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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 / 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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An Inside Look at Hilltown Land Trust
An Inside Look at Hilltown Land Trust
Feb 5th, 2026    
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
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Get the inside scoop on how we evaluate and select land conservation projects, care for conserved lands, and engage volunteers in our work.
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Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
Feb 11th, 2026    
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
DAR State Forest
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Hilltown Land Trust is pleased to once again be partnering with All Out Adventures in offering a series of senior snowshoe treks this winter. Join us [...]
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Biodiversity Monitoring Training: Tree Bark & Wildlife Tracking
Biodiversity Monitoring Training: Tree Bark & Wildlife Tracking
Feb 14th, 2026    
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
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Contribute to community science and learn about ecology in a supportive environment at HLT’s new biodiversity monitoring program series.
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Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
Mar 4th, 2026    
10:00 am - 2:00 pm
DAR State Forest
  • Hike
  • Partnership Event
Hilltown Land Trust is pleased to once again be partnering with All Out Adventures in offering a series of senior snowshoe treks this winter. Join us [...]
More Info
Events on Feb 5th, 2026
An Inside Look at Hilltown Land Trust
An Inside Look at Hilltown Land Trust
5 Feb 26
Events on Feb 11th, 2026
Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
11 Feb 26
Goshen
Events on Feb 14th, 2026
Biodiversity Monitoring Training: Tree Bark & Wildlife Tracking
Biodiversity Monitoring Training: Tree Bark & Wildlife Tracking
14 Feb 26
Events on Mar 4th, 2026
Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
Senior Snowshoe with All Out Adventures
4 Mar 26
Goshen
  • About
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    • Affiliation with The Trustees
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      • Big View Trail
      • Bradley
      • Breckenridge
      • Clary Hill
      • Conwell
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      • Historic Dam Trail
      • Locke’s Loop Trail
      • Robert’s Meadow Brook Trail
      • Round Top Hill
      • Stevens
      • Two Mamas Farm Waterfall Trail
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