EASTHAMPTON – The Pascommuck Conservation Trust (PCT) celebrated 40 years of protecting open land and farmland in the community with a commemorative event at John Bator Park on June 25.

The PCT acquired its first parcel of land for preservation in 1982, and currently stewards a total of 16 properties, many of which offer walking trails throughout the city of Easthampton.

The celebratory event featured arts and crafts, homemade goods and a bevy of guest speakers including City Planner Jeff Bagg, state Sen. John Velis, former Easthampton Mayor Michael Tautznik and Compassionate Friends affiliate Robert MacDonald.

During his speech, Velis said he aims to find different ways in which he can help with future PCT plans and added how fascinating it was to witness the amount of trails PCT has helped protect.

“There are a lot of things that, if we sat down and put our minds together and talk a little bit, there’s things that I could probably be very helpful with,” said Velis. “We’re going to get a nice list together, and I want to know all about this organization … we need more groups like this.”

Tautznik, who is also a founding board member of PCT, reminisced about when the organization first began and how, at the time 40 years ago, the community was not valuing natural resources as much as they do now.

“We had to do something,” said Tautznik, reminiscing about the early years. “A bunch of us got together, most of us from land use boards in the community ... the community has changed with the trust, and I think the trust was a part of that change. The trust steps up in places it needs to be. We’ve protected a lot of farmland over the years; we’ve protected the slopes of Mt. Tom over the years; we’ve protected the water supply over the years, and all of that has a seed in the Trust.”

Meanwhile, Bagg spoke about how growth and changes has allowed Easthampton to grow from a town to a city, and spoke about the many projects occurring in Easthampton, including the opening the city’s first trail in over a decade later this summer.

“The work of PCT over the past 40 years has helped us react and balance the need for open space with new development and changes,” said Bagg. “I want to commend all of the PCT members who have spent their precious time talking to landowners, making maps, talking to funders, talking to lawyers, talking to residents, navigating Town Meeting…and working through the many technical steps it takes to apply our land and maintain it.”

As Easthampton continues to develop, Bagg said the city’s will look to balance affordability with growth.

“We need to balance the creation of new housing, while prioritizing the most important pieces of property and open space to protect,” said Bagg. “Easthampton is very lucky to have PCT’s commitment and expertise.”