Who is a member?
Our members are the local governments of Massachusetts and their elected and appointed leadership.
The Healey-Driscoll Administration on Oct. 27 announced over $12 million in grants for projects in 40 communities across Massachusetts that will help protect open space, build parks and give more people access to the outdoors.
Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll announced the grant awards during the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commission’s Fall Conference in Devens.
The awards come from three programs overseen by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs:
• The Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities program, which helps municipalities create and renovate outdoor recreation areas
• The Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity program, which supports conservation commission efforts to protect natural land
• The Conservation Partnership Grant, which supports nonprofit land trusts working to conserve open space for future generations
The funding will support projects like creating new walking trails, protecting forests and wetlands, building neighborhood parks, and preserving land near rivers and lakes that provide drinking water.
Parkland Acquisitions grants ranging from $98,000 to $425,000 were awarded to Boston, Brockton, Chelsea, Dennis, Easthampton, Gardner, Haverhill, Holyoke, Lynn, Malden, New Bedford, Southbridge and Worcester. Small-Town Parkland Acquisitions grants ranging from $16,500 to $100,000 were awarded to Charlemont, Chesterfield, Heath, Reading, Southampton, Swampscott and Ware.
Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity grants ranging from $173,173 to $425,000 were awarded to projects in Monson, Northampton, Plymouth, Rowe, Southampton, Wenham, Worcester and Yarmouth.
Conservation Partnership awards between $52,500 and $425,000 went to Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Barnstable Land Trust, Becket Land Trust, Buzzards Bay Coalition, Dudley Conservation Land Trust, The Franklin Land Trust, Greater Worcester Land Trust, Harwich Conservation Trust, Mattapoisett Land Trust, Orenda Wildlife Land Trust, Orleans Conservation Trust, Truro Conservation Trust, and Westport Land Conservation Trust.