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- EIN 04-3091536
- (413) 644-9949
- Po Box 987 Gt Barrington MA 01230-0987 USA
- www.gbland.org
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Environment, Land Resources Conservation
Mission: The great barrington land conservancy, inc. Is dedicated to conservation and stewardship of the community's natural resources and special places, by working to protect and preserve important natural places, agricultural land and wildlife habitats within the town of great barrington, massachusetts and to enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors through the creation of trails, walking paths, and special programs. The organization has preserved several hundred acres of agricultural and natural properties through conservation restrictions. All of the organization's properties are open to the public.
Programs: Preservation and stewardship of natural areas:the preservation and stewardship of outdoor areas which are of important natural significance in the town of great barrington. This program is accomplished through grant-funding, donations of funds from local businesses and individuals, and the donation of volunteer hours by the community and board members. This has resulted in the preservation of natural habitats at all gblc properties. These projects are on-going, with additional riverbank reclamation projects, removal of invasive species and planting of native plant species at all our properties.
development of community trails and public access areas:gblc develops community trails and other amenities so that thousands of visitors can experience these special places. The housatonic river walk, the result of 30 years of volunteer effort, is now a national recreation trail which allows visitors to experience the riverside in its natural state. The boardwalk and viewing platform at the pfeiffer arboretum provides a walk through a unique habitat and access to birdwatching on long pond. The community trails through the lake mansfield conservation forest were developed by gblc. New trails are being planned for the riverfront area of town between bridge street and brookside road, and within the stockbridge road property as a connector to existing trail networks.
outdoor education and collaboration:gblc programs are the basis for community education about the natural world and the ways to preserve it. More than 12,000 people visit housatonic river walk annually. Programs for school children, local business groups, and other organizations are an important part of our calendar. Programs in natural area stewardship, bird-watching and other topics are open to the public. Through the lake mansfield alliance and gb trails and greenways, gblc supports community groups that share our mission and our goals in the town and in berkshire county.