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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 / What Does Open Space Mean to You?

What Does Open Space Mean to You?

November 3, 2020

You may have seen signs in several places around Chesterfield advertising a public auction of properties. Or you may have seen the article in the Daily Hampshire Gazette Monday. A number of individuals and local conservation organizations agree that three of the properties slated to go up for auction have features that make them valuable areas to conserve, particularly the property along River Road at the Chesterfield Gorge, one of the region’s most visited sites. This parcel is surrounded by conserved land and if developed could permanently alter the experience of visiting the Chesterfield Gorge for those who hike, run, fish, bike, cross country ski, or snowmobile. 

River and rocks, surrounded by trees
The east branch of the Westfield River at the Chesterfield Gorge

For decades HLT has worked to protect unique landscapes and habitats in the Hilltowns. And in that time we’ve learned that the most successful projects come from collaboration with landowners, towns, partner organizations, and passionate individuals. Collaboration requires effective communication, and we would like to help facilitate that. 

We want to hear from community members who use open space in the Hilltowns. We feel delivering a collective voice to decision makers thinking about the protection of properties like these will be more compelling than many separate ones. If you would like to see this land and other open space in the Hilltowns conserved, please share your comments with us by filling out the form below.  

Filed Under: Announcements

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7:30 AM - Beginning Birding - session 1
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10:00 AM - RESCHEDULED 04/26 - Hike at Bear Swamp - Hilltowns Hiking Series
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1:00 PM - Smile! Capturing Critters with Wildlife Cameras
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1:30 PM - Edible Native and Invasive Plants with Russ Cohen
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Beginning Birding - session 1
Beginning Birding - session 1
Apr 21st, 2018    
7:30 am - 9:30 am
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
Are you interested in birdwatching but maybe feel a little intimidated by how much there is to learn? Or perhaps you have started identifying birds [...]
More Info
RESCHEDULED 04/26 - Hike at Bear Swamp - Hilltowns Hiking Series
RESCHEDULED 04/26 - Hike at Bear Swamp - Hilltowns Hiking Series
Apr 26th, 2018    
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Bear Swamp
  • Hike
PLEASE NOTE THIS EVENT HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 26TH. PLAN TO AVOID ROUTE 116/MAIN ST IN THE CENTER OF ASHFIELD DUE TO ROAD [...]
More Info
Smile! Capturing Critters with Wildlife Cameras
Smile! Capturing Critters with Wildlife Cameras
Apr 28th, 2018    
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Bullitt Reservation
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Partnership Event
  • Training
  • Workshop
If you are curious about the wildlife living in your woods, come to this workshop to learn how to capture them with a wildlife or [...]
More Info
Edible Native and Invasive Plants with Russ Cohen
Edible Native and Invasive Plants with Russ Cohen
Apr 29th, 2018    
1:30 pm - 4:00 pm
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Partnership Event
  • Workshop
Learn how to identify, responsibly harvest, and prepare edible invasive plants in this partnership event with Hilltown Land Trust and Kestrel Land Trust, co-sponsored by [...]
More Info
Events on Apr 21st, 2018
Beginning Birding - session 1
Beginning Birding - session 1
21 Apr 18
Events on Apr 26th, 2018
RESCHEDULED 04/26 - Hike at Bear Swamp - Hilltowns Hiking Series
RESCHEDULED 04/26 - Hike at Bear Swamp - Hilltowns Hiking Series
26 Apr 18
Ashfield
Events on Apr 28th, 2018
Smile! Capturing Critters with Wildlife Cameras
Smile! Capturing Critters with Wildlife Cameras
28 Apr 18
Ashfield
Events on Apr 29th, 2018
Edible Native and Invasive Plants with Russ Cohen
Edible Native and Invasive Plants with Russ Cohen
29 Apr 18
  • About
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  • Properties
    • Trails & Maps
      • 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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