East Quabbin Land Trust
The East Quabbin Land Trust is a community-based group working to permanently protect the farmlands, woodland and waters in the East Quabbin region of Massachusetts.
The EQLT is an important stakeholder in the Mass Central Rail Trail Alliance, overseeing the MCRT corridor running through Ware, Gilbertville, Hardwick and part of New Braintree.
The East Quabbin Land Trust acquired 3+ miles of former railroad corridor in 2007 in Hardwick and New Braintree, and spent the following decade building the MCRT and repairing four historic bridges. The East Quabbin Land Trust recently acquired the former Tanner- Hiller Airport and adjacent Airport Rd, which includes 2.2 miles of MCRT corridor; the southern mile of this section is in New Braintree.
The East Quabbin Land Trust (EQLT) began in 1994 because of concern for the loss of farmland and wildlife habitat to unplanned sprawl in and around Hardwick. Since 1998, EQLT has expanded its protection efforts to Barre, Petersham, New Braintree and other nearby towns. By working cooperatively with property owners, government agencies, conservation groups and other land trust organizations, the Land Trust has been able to protect over 6,200 acres.
