How long has Amherst been preserving land?
In 1940, the Town acquired more than 2,000 acres of land in Shutesbury and Pelham from the Amherst Water Company to protect its surface water supply reservoirs. The Town began its open space and farmland protection efforts with purchases along the Mill River in 1963. Since then, Amherst has amassed 1,965 acres of conservation land, and has been integral to the acquisition of Agricultural Preservation Restrictions on 1,842 acres of farmland on 32 properties and an additional 157 acres protected by Conservation Restrictions.
In 1940, the Town acquired more than 2,000 acres of land in Shutesbury and Pelham from the Amherst Water Company to protect its surface water supply reservoirs. The Town began its open space and farmland protection efforts with purchases along the Mill River in 1963. Since then, Amherst has amassed 1,965 acres of conservation land, and has been integral to the acquisition of Agricultural Preservation Restrictions on 1,842 acres of farmland on 32 properties and an additional 157 acres protected by Conservation Restrictions. Amherst also holds approximately 2,600 acres in Amherst, Belchertown, Pelham, and Shutesbury to protect local watersheds that supply Amherst with much of its drinking water.
