The Great Barrington Land Conservancy is a small town land conservancy with a big mission: To preserve natural places, agricultural land, and wildlife habitats within Great Barrington and to enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors through the creation of trails, walking paths, and special programs.
Since our establishment in 1992, we have preserved several hundred acres of agricultural and natural properties. Conservation restrictions evolved into projects for trail maintenance programs, community activism and collaboration. Please learn more about Housatonic River Walk (now a National Recreational Trail), the Lake Mansfield Conservation Forest Trails, Pfeiffer Arboretum and Trails, and the Threemile Hill Trail that links Fountain Pond State Park with Berkshire South Regional Community Center.
We don’t just put these resources in place, we help develop community involvement that ensures these places will be maintained and will be sources of recreation, ecology education, and community for years to come.
Lake Mansfield Alliance is a project of GBLC that has worked to preserve the ecology and recreational opportunities of the lake and its environs. GB Trails and Greenways is a collaborative partnership that brings environmental groups, health organizations, and our town government together to build an interconnected town-wide trail system for Great Barrington. Together, we share resources, improve existing trails, and plan for future trails. GB Trails also provides a year-round calendar of outdoor events from bird watching to snowshoeing.
We also established the markers that commemorate the involvement of W.E.B. Du Bois and William Stanley at the places where they lived and worked near the Housatonic River. Our programs and special places are available and accessible to all.
Partnership with the Town of Great Barrington and local land, trail, and habitat organizations is an important way that we accomplish our goals. We took a leadership role in helping the community to adapt the Community Preservation Act and worked with the town on its Greenway project.
Our work is accomplished through donations and the efforts of our community volunteers and volunteer Board of Directors.
Since we began, we have also:
- Conserved more than 300 acres of privately owned land as “forever wild”
- Protected 53 acres of open space for public recreation and enjoyment
- Preserved 45 acres of prime agricultural land for farm production
- Established and maintained 3.5 miles of public walking and hiking trails
- Provided care and stewardship of the Lake Mansfield Recreation Area and the trails within the Lake Mansfield Conservation Forest through the work of Lake Mansfield Alliance
- Supported the creation of Great Barrington Trails and Greenways, a collaborative organization providing for trail development, maintenance, and enjoyment throughout Great Barrington
- Secured National Recreational Trail status for River Walk
- Landmarked Great Barrington’s historic figures including W.E.B. Du Bois and William Stanley
- Worked towards Great Barrington’s adaptation of the Community Preservation Act
- Supported the engagement of students in conservation and stewardship from area schools and colleges as well as through partnerships with Greenagers.
We look forward to adding to these achievements in the coming years.
Organizational Documents
GBLC Articles of Incorporation
Press
Let’s celebrate the success of our premier Walk for Conservation – a Joyful day of Community action!
THANK YOU HEVREH! You made a BIG difference on the Riverfront Trail!
Remembering Shep Evans – A Champion for Conservation in Berkshire County
Take a walk along the Riverfront Trail and see all that work that has been accomplished!
Lake Mansfield Community Planting Day: A HUGE Success!
River Walk Volunteers team up with Greenagers Interns and Trail Crew to rebuild Wattle Fence
Bobolink Signs installed at the McAllister Wildlife Refuge by GBLC volunteers!
Lake Mansfield Community News / Kids learn great ways to stay healthy and Happy!
Lake Mansfield Beach Area and New Lakeside Trail is Open for ALL!
2024 June Work Party Pitches in for a Healthy Woodland at Lake Mansfield
2023 Boat Launch Improvements Accomplished!
Rescued 80 year old Turtle Enki Could Not Wait to Get Back to Lake Mansfield
Great Barrington Awarded Second Grant for Lake Mansfield Area Improvements
2023 River Walk Intern Kaspar Wilder shares Housatonic Sonnet and Blog
Lake Mansfield Special Program! Listening to the Land with Joseph and James Bruchac
Volunteers Spruce up the Lake Mansfield Beach Area
Spring Tree ID Workshop with Michael Wojtech – Wow! Bark is amazing!
Hurray for LM Forest Volunteers!
GBLC Admin Arianna Collins Featured in Northern Woodland Spring 2022
Volunteerism: Volunteer Hightlight Joseph Maleady
Run For The Hills 21.10.10 Race Results
GBLC Chosen by Berkshire Food Co-op Members as a Round Up for Change Recipient
Native Seed Success At River Walk
River Walk thanks Boy Scouts for Spring Clean Up!
Lake Manfield Volunteer Events
Despite turning Virtual, annual race continues to emphasize land preservation, health goals
Eagle Scouts Rebuild Wattle Fence at River Walk
Restoring Lake Mansfield’s Native Habitat Now and in the Future
The Roots of our Treasured Red Oak are Breathing Easier
Our Community Cares for Lake Mansfield!
River Walk Tree ID Challenge: Winners take home trees!
Cleaner Waters for Lake Mansfield: KNOB HILL
Appalachian Trail Volunteers Gather for 17th Annual Celebration in Great Barrington
Fall 2018: Exploring the Pfeiffer Arboretum
River Walk Worldwide March for Science
Winter Hike at Houatonic Flats
Learn how your land conservancy is making a big difference: GBLC Field Notes/ Winter 2017
Betty Vigneron – Steadfast Steward of the Environment
Town Making Steady Progress on Lake Mansfield Beach, Boat and Road Improvements
Ladd Property Donated to GBLC for Conservation
Taking a Plunge for a Great National Trails Day at River Walk!
Local musicians provided riverside music at River Walk!
Spring News from Lake Mansfield
River Walk March for Science draws a big crowd!
GBLC Newsletters
GBLC – Newsletter – 2022
GBLC – Newsletter – 2020
GBLC – Newsletter – 2020
GBLC – Newsletter – 2019
GBLC – Newsletter – 2018
GBLC – Newsletter – 2017
GBLC – Newsletter – 2016
GBLC – Newsletter – 2016
GBLC – Newsletter – 2014
GBLC – Newsletter – 2013
GBLC – Newsletter – 2012
GBLC – Newsletter – 2011
GBLC – Newsletter – 2009
GBLC – Newsletter – 2008
GBLC – Newsletter – 2006
GBLC – Newsletter – 2005
