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A Free Workshop Series: Managing and Protecting our Farms, Forests, and Open Spaces

In collaboration with Sudbury Valley Trustees, Bolton Conservation Trust, Bolton Agricultural Commission & Bolton Conservation Commission
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You are invited to a complimentary workshop series where you will learn about conservation options and tax incentives for managing and protecting land. 

  • As a landowner, understanding the options for your property is an important step to maintaining the legacy of your land, while also contributing significant benefits to your town by providing wildlife habitat, clean water, and clean air.
  • As a town resident, supporting land management and protection preserves scenic vistas, reduces the cost of municipal services, and provides recreational opportunities.land

Workshop Topics and Schedule:

Land Protection Success Stories: Learn from local landowners about the options for taking care of and protecting land. To be held Saturday January 26, 2019 from 10 am to 12 pm at the Houghton Building, 697 Main Street in Bolton, Massachusetts. Guest speakers Walter Bickford of the Berlin Conservation Commission and Christa Collins of Sudbury Valley Trustees. Pie and coffee will be provided. Snow date February 2, 2019 from 12 pm to 2 pm. *coffee will be courtesy of Bolton Bean*

Chapter 61 Property Tax Reduction Programs: Chapter 61 programs lower property taxes on forests, farms, and open spaces so long as they are kept undeveloped and productive. The programs allow towns the right of first refusal if development is proposed for Chapter 61 properties. To be held May 4, 2019 starting at 10 am at the Houghton Building, 697 Main Street in Bolton, followed by a site walk at a Wilder Road woodlot. Guest speakers will include a local woodlot owner and Laura Dooley and Michael Downey, foresters from the Mass. Dept. of Conservation & Recreation, to discuss long term forest management. Rain date May 11, 2019 at 10 am.

Conservation Restrictions: Conservation Restrictions (CRs) allow landowners to retain ownership of their land while permanently restricting certain activities. Learn about the many different ways a CR can be used to protect land. Take a walk on one of the many scenic conservation restrictions in Bolton and see for yourself the benefit of land conservation. Guest speakers will include the Bolton Conservation Trust. To be held August 4, 2019 from 1 pm to 3 pm at the Phillips Conservation Area on Old Sugar Road in Bolton.

Agricultural Preservation Restrictions: Agricultural Preservation Restrictions are non-development alternatives for farm owners, geared specifically to keep land in agricultural use. We’ll be visiting two Bolton farms to hear about the benefits of Agricultural Preservation Restrictions, food safety, and sustainability. To be held October 19, 2019. Time and location to be announced.

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Up-to-date information and details about the workshops are available here or by contacting the Conservation Agent in Bolton or Sara Amish of Sudbury Valley Trustees at 978-443-5588, ex 138 or at SAmish@SVTweb.org or Jonathan Moore at 978-505-7450 or JMoore@SVTweb.org. These workshops are open to everyone, including residents of Bolton and all area towns.

Presented by: Bolton Agricultural Commission

Bolton Conservation Commission

Bolton Conservation Trust

Sudbury Valley Trustees