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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 / 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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4:00 PM - Let's Talk Invasives: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
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12:00 AM - Chesterfield Gorge Trail Races
9:00 AM - Bradley Trail Work Day (Again!)
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Let's Talk Invasives: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Let's Talk Invasives: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
May 21st, 2026    
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
  • Hands-On
  • Hike
  • Workshop
Come see thoughtful stewardship work in action on a small family-owned forest in Williamsburg! The walk will focus on management work done to control invasive [...]
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Chesterfield Gorge Trail Races
Chesterfield Gorge Trail Races
May 30th, 2026 - May 31st, 2026    
All Day
  • Partnership Event
  • Race
Join Hilltown Land Trust and Beast Coast Trail Running for the seventh-annual Chesterfield Gorge Ultra and 25k Race, including the only 100 mile race in [...]
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Bradley Trail Work Day (Again!)
Bradley Trail Work Day (Again!)
May 30th, 2026    
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Hands-On
  • Training
  • Volunteer
  • Workshop
Trail improvements continue at the Bradley Sanctuary! Help us transform the western trail from a steep and eroding descent to a gently meandering path down the slope.
More Info
Biodiversity Monitoring Training: Red-Backed Salamanders
Biodiversity Monitoring Training: Red-Backed Salamanders
May 30th, 2026    
1:30 pm - 4:30 pm
  • Family Fun
  • Hands-On
  • Training
  • Volunteer
  • Workshop
Contribute to community science and learn about ecology in a supportive environment at HLT’s new biodiversity monitoring program series.
More Info
Events on May 21st, 2026
Let's Talk Invasives: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
Let's Talk Invasives: Meet a Forester Woods Walk
21 May 26
Events on May 30th, 2026
Chesterfield Gorge Trail Races
Chesterfield Gorge Trail Races
30 May 26
Bradley Trail Work Day (Again!)
Bradley Trail Work Day (Again!)
30 May 26
Biodiversity Monitoring Training: Red-Backed Salamanders
Biodiversity Monitoring Training: Red-Backed Salamanders
30 May 26
Events on May 31st, 2026
Chesterfield Gorge Trail Races
Chesterfield Gorge Trail Races
30 May 26
  • 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

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© 2026 Hilltown Land Trust | Hilltown Land is a 501c3 nonprofit organization | Est. 1986
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