Welcome
Thank you for visiting our website. Since our incorporation in 2001 we have been instrumental in the protection of over 3,000 thousand acres in the towns of Ashburnham, Ashby and Winchendon. We employ various mechanisms towards our goal of Open Space Preservation and as you will see on this page we have many partners.
The Year In Review
2011 was yet another busy year as a result of a 15K dollar grant from the Open Space Institute. While having talked about this for a couple of years we have begun in earnest to pursue Accreditation by the Land Trust Alliance. With the assistance of The Trustees of Reservations we joined the current trend of land trusts to become accredited orgnanizations so as to safeguard the future of the organization. In addition we re-opened the Bush Hill Trail, cleaned up the town beach on Lake Watatic, accepted the donation of 3 acres on Lake Watatic, now called "Broadhurst Point" , assisted the State in the protection of two projects (still in progress), had a work day on our Cheshire Pond parcel, upheld our monitoring responsibilities for several properties and held a benefit concert in May by the musical group Southern Rail.
One of the requirements for becoming accredited is to have set aside a minimum of $50,000 for legal defense and stewardship of all of our holdings and legal interests. Our goal is now to achieve that as soon as possible. While our financial stability has strengthened greatly in the last ten years, so have our legal obligations with the acquisition of land, assistance to landowners and the State, insurance and administrative costs as well.
Last year we drew down our resources significantly when we brought $30,000 to the table for the protection of Mt. Hunger.
Above is a link to our latest newsletter. Please take a few moments to see exactly what we have been doing this year. Please consider making an end of the year tax deductible donation and become a member. What we do benefits future generations, dontating to the Ashburnham Conservation Trust is the type of gift that gives...in perpetuity.
The Year Ahead
We have already begun to plan our Wine and Brew Tasting Event at the Fitchburg Sportsmens Club, our Annual Meeting will feature a wildlife specialist who will teach us how to better coexist with our wildlife neighbors.
Of course we will continue our pursuit of accreditation, we have some hikes planned, if it ever snows enough we would like to have a cross-country ski event. Mapping work will continue as well as preparing Broadhurst point for its opening ceremony.
On Feb. 3rd and 4th we will be at the new Ashburnham Parks and Recs Winter Fest. See us there to get info on local trails. This Spring we are planning on creating our first Stream Team. We will be working with other civic groups to indentify distressed waterways and mobilizing efforts to clean them.
