There are many ways that you can help us achieve our goals and donations are a very useful way to do so.

We bring landowners together with different state and federal agencies and other conservation groups to assist them to place conservation restrictions.

We educate them on tax saving options that prevent fragmentation of open space habitats by preventing development when landowners feel they can no longer carry the burden.

This process involves lega costsl, surveys, land and value appraisas, stewardship and managment plans.All of which cost money.

Sometimes Conservation Restrictions are donated by landowners who may not be able to afford these costs. That's where we come in.

When possible and when needed we pay these costs just to help facilitate the deal.

In addition we need to pay for services just to stay in the business such as phone, office supplies, insurance costs, etc. No salaries are paid, no rent...really just the minimal things to keep the organization going.

That is whereyour donations become invaluable. We do our best to apply for grants, and fund raise.The more we get in memberships and donations, the better we can leverage these sources.

Please consider any level of donation that you can afford. It is tax deductible.

Field Guide to Animals   $12.50
of Vernal Pools      

ACT T-Shirts  $12.50


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In 2003 the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) joined the Ashburnham Conservation Trust (ACT) to protect forested blocks along the Midstate Trail in Ashburnham. This 92-mile trail runs through Worchester County between the Wapack Trail in New Hampshire and the North-South Trail in Rhode Island. Combined these three trails constitute 191 miles of greenway hiking. Unfortunately over the years development has led relocation of these trails unto roadways along the trail.

In 2004 to avoid further loss DCR led a partnership with ACT, North County Land Trust, Nashua River Watershed Association and the towns of Westminster and Ashburnham to submit a Federal Forest Legacy Grant application called the Midstate Trail Project. Undaunted by delays and failures the partnership targeted additional working forests in the area with applications for what is now known as the Southern Monadnock Plateau Project (SMPP). Finally awarded in 2007 the partners are now finishing up Phase One.

In 2008 as a volunteer for the Commonwealth Corps Program Gary Howland, President of ACT and now a consultant for North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership (NQRLP), worked to assure the completion of all Phase One projects. Today the NQRLP, a combination of partners led by Jay Rasku with support from the Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust is the lead applicant for the SMPP Phase Two and Three projects. The SMPP Phase Two application was awarded in 2009 and NQRLP has already submitted a Phase Three application for lands in Fitchburg, Ashby, Winchendon and Gardner.

In 2009 Mt Hunger, a 170 acre keystone property with views of Ashburnham, Ashby and NH, second only to that from Mt. Watatic – preserved in 2002, was also protected, adding another pearl to the string leading up to the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ – Mt Watatic.

Work continued this year, when DCR added another 170 acres to SMPP Phase One’s last push and has now protected two more miles of the Midstate Trail through Ashburnham.

The challenge with Mt Hunger was overcoming the difference between the asking price because of ancient way ambiguities over frontage and appraisals that did not support that value. Initially ACT held an option with the owners for half of the asking price, still way above appraised value. In 2009 the owners contacted ACT willing to sell it for conservation at the Town’s assessed value. DCR and ACT quickly joined to purchase the property with $305,000 coming from DCR and $30,000 from ACT.

A month before the scheduled closing DCR called for the removal of an old hunting cabin that was over a half mile uphill from any roadway. When attempts by heavy equipment failed to reach the site ACT contracted Roy Nilson from Leyden to bring his American Cream Draft horses (Maggie & Molly) in to finish the job.  Four hours later and literally just minutes, before the seasons first heavy snow fall, it and all obstacles to the protection of Mt Hunger were gone.

In 2010 the work continues with support and collaboration of the many partners who consistently and successfully join together to do the work that will protect valuable habitat and benefit the future generations of residents and visitors of north central Massachusetts.