Our Partners

Kestrel Land Trust conserves and cares for forests, farms, and riverways in the Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, while nurturing an enduring love of the land. Kestrel has conserved more than 25,000 acres of wildlands, woodlands, farmland, and riverlands since 1970. Today, we aim to protect 1,000 acres each year.

Kestrel Land Trust has submitted a variety of suggested routes for hikes on lands and trails the nonprofit has helped to conserve. The majority of these are on town-owned or privately owned conservation areas, while a few are conservation areas owned by Kestrel Land Trust.

Nestled in a narrow valley and along the winding stream of Freeman Run in Austin, Pennsylvania is the ruins of the Bayless Paper Mill Dam, currently referred to as the Austin Dam. In 1911 the dam broke and water engulfed much of the town of Austin and claimed over 78 lives. In 1994 the Austin Dam Memorial Park Association was formed and they since have worked diligently to preserve the dam remains and to create a beautiful natural park.

Alvie (aka OliverPhineas), President of the Austin Dam Memorial Park Association, has added several hikes from Austin Dam and the surrounding area. Some of these hikes start at Austin Dam and branch outward toward Sizerville State Park, other trails meander through the Susquehannock State Forest near the Austin Dam Memorial Park.