The return of moose to the Hilltowns is one of the biggest conservation victories of recent decades. Here’s how you’ve helped give them—and all Hilltown creatures big and small—room to roam.
This past spring, Hilltown Land Trust completed our campaign to raise $420,000 and unlock a $210,000 challenge grant that has allowed us to double our land conservation and stewardship capacity. We can now better meet the demand for land conservation work in the region and take on more strategic and complicated projects.
Acres Conserved by Year
We have 1,700 acres in the conservation pipeline—more than a third of the acreage we’ve protected to date.
Expanding our Reach
Thanks to this increased capacity, HLT is now actively engaged in over 20 conservation projects in all corners of our service area. We’re excited to be conserving land in Conway, Plainfield, and Middlefield for the first time in our history, ensuring that some of the most climate-resilient lands in the state remain forested forever.
Collaboration
We couldn’t do this work without strong conservation partners, including other land trusts, state conservation agencies, and towns. On 10 of our projects, we’re currently conserving land with support from The Trustees, Mass Audubon, MassWildlife, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Kestrel Land Trust, and the towns of Westhampton and Williamsburg.
More and Better Stewardship
Because of this campaign, we can also give much needed attention to caring for the land we conserve. In the past two years, we have opened two new public trails, completed four land stewardship plans, installed hundreds of property signs to keep people safe and in the right place, and addressed issues of invasive species, trail erosion, and wildlife habitat improvement on HLT lands.
We’ve doubled our capacity. Help us sustain the work.
In years to come, our community’s support matters more than ever. Help habitat and trails stay open for generations with a gift to Hilltown Land Trust.
