We are thrilled to announce that Hilltown Land Trust has completed our 32nd Conservation Restriction, the Warner Parcel in Goshen! The 200-acre property, donated by Gary Warner of Florence, protects key wetland and wildlife habitat within the Berkshire Wildlife Linkage—a passage connecting the Green Mountains in Vermont to the Hudson Highlands in New York. Wetland habitats like this one are critical to protect in order for native plants and animals to thrive in western Massachusetts. It is also vital to wildlife seeking new habitat in response to climate change.
Land donor Gary Warner said “this land was part of my grandmother’s farm and has been in my family for generations. I was inspired to permanently protect the land and ensure it remains undeveloped.”
The Conservation Restriction was made possible with assistance from the Berkshire Wildlife Linkage Catalyst Fund managed by The Nature Conservancy. Hilltown Land Trust was the first fund recipient, securing the Warner Parcel.
“The Catalyst Fund allows us to make a bigger difference,” said Laura Marx, forest ecologist for the Conservancy in Massachusetts. “Filling the gaps between protected lands helps wildlife adapt to climate change in Massachusetts and beyond.”