Welcome to the website of the Ashby Land Trust of Ashby, Massachusetts. We are an accredited Land Trust and a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to preserving the rural character of Ashby. In addition to our land preservation efforts, we sponsor educational, recreational, and social events and activities that celebrate the natural world. We invite you to review the pages and drop-down menus provided above to find out more about the Ashby Land Trust, and hope that you will join us!
In Memorium: Bob Bedard. The Land Trust was founded in 1998 and incorporated in 1999. Bob Bedard joined the Land Trust as a supporting member in 2000 in our first membership drive and was an active supporter for the rest of his life.
In 2004, 60 acres of land abutting the Fitchburg Rod and Gun Club went
on the market for development. Bob recognized that this would
negatively impact the Rod and Gun Club, of which he was a member. He
approached the Land Trust and was unyielding in his insistence that the
we work to preserve the land. So we did. What else could we do? You
didn’t refuse Bob. The Land Trust worked with the Club and the Dept of
Fish and Wildlife and after some months managed to help the Club acquire
and preserve the land, with the State providing all the money.
We will miss his sense of humor, his commitment to service, and his
strongly held opinions.
NOTE: TRACKING CLASS POSTPONED TO March 7th 9am-12pm at Jewell Hill.
Join us on Sunday, MARCH 7 from 9am-12pm for an animal tracking class with Owl Eyes Wilderness Survival at Jewell Hill Reservation here in Ashby! We have held this class for the last few years, and it is always a great time! Please plan to meet at the parking area at the top of Crocker Rd a few minutes before 9am so we can get started on time. Please dress warmly and in layers, wear either snow boots or hiking boots, and bring water and a snack. This is a free event, but registration is required. To register, please contact us on Facebook or email us at info@ashbylandtrust.org . Donations are always welcome and appreciated and allow us to continue to offer educational programs to the community. Hope to see you there!
JONES HILL CONNECTOR ACQUISITION COMPLETED
In July 2025 the Town of Ashby took ownership of the 106-acre Jones Hill Connector parcel, which was purchased with funding provided by the U.S. Forest Service Forest Legacy Program (FLP) based on an application prepared by the Ashby Land Trust. A deed restriction limits the use of the property to forestry and conservation.
