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University of Massachusetts Amherst

MassWoods

MassWoods Forest Conservation Program

 

Tags >> Forest Management

Keeping land in the family is a common goal for many landowners, but how do you actually pay for the long-term ownership and maintenance costs associated with the land?


Every day, landowners are making decisions about how to manage their land and what to do with their land when they pass on.  Many landowners are making these decisions without the benefit of knowing all their options.  These decisions not only affect the landowners and their family, but are shaping the landscapes within your community.


What can towns do to be sure their community's resources are conserved? Learn from energetic and dedicated municipal officials from across the state, like Norton's Jennifer Carlino. In her post as Conservation Agent, Jennifer has the opportunity to do everything from wetland protection to field studies identifying rare species habitat, vernal pool certification, land protection, and community education.


For an all-volunteer organization, the Hilltown Land Trust has a substantial list of accomplishments. Founded in 1986 by community members who were concerned about the potential loss of their open space, the trust has acquired 23 (soon to be 25) conservation restrictions, three agricultural preservation restrictions, and it owns six properties, all within the nine westernmost towns of Hampshire County. "We're not one of the big flashy land trusts," says one founding board member, "We're slow but steady."


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