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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 / History and Legacy

History and Legacy

March 22, 2022

Margaret Waggoner was a Renaissance woman, with a passion for many topics including history, poetry, physics, and the natural world. A retired physics professor and Dean of Smith College, Margaret lived in Goshen for 20 years, and worked actively to preserve the town’s history as Chair of the Historical Commission and President of the Williams-Boltwood House Trust.

Margaret cared deeply for wildlife and knew she wanted to conserve her land, which includes extensive wetlands and sensitive wildlife habitat. She was in the process of doing so with Hilltown Land Trust when she passed away in September of 2021. Because she knew it might not be completed in her lifetime, she included language in her will to ensure the land would be conserved.

In addition to wildlife habitat, Margaret valued the peace she found through quiet contemplation in her woods and wanted others to experience the same on her trails. Thanks to her generous gift, people and wildlife will be able to enjoy her land in perpetuity.


To learn more about the ways you can leave a green legacy for The Hilltowns, visit the Green Legacy Circle page on our website or contact Katie Carr: katie@hilltownlandtrust.org or (413) 628-4485, ext. 5.

Margaret Waggoner, seen from behind, walks along a path in the woods using a walking stick. She is dress in jeans and a red top with a red vest. Next to her is a long rock wall, and she is surrounded by autumn leaves on the trees.
Margaret in her Woods

Filed Under: Announcements, Newsletter, Planned Giving

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What’s in a Forest Assessment? Meet a Forester Woods Walk
What’s in a Forest Assessment? Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Oct 29th, 2024    
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Unquomonk Town Water Land
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
Join us on a walk at Williamsburg Town Water Department land with Licensed Forester Ry Patton (Bay State Forestry) and Hilltown Land Trust land stewardship [...]
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What Does Long-Term Forest Stewardship Look Like? Meet a Forester Woods Walk
What Does Long-Term Forest Stewardship Look Like? Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Nov 11th, 2024    
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 [...]
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All About Moose
All About Moose
Nov 16th, 2024    
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Stevens Property
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Uncover the mysteries of the majestic moose on this autumn hike! The largest terrestrial mammal in Massachusetts, these massive herbivores are a conservation success story [...]
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Hilltown Boulders Trail Opening Hike
Hilltown Boulders Trail Opening Hike
Nov 23rd, 2024    
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
  • Hike
Celebrate the opening of HLT’s and Ashfield Trails’ newest trails at the Hilltown Boulders with a 2-mile hike! We’ll tour the massive glacial boulders that [...]
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Events on Oct 29th, 2024
What’s in a Forest Assessment? Meet a Forester Woods Walk
What’s in a Forest Assessment? Meet a Forester Woods Walk
29 Oct 24
Williamsburg
Events on Nov 11th, 2024
What Does Long-Term Forest Stewardship Look Like? Meet a Forester Woods Walk
What Does Long-Term Forest Stewardship Look Like? Meet a Forester Woods Walk
11 Nov 24
Events on Nov 16th, 2024
All About Moose
All About Moose
16 Nov 24
Huntington
Events on Nov 23rd, 2024
Hilltown Boulders Trail Opening Hike
Hilltown Boulders Trail Opening Hike
23 Nov 24
  • About
    • Board & Committees
    • Staff and TerraCorps members
    • Affiliation with The Trustees
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    • Contact
    • Open Positions
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