In December 2015 the Town was awarded a $183,557.50 grant from the Local Acquisitions for Natural Diversity (LAND) program to acquire approximately 14.3 acres of open space on properties along the Cushman Brook in North Amherst. The Stosz and Stowes properties are located on either side of East Leverett Road and are adjacent to Town Conservation Land and increase the connectivity of preserved land along the Cushman Brook Corridor, including 1750 ft. of frontage. The properties remain undeveloped woodland and wetlands and would safeguard areas of priority and prime habitat that the Town of Amherst and partners- Kestrel Trust, Rattlesnake Gutter Trust, CPA committee and the Commonwealth- have worked for more than 30 years to protect.