A program of The Trustees of Reservations, The Highland Communities Initiative (HCI) is a group of neighbors and volunteers working to enhance the quality of life and rural character of our communities. HCI is a grant-funded program to promote land conservation and community preservation in rural western Massachusetts. HCI seeks to encourage conservation of the natural and cultural landscapes of the Highlands Region: the 38 towns that lie between the Housatonic and Connecticut River Valleys, and the Vermont and Connecticut borders. HCI connects people and provides them with the information and support they need to preserve the special natural and cultural landscapes of the Highlands region. HCI grew out of the concerns of several Highlands residents who recognized the importance and difficulty of maintaining the quality of life and rural character of their communities in the face of rising development pressures. In response, they established an initiative that would provide municipal boards, land trusts, community leaders, and others concerned about the future of the Highlands landscape with the information and tools they need to be effective advocates for conservation and community preservation. .
The goals of the Initiative are:
- create a strong regional awareness among Highland residents about the natural resources and rural heritage of this region;
- develop a network of knowledgeable citizens committed to providing leadership in their communities on land protection and community preservation issues;
- foster the protection of significant landscapes by individuals, land trusts, towns, and state government;
- encourage and assist the 38 towns in their efforts to preserve their rural heritage in a way that recognizes the need for housing and development.
What We Do
Recognizing the value and importance of maintaining the Highlands' vibrant communities and exemplary resources, HCI provides municipal boards, land trusts, community leaders, and others concerned about the future of the Highlands landscape with information, resources, and tools that will help them to be effective advocates for conservation and community preservation.
Within the 38 Highland towns, we support communities and individuals in their efforts to make informed decisions to effect positive change by:
developing and distributing conservation tools,
supporting and enhancing the work of communities and organizations through a small grants program
sponsoring new research enterprises, and
- providing technical assistance and training on land use planning and land conservation issues.
By addressing the ecological, social, and economic health of the Highlands in an integrated way, our goal is to foster an awareness, appreciation and conservation of this extraordinary region.
| If you would like to receive updates about HCI, learn more about our project initiatives and materials, or be placed on our e-mail list, please contact us at highlands@ttor.org. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and questions. For more information, call, write or email Wendy Sweetser at
The Highland Communities Initiative
132 Main Street/P.O. Box 253
Haydenville, MA 01039 |
About The Trustees of Reservations: Since 1891, The Trustees of Reservations has been saving the Massachusetts landscape for people to enjoy. Our conservation work has helped protect more than 53,000 acres across the state. We care for 23,687 acres on 95 reservations and inspire conservation awareness through a variety of educational programs. We are a nonprofit organization supported by our 40,500 members.