Our Mission


Our Valley in Pictures
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Valley Land Fund protects threatened forests, farms, wetland, and wildlife habitat in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts. Collaborating with local communities, conservation groups, and government organizations, we provide loans, grants, and technical support to help preserve our special places for future generations.

Recent News

  • HIKE A BLUEBERRY FARM IN HEATH - SATURDAY, AUGUST 14
    VLF hike
    Saturday, August 14, 10 am-noon, at The Benson Place, a wild blueberry farm on Flagg Hill Road in Heath, owned by Ted Watt and Dave Gott. Please see Coming Hikes for more information.
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  • WELCOME TO NEW BOARD MEMBERS!
    Over the past year, three talented and committed people have joined the Board of Directors of VLF.  It’s a great pleasure to welcome these new Board members, who bring skill, energy, and creative thinking to our efforts to preserve land.
    The VLF Board:

    Back row: Harvey Allen, Robert Jonas, John Body, Dave Ziomek, David Herships

    Front row: Devorah Levy, Ann Kearns, Rosemary Arnold, Sally Loomis (Projects Manager)

  • David Herships retired from a career in public finance, raising capital for state and local government infrastructure projects. In addition, he worked for the U.S. Treasury Department on municipal finance issues. After years of living and working in large metropolitan areas, he welcomed the opportunity to live in the Pioneer Valley, where he could be much closer to nature. By joining the Board of Valley Land Fund, he is able to participate directly in preserving land to maintain the wildlife habitat and natural, undeveloped character of the area.

  • Robert A. Jonas, Ed.D, is a retired psychotherapist. He is a videographer, musician, retreat leader, and author. As owner of 220 acres in Ashfield, he worked with Franklin Land Trust over several years to place conservation restrictions on 210 of those acres. He is excited about the role of Valley Land Fund in preserving and protecting farmland, forest, and habitat for the critters who abound in the Pioneer Valley.

  • Devorah Levy grew up in central Florida before it became a tourist mecca. With a background in botany, she has worked as a wetlands park manager, park naturalist, ecological field technician, and inner-city environmental educator. Having seen her home state bulldozed and paved over, she understands just how quickly a pitcher plant bog can morph into a parking lot. She is inspired by the accomplishments of ordinary people working together to save land.