Preserving the Natural Heritage of Ashburnham
Established in 2000 by Jim Dehner and Tim Driskell we are a registered 501C3 organization ACT is managed by an "All-Volunteer Board" working not exclusively but mostly in the town of Ashburnham, MA. Our current board members are: Gary Howland, President, Matthew Christensen, Treasurer, Sherisa Sterling, Clerk, Cec Snow, Stewardship Manager, Karen Sargent, Brian Mulroy, Lorraine DeSouza, Nora Brown and Mark Washburn, Ricardo Poza, John Mulhall
Who We Are
What We Do
Our primary focus is to identify critical natural landscapes and water resources to facilitate their protection. We use a variety of financing tools to assist land owners and the municipality leverage funds towards this end. Through grant writing, fundraising, memberships, sponsors and strong partnerships with the State and other land trusts we secure conservation restrictions, advise land owners of tax credit programs, provide access to passive recreation areas for hiking and outdoor sports and educate the public in critical environmental matters. Our sub-committee Keep Ashburnham Beautiful connects us to Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful. Since our incorporation in 2000 we have facilitated the protection of well over 5,500 acres of contiguous open space, that number increases with every passing year. Don't stop here learn more about what we do and why we do it further in on this website.
Howards Hill Project Underway!
We are excited to announce our latest project, the protection of 134 acres in the heart of the Bush Hill Town Forest. For years this land that is nearly completely surrounded by previously protected land was in private ownership. But now it will be folded in and open to all, by being added to the hundreds of acres permanently protected open space around it. See Project Map link below.
We have big plans for this property that will start with the removal of a few dumped vehicles, the restoration of a field for pollinator habitat, the installation of a viewing deck, star gazing events and trail clearing. We look forward to presenting open access to this keystone preservation project.
Closing is set for the end of April/May, meantime we have launched a campaign to pay off the loan as quickly as possible, see more details about the great opportunity on the Howards Hill link. Video courtesy of Terry Holland/LandVest
©2023 by Ashburnham Conservation Trust