Saul Property, $41,785 (Borrowing Authorization) (CPAC Vote 9-0) – The so called Saul property is located in the East Amherst Village Center in close proximity to the Fort River Elementary School, densely populated neighborhoods, and near public transportation. This land has been a high priority for preservation for many years and its acquisition is consistent with the goals of the Master Plan and Open Space and Recreation Plan. First and foremost this is a land conservation project that the Conservation Commission and Department have been working on for months. The 19-acres represent critical habitat for rare and endangered species and includes more than 1000 feet of frontage along the Fort River. A significant component of the vision for this property is to integrate natural resource protection with sharing gardens, active agriculture, walking trails and passive recreation—into the village center. This effort has broad community support from the Amherst Agricultural Commission, Grow Food Amherst, the Amherst Survival Center and the Amherst Schools. The project was ranked very highly by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Environmental Affairs and has received a $105,665 award through the Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity (LAND) Program.