The purpose of the Sheffield Land Trust is to be a voice for all who seek to guard the natural resources and rural character of Sheffield as it develops; to preserve significant tracts of land which enhance the quality of life for all who live, work or visit Sheffield; to work in concert with town and regional agencies to attain these goals; and to engage in any activities consistent with these purposes.
The town of Sheffield is located in the lower western corner of Massachusetts, near the border of both the state of Connecticut and New York. The qualities which have made this region so popular over the years are today the very features most threatened by development. Sheffield's open, rolling landscapes of cropland punctuated by centuries-old farmstead, the Houstanic as it meanders invitingly through its floodplain, the densely wooded hills shrouded in quiet, all have delighted both long time residents and visitors alike. Today these features are all at risk, threatened by subdivision and commercial development.
In addition to the beautiful farms, woods and wetland Sheffield is so well known for, the town is endowed with a unique natural heritage. Sheffield is home to over 1,200 species of plants and animals, including the largest concentration of rare or endangered species (over 100) in New England. The Nature Conservancy has included Sheffield on its list of "Last Great Places," one of only forty ecosystems in the world. Long a favored destination for naturalists and hikers, many visitors and residents feel an urgent need to protect what remains of Sheffield's critical natural habitats, recognizing that what is has already been lost is irreplaceable.
This includes 5 farm projects we helped to negotiate, now held by other organizations including the APR Program, and the Schenob Brook Preservation which we spent two years helping to raise funds for, now owned by The Nature Conservancy. This preserve is part of the Schenobs Brook Drainage Basin Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC).
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