In an effort to expand protection and improvement of community gardens, greenways, and urban wilds, The Trustees of Reservations and Boston Natural Areas Network have formed a permanent affiliation to act with one voice for conservation.
Since 1891, The Trustees, the world's oldest regional land trust, has helped protect open lands as well as historical, cultural, and natural landmarks throughout Massachusetts. Currently, half of Massachusetts' population lives within five miles of one of the 53,000 acres of land protected and cared for by The Trustees, including favorite destinations such as Crane's Beach in Ipswich, World's End in Hingham and Monument Mountain in Great Barrington. The new affiliation with BNAN will enable The Trustees to expand conservation efforts into Boston, helping to preserve the City's character and diminishing natural landscapes.
"It has been a priority to help ensure urban centers like Boston remain livable, where residents and visitors have access to parks and open spaces," said Andrew Kendall, president of The Trustees. "BNAN's success and strong Boston identity make them an ideal partner with whom The Trustees can work to fulfill this mission. This is a unique opportunity to create synergies and economies between two organizations for the benefit and enjoyment of all who live in, or visit Boston, and we are thrilled that it has happened."
BNAN will remain a separate not-for-profit, and will continue to own its 37 community gardens, and operate its broad range of educational and community organizing programs. BNAN's affiliation with The Trustees will accelerate its efforts to acquire, protect, and advocate for Boston's lands and strengthen the organizations' shared commitment to promote quality of life in the City.
"For 29 years, BNAN has successfully worked to preserve, protect and improve community gardens, greenways, and urban wilds throughout Boston," said Valerie Burns, BNAN president. "Our commitment to Boston and to all those who live here is at the heart of our mission, and that is why we affiliated with The Trustees. The relationship will allow us to expand our efforts to pursue the advocacy, development, and funding necessary to enhance the protection and expansion of Boston's green spaces. We look forward to working with our community and public partners like Boston's Mayor Menino, Environmental Services Chief Jim Hunt, Parks Commissioner Toni Pollak and state DCR Commissioner Stephen Burrington to support the agenda for a greener city."
Many Bostonians live near or enjoy the urban wilds and community gardens BNAN has protected and cares for in Boston's neighborhoods. However, as the City of Boston continues to face limited resources for expanding the protection and improvement of these natural areas, the affiliation between BNAN and The Trustees is well-timed. Supported by a new $4 million endowment, together BNAN and The Trustees will have expanded resources to carry out their mission in Boston more broadly and effectively, including completing the multi-mile Neponset River and East Boston greenways and pursuing new open space projects with community and public partners. For more information on the greenways, go to www.bostonnatural.org/greenways.php.
As an affiliate of The Trustees, BNAN will continue operating as an independent, nonprofit organization with its own board. Valerie Burns will continue as president of BNAN, and will join The Trustees as a Vice President. BNAN staff will become employees of The Trustees. The Trustees board will include two BNAN directors, and BNAN's board will include two Trustees directors.
"The Trustees' immediate goal is to support BNAN in pursuing its mission in Boston," noted Kendall, "However, we also hope to apply BNAN's expertise to other urban centers in Massachusetts where The Trustees has a presence, including Fall River, Holyoke, Leominster, and Gloucester. In the end, we view the affiliation not only as a win for Boston, but a victory for Massachusetts."
About The Trustees of Reservations
Founded in 1891, The Trustees of Reservations is the nation's oldest regional nonprofit conservation organization. Supported by more than 45,000 members, The Trustees protect Massachusetts' natural and historic resources for everyone to enjoy. From working farms to historic homesteads, barrier beaches to mountain vistas, The Trustees own, manage, and interpret nearly 25,000 acres on 96 reservations in 70 communities across Massachusetts, including four National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, and seven properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
In addition, The Trustees hold perpetual conservation restrictions on nearly 14,000 acres -- more than any other conservation organization in Massachusetts -- permanently protecting scenic and natural areas from development, while landowners retain ownership and management responsibilities under certain restrictions. For properties more suitable for protection by partner organizations, The Trustees have assisted in the protection of nearly 12,000 additional acres.
