Southwick landowners seeking to preserve their property have a new option. The Southwick Land Trust, a non-profit, non-governmental organization of community volunteers, was formed in 2024 to conserve important ecological, scenic, historic and agricultural land.
Unlike many Massachusetts towns, Southwick is still rich in farmland and the land trust seeks to conserve this precious resource while supporting farms for the future, providing equitable access to outdoor recreation, promoting appreciation of open space and protecting Southwick’s diverse ecology and rural heritage.
The new Southwick Land Trust was formed with the collaboration and mentorship of the Granby Land Trust (Granby, Conn.). “We congratulate all who helped form the new Southwick Land Trust – we know how much groundwork has been done and the commitment needed to make this happen,” said Granby Land Trust President Rick Orluk. “The Granby Land Trust is excited to add a fellow conservation partner to our north, and we look forward to the opportunity to work together on projects and regional initiatives. We stand ready to help however we can as the Southwick Land Trust grows as an organization.”Janis Prifti, a Southwick Land Trust board member, grew up on a dairy farm that her grandparents purchased in the 1920s. “Growing up, Southwick was primarily a farming community,” Prifti said. “It’s nice to have long-term residents tell me of their enjoyment recalling watching our 30 cows, each with their own name and behaviors, orderly exit their spots in the barn following herd leader Beulah across the road, blocking traffic a short while as they headed to day or night pasture.”
Today, Prifti is trustee for a 55-acre parcel added 70 years ago to family farmland, and while her family continuously explores options for the parcel, preference is for protecting and preserving the land rather than development. Prifti’s experience led her to join a group of like-minded citizens to establish the Southwick Land Trust.
With minimal investment and upkeep, greenspaces increase local revenue by attracting tourism and recreation while reducing the need for expensive infrastructure. Outdoor amenities attract businesses and new residents, and greenspaces reduce municipal expenses by providing effective flood, drought, heat and clean air mitigation in the face of severe weather and climate change.
Southwick is bordered by more congested towns, so its farms, lakes, woodlands and wildlife make it ripe for green tourism and regional food security. Granby welcomes its northern neighbor to the shared goal of land trusts in both states.