The Pascommuck Conservation Trust

Preserving our past. Protecting our future.

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2024 Annual Meeting

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The 2024 annual meeting was attended by approximately 35 people. During the business part of the meeting there was some discussion regarding dogs and dog owners on the properties as there have been problems with unleashed dogs. Members indicated that they noticed more wildlife on properties where dogs were not allowed versus those where they were.

Marty Klein, board member, presented an informative talk and slide show about wild mushrooms through the seasons during the second half of the meeting.
Thanks to all who participated.

For those who missed the meeting there are two separate links for the business part and the wild mushroom presentation:
*Link to the 2024 business meeting.
*Link to the wild mushroom presentation.

Memorial benches available at various sites to honor loved ones or promote a business and support PCT

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Pascommuck Conservation Trust has a number of beautiful site settings for memorial benches. We want to add to the welcome our conservation areas offer visitors as we look forward to 2024 and celebrating 42 years of conservation.

Your dedicated donation will purchase a sturdy bench ($1700 minimum), chair ($900 minimum), or plaque on an existing bench ($500 minimum). A plaque will honor your loved one, promote a business, or quote a favorite nature poem. Your gift will add to our Stewardship Endowment to maintain and enhance these treasured retreats.

The Endowment generates income to help cover such costs as keeping trails clear of downed trees, annual mowing to maintain bird habitat, rebuilding bridges & steps, and fighting invasive plants — all critical to ensuring our conservation areas remain welcoming, beautiful, and ecologically healthy.
An informational brochure can be downloaded here for further information.

If you would like further information and to talk with someone at PCT please use our contact form.

Pascommuck Conservation Trust has no paid staff, meaning your gifts always go directly towards protecting land, maintaining our conservation areas for public access and habitat protection, and the few unavoidable expenses such as accounting necessary to keep operating.
We have also relied almost entirely on board & volunteer hours for property upkeep. But in recent times, the added burdens of damage from severe weather, aging board members, and increased use of our conservation areas has made it necessary to supplement our own timewith contracted part-time assistance, particularly for any work requiring specialized expertise or involving heavy equipment.
We are asking for your help in building a modest endowment to supplement our regular fundraising and cover not only a portion of those contractor fees, but also materials for replacement or new bog bridges, steps, etc., clearing downed trees off trails, sign maintenance, enhancement of habitat for wildlife and native plants, and other ongoing stewardship.

PCT to address concerns regarding proposed Sierra Vista development project off Northampton Street

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To our PCT members and friends:
You may know that a proposed multi-use development, “Sierra Vista Commons,” is under consideration by Easthampton’s Planning Board and Conservation Commission. This 30+ acre development starts at Route 10 and spreads back over farmland, wetlands and forest, down to the critical habitat of the Manhan River, a focus of our work for decades.
Your PCT board is looking closely at the plans presented by the developer and offering alternative visions for how this land could be developed. We have some serious concerns about the impacts this commercial/residential project would have on our community at large and our precious natural resources.
Our Dwyer Conservation Area and its trails are situated 400’ across the Manhan from the proposed development. Sierra Vista plans to construct dense housing coming downhill and ending in proximity to the river. Our mission is to protect Easthampton’s natural resources, and we worry about a loss of habitat along this unique corridor, used by wildlife to travel through the very heart of our city. The river, the rich fields, and the old trees that currently exist here are critical habitat for creatures large and small. Current plans would destroy or impact much of this land. Two and a half acres of trees plus many more acres of grade A farmland will be buried under pavement and imported topsoil.

The two following links are maps of the proposed project and the environmental impact.

Link to before and after maps of proposed project

Link to map of environmental context