Paramount to our conservation efforts are generous donors who are interested in protecting land forever. This includes landowners who have donated or sold conservation easements and/or land to the Salisbury Association, as well as individuals who have donated funds to help us with purchases of land to be conserved. 

We are stewards of Salisbury Association’s conserved land, whether through conservation easements on privately held parcels or preserves owned directly by the Association. Land Trust members and volunteers are trained so they can monitor each property annually to assess its condition and ensure there are no encroachments or easement violations. 

For each property we own, we create a management plan to enhance its conservation aspects. Frequently, we improve and/or protect critical habitats that provide food and shelter for wildlife and help with erosion control. Invasive plant species are removed and replaced with native plants.

On land suitable for light recreational use, we make and maintain trails. Management and stewardship of conserved properties is a labor-intensive effort, and we have a dedicated group of volunteers.

The Land Trust welcomes volunteers to help monitor private land protected by conservation easements, as well as parcels owned by the Salisbury Association. Volunteers also help create and maintain trails on properties open to the public, control invasive species, and plant native species.

If you would like to join our volunteer team please sign up here

The Housatonic Valley Association's Litchfield Hills Greenprint promotes the vision of "Follow the Forest" as the Appalachian Mountains work their way along the eastern seaboard to Canada. The Berkshire-Taconic Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP) involves Land Trusts along the Taconic Plateau in northwest CT, eastern NY, western MA, and western VT. 

Housatonic Valley Association
Berkshire Taconic Regional Conservation Partnership

Invasive plants are species introduced from other regions that spread aggressively, outcompete native vegetation, and cause serious harm to local habitats. Not all non-native plants are invasive — but those that are can quickly overwhelm an ecosystem if left unchecked. Learning to identify them is the first step toward protecting the land around you.

Removing invasives from your own property makes a real difference. It improves habitat for the insects birds depend on to raise their young, and it helps prevent invasive seeds from being spread further by birds and other wildlife. Native plants, in turn, allow local wildlife and pollinators to thrive.

Controlling invasives takes knowledge, effort, and time — but the payoff for your local ecosystem is well worth it. See the resources below to get started, both on identifying and managing invasive species and on the benefits of planting natives.