Rivers

The Connecticut River is the lifeblood of Western New England and one of the most important natural areas in Kestrel’s region. Running from Canada to Long Island Sound, this watershed and connecting greenways provide habitat for many species of fish, plants, mussels, and insects, as well as an important avian migration route as well as recreational opportunities for residents and tourists.

The main tributaries running through Kestrel’s region are the Fort and Mill Rivers. These are connected to the many brooks which connect our region, such as Buffam Brook, Amethyst Brook, Cushman Brook, and Roaring Brook.

The Kestrel Trust is working with other land trusts and government agencies to protect land along this important waterway and its tributaries.

 

Last year, Kestrel collaborated with the Town of Amherst and neighbors to help protect the 28-acre Cushman Brook Corridor on East Leverett Road in North Amherst. And we worked with the Town of Belchertown to purchase and protect the 70-acre Scarborough Brook Conservation Area on Gulf Road in Belchertown.

 

In June 2008, Kestrel acquired a parcel on the banks of Lake Warner with grants from the Town of Hadley and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. We also assisted the Department of Conservation and Recreation purchase 22 acres of riverland on the banks of the Connecticut in North Hadley for addition to the Connecticut River Greenway State Park. And we are part of the Fort River Partnership, which is working with the US Fish and Wildlife Service to acquire grasslands and forested parcels along the banks of the Fort River to become part of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.