Donate
  • Events
  • Contact
  • Join Our Mailing List
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Hilltown Land Trust

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

  • About
    • Board & Committees
    • Staff and TerraCorps members
    • Affiliation with The Trustees
    • Announcements
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Open Positions
  • Land Protection
    • Conservation Restrictions
    • Agricultural Preservation Restrictions
    • Financial Incentives
    • Donating or Selling Land
    • Estate Planning
    • Landowner & Town Resources
  • Properties
    • Trails & Maps
      • Big View Trail
      • Bradley
      • Breckenridge
      • Clary Hill
      • Conwell
      • Hilltown Boulders
      • Historic Dam Trail
      • Locke’s Loop Trail
      • Robert’s Meadow Brook Trail
      • Round Top Hill
      • Stevens
      • Two Mamas Farm Waterfall Trail
    • Land Stewardship
    • Conservation Stories
  • Get Involved
    • Events
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Support
    • Legacy Giving
    • Gorge après Gorge
    • Vernal Pool Conservation
You are here: Home / Announcements / Member Spotlight: James Thomson

Member Spotlight: James Thomson

April 14, 2026

A photo of James Thompson at the edge of a field kneeling and smiling with his dog.

James grew up visiting, and now lives on, conserved land in Williamsburg. We spoke to him about why he supports conservation through Hilltown Land Trust.

Why does conservation matter to you?

Living on conserved land is great! I feel lucky to be surrounded by all these woods and fields. It’s hard to appreciate how special it is, because it’s just where I’ve lived for so long. It’s not just our land that’s conserved, either – the fact that we back up on thousands of acres of woods is even more amazing!

What helps you feel connected to the land?

I try to walk on our land pretty regularly – it’s also an excuse to take the dogs out. There’s something valuable in walking the same path multiple times even if you’ve done it many times before. Time in a place makes you feel connected.

A black-and-white warbler and tree fungus, photographed by Bobby Wilcox on the conserved land where James lives.

Why do you support conservation?

I believe that wildlife and wild areas are important. Conservation is important to sustain the planet and ourselves. It’s a gift to future generations.

If you have the ability and the opportunity to give back in some way, I think that’s meaningful for today, and will become more and more meaningful as places continue to become developed and as climate continues to change.

Hilltown species need support from the people who share their habitats.

You can help us sustain a vibrant Hilltown community with a gift to Hilltown Land Trust. Renew your membership or make an additional gift to sustain the planet and ourselves.

Give for healthy habitats
Silhouettes of the HLT logo bear and cub.

Filed Under: Announcements, Newsletter

Events Calendar

Today
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
30
1
2
3
10:00 AM - Bradley Sanctuary Hike-STILL ON! Check this page for updates.
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
12:00 AM - Valley Gives Day
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
Bradley Sanctuary Hike-STILL ON! Check this page for updates.
03 Dec
Dec 3rd, 2014    
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Bradley Property
  • Hike
Join the Hilltown Land Trust (HLT) for an early winter day hike on Wednesday, December 3rd on our beautiful Bradley Sanctuary in Williamsburg. Come explore [...]
More Info
Valley Gives Day
10 Dec
Dec 10th, 2014    
All Day
HILLTOWN LAND TRUST
Donate to HILLTOWN LAND TRUST INC at Razoo Hilltown Land Trust (HLT) serves 13 Massachusetts hilltowns: Ashfield, Chester, Chesterfield, Conway, Cummington, Goshen, Huntington, Middlefield, Plainfield, [...]
More Info
Events on Dec 3rd, 2014
03 Dec
Bradley Sanctuary Hike-STILL ON! Check this page for updates.
3 Dec 14
Williamsburg
Events on Dec 10th, 2014
10 Dec
Valley Gives Day
10 Dec 14
ASHFIELD
  • About
    • Board & Committees
    • Staff and TerraCorps members
    • Affiliation with The Trustees
    • Announcements
    • Newsletters
    • Contact
    • Open Positions
  • Land Protection
    • Conservation Restrictions
    • Agricultural Preservation Restrictions
    • Financial Incentives
    • Donating or Selling Land
    • Estate Planning
    • Landowner & Town Resources
  • Properties
    • Trails & Maps
      • Big View Trail
      • Bradley
      • Breckenridge
      • Clary Hill
      • Conwell
      • Hilltown Boulders
      • Historic Dam Trail
      • Locke’s Loop Trail
      • Robert’s Meadow Brook Trail
      • Round Top Hill
      • Stevens
      • Two Mamas Farm Waterfall Trail
    • Land Stewardship
    • Conservation Stories
  • Get Involved
    • Events
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • Support
    • Legacy Giving
    • Gorge après Gorge
    • Vernal Pool Conservation

Learn

  • Announcements
  • Staff and TerraCorps members
  • Contact

Participate

  • Events
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Subscribe

Hike

  • Bradley
  • Breckenridge
  • Stevens
Land Trust Accreditation seal
Contact Us
admin: Log in
© 2026 Hilltown Land Trust | Hilltown Land is a 501c3 nonprofit organization | Est. 1986