Minnechaug Mountain
Goat Rock Trail
Rice Nature Preserve
McDonald Farm Nature Preserve
These properties were protected by preservation efforts in both towns, using a combination of State and private grants,
Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds, and donations from private individuals.
President’s Letter February 2018
In Hampden, we hope to finalize the Mt Vision project, a 39 acre parcel with frontage on North Rd and a right of way on Burleigh Rd in Wilbraham. This purchase, by the Town of Hampden using CPA funds, was put on hold due to the untimely death of the owner. After a lengthy probate process, we expect to complete the sale soon. Minnechaug Land Trust will hold the Conservation Restrictions and act as stewards.
We are partnering with Mass Audubon to preserve 77 acres that abuts Laughing Brook Conservation land, crosses the Scantic River, and extends to Chaplin Rd. We are in the process of putting together financial strategies using a combination of grants, CPA monies, sale of a few frontage lots, and fundraising. We hope we can reach an agreement with the owners to save this beautiful parcel. We’ll keep you posted.
We are also working with private landowners to assist in applying to the Mass Conservation Land Tax Credit program. This is a grant of up to $75,000 for a landowner to permanently protect land with Conservation Restrictions, while continuing to own and use the land.
In Wilbraham, the purchase of Mt. Marcy was once again our main focus. We applied for a LAND grant to supplement the funds that were approved from the CPA for the purchase. The project was praised by the state representatives from the grant program, so we were surprised and disappointed when we found that the program had been scaled back last year to the point where they couldn’t fund all worthy projects, including ours.
This year we will persevere in our quest to purchase Mt. Marcy and feel we have a plan that is more within our control. This will involve asking for a little more CPA funding, and a pledge from MLT to contribute to the purchase. We thank you for your past and future support that allows us to continue our work and step in financially when needed on projects like Mt. Marcy. Together we are all working to protect the natural beauty of our towns.
Sincerely,
Sherry Himmelstein
8th Annual Run for Rice’s 5k Road Race

Hosted by the Rice Nature Preserve Stewardship Committee of the Minnechaug Land Trust, Inc.
Proceeds to benefit the Rice Nature Preserve Stewardship Fund
Where: Christ the King Lutheran Church, 758 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA 01095
Registration fee: $20 pre-registration by June 1, 2018/ $25 day-of-race registration / $15 for all runners 18 and under. Short-sleeve 50/50 blend race T-shirts guaranteed to first 250 registered runners. Free Rice Fruit Farm ice cream sundae to all registered runners (valid day of race only). On-line registration available at RunSignUp.com.
About the Race: A flat, fast 5k course beginning and ending at Christ the King Lutheran Church. There will be one water aid station at the halfway point. Walkers welcome. For runner safety, no bicycles or dogs are allowed on the course.
Awards: Awards to 1st place male and female overall, 50+ and youth (14 and under) categories (must be present after race).
Mail this registration form to Alison Webster, 4 Birchknoll Drive, Wilbraham, MA 01095. Please include a check payable to Minnechaug Land Trust, Inc. Questions? E-mail Race Director Robert Olsen at: thebigrock9@gmail.com