Forests

The Quabbin Reservoir is the largest contiguous block of protected forestland in Massachusetts. Kestrel is part of the North Quabbin Regional Partnership which is working to protect woodlands in this area.

Farmland

The soils of the Connecticut River Valley are among the deepest and richest in the world, and have supported farming for hundreds of years. Kestrel assists farmers who want to permanently conserve their farmland.

Mountains

Mount Holyoke Range, Mount Toby, Brushy Mountain, Mount Warner, the Pelham Hills. These are the mountains and hillsides that shelter our Valley. Kestrel seeks to protect these scenic and natural monuments.

Rivers

The Connecticut River is the lifeblood of Western New England and one of the most important natural areas in Kestrel’s region. Our primary focus now is the Fort River and its tributaries in Hadley and Amherst.

  • Land Conservation Celebrated for the Silvio O. Conte Fish and Wildlife Refuge—82 acres along the Fort River in Hadley. Read more.

    Coming soon: The Land and Water Conservation MA license plate. Money generated from the sale of this plate will be used to make DIRECT grants to land trusts to protect land and water resources. Reserve yours today!

  • 2008 Environmental Bond Bill is being considered this session at the state legislature. Please ask your legislators to support it to ensure adequate state funding for land conservation.

  • Kestrel issues 2007 Annual Report. Last year, Kestrel protected 214 acres of farmland, forestland and wetland and began projects to protect another 737 by 2008. The report also includes Kestrel's new GIS map of our nine-town region showing protected land below.

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