We are very excited to share that HLT permanently protected 125 acres of important wildlife habitat and water resources in Chester! Landowners Sarah and William Freedberg of Northampton and Chester donated a Conservation Restriction on their land to Hilltown Land Trust.
The Freedbergs always wanted to conserve their scenic property which includes the top of Round Hill, the highest point in Hampden County, several cascading waterfalls along Griffin Brook and unique forest resources. Their land also boasts nearly 4,000 feet of road frontage that will now be permanently protected from development. The land is adjacent to Chester Blandford State Forest and thousands of other acres of conservation land, thus creating an enormous block of wildlife habitat.
According to Sally Loomis, Hilltown Land Trust Executive Director “The Freedbergs first approached HLT about donating a Conservation Restriction on their land in 2006, but HLT did not cover the town of Chester and we were not able to work with them. Fortunately, the Freedbergs were patient, and when they reconnected with HLT in 2014, we had increased our land conservation capacity and expanded our service area to include Chester.” Loomis adds “this is a beautiful property that enlarges an important block of wildlife habitat and protects a mile-long section of Griffin Brook, a feeder stream to the federally designated, Wild and Scenic Westfield River. The property also includes a trail to the top of Round Hill, the highest point in Hampden County – something of note to local peak baggers. The open, grassy summit of Round Hill is interspersed hickory and juniper trees and offers great views in winter. Hilltown Land Trust is very grateful to Sarah and William Freedberg their conservation vision and help in protecting this land.”
Sarah Freedberg commented “We love this land that we are privileged to own, and our goal in placing on it a conservation restriction is to preserve it in all its natural beauty and diversity.”
