Securing connections within a regional trail network.
CLIENT | Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
LOCATION | Hadley & South Hadley, MA
DATE | 2014 (On-going)
With funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Scenic Byways Program, Conservation Works is working with Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to secure easements and develop trail and boat access points to the Connecticut River, and link the river with Mt Warner, the New England National Scenic Trail, and the Bachelor Brook Conservation Area. The project involves working with more than a dozen partnering groups including the local towns, Kestrel Land Trust, The Trustees of Reservations, Appalachian Mountain Club, Connecticut River Watershed Council, Mass DCR, many landowners, and neighborhood groups.
Services Provided
Providing a complete range of assistance with Conservation Restrictions and in-fee title transactions, from the initial negotiations to the closing, including coordination of multiple partners, Baseline Document Reports, funding arrangements, and compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
Assisting land trusts and municipalities with a wide variety of services including helping set acquisition and protection priorities, identifying possible funding sources, completing land management plans, assisting in complying with applicable laws and regulations, monitoring properties, inventorying birds, wildlife, flora, and other natural resources, and volunteer stewardship coordination and training.
Our work includes the preparation of municipal Open Space and Recreation Plans that provide meaningful long-range planning for land protection and management, and meet state requirements.
Locating, documenting, and GPS-mapping of boundary lines, corners, and monuments from available surveys and other records.
Design, planning, and layout of ecologically sound trails and trail systems. We work with landowners and stakeholders to provide the type of enjoyable and quality trails that will appeal to visitors. We have experience developing trails that span a wide range of usages, from handicapped accessible trails to challenging single track.
Implementing new sustainable trails, including clearing designated trail routes, cutting benches, and building bridges, boardwalks and other structures. We can also upgrade existing trails to address flooding, erosion, and increase visitor satisfaction.
Eliminate unauthorized or “bandit” trails and classic “fall line” situations through proven closure techniques of vegetation management, tread restoration and signage. CW’s staff has numerous years of addressing trail closure issues using these techniques. Establish trail re-routes to create more sustainable alternatives.
We help clients identify appropriate funding sources, develop grant proposals and other applications, and administer project funds, as needed. Often clients will come to us with a general idea about a project or the ultimate vision they would like to achieve but without a solid understanding of how to achieve that goal. We assist clients in identifying the various elements of a project, and appropriate phases and timeframes for each. Once the project components are known, we can identify multiple funding sources that a project may be eligible for and use these funds to leverage more money to meet your goals.
We’re here to make conservation work for you!
Conservation in action...
Rock Walk Trail
Ongoing work to develop a unique interpretive trail through an abandoned quarry.
464-acre Wildlife Restoration Plan
A pair of large scale wildlife restoration plans to benefit endangered species and bird habitats.
Lathrop Community Trail System Upgrade
Reducing impact on the property’s wetlands and providing safe crossings of wet trail sections.
Watershed Wildlife Plans
Habitat improvement for the endangered Northern Long-eared Bat and a variety of bird species.
Boardwalk Construction
Construction of a weather-resistant boardwalk at a wildflower sanctuary.
Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Project
Guiding the Town of Deerfield through a climate change planning process