Who We Are
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, Mark Washburn, John Mulhall
What We Do
Our primary focus is to identify critical natural landscapes and water resources, primarily in Ashburnham however our work has reached into Winchendon and Ashby, to facilitate their protection. We use a variety of financing tools such as working with the municipality, grant writing, fundraisers, memberships, sponsorships, and selling books and other promotional items. We maintain strong partnerships with the State and other land trusts and conservation groups to secure conservation restrictions, purchase land, advise landowners of tax credit programs, provide access for passive recreation and educate the public on critical environmental issues. 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 over 5,500 acres of contiguous open space, a number which increases with every passing year.
Howards Hill Is Purchased!
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.
Now that we have taken ownership we are turning our attention to stewardship and launching a campaign to pay off the loan and fulfill our goals for this property. See more details about the great opportunity on the Howards Hill link. Watch for our newsletters. Not on our list? Just email us to request being added. Want to volunteer? Click Here
Join us on April 14th to support our efforts!
And have a great time doing so. Let the festivities begin. It's a great group at a great venue for a great cause.
We are thrilled to announce a special fundraising concert and dinner event to support our efforts on Howard's Hill in Ashburnham, MA. --134± acres situated in the heart of a vast tract of protected open space forming a greenbelt that spans from Central Mass into Southern NH, providing miles of public hiking trail access and habitat preservation. In May of 2023 ACT secured a 4 year loan to purchase Howard's Hill on Bush Hill Road in Ashburnham. Now we plan to install/upgrade existing trails, provide parking, remove junk vehicles and assorted debris, erect an overlook platform with a view to Mount Monadnock and encourage night sky viewing, re-open a field which will provide habitat for pollinators, browse for deer and moose and hill top habitat for nesting and migrating birds. We named the hill after the previous owner Howard A. Le Vaux, auroral physicist at Byrd Station, and a member of the Marie Byrd Land Traverse Party, 1959-60. An observation deck for future astronomers is in the planning stages.
The event will take place at The Bull Run Restaurant, a certified green restaurant in Shirley, MA, features a captivating musical performance by Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root with Dirk Miller. Doors open at 5:00 PM, the performance starts at 6:00 Location: The Bull Run, 215 Great Road, Shirley, MA. There will be time before the show to meet the performers. Michael Glabicki, best known as the lead vocalist of Rusted Root, and his talented collaborator Dirk Miller will grace the stage with an unforgettable musical performance. Their unique blend of folk, rock, and world music promises to captivate the audience and create a memorable evening. In addition to the musical entertainment, attendees will be treated to a delectable dinner prepared by The Bull Run’s renowned culinary team. For a message from Michael Glabicki himself click here
The concert and dinner package is available for a ticket price of $100 per person which includes a buffet dinner, musical performance, tax and tips! There will be a brief meet and greet with the musicians before the show, talk to them directly about their new direction. For meal details and to reserve your seating, To buy tickets please visit this link.
The Ashburnham Conservation Trust has been at the forefront of preserving the area's natural beauty and wildlife habitats, as well as providing public access to lands along the Midstate Trail, Mount Watatic and more.
Deep in the woods on Howard's Hill
A word from Michael Glabicki ......
ABOUT
Contact
Social
Address
33 Main Street
PO Box 354
Ashburnham, MA 01430
Save the Date 4/20
4th Annual Roadside Clean Up
Please Register
Here
These events are financed solely by us. We are not funded by the town of Ashburnham. We buy the T-shirts, bags, gloves and cover the rental for two roll-off containers and we pay tipping fees for non-conforming items, plus we treat you to ice cream at the end of the day! If you would like to donate to help us keep this initiative rolling, please follow the donate link to do so. Thank you in advance.