BOSTON — The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced over $12 million in grants for projects in 40 communities across Massachusetts that will help protect open space, build parks and give more people access to the outdoors.

 

The funding will support projects like creating new walking trails, protecting forests and wetlands, building neighborhood parks and preserving land near rivers and lakes that provide drinking water.  

 

In Berkshire County, Berkshire Natural Resources Council was awarded $288,500 for the Depot Brook Corridor Project.

 

The project is within a half mile of the Appalachian Trail and is a focal area of the Resilient and Connected Network. In addition, it protects forest and coldwater stream habitat, the headwaters of Depot Brook. $288,500 Depot Brook Corridor Project 

 

The Becket Land Trust was awarded $73,550 for the Palmer Brook Forest Corridor. The site is entirely forested, containing diverse wetland systems, including hemlock swamps and boulder deposits, 80 percent of it is mapped BioMap Critical Natural Landscape, and it is adjacent to Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

 

"Protecting open spaces is about investing in the health, safety and wellbeing of our communities," said

Governor Maura Healey. "These projects support local economies, improve public health and make our neighborhoods better places to live. This funding helps ensure that every resident has access to the benefits of nature." 

 

The grants are awarded through three programs of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). The Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities (PARC) helps cities and towns create and renovate outdoor recreation areas. The Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) program supports conservation commissions in protecting natural land. The Conservation Partnership Grant funds nonprofit land trusts that work to conserve open space for future generations. 

 

These grants are part of a broader effort to support local climate resilience and land conservation. The Governor’s recently introduced Mass Ready Act outlines new investments to protect water and nature while growing local economies and preparing communities for extreme weather.