With the support of more than 13,500 donors, The Trustees have just completed a landmark capital campaign, raising $62.3 million in cash and receiving more than $35 million in land in just five years -- the largest campaign by an environmental organization in Massachusetts' history. Funds raised have been used to establish nine new reservations on 1,685 acres -- all of which are open to the public.
The Trustees employ 130 full-time and 400 seasonal staff with expertise in many areas, including ecology, education, historic resources, land protection, conservation, land management, and planning. To find out how you can interview Trustees' experts on important topics and issues, volunteer or become a member, please call The Trustees of Reservations at 781.784.0567, visit our website at www.thetrustees.org, or email us at membership@ttor.org.
About Boston Natural Areas Network
BNAN preserves, expands, and improves community gardens, greenways, and urban wilds in neighborhoods throughout Boston. Through community organizing, acquisition, programming, and advocacy, BNAN has led the protection of over 800 acres of urban wilds, and the creation of over 3 miles of greenways. In addition, BNAN as the city's largest land trust owns 37 community gardens and provides services to all Boston's 175 urban gardens. As an advocate for urban space for 29 years, BNAN has a unique position to speak for Boston's green space issues. BNAN's work is implemented through a wide network of relationships with citizens, elected and appointed officials, non-profit organizations and businesses that encompass public and private open spaces across the city. Please visit our website at www.bostonnatural.org for more information.
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Lanesborough Town Meeting to Vote Budget, Bylaws & Vehicle Purchases
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Tuesday's annual town meeting includes a $14 million operating budget, new short-term rentals, accessory dwelling units and sign bylaws, and free cash article appropriations.
Voters will gather at Lanesborough Elementary School on June 9 at 6 p.m. to decide on 20 warrant articles.
The fiscal 2027 budget is up a little over 10 percent. Some of the main increases are the Mount Greylock Regional School District and McCann Technical School: the McCann assessment is up more than 30 percent based on factors including enrollment and the school renovation project, and Mount Greylock's is up 11 percent.
Article 11 is for the town to vote to approve from free cash the sum of $16,298.48 for the McCann Technical School roof and window replacement project so as not to impact the budget. Article 3 is appropriate $7,586,284 for Mount Greylock Regional School assessment.
Another notable increase was in life and health insurance, showing an increase of about 26 percent.
Ambulance Director Jen Weber is planning 24-hour coverage, which means more staff and a hike in her budget. One of the articles asks the town to appropriate $234,100 to operate the Ambulance Enterprise Fund for salaries and expenses.
Many town departments are looking for new vehicles. The Fire Department is looking to replace its outdated 1996 fire engine. There are two articles related to the truck at a total of $813,366. Article 12 would transfer $225,000 from free cash into the Fire Truck Stabilization Fund; Article 13 would transfer $605,000 from the fund and authorize the borrowing of $208,366.08.
The total includes a $100,000 contingency cost to cover any additional costs if a 2026 model-year chassis cannot be secured before new emissions standards go into effect in 2027.
The board at its last meeting moved the $225,000 transfer to come before the borrowing article, changing the stabilization number. If the $225,000 is not voted on, then they will amend the next article's number on the floor, subtracting the $225,000. This shows the borrowing number significantly lower.
Article 17 asks for the transfer of $80,000 from free cash to replace a police cruiser.
Police Chief Rob Derksen's aim is to replace one vehicle every other year, meaning the oldest vehicle gets replaced about every 10 years.
He stressed that if delayed this year, the town may have to double up in a future year to get back on schedule, and that paying later usually costs more. The article will ask for $80,000 from free cash, the vehicles used to be funded by the BHRD.
Lastly, the Highway Department is looking to replace a 2014 International dump truck that will be a total of $330,000 and will take two to three years to receive.
Money will be used from last year's approval of $250,000 from free cash for the replacement of a 2012 highway front-end loader that was underspent $49,261. Town meeting is being asked to approve a transfer of $53,274.85 from free cash and the use of $227,464 from funds from the Sale of Town Real Estate to fund the balance.
Other free cash proposals include $1,200 to purchase software to support tracking and ongoing maintenance schedules of town-owned vehicles; $42,000 for the replacement of the Highway Department's storage shed roof, $200,000 to reduce the tax levy.
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