Mission: The Berkshire Natural Resources Council’s mission is “To protect and preserve the natural beauty and ecological integrity of the Berkshires for public benefit and enjoyment.” BNRC has been protecting land in Berkshire County for 50 years now. We own over 11,000 acres, with 50 miles of trails. BNRC is responsible for protecting an additional 10,000 acres of land in Berkshire County through Conservation Restrictions with private land owners; which permanently protects the land. In addition, BNRC recently launched the Berkshire High Road campaign that proposes a county wide trail network connecting towns, to nature and ecology, to economics. This process will include collaboration from numerous sectors in the county with vast public benefits. Our goals are to increase the amount of land we protect, increase our partnerships in the community and our involvement with the public.
Berkshire Natural Resources Council became an accredited land trust in February 2023, a status that can be renewed every five years. Accreditation means Berkshire Natural Resources Council meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Berkshire Natural Resources Council demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate the commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. To learn more about land trust accreditation and the current accreditation status of Berkshire Natural Resources Council, visit http//www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.
