Town of Westhampton, MA: Links

OBJECTIVE
The Open Space Committee strives to preserve the natural beauty of rural Westhampton by promoting the protection and stewardship of open space areas in town.

MEMBERS
Rick Tracy, Chairman
Ellen Bartos
David Majercik
Kate Parsons

MEETINGS http://www.westhampton-ma.com/agendas.asp

NEWS (click on the link to see more)
Draft Open Space Plan Completed and Online for review!
Mineral Hills Land Protected!

Draft Open Space Plan Completed and Online for review!
After a yearlong effort, we have completed the updating of the Open Space and Recreation Plan. This plan, when approved, will allow us to qualify for state funds and go forward with fulfilling the objectives of the Open Space Committee. There were many requirements to satisfy for the state, and we compiled much useful information, including the input from townspeople by means of the survey we completed and the public meeting that was held. The draft has been submitted to various town and state entities for comment and approval. The plan and components of the plan can be viewed online by clicking on the following links:
Plan, including the Seven-year action plan and Maps
Maps
Seven-year action plan

Mineral Hills Land Protected!
-After nearly a year of planning, grant-writing and fundraising, the 57 acre “Skibiski parcel” has been permanently protected from development and thus preserved for excellent wildlife habitat and passive recreation.
-We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Sheila Marks, who was instrumental in making the fund-raising a success. Without her efforts and dedication, this purchase would not have been possible. Thank you, Sheila!
-We would like to thank all of the private individuals and the following local land trusts for their generous contributions: Edith Wharton Trust, Nonotuck Land Fund, Pascommuck Conservation Trust, Trustees of Reservations’Highland Community Initiative, Western Mass Community Foundation and Valley Land Fund.
-The Kestrel Trust holds the deed to the property, while the Town of Westhampton holds the Conservation Restriction. Eligibility requirements for the State Partnership Grant that provided a large chunk of the funding do not allow municipalities to hold the land.

NEWS RELEASES
http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/07/01/kestrel-trust-grants-boost-protected-land-holdings
http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/06/02/northampton-expands-protection-of-wildlife-corridor

The Mineral Hills Project Background – The parcel consists of 57 acres of land in the Westhampton section of the Mineral Hills. Thirty additional acres of the same parcel lie in Northampton, and this portion was purchased by the Town of Northampton. The Westhampton land, east of Turkey Hill, includes a portion of Turkey Brook and a wooded ridge that provides wildlife habitat. The parcel is next to other protected land in Northampton, and its purchase has created a continuous block of nearly 400 acres of conservation land straddling the Westhampton/Northampton boundary in the Mineral Hills. It is separated by one relatively small parcel from 293 acres of conservation restrictions to the north and by another small parcel from a 600 acre conservation area to the east. The Westhampton Open Space Committee worked successfully with Northampton to protect 29.4 acres of land in Westhampton in this area four years ago.

Ecological Value - The parcel has several natural community types, including a steep hill with exposed bedrock knobs. The forest type along the hill and summit is a stunted hickory-hop hornbeam, with an understory dominated by sedges and patches of native shrubs. The other natural communities include hemlock stands, a few seeps/intermittent streams at the toe of the slope, and a diverse mixed forest that is located between the toe of the slope and Turkey Brook. Turkey Brook is potential habitat for a small dragonfly known as Lanthus vernalis and wood turtle. The entire parcel is habitat for an array of other common wildlife species, including bear, bobcat, fisher, mink, porcupine, coyote, turkey and a variety of other wetland and upland species.



Home Announcements Calendar Forms Agendas Assessors Town Officials Town Bylaws Open Space Helpful Links		OBJECTIVE The Open Space Committee strives to preserve the natural beauty of rural Westhampton by promoting the protection and stewardship of open space areas in town. MEMBERS Rick Tracy, Chairman Ellen Bartos David Majercik Kate Parsons MEETINGS http://www.westhampton-ma.com/agendas.asp NEWS (click on the link to see more) Draft Open Space Plan Completed and Online for review! Mineral Hills Land Protected! Draft Open Space Plan Completed and Online for review! After a yearlong effort, we have completed the updating of the Open Space and Recreation Plan. This plan, when approved, will allow us to qualify for state funds and go forward with fulfilling the objectives of the Open Space Committee. There were many requirements to satisfy for the state, and we compiled much useful information, including the input from townspeople by means of the survey we completed and the public meeting that was held. The draft has been submitted to various town and state entities for comment and approval. The plan and components of the plan can be viewed online by clicking on the following links: Plan, including the Seven-year action plan and Maps Maps Seven-year action plan Mineral Hills Land Protected! -After nearly a year of planning, grant-writing and fundraising, the 57 acre “Skibiski parcel” has been permanently protected from development and thus preserved for excellent wildlife habitat and passive recreation. -We would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to Sheila Marks, who was instrumental in making the fund-raising a success. Without her efforts and dedication, this purchase would not have been possible. Thank you, Sheila! -We would like to thank all of the private individuals and the following local land trusts for their generous contributions: Edith Wharton Trust, Nonotuck Land Fund, Pascommuck Conservation Trust, Trustees of Reservations’Highland Community Initiative, Western Mass Community Foundation and Valley Land Fund. -The Kestrel Trust holds the deed to the property, while the Town of Westhampton holds the Conservation Restriction. Eligibility requirements for the State Partnership Grant that provided a large chunk of the funding do not allow municipalities to hold the land. NEWS RELEASES http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/07/01/kestrel-trust-grants-boost-protected-land-holdings http://www.gazettenet.com/2011/06/02/northampton-expands-protection-of-wildlife-corridor The Mineral Hills Project Background – The parcel consists of 57 acres of land in the Westhampton section of the Mineral Hills. Thirty additional acres of the same parcel lie in Northampton, and this portion was purchased by the Town of Northampton. The Westhampton land, east of Turkey Hill, includes a portion of Turkey Brook and a wooded ridge that provides wildlife habitat. The parcel is next to other protected land in Northampton, and its purchase has created a continuous block of nearly 400 acres of conservation land straddling the Westhampton/Northampton boundary in the Mineral Hills. It is separated by one relatively small parcel from 293 acres of conservation restrictions to the north and by another small parcel from a 600 acre conservation area to the east. The Westhampton Open Space Committee worked successfully with Northampton to protect 29.4 acres of land in Westhampton in this area four years ago. Ecological Value - The parcel has several natural community types, including a steep hill with exposed bedrock knobs. The forest type along the hill and summit is a stunted hickory-hop hornbeam, with an understory dominated by sedges and patches of native shrubs. The other natural communities include hemlock stands, a few seeps/intermittent streams at the toe of the slope, and a diverse mixed forest that is located between the toe of the slope and Turkey Brook. Turkey Brook is potential habitat for a small dragonfly known as Lanthus vernalis and wood turtle. The entire parcel is habitat for an array of other common wildlife species, including bear, bobcat, fisher, mink, porcupine, coyote, turkey and a variety of other wetland and upland species.