Five regional conservation groups are banding together to ask people to give back to the land on April 7.
The seventh annual fundraising drive aims to raise at least $100,000 to bolster the groups’ efforts to safeguard forests, farms, trails, wetlands and waterways across western and central Massachusetts. Money raised throughout the 24-hour fundraising period will go to the Connecticut River Conservancy, Hilltown Land Trust, Kestrel Land Trust, Franklin Land Trust and Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust.
Representatives for the trusts say that as they face the impacts of climate change and dwindling federal funds, support from private donors is more important than ever.
“Each place we protect becomes part of a much bigger picture,” Emma Ellsworth, executive director of the Athol-based Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust, said in a statement. “Every conserved forest, farm and wetland adds another piece to a connected landscape that not only supports wildlife, but also helps our region adapt to a changing climate.”
The first “Give Back to the Land Day” was held in 2020, on the 50th anniversary of the first Earth Day celebration. Earth Day was introduced by Sen. Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin and activist Denis Hayes as a way to demonstrate against the impacts of 150 years of industrial development, which had left a growing legacy of serious human health impacts.
Collectively, the five organizations have conserved 117,000 acres across western and central Massachusetts. In a statement, representatives for the organizations wrote that development continues to progress across the region, and they need to work creatively and collaborate to protect undeveloped landscapes that provide clean drinking water, fresh local food, flood protection and outdoor recreation opportunities.
“Rivers and forests don’t stop at municipal boundaries, and neither should conservation,” Mary Lynn Sabourin, executive director of the Shelburne Falls-based Franklin Land Trust, said in a statement. “Protecting the region we all share requires collaboration and resources across service areas. This day is about working together to sustain the health of our lands and waters.”
“Connected forests are essential for wildlife survival and climate resilience,” added Sally Loomis, executive director of the Hilltown Land Trust, which is based in Ashfield. “This region sits at a critical intersection of wildlife habitat stretching from the Appalachians to Canada, and offers one of the best conservation opportunities in Massachusetts.”
While the organizations have not set a strict fundraising goal for “Give Back to the Land Day,” Sebastian LaMontagne, development and communications coordinator for the Franklin Land Trust, said in a phone interview that last year, the effort raised $113,000 for the five organizations, so they hope $100,000 is an achievable goal.
On the givebacktotheland.org donations page, individuals can choose any of the participating conservation groups and click on their logo to be brought directly to their respective donation form.
Representatives said the funds will support conservation projects and tools, such as the Franklin Land Trust’s Lands For H.O.P.E. (Habitat, Outreach, Protection, Education) initiative, which LaMontagne said is a big part of the trust’s focus right now. The initiative includes public outreach and demonstrations on land management practices and supporting people in learning how they can conserve their land.
In recent months, the Franklin Land Trust secured conservation restrictions on 148 acres across Gill, Montague, Granville and Greenfield. This includes 88 acres in Gill and Greenfield owned by the Stotz family, protecting more than 6,000 feet of the bank of Fall River, which serves as spawning grounds for eel and sea lamprey and is near Peskeompskut, a fishing and agricultural village that was a seasonal home to the Pocumtuck people.
The trust also conserved 31 acres of farmland along Old Sunderland Road in Montague, formerly part of the historic Craven Farm, in collaboration with landowner Elinor “Nell” Wright. Working with landowners Richard French and Emily Samuels, the trust protected 17 acres of forestland along Mountain Road in Gill, and another 12 acres of forest, wetlands and watershed land were conserved in Granville using Community Preservation Act funds.
Meanwhile, the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust is working on about 40 projects across Franklin County and the North Quabbin region that would conserve roughly 5,000 acres and help connect existing swaths of conservation land, according to Ellsworth.
“Funds raised during Give Back to the Land Day make all that conservation work possible,” Ellsworth said in a phone interview on Thursday. “It’s a special way to work together with other land trusts in our region. … This is a moment to say, ‘This is the time to give back.’”
She said conserving land helps protect clean air, water, agriculture and food systems, as well as recreation areas, and every dollar helps the land trusts do this work.
“We know these are hard economic times,” Ellsworth said, “but even $10 a month makes a difference.”
Representatives for the participating organizations said that while the main fundraising push will be on Tuesday, April 7, the early giving period opens on Saturday, March 28.
“Having access to natural spaces is not a luxury, but a necessity for people, whether you live in the hilltowns or in the heart of a city,” Kristin DeBoer, executive director of the Kestrel Land Trust, said in a statement. “Creating conservation areas close to home for everyone provides benefits that we all value and want for the communities we serve.”
“Clean, healthy water is the foundation of every thriving community,” added Rebecca Todd, executive director of the Greenfield-based Connecticut River Conservancy. “Protecting it takes more than passion — it takes support from our local communities and individuals who want to sustain these lands and waters for future generations. That’s what Give Back to the Land Day is all about.”
To learn more, or to donate, visit givebacktotheland.org, or each of the organizations’ individual websites.