North County Land Trust (NCLT) is proud to have been a driving force behind the protection of the Phillips Brook Conservation Area, an 80-acre parcel in Westminster, MA, boasting over 1,500 feet of frontage along Phillips Brook. This success story highlights the power of partnerships in achieving impactful conservation outcomes.
The effort to safeguard the Phillips Brook Conservation Area began with the Therriault family, who holds a strong connection with this land as their childhood home and playground. NCLT, in collaboration with the Town of Westminster, jointly secured a LAND (Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity) grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to fund the project. However, the project encountered an unexpected challenge: a pedestrian bridge over Phillips Brook was required to fulfill the grant’s requirements.
NCLT quickly took action, reaching out to the Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) for assistance. Through their Marion Stoddart Greenway Program, the NRWA provided critical funding and led the effort to design, engineer, permit, and construct the bridge in collaboration with Conservation Works, LLC. This project also benefitted from additional partnerships: Oxbow Associates conducted a pro bono wetland delineation, Trout Unlimited contributed funds and volunteers, and the Nashua Rivers Wild & Scenic Stewardship Council supported due diligence costs with a grant.
With the bridge completed in May 2024, the Phillips Brook Conservation Area is now officially protected. This achievement connects 323 acres of contiguous conserved land, creating a vital wildlife corridor and enhancing recreational opportunities for the community. This fall, NCLT began supporting the Westminster Open Space Committee’s effort to create a trail for passive recreation on the property. The bridge and trail will also provide NCLT access to the previously conserved Sibley Conservation Area, opening the door for a new NCLT trail system in the future.
North County Land Trust extends heartfelt thanks to the Town of Westminster, NRWA, and all the partners whose contributions made this project a reality. This success underscores NCLT’s commitment to fostering collaborative solutions to protect critical landscapes in north central Massachusetts.