Worthington, Colrain Awarded Landscape Partnership Grants

Staff Reports 12:07PM / Saturday, July 18, 2026Print Story | Email Story

Wildlife Cam Photos from Jackson Brook Conservation Project in Worthington Photo Credit: Hilltown Land Trust

BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $2.2 million to protect forests, drinking water supplies, and critical natural landscapes across Massachusetts.

Through the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' Landscape Partnership Grant Program, three projects in Franklin, Hampshire and Plymouth counties will conserve more than 1,600 acres of land, improve access to outdoor recreation, strengthen climate resilience and protect wildlife habitat.

Hilltown Land Trust, Department of Fish and Game (DFG) – Jackson Brook Conservation Project was awarded $314,430 to protect 483 acres within the Jackson Brook watershed in Worthington. This largely intact forest and wetland system provides critical habitat for species including moose, bobcat, and sandhill crane, as well as water filtration and flood storage in extreme rain events. The project will enhance regional habitat connectivity, expand public recreation, and promote climate resilience by supporting healthy forests that sequester and store carbon. The project delivers lasting ecological, community, and economic benefits and facilitates coordinated long-term land stewardship.

Franklin Land Trust, DFG, The Trustees of Reservations, Department of Conservation & Recreation, Massachusetts Audubon Society and Kestrel Land Trust – Stone Mountain Conservation Project was awarded $730,815 to conserve 800 acres of natural and working landscapes integral to Massachusetts' rural economy, including unfragmented forest on Stone Mountain in Colrain, and along the West Branch of the North River and tributaries in Heath. This project will leverage over $1,500,000 in private funding to achieve a 6,000+ acre conservation corridor in Franklin County.

"The projects in Worthington, Colrain and Heath are a great investment in the communities and natural resources that make Western Massachusetts such a special place to live," said State Senator Paul Mark. "By protecting forests, clean water, and public open space today, we're ensuring future generations can enjoy them while strengthening our environment and local economy."

The program also supports the Healey-Driscoll Administration's "Forests as Climate Solutions Initiative", which aims to protect critically important forests. These initiatives are key components of the administration's Mass Ready Act, demonstrating the Healey-Driscoll Administration's commitment to promoting a clean environment that benefits residents. Land conservation is one of several strategies the state is advancing to reduce pollution, help cool communities, and prevent the loss of plant and animal species across Massachusetts.

"Conserving our natural lands and forests promotes clean air and healthier communities for generations to come," said EEA Secretary Rebecca Tepper. "These thriving ecosystems are also beautiful places to get outside and enjoy all our state has to offer. This funding will ensure that counties in Western and Southeastern Massachusetts have the resources they need to continue to protect waterways and forests into the future."

Established in 2011, the Landscape Partnership Grant Program supports large-scale, multi-partner projects that sustain ecological integrity, promote local economies that depend upon natural resources, and expand public outdoor recreational opportunities. This year's awards will conserve over 1,631 acres and are part of the administration's efforts to build climate change resilience and protect critical natural landscapes.

West Branch of the North River and tributaries in Heath. This project will leverage over $1,500,000 in private funding to achieve a 6,000+ acre conservation corridor in Franklin County.

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North Adams Airport Hires New Manager

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff
10:30AM / Saturday, October 24, 2026

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Airport Commission unanimously voted this week to hire Skyler Friedman as the new airport manager.

The vote came after a brief interview Tuesday. Although two candidates were scheduled to be interviewed, only Friedman was in attendance.

In total, there were four resumes that a subcommittee knocked down to two finalists.

"All were qualified," Commissioner William Hooper said. "One was less qualified, two were equally qualified, and one was a step above. The two you have this evening were the two determined to be the most qualified."

The commission planned on interviewing both candidates, but only interviewed Friedman. Although the second candidate indicated she would be present remotely for the interview, she never called in.

Friedman was the manager from June until September through the city's contract with Hewison Aviation, a New York-based flight school operating in North Adams. The company provided management services to the city but decided to end this arrangement in the fall.

The commission faced losing Friedman as manager and urged him to apply when they advertised the position.

Friedman spoke about communication, noting he suspected it would be easier as an employee of the city. He also spoke about larger projects at the airport he would like to follow through on, including the creation of a flying club. He said he wants more people at the airport and interested in aviation.

He was asked if he planned to leave the position in the near future for other opportunities.

"I would not be here now if that were my goal," he answered.

He added that the area does not have a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), a position he hopes to fill. He said he hopes to "merge his interests" as the manager and a CFI, eventually relocating permanently to North Adams instead of commuting from Albany.

Otherwise, he said there will be no disruptions, as he has already done the job. Instead of learning a new position, he said he is ready to tackle projects he had to step away from when the contract ran out.

"The past five months have been that process, and I will pick up where I left off," he said. "I stumbled upon things in the interim, and there will be no transition."

In other business, the Airport Commission saw another response to the proposed restaurant RFP. Only one organization responded: East Fork Bread.

Although there was some back-and-forth between the RFP subcommittee and the bread makers, the subcommittee ultimately could not recommend their proposal as it did not fit their requirements.

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