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
1
2
3
4
9:45 AM - Breckenridge Sanctuary Snowshoe--Meet at James School
5
6
7
10:00 AM - Winter Wildlife at Bullitt: Guided Trek with the Trustees of Reservations
10:00 AM - Oxen Logging Demonstration - For Landowners & Aspiring Landowners
12:30 PM - Oxen Logging Demo for Kids
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
Breckenridge Sanctuary Snowshoe--Meet at James School
04 Mar
Mar 4th, 2015    
9:45 am - 12:00 pm
Helen E. James School
Join the Hilltown Land Trust (HLT) for a mid-week snowshoe on Wednesday the 4th of March on our beautiful Breckenridge Sanctuary. All are welcome for [...]
More Info
Winter Wildlife at Bullitt: Guided Trek with the Trustees of Reservations
Winter Wildlife at Bullitt: Guided Trek with the Trustees of Reservations
Mar 7th, 2015    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bullitt Reservation
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
Learn to identify animal tracks with an experienced nature educator while exploring the fields and forests at Bullitt. Pre-registration required. Snowshoe rentals available - quantities are [...]
More Info
Oxen Logging Demonstration - For Landowners & Aspiring Landowners
Oxen Logging Demonstration - For Landowners & Aspiring Landowners
Mar 7th, 2015    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Jackson Swamp
  • Workshop
Learn about low-impact sustainable forestry with forester Tom Jenkens. Meet his oxen team and watch them in action on Hilltown Land Trust's Jackson Swamp property.  Learn [...]
More Info
Oxen Logging Demo for Kids
Oxen Logging Demo for Kids
Mar 7th, 2015    
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Jackson Swamp
  • Family Fun
  • Kids
  • Workshop
Can we really cut down trees and help the animals of the forest? Learn how! Watch how the strength of these working animals help a forester "weed" the forest, and can actually help other trees grow. Meet a real oxen team and watch them in action as you learn about low-impact sustainable forestry with experienced forester Tom Jenkens.
More Info
Events on Mar 4th, 2015
04 Mar
Breckenridge Sanctuary Snowshoe--Meet at James School
4 Mar 15
Williamsburg
Events on Mar 7th, 2015
Winter Wildlife at Bullitt: Guided Trek with the Trustees of Reservations
Winter Wildlife at Bullitt: Guided Trek with the Trustees of Reservations
7 Mar 15
Ashfield
Oxen Logging Demonstration - For Landowners & Aspiring Landowners
Oxen Logging Demonstration - For Landowners & Aspiring Landowners
7 Mar 15
Chesterfield
Oxen Logging Demo for Kids
Oxen Logging Demo for Kids
7 Mar 15
Chesterfield
  • 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