fund works to save America's favorite places by helping communities and organizations conserve the land that's special to them. In Massachusetts our ongoing partnerships with land trusts is helping communities maintain their character while balancing the needs of development.