The Highland Communities Initiative (HCI) is a program of The Trustees of Reservations that seeks to promote land conservation and community preservation in the Highlands Region of rural western Massachusetts. The Highlands Region covers 38 towns in central western Massachusetts and is roughly equivalent to the area served by MassAcorn.

According to Wendy Sweetser, Director of HCI, “The Highland Communities Initiative began through 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.”

A common theme Wendy says “is to bring information and assistance to local volunteers and landowners who are facing important decisions. HCI coordinates programs, publications and small grants. It provides support directly to people, towns and neighborhoods in the Highlands Region.”

Wendy who began working with HCI as an intern, then project manager has now been the director of HCI for two years. She enjoys her position in part because she gets to work with motivated, involved residents of the Highlands who care and appreciate the efforts of the Initiative.

My Pace Is the Highlands Is a campaign to raise regional awareness of the unique places within the region as well as highlight the Highlands area as a whole. The long-term goal of the campaign is to bring more resources, attention, and involvement to the region.

HCI has recently kicked off an awareness campaign with the publication of “Your Land, Your Choices: A landowner’s Guide to Critical Decisions in Land Management and Protection.” (pdf 1mb). This booklet covers decisions around forest management under the heading “To Cut or Not to Cut” as well as decisions about the future ownership of your woodland under “To Sell or to Save”. Resources and programs about each topic are provided at the end of each section. “Everyday, landowners make individual decisions about their land. Since 80 per cent of the Highlands region is owned by private individuals and families, the collective effects of these independent decisions will determine our region’s quality of life, wildlife habitat, water quality, and community character. Making an informed decision about your land is the most significant thing you can do to meet both your family’s and community’s needs.”

To receive a copy of this booklet contact Wendy Sweetser at 413-268-8219 or e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How To Get Involved

• Get on the HCI mailing list to find out about HCI sponsored workshops, publications and activities
• Attend HCI workshops
• Join a town board
• Join a local Land Trust
• Contact your service forester