OUR MISSION:
Kestrel Land Trust conserves and cares for forests, farms, and riverways in the Connecticut River Valley of Western Massachusetts, while nurturing an enduring love of the land.
For more than 50 years, the love of the Valley from people like you has given Kestrel Land Trust the inspiration and ability to protect the special places you care about.
Kestrel has conserved more than 27,000 acres of wildlands, woodlands, farmland, and riverlands since 1970 in partnership with willing landowners, communities, the Commonwealth and federal agencies.
OUR VISION:
The Valley is “Home”
What does “home” mean to you? It’s much more than the roof over your head. It’s the people you love, it’s the community you share, it’s the familiar and beloved landscape that nourishes and sustains your daily life.
Kestrel Land Trust envisions a Pioneer Valley where nature and culture are in balance; a home for all of us where:
farms and forests provide healthy food, clean water, and pure air
wild and natural habitats allow wildlife to thrive
public conservation areas bring communities together to enjoy the outdoors
sustainable agriculture and forestry are integral to a sound economy
future generations act as good stewards of our common natural heritage
and people feel a strong appreciation for and connection to the land
Whether you live near the rich farmland of Hadley, or in the forested hills of Leverett, or along the Norwottuck Rail-Trail in downtown Northampton, the Pioneer Valley is the place we all are fortunate to call home.
OUR STRATEGY
Working Together
We work with landowners, governmental agencies, citizen groups, and other nonprofits to conserve farmland, woodlands, wildlife habitat, water resources, and scenic vistas in the heart of the Connecticut River Valley of western Massachusetts.
Here’s how we do that:
Conserving farmland, woodlands, and wildlands by acquiring Conservation Restrictions (CRs) and Agricultural Preservation Restrictions (APRs) from private landowners who want to conserve their lands.
Creating and enhancing public conservation areas and trails for the community by acquiring land in partnership with local, state, and federal conservation agencies.
Caring for protected lands by engaging volunteers to monitor and steward land. We also make improvements to the land if we determine that it would benefit wildlife or recreation.
Connecting people to the land, to nature, and to each other with guided walks, educational programs, and events centered around the arts, history, and culture.
