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Hilltown Land Trust

Dedicated to protecting the working lands, native habitats and rural beauty of the Hilltowns since 1986

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You are here: Home / Announcements / Chesterfield Auction Update

Chesterfield Auction Update

November 17, 2020

Thanks to the intervention of a generous conservation buyer, the property near the Chesterfield Gorge along River Road will be conserved. The tremendous outpouring of community support for land conservation these past few weeks shows definitively that it is an issue that matters to many people in Chesterfield and the surrounding area. We want to say a big thank you to everyone who supported this effort! Your enthusiasm helped make this happen!

As a result of this conservation effort, the partnerships between Hilltown Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, The Trustees, MassWildlife, Wild & Scenic Westfield River Committee, the Chesterfield Conservation Commission, and many local conservation leaders are stronger than ever.

And this auction raised much-needed funds for a town that struggles with a small and tight budget. For rural towns like Chesterfield and others in our service area, the need for funds is a regular issue. Creative thinking, support from the state, and other strategies need to be pursued to ensure that these towns’ fiscal futures can coexist with land conservation, something that benefits people far beyond the borders of each town.

Our partner The Nature Conservancy was not able to purchase the other two properties in Chesterfield valuable for conservation, as each property sold at auction for well above their appraised value. These properties could be conserved later if the owners wish to pursue this option.

Advocacy and support for conservation in your town is always needed, not just in times of heightened awareness. If you care about the protection of open space in your community, consider volunteering for your town’s conservation commission or open space committee, contacting your local representatives to let them know why conservation is important to you, volunteering with or donating to Hilltown Land Trust and/or your local land trust, or running for elected office!

Filed Under: Announcements, Conservation Stories

Events Calendar

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1:00 PM - Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
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1:00 PM - Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
6:00 PM - Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
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2:00 PM - Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
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12:00 AM - Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
Apr 27th, 2025    
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Clary Hill
  • Family Fun
  • Hike
**RESCHEDULED TO SUN. APRIL 27TH DUE TO WEATHER** Celebrate the opening of HLT’s newest trails at Clary Hill with a 2-mile hike! Explore the meadow, [...]
More Info
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
May 8th, 2025    
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
“Forest resilience” is a big buzzword right now, especially in the face of climate change. But what does a resilient forest – or farm or [...]
More Info
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
May 8th, 2025    
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Partnership Event
  • Webinar
Do you have a disability, have a loved one with a disability, or advocate for accessible outdoor spaces? Our state partners invite you to join [...]
More Info
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
May 27th, 2025    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
“Forest resilience” is a big buzzword right now, especially in the face of climate change. But what does a resilient forest – or farm or [...]
More Info
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
May 31st, 2025 - Jun 1st, 2025    
All Day
  • Partnership Event
  • Race
Join Hilltown Land Trust and Beast Coast Trail Running for the sixth-annual Chesterfield Gorge Ultra and 25k Race, including the only 100 mile race in [...]
More Info
Events on Apr 27th, 2025
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
Clary Hill Trail Opening Hike
27 Apr 25
Goshen
Events on May 8th, 2025
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Learning Land Stewardship: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
8 May 25
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
Accessible Trails Public Forum (Webinar)
8 May 25
Events on May 27th, 2025
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Collaborative Forestry in the Village: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
27 May 25
Events on May 31st, 2025
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
Chesterfield Gorge Ultra & 25k
31 May 25
